Most of the foregoing is irrelevant, I suppose, but I have gone into detail because I want to prove that America has gone into the matter of junior developments, carefully, systematically, and has produced results.
It has been proved conclusively that it is in the schools that the most favourable progress could be made.Once tennis is placed on the basis of importance it deserves, the boys will take it up.At present there is a tendency to discount tennis and golf in school.This is a big mistake, as these two games are the only ones that a man can play regularly after he leaves college and enters, into business.The school can keep a sport alive.It is schools that kept cricket alive in England, and lack of scholastic support that killed it in America.The future of tennis in England, France, Australia, Japan, etc., rests in the hands of the boys.If the game is to grow, tennis must be encouraged among the youngsters and played in the schools.
England is faced with a serious problem.Eton and Harrow, the two big schools, are firm set against tennis.The other institutions naturally follow in the lead of these famous schools.The younger generation is growing up with little or no knowledge of tennis.One thing that forcibly bore in on my mind, during my trip in 1920, was the complete absence of boys of all ages at the various tournaments.In America youngsters from ten years of age up swarm all over the grounds at big tennis events.I saw very few of either at Queen's Club, Wimbledon, Eastbourne, or Edgbaston where I played.The boys do not understand tennis in England, and naturally do not care to play it.
The English Lawn Tennis Association is very desirous of building up tennis in the schools; but so far has not yet succeeded in breaking down the old prejudice.It is really a question of life or death with English tennis at this time.Major A.R.F.Kingscote, the youngest of the leading players in England, is older than any man in the American First ten, with the single exception of Walter T.Hayes.J.C.Parke has stated definitely that 1920 marked his retirement from the game.He is just under forty.Young players must be found to replace the waning stars.The danger is not immediate, for all the players who proved so good in 1920 seemed certainof several more years of first- class play; but what of the next ten years?
The future development of tennis is dependent largely upon the type of court that will become the standard.All big fixtures to-day are played on grass wherever possible.There is little question but that the grass game is the best.In the first place, it is the old-established custom, and should be maintained if possible.Secondly, the game is more skilful and more interesting on turf.Thirdly, grass is far easier on the eyes and feet of the players than any other surface.
There are drawbacks to grass courts.Grass cannot grow in all climates.The grass season opens late and closes early.The expense of upkeep is very great, and skilled groundsmen are required at all clubs that have grass courts.
The hard court of clay or dirt, cinder, en-tout-cas, or asphalt allows more continuous play and uniform conditions in more kinds of weather.The bound is truer and higher, but the light and surface are harder on the player.The balls wear light very rapidly, while racquets wear through quite soon.
The advantages are a much longer season on hard courts, with less chance of weather interrupting important meetings.The courts require far less care in upkeep than grass.
