Lawn Tennis for Ladies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 79 pages of information about Lawn Tennis for Ladies.

Lawn Tennis for Ladies eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 79 pages of information about Lawn Tennis for Ladies.

The classification for 1899 was: 

Mrs. Hillyard           Scratch
Miss Martin             Scratch
Miss C. Cooper          1/6
Miss Austin             1/6
Mrs. Durlacher          2/6
Mrs. Pickering          3/6
Miss M.E.  Robb          4/6
Miss Steedman           5/6
Miss Bromfield          15
Mrs. Kirby              15
Miss Tulloch            15

In 1900 Miss Marion Jones, then American lady champion, came over to England.  I played one of the most exhausting matches against her that I have ever experienced.  It was at Queen’s Club in the Handicap Singles.  I was owing 3/6 and Miss Jones receiving 3/6.  There was a good deal of discussion at the time about this match, and in spite of the tremendous heat (we do not get such summers now) we were persuaded to go into court.  In truth it was a gruelling day.  I remember men walked about the streets fanning themselves.  We played for hours in a blazing sun, and I eventually won, the score being 8/10, 6/2, 7/5.  After the match Miss Jones was taken to the dressing-room in a fainting condition, and when I reached home I had an attack of sunstroke, and had my head packed in ice.  The umpire was also seriously ill for some time.  It was only the international element in the game and the controversy about the relative points that made us fight it out to the bitter end.

We both thoroughly agreed with the notice of this match which appeared in Lawn Tennis the following week: 

“The ladies had their example of untiring effort and splendid patience in the second round of the Handicap Singles, when Miss Marion Jones, the American champion (receive 3/6) met Miss D.K.  Douglass (owe 3/6).  The tie was played off under exceptionally trying circumstances.  A fiercely hot sun was pouring its rays on the court, and there was scarcely a breath of air, yet for 2-1/2 hours, without hats, did these ladies strive for mastery.  The first set fell to Miss Jones after 18 games had been played.  The second was secured by Miss Douglass with comparative ease, neither the odds nor the previous exertions appearing to affect her.  The third set brought out a remarkable display of patience, determination, and cool judgment, for when it stood out at 5 games to 1 in Miss Jones’s favour, Miss Douglass won the next 6 games right off, each game being fought out with great resolution.  It may be doubted whether either for tennis’ sake or ‘kudos’ such a contest under such conditions is wise.  I was not surprised to hear it mentioned that not only had both competitors severely felt the strain, but that even the umpire had suffered.”

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Lawn Tennis for Ladies from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.