Lawn Tennis

Originally published in 1951, in Lawn Tennis Mr Hankinson produced something that was outstandingly original at the time. The intention was to teach the game from the very beginnings, and to this end the written description was reduced to a minimum, and, so far as possible, the teaching was built up round the photographs. In some of these Mr Hankinson introduced four most life-like puppets, which he named the Lawn Tennis Quads, and they most effectively demonstrate the principles of the basic strokes. They are supported by action shots of young players. The author also constructed a model lawn tennis court, and to illustrate the more simple tactical situations of the game the puppets were invited to play singles and doubles on this court.

The author’s previous titles had been very successful and yet this new volume seemed to reach a new level of carefully planned instruction. The introduction of the puppets was said to be a stroke of genius, and the skill shown in setting them up to demonstrate the technique of the strokes was masterly. The pictorial ingenuity may have overshadowed the text, but, apart from the more descriptive items there are stimulating chapters entitled “How to Watch a Match” and “Yourself and the Game.” Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.