---

Q: How can I keep track of what parts of my game need improving?

A: It’s not easy as an amateur to know where you're going on. The pros have a whole bunch of statistics on serve percentages, unforced errors, winners, ready made for them.

I would recommend that you be your own statistician.

Draw up a chart with each of the five main shots — serve, forehand ground-stroke, backhand ground-stroke, forehand volley and backhand volley.

Every time you hit a winner put a tick in the box for that shot. Every time you make an unforced error put a cross in that box.

Better still get a friend to watch the game and do it for you.

By the end you should have a pretty idea of what shots you’re playing well and where you’re not doing so well.

Remember you don’t need to log every shot — just winners and unforced errors.

Q: My son is four-years old and wants to play tennis. Is he too young to start?

A: No, he’s not too young. In fact 99 per cent of pro tennis players started when they were four or five.

The important thing is to get the right equipment. For a four-year-old you probably want a 23 inch racket rather than the standard 27 inch.

It’s also a good idea to get good coaching. If you learn the right technique as a child you’ll never forget it.

Most clubs run junior clinics for different age and ability groups but make sure you get involved in one where the emphasis is on having fun.

If your son starts hitting a ball at four or five, the chances are he’ll be a pretty good player by the time he's 10-years-old.

David Lambert is a former president of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association and is the head pro at the Elbow Beach Resort.[[In-content Ad]]

---