LAWN TENNIS FOR LADIES

BY

MRS. LAMBERT CHAMBERS

PREFACE

As a rule an author writes a preface to explain or to apologize for a book. I shall do neither: I have tried to explain my meaning simply and clearly in the book itself, and I am optimistic enough to think that my favourite game is too popular to require an apology for increasing its literature, however unpretentious the attempt may be. Moreover, I am still too much affected by the "brilliant and feverish glow" of enthusiasm to dream of offering one.

Two things only I wish to say. First, that I am writing with no academic pride, but only with a passionate fondness for what I consider a great sport, and with a keen desire to make others equally devoted. Secondly, I should like to thank all those who have assisted me with suggestions and the loan of photographs, especially my "arena colleagues" who have rallied round me so graphically in the last chapter.

DOROTHEA LAMBERT CHAMBERS

CONTENTS

PREFACE
CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
LAWN TENNIS FOR LADIES
CHAPTER I - ATHLETICS FOR GIRLS
CHAPTER II - PRACTICE, AND HOW TO IMPROVE
CHAPTER III - MATCH AND TOURNAMENT PLAY
CHAPTER IV - RACKETS, COURTS, DRESS, AND TRAINING
CHAPTER V - TOURNAMENT AND CLUB MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER VI - SOME PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER VII - MY MOST MEMORABLE MATCH (BY LEADING PLAYERS)
INDEX

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

MRS. LAMBERT CHAMBERS

WIMBLEDON, 1905: MISS MAY SUTTON WINNING THE LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME
From a photograph by Bowden Brothers.

THE FORE-HAND DRIVE

THE BACK-HAND DRIVE

SERVICE
From photographs by Dexter.

MRS. G.W. HILLYARD AND MR. NORMAN BROOKES, MISS PINCKNEY AND MR. G.W. HILLYARD

MISS D.K. DOUGLASS AND MR. A.F. WILDING, MISS EASTLAKE SMITH AND MR. R.F. DOHERTY

MISS MAY SUTTON, WHO WON THE LADIES' CHAMPIONSHIP AT WIMBLEDON, 1905, 1907
From a photograph by Bowden Brothers.

ON TOUR: THE LATE MISS C. MEYER, MISS PINCKNEY, AND MISS E.W. THOMSON (MRS. LARCOMBE)

GROUP PLAYERS AT THE NEWCASTLE TOURNAMENT, 1902

AFTER THE LADIES' FINAL AT WIMBLEDON: TEA ON THE LAWNS
From a photograph by Bowden Brothers.

A TOURNAMENT HOUSE-PARTY AT NEWCASTLE

"MY SISTERS AND MYSELF"
A picture-postcard sent to Mrs. Lambert Chambers by Miss May Sutton
from her home in California.

AUTOGRAPHS FROM MY ALBUM

SOME OF THE FRUITS OF VICTORY

THE CHALLENGE ROUND AT WIMBLEDON, 1905: MISS
SUTTON (AMERICA) v. MISS D.K. DOUGLASS
From a photograph by Bowden Brothers.

MOTOR-CARS WAITING OUTSIDE THE ALL ENGLAND GROUND AT WIMBLEDON DURING THE LADIES' CHALLENGE ROUND, 1906

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