ONE of the most important things in tennis is to keep the eye on the ball. Nine players out of ten lose sight of a ball shortly after it crosses the net. It is essential to watch it until it comes in contact with the racquet. Most players, when they should be watching the ball, are either looking at their opponent or at the spot on their opponent's court where they wish to place the ball. The player who takes his eye off the ball, if only for the fraction of a second, may in that short time miss the opportunity for hitting it clean, i. e., in the center of the racquet. This applies to every shot in tennis.

It is an excellent thing while playing to repeat to one's self over and over again:" Eye on the ball," "Eye on the ball."

Many a volley and smash go out of court because the racquet has turned in the hand. This happens because the ball has not met the center of the racquet. Even a tighter grip will not prevent this. This difficulty is obviated by keeping the eye on the ball. Watch your ball and you are bound to judge it right. By hurrying and losing sight of it you are bound to misjudge it. Keeping the eye on the ball does not mean merely to watch it casually, but to reckon its flight, also to judge the speed and depth of the stroke. By doing this the player can tell beforehand where the ball is going to drop in court.

Another thing of first importance in tennis is to put the ball over the net. A player feels disappointed and angry at a ball that goes out of court. He feels the same way when he puts it into the net, for this has sacrificed all the chance he might have had of winning the point.

Again you see many players take balls which if let alone would go out of court. In doubles suppose you call "out," but still your partner takes it. If he returns the ball he at least has his opponent guessing and trying for a return. Many times he will be in doubt if he should take it, not knowing if the ball is going to be good. All this is that much more strain on his nerves.

Notice a first class player while in a game. He is always putting the ball over the net and at least two feet above it. The fault of the average player Is, that he plays his ball too fine, putting too many into the net in consequence.

In singles, because the opponent is more often playing deep, you should play higher above the net than in doubles, where one or both op