Getting to the short ball

by Jack
(Marietta, Ga. USA)

I am 80 years old, and took up tennis at 50 years of age, but didn't get serious until I was 65, never took a lesson, took a few group lessons.

My point: I am now getting as close to the top of my game, as I will probably ever get.

My problem is that I can generally get the ball back on my opponent's serve, and maybe even the 2nd volley.

But I hesitate on coming in. I play doubles with men of my age, they see you coming in, they lob you.

So I stay back, and oolah a short ball comes in, I get to it but I generally can't do any thing with it, because i'm off balance, so even if I get back I generally eat it.

Coming in two steps and split steps seems to be a problem for me. Either that or I'm lazy. ;)

I play doubles with all levels of players and I'm problaly a B player.