He is a typical all court player with no
outstanding feature to his game unless it be his volleying. Pat
Wood has a natural aptitude for doubles which at times seriously
interferes with his singles game.
His service is a well placed speedy slice that he mixes up well.
It is not a great delivery but very effective. His ground
strokes, taken on the rising bounces, are flat drives, accurate
and varied as to direction but lacking punch. He does not hit
hard enough. He is a brilliant volleyer, cutting off at sharp
angles the hardest drives. His overhead is erratic. At times he
is deadly overhead but is prone to lapses into uncertainty. He is
remarkably quick and speedy of foot. His sense of anticipation is
magnificent. His generalship good, though not brilliant. It is
lack of punch, the inability to put the ball away, that keeps Pat
O'Hara Wood from the first flight in singles.
Clever, blessed with a keen sense of humour, a sterling sportsman
and delightful opponent, Pat O'Hara Wood is a big asset to tennis
and a man who is needed in the game.
J. C. HAWKES
The youngest of the Australasian players and a boy of great
promise is Jack Hawkes. He is only 22 and young in the game for
his age.
Let me state now I do not approve of Hawkes' style. His footwork
is wrong, hopelessly wrong and I fear that unless he corrects it,
it may keep him from attaining the place his natural abilities
promise.
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