J.C.PARKE
There is no name in tennis history of the past decade more famous than that of J.C.Parke.In twelve months, during 1912 and 1913, he defeated Brookes, Wilding, and M'Loughlin--a notable record; and now in 1920, after his wonderful work in the World War, he returns to tennis and scores a decisive victory over W.M.Johnston.
Parke is essentially a baseline player.His service is soft, flat, but well placed.His ground strokes are hit with an almost flat racquet face and a peculiar short swing.He uses a pronounced snap of the wrist.He slices his straight backhand shot, but pulls his drive 'cross court.It is Parke's famous running drive down the line that is the outstanding feature of his game.Parke was a ten-second hundred-yard man in college, and still retains his remarkable speed of foot.He hits his drive while running at top speed and translates his weight to the ball.It shoots low and fast down the line.It is a marvellous stroke.
Parke's volleying is steady and well placed but not decisive.His overhead is reliable and accurate, but lacks "punch." The great factor of Parke's game is his uncanny ability to produce his greatest game under the greatest stress.I consider him one of the finest match players in the world.His tactical knowledge and brainy attack are all the more dangerous, because he has phenomenal power of defence and fighting qualities of the highest order.There is no finer sportsman in tennis than Parke.Generous, quiet, and modest, Parke is deservedly a popular figure with the tennis world.
A.R.F.KINGSCOTE
The most recent star to reach the heights of fame in English tennis is Major A.R.F.Kingscote.Kingscote has played good tennis for some years; but it was only in 1919, following his excellent work in the War, that he showed his true worth.He defeated Gobert in sequence sets in the Davis Cup tie at Deauville, and followed by defeating Anderson in Australia and carrying Patterson to a hard match.Since then he has steadily improved and this season found him the leading figure of the1
Kingscote played much of his early tennis with R.N.Williams in Switzerland during 1910 and 1911.The effect of this training is easily seen on his game to-day for, without Williams' dash and extreme brilliancy, their strokes are executed in very much the same style.
Kingscote's service is a fast slice, well placed and cleverly disguised.It carries a great deal of pace and twist.His ground strokes are hit off the rising bound of the ball, with a flat raquet face or a slight slice.His wonderful speed of foot offsets his lack of height, and he hits either side with equal facility.There are no gaps in Kingscote's game.It is perfectly rounded.His favourite forehand shot is 'cross court, yet he can hit equally well down the line.His backhand is steady, very accurate and deceptive, but rather lacks speed.His volleying is remarkable for his court covering and angles, but is not the decisive win of Williams or Johnston.He is the best volleyer in the British Isles.His overhead is reliable and accurate for so short a man, but at times is prone to lack speed.
Kingscote is a sound tactician without the strategic brilliance of Parke.He is a fine match player and dogged fighter.Witness his 5-set battle with me in the Championships, after being match point down in the fourth set, and his 5-set struggle with Johnston in the Davis Cup.It is a slight lack of decisiveness all round that keeps Kingscote just a shade below the first flight.He is a very fine player, who may easily become a top-notch man.His pleasant, modest manner and generous sportsmanship make him an ideal opponent, and endear him to the gallery.
H.ROPER BARRETT
One of the real tennis tacticians, a man who is to-day a veteran of many a notable encounter, yet still dangerous at all times, is H.Roper Barrett.
