Hi Nick: I am 10 years old. Playing on the smaller courts with softer balls makes me feel limited to only slice and volley because my groundstrokes go deep 100 percent of the time. But playing on the regular courts with hard balls is overwhelming and frustrating. What should I do?
—McKay, Salt Lake City, UT
Hi McKay: I suggest you continue using the soft balls, but ask your coach if he can stand a few more feet behind the regular lines of the smaller court. Also, ask your coach if you can play on a regular court, but still use the softer ball. Be sure to keep working with a coach who will determine your progress from smaller courts to regular courts and know when to use the regular balls.
Have a question for legendary coach Nick Bollettieri?Write to him and he'll consider your question for a future column.
Mail it to:
Nick Bollettieri
c/o Tennis Magazine
48 West 21st street, Sixth Floor
New York, NY 10010
Or email it to:
asknick@tennis.com