In inaugurating the new department, 

 American Tennis, we would be lacking in ap- 

 preciation of what is due literary fashion if 

 we omitted the "foreword." 



Therefore, we wish, in introducing our- 

 selves to the lovers of the game, to state 

 briefly to them the reason for our being, the 

 purpose we hope to serve and the part that 

 they must play to bring our plans to success- 

 ful issue. 



First, we are official. By mandate of the 

 Executive Committee of the United States 

 National Lawn Tennis Association we are its 

 mouthpiece. We are honored in the choice 

 and accept the position with due appreciation 

 of its responsibility. Through us are made 

 announcements of engagements undertaken by 

 the Committee for the advancement of the 

 game. Through us are made public fixtures, 

 rulings and conditions governing future 

 events. That in itself were reason enough for 

 our being. 



Second, besides carrying our bulletins to the 

 waiting ears of the tennis world, we will com- 

 ment on current topics of interest, review 

 events of importance, criticise play and plans 

 — even though they be the plans of our spon- 

 sors — and generally do all that in our power 

 lies to forward the sport in America. 



In our bulletining alone will we be official. 

 Our criticism, our comment, will be unoffi- 

 cial. It will be impersonal, but fearless and 

 forceful in support of true sportsmanship, and 

 of that which we believe of greatest benefit to 

 the game. It will consider topics of interest 

 to the expert and to the tyro. The champion 

 will find no more prominent place in it than 

 the modest match-player, save for his greater 

 activity. It will discuss and diagram styles 

 of play and suggest means whereby individ- 

 ual skill may be increased. In all this it will 

 know no bias. - 



This is our purpose. 



Third, Now for your part. We wish you 

 to read our announcements and notify us 

 promptly of any plans of your own that are 

 not noticed; to read our comment on current 

 happenings and suggest other topics that oc- 

 cur to you ; to read our reviews of important 



events with an eye single to our disinterested- 

 ness ; to criticise our criticisms with a relation 

 of our helpful purpose, and above all, to speak 

 your mind freely to us on any and every sub- 

 ject pertaining to the game. Without your 

 co-operation through communication with us 

 we cannot be successful. 



INDOOR TENNIS. 



The experiment of indoor tennis at the St. 

 Nicholas Skating Rink advances the opening 

 of the playing season in New York nearly a 

 month. The novel idea suggested to Mrs 

 Barger Wallack and undertaken by her has 

 met with general favor. Socially, the game is 

 growing steadily in popularity and the St. 

 Nicholas movement suggests that it is not un- 

 likely to be taken up extensively in new quar- 

 ters. With interclub activity aroused to an 

 unprecedented extent, we may hope for a 

 boom year. 



The success of the plan thus far indicates 

 that it will in future be an annual feature. 

 The idea of having two months indoor play 

 in April and May is very attractive. By the 

 class arrangement it is possible for a great 

 many players to enjoy its advantages while 

 general interest is maintained by the daily 

 tournament play. 



The various tourneys attracted an unex- 

 pectedly high class entry. The Men's Doubles 

 in particular showed especially high caliber. 

 The detail of its play will be noticed in the 

 June issue. 



The arrangements proved exceptionally sat- 

 isfactory. The green canvas covering of the 

 floor afforded a much better court than has 

 hitherto been enjoyed for indoor play. It will 

 undoubtedly be extensively adopted in future. 



The tournament arrangements scheduled as 

 we write for the remaining month (subject to 

 changes which may subsequently be found 

 necessary) are as follows : 



April 26, 27, 28. — Girls' Doubles, arranged by 

 Miss Ethel Cowdin. 



April 29, May 1, 2. — Southampton Tournament, 

 Mixed Doubles. 



May 3, 4, 5. — Women's Class A Singles, arranged 

 by Mrs. Barger Wallack. 



May 6, 8, 9. — Mixed Doubles (Handicap). 



May 10, 11, 12. — Girls' Junior Doubles, arranged 

 by Mrs. Chas. S. Brown. 



423 



