Victory is the criterion of a
match player, and Gobert has not proved himself a great victor.
Gobert is probably the finest indoor player in the world, while
he is very great on hard courts; but his grass play is not the
equal of many others. I heartily recommend Gobert's style to all
students of the game, and endorse him as a model for strokes.
W. LAURENTZ
Another brilliant, erratic and intensely interesting figure that
France has given the tennis world is Laurentz, the wonderful
young player, who, at the age of seventeen defeated A. F.
Wilding.
Laurentz is a cyclonic hitter of remarkable speed and brilliance,
but prone to very severe lapses. His service is of several
varieties, all well played. He uses an American twist as his
regular delivery, but varies it with a sharp slice, a reverse
twist of great spin, and a fast cannon-ball smash. Laurentz is
very versatile. He has excellent orthodox drives, fore- and
backhand, and a competent forehand chop.
His volleying is brilliant almost beyond description, but very
erratic. He is very fast on his feet, and anticipates remarkably
well. He will make the most hair-raising volleys, only to fall
down inexplicably the next moment on an easy shot. His overhead
is like his volley, severe, brilliant, but uncertain.
Laurentz is a very hard worker, and, unlike Gobert, is always at
his best when behind. He is a fair fighter and a great match
player.
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