There was not much chance of improving at school, because nobody took the trouble to have the court or net of the right dimensions.  The rules of the game were not even known.  Every ball that touched the line was given out.  I remember a very heated argument I had with a mistress who was umpiring a match for me, the result of which was that I had lines to write for impertinence!

In 1899 I joined the Ealing Lawn Tennis Club, and won the singles championship cup three years in succession, thus keeping it for my own property.  At one time Mrs. Hillyard and Mrs. Sterry had both been members of this same club.  Curiously enough, Mrs. Hillyard, Mrs. Sterry, Miss Sutton, and myself have all lived, at different periods of our lives, very close together—­Mrs. Hillyard at Greenford, Mrs. Sterry and myself at Ealing, and Miss Sutton at Acton.  I think about this time I very much improved my game by constantly playing singles against the best men in the club, and also doubles with three men.  This was undoubtedly excellent practice for me.

[Illustration:  AUTOGRAPHS FROM MY ALBUM]

In 1898 I won my first prizes in open tournaments, the handicap singles at Chiswick Park and Queen’s Club.  At Chiswick I received 15.4, and met Miss C. Cooper in the semi-final.  I remember quite well my “stage fright” when I went into court against this famous player, even at the tremendous odds of owe 15.3 and give 15.4.  I lost the first set easily, and the game was then postponed until the next day owing to failing light.  After that first set, a friend said to me, “If you could only forget it’s Miss Cooper, I am certain you could win.”  The next day I tried to follow out this advice, and eventually won the match with the score of 3/6, 6/1, 6/4.  At Queen’s I met Miss C. Cooper again.  She was owing 40 and I was receiving 2/6.  I again managed to win, this time in two sets, 6/2, 6/3.  At Eastbourne the same year, my third tournament, I was in the second-class handicap owing 15, and survived a few rounds.  Miss C.M.  Wilson was also in the second class at 4/6, but we did not meet.  Miss A.M.  Morton, Miss A.N.G.  Greene, Miss Garfit, Miss Robb, Mrs. Hillyard, Miss Dyas, Miss Austin, and Miss C. Cooper were in the first class.  The classification for that year (1898) was: 

  Miss C. Cooper Scratch

Miss Austin             1/6
Miss Dyas               1/6
Mrs. Hillyard           1/6
Miss Martin             1/6
Miss Steedman           2/6
Mrs. Pickering          3/6
Miss Robb               3/6

Miss Garfit             4/6
Mrs. Kirby              4/6
Miss Legh               4/6

The first player of any repute that I beat in Open Singles was Miss E.R.  Morgan, whom I defeated in 1899 at Chiswick Park.  I was beaten in the next round by Miss B. Tulloch after a severe tussle.  I again won the Handicap Singles at Queen’s.  I was on the scratch mark, the farthest back I had yet been.  Miss Austin was back-marker at owe 30.3.