Is it also important that elite American prospects practice and compete more on grass and clay?
In the first few years when a child is learning the game, it should be done on a surface where the ball bounces the same way all the time. So I believe a hard court is where the technique is first taught. However, when you learn the technique, you have to learn to keep the ball in play, to create, to be strong physically, and be able to play long points. This is where playing on clay is vital. I don’t believe the future of American tennis will depend on playing on grass. Higueras is a big advocate of playing a lot on clay. At the Sony Ericsson this week in Miami, there is only one serve and volleyer, Taylor Dent, who reached the third round. During the first week at Wimbledon, the player who can serve and attack has an advantage. But the second week at Wimbledon, the grass is totally different. That’s why when I was with Andre [Agassi], we always feared getting through the first week, not the second week. Grass forces you to do a little more with your slice serve, while the kicker serv
