Psychotennis, Anyone?

"Psychotennis, Anyone?" by Lloyd Williams is a science fiction short story published during the early 1950s. The narrative explores the implications of telekinesis within a competitive sport context, focusing on a new form of tennis where players control the ball using their mental abilities. The story dives into themes of power, responsibility, and the consequences of scientific advancements on human behavior. The plot revolves around Dr. Grant Lane, who has pioneered a telekinetic sport only to find it spiraling out of control with the emergence of a brutal player named Slag. After a tragic incident leaves Lane’s protégé, Tony, injured during a match, he wrestles with feelings of guilt and the public outcry against the sport. As Lane investigates the possibility of outside influences on the outcomes of the matches, he discovers that the true danger lies not in the sport itself but in the manipulative actions of the players and their managers. The climax sees Lane take on Slag in a match that ultimately reveals the darker sides of ambition and the human psyche, culminating in an unexpected confrontation that clarifies the true nature of the threats posed by their abilities.