Figure 1.--Here a boy is having a go at tennis with a friend in the afternoon. Some schools had hard sueface tennis courts. This school did not, but grass courts are popular in Europe. |
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Tennis usually is applied to the sort of lawn tennis, but there is also court or royal tennis--a much different game. Tennis is usually played outdoors with a racket and ball by two (singles) or four players (doubles) on a court of turf or hard surface such as clay or now commonly paved surface. The modern game of lawn tennis was invented in England during 1873 by Major Walter C. Wingfield, a British Army Officer, for use at garden parties. Major Winfoeld claimed that he modeled the game, which he called "spharistike," after an aincient Greek game. Authorities now believe that he simply adapted to outdoor play the principles of the widely popular came of court tennis. In Brtain it was and to some extent still is a sport generally plsayed by the more affluent. At school level it was the private schools that were more likely to have the grounds needed for tennis courts. It is popular with both both boys and girls. One great advantage of tennis is that it is a game adults can easily play after leaving school. It is a popular sport at most schools and inter-school matches as well as intra-school tournaments are commonly organized. School fixtures are a little complicated because of the limited number of courts at many schools. Many schools have spirited intra-school tournaments during the summer term. Weather can be a problem as tennis is not a sport that can be played in rainy conditions.
The only match this term began after a two hour journey to Clayesmore. We finally arrived and were not only greeted by our opponents but also by the rain. Mrs Barker finally decided that we would bravely play on. Play began well with two of our couples winning convincingly and the third losing by only a few close games. The rain continued through the second lot of matches. By the third lot of matches we were all thoroughly tired and soaked to the skin. The renmaining games were cancelled, so it was a draw, although we had scored more points up to then. We went in or a well-earned team-tea. The tiring Saturday afternoon practices had finally been put to good use.
Catherine Williams, Junior Wyvern (Queen's College Junior School), 1989-90.
This summer Beachborough was more successful than last year in their matches against other schools. Our first pair, M. Covil (Capt.) and C. Hyland, won all except one of their matches. We had a very close defeat of 4-5 against Winchester House and, also, can equally close result against Swanbourne, where we would probably have won if three members of our first team had been available to play. In the school tournament C. Hyland beat G. Lean in the senior finals. I believe this is the first time at Beachborough that the school tennis tournament has been won by two brothers in the same year. Again we must thank Mrs Georgina Clark for coaching a record number of 38 boys. How she does it so successfully is a mystery to me.
CA, The School Record (Beachborough School), September 1979.
Day after day of rain-drenched courts made it seem surprising that any tennis was played at all, let alone te competitions and the staff match; the only victim to a typical English summer being the Mothers' match which had to be abandoned in mid-set and transferred to the table-tennis empprium where the boys had an undoubted advantage, the overall score being something of a triumph. The staff just managed to assert their superiority, in contrast to last year, by beating the boys 7--5. In the senior competition Jonathan Moorhouse beat Ian MacAdam; the doubles went to Lance Gerrard-Wright and Douglas Thompson who conquered Hugo Crawford and Ian MacAdam. The junior singles were won by Piers Coombs who in partnership with Charles Weller, also gained the doubles title.
MHF, Lambrook Chronicle, 1980.
In the Summer Term three school matches were arranged. The match against St. Dunstan's was organized on the basis of three mixed pairs. Both teams were extremely nervous and the quality of tennis was not high. The Downs won 9-0 which at least boosted our morale. The match against Clifton College was cancelled due to monsoon-like conditions on the day. The final fixture was against Tockington Mannor. Our number ine pairconsisted of Tom Searle and Andrew Murfin, who won all their three matches! The other pairs narrowly lost all their games and Tockington ran out worthy winners by 6-3. This match was very valuable experience for our players who must grow accustomed to playing in parnership.
The School Tennis Tournament attracted 44 entries in the Senior Event. Tom Searle and andrew Murfin were the finalists. Searleonly dropped two gamesen route to the final, but Murfin had a tougher passage, narrowly beating Simon Fleming 7-5 in the quarter finals. Searle won the final 6-2. 6-4. Some of the rallies were excellentbut moth players were inderstandably very cautious and unimaginative in this match. Alasdair Berry beat Paul Banbury 6-2 in convincing style to gain third place. In the Junior Event there were 21 entries and the two finalists were Uche Asiodu and Briony Rowling. Asiodu won 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 in a really splendid final played in excellebt spirit. Manyb pupils show great interest in the game and we hope ton arrange a full fixture list of tennis matches next year.
D.H. After Christmas Hiawatha Victoria Bealby, 13.3, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1984.
Parody of Hiawatha
Brought a racquet with his money,
Brought a racquet for his tennis --
His first lesson was tomorrow.
Met his partner on the grass court
Watched the net arise before him
Then his partner served the first
Served with devestating fury.
Said the little Hiawatha
'Minnehaha's good a tennis',
Smiling sweetly, then she answered,
'Yes and so might youwith practice!'
First she taught him hoe to forehand
Then she taught him how to backhand.
Forehand, backhand -- how confusing
How would he remember then both.
Soon would come the lob and volley,
Then the smash would start him crying.
Round his head the thoughts were crying
'Cause he should have bought a football.
Football, football why not football?
Then he's play with lots of people?.
Leather outside, ir-filled inside
Kick it with your boots of seal-hide
Seal-hide boots for playing football.
Skin-side outside -- fur-side inside,
Right-side insde -- wrong-sideinside.
But whatever -- warm-side inside.
Special studs made very carefully
Whate tooth covered with whale blubber
Stopping punctures in the football.
Little Hiawatha next year
Bouught football with his money
Bought it for his frinds to play with
Every Sunday -- three o'clock start.
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