Always bear in mind that a referee at a tournament has a most “worrying time of it.”  Players can and should help to make his task lighter.  There are many ways in which they can assist to make the tournament as successful as possible.  One is by being punctual and ready dressed to play when wanted, and another is by umpiring when they are disengaged and have not an important match just coming on.  “Taking the chair” may help them not to dispute an umpire’s decision when they are in court themselves.  They will realize how difficult umpiring is, and that bad as umpires often are they are doing their best.  To dispute a decision or to argue with the umpire never helps matters; it usually makes him nervous.  A bad decision must be taken as a fortune of war, and borne in a sportsmanlike manner.  But you must never allow the crowd to influence the umpire.  It is a hopeless expedient, for many people who watch matches are ignorant of the rules of the game.

Sometimes—­I suppose it is Hobson’s choice—­an umpire is chosen from the “gate.”  If he knows little or nothing of his duties the result is disastrous.  Should there be difficulty in getting an umpire who knows something of his work, I think the match should take care of itself.  I have experienced umpires who do not even know how to score!

And now a word or two about Clubs. It is very difficult to manage a lawn tennis club successfully; much tact is required.  I think it is almost impossible to prevent a club being “cliquey,” and I should always advise a player who wishes to improve her game to join one which is more concerned with its tennis than its social side.  Some clubs still use the game for a garden-party, where long trailing skirts, sunshades, and basket chairs predominate.  Perhaps a game or two is played in the cool of the evening.  That sort of club should be avoided if you are a keen and enthusiastic player.

The committee of a club should be a small one, consisting of members who are devoted to the best interests of the game.  Their aim should be to keep in touch with all the latest developments, and above all to keep up to date, advancing with the times.  A committee sometimes embraces old supporters of the club who have been members for years and years.  They have old-fashioned ideas, are very conservative, and do not like innovations of any sort, even if changes are obviously necessary for the benefit of the game.  A committee should see that their club has a good match-card, for inter-club contests are excellent practice for the members, and there is nothing like fostering a spirit of friendly rivalry.  Care should be taken to choose players who make a good pair and combine well together.  A committee should do all in its power to improve the standard of play, and that can only be accomplished by having well-tended courts and good balls.  Many clubs are not equipped with side-posts for the single game.  That is a great mistake, because a player will practise without them in her club, and then when she enters for a tournament will have to use them.  It is bound to put her off her game.  Such details make all the difference between good and bad management of a club.