Hi Nick: I am a 13-year-old top-ranked player, and lately I’ve been having trouble generating power on my forehand. I try what my coach tells me to do, but my forehand always goes into the net. What should I do?

— Wes Barnett, Little Rock, AR

Hi Wes: Without knowing your grip, it’s difficult to give you a specific answer. However, most players try to generate power by muscling the ball. In reality, one gets power from a strong lower-body foundation and by increasing racquet-head speed on contact. Maybe you are too tense when you swing. You need to be loose and relaxed on your strokes.

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