Marvelous logic. The McCanns said this photo was taken during a Mini tennis lesson. They must be believed. Therefore the lack of child weight tennis balls must be due to the unprofessionalism and lack of foresight of Mark Warner and/or their tennis coaches.
The fact that every photograph I have seen showing youngsters playing tennis at Mark Warner shows them using child weight tennis balls? Ignore them.
The fact that these balls are lighter so as not to damage a little one's wrist when hitting them? Never mind that.
The fact that these balls are lighter so as not to hurt a small child if they are hit by them? No worries.
There's all the difference in the world between a child playing tennis in the park with it's parents and playing at a well-regarded holiday resort with qualified tennis instructors. Anyone who suggests that Mark Warner and their instructors would be unaware/unconcerned about child safety, appropriate footwear and equipment should think again. Given their client base and the cost of their holidays would they really indulge in careless practices?
Thank you, Gunit, for your compliment in the previous post.
Now the case of the special tennis balls used by youngsters. You are quite correct that different balls are generally used by youngsters. I had already researched that, however as Misty suggests, did Mark Warner have them available at that time, so early in their first season? I am right it was their first season at OC, was it not?
As for the balls hurting a youngster if hit by one, have you ever seen a professional teaching a youngster to play? They plop the ball over the net, just in the right place, at the very foot of the learner ... or should I say just the correct distance in front of and to the right of the youngster. Even in the most unlikely case that the little one was hit with a normal weight ball, it would not hurt at all.
As the photograph shows, the youngsters wear open back flip flops, sandals .... anything .. so it seems that the professionals are not that bothered. From the photograph, which you assure us is of another Mark Warner holiday complex, it seems that they also allow the youngsters to use a large, and maybe full size tennis racquet.
Plaese do not forget that Madeleine was also actually too young for the group she was placed in. The other kids would be taller and stronger
Although it is my guess that as such an active, rough and tumble little girl (see videos with Gerry) Madeleine was stronger than she looked at forst glance.
