Bill Tilden's Tennis For Beginners

I created this video at / editor

[@lafamidore]

Amazing footage! Thank you so much for posting this! I was six when I was given the exact same instruction. Now, I coach juniors and am constantly amazed by how much the game has changed, especially the use of the Western grip! Nevertheless, I caught myself saying,"keep your eye on the ball at all times" just yesterday. That's timeless!

[@JDCullum]

Thank you for posting this. The sight of that amazing Tilden serve is priceless.

[@soclarc]

An old-timer, I've been looking for videos of Tilden playing tennis for a long time. Thanks so much for uploading this one. He may well have been the best of the wooden-racket era. Around the time of your video, he'd recently beaten twenty-something Ted Schroeder, US Nat'l Champ, in a match for military servicemen. Score: 6-2, 6-3. Tilden was about 49 years old. He was legendary for such matches in his very late playing years.

[@darthnozo]

This is amazing FPS for '48. Incredible. Thanks for posting.

[@tom47usa]

I just found an article where the "kid" shared his memories of Bill Tilden. Art Anderson was a very talented young player and progressed further as an adult tennis player. I find it most frustrating that I might have had the chance to speak with him, had I only discovered his identity sooner. I'm having trouble posting that link but I have it up on the Indoor Tennis Court FaceBook Page. Sorry for the re-direction but at the moment it is the only way I can get you to the link.

[@tom47usa]

I've added the second film that I have of Bill Tilden. It also runs for 10 minutes. It is titled "Bill Tilden's Advanced Tennis." I hope you enjoy it.

[@PigeonFeathers]

@lobextomy Bill Tilden's serve was once clocked at 163 miles an hour. You can read about it in the book, A Terrible Splendor.

[@PigeonFeathers]

I heard about these instructional videos a while back and was hoping someone would post them some day. Thanks so much!

[@tom47usa]

@johndcullum Glad you enjoyed it! I'm working on another Tilden film that is very similar in format. I hope to have it uploaded to this site in the near future. Thank you for your taking the time to post your kind comments.

[@kjetin99]

Thanks a lot for your fantastic video how it was back then That really shows that it is a different world.

[@ramonyere5826]

Bill Tilden was one of the best in the business, maybe the best tennis player who ever lived. It's been said he could serve a ball at 150+ mph. I have doubts about that since serving a ball that fast and powerful with a wooden racket (all rackets in Tilden's era were made of wood) is very difficult.

[@tom47usa]

I'm happy to know that you finally had a chance to view these films. Thank you for your positive thoughts. @tom47usa

[@tom47usa]

Thank you for your comments. I sincerely apologize for the delay in approving your posting. Best Wishes!

[@soclarc]

tom47usa: Took tennis from Jan Kozeluh, Karel's brother, in 1950s ("Teeldin best!!!!"). In "Lolita," "Ned Litam" should be spelled backwards. Lo takes lessons from grizzled veteran, Ned. Nabokov also calls Tilden's game "the divine delicacy of absolute power." I've sen them all play in person except Tilden, Vines, the Muskateers (though Toto belongs in Oz). Tilden's game sublime to see, like Ali, Sugar Ray R, Willie Mays, Dimag.

[@soclarc]

Took tennis lessons in 50s from Jan Kozeluh, Karel's brother. ("Teeldin best!!!!) Have read DeFord, Riggs, others. Have seen them all play in person except Tilden, Vines, the Musketeers (tho I think Toto went to Oz). Probably know that "Ned Litam" in Nabokv's "Lolita" should be spelled backwards; Nabokov says Tilden's game "the divine delicacy of absolute power." Lolita takes lessons from Ned when he's a "grizzled veteran." Tilden's sublime style... great regret just missed seeing him play.

[@tom47usa]

@aardvaark069 You are correct.Tilden was indeed a chain smoker.

[@MrPernell27]

@tom47usa he was a smoker. They finally made it a rule that smoking on court wasn't allowed because of bastian Brashh. A chain smoking german who played during the 90's

[@kjetin99]

I can swear on my childrens head that with that technique its impossible to hit even 100 mph!

[@tom47usa]

Thank you for your thoughts and information of Bill Tilden. I promise to do a bit of work today regarding another film that I have of "Big" Bill. In the meantime you might enjoy this Website: Indoor tennis court .com. (w/o spaces) The Indoor Court is where Bill Tilden spent the Winter of 1919-20 working on his backhand. You probably already know this but I'm not sure if you found my website. Stop by sometime if you are in the area, but let me know so that I can meet you.

[@tom47usa]

Hi, Thank you for your posting and information. I will have to be sure to pick up a copy. It sounds very interesting. @PigeonFeathers

[@tom47usa]

Thanks Billy! I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. I've roughly translated your message to say "its rare to see such a good-engaging video" Best Wishes, Tom

[@tom47usa]

That's a good question. Back then many were unaware of the dangers of smoking. Strange how people didn't know this, seems rather obvious when you think about it. I'm not sure if Tilden was a smoker, I'll have to look that one up. Regardless, you can clearly find him and many famous people in such ads from years ago.

[@tom47usa]

Hi Everyone, just an update here to let you know that the date listed on the film's container indicates 1948. Thank you!

All that and a chain-smoker too

[@Pundit2k]

Was there slow mo back in 1948?

[@tom47usa]

Hey Tooobah, The only idiots are the player's with bad behavior of which you you are not capable of. Try to keep your grip(s) correct and be sure to keep your eye on the ball and you'll be fine. Next time you are in town we should play a few games. Maybe we could play mixed doubles along with our spouses.

[@Federer2001]

Wow. Some things haven't changed but a lot has changed. The swing has changed along with the grip. Today, we see more of the same grip for a forehand and backhand grip.