Hana Mandlikova believes subtlety is fast disappearing from modern tennis as the big hitters dominate the game she once graced.

The Czech, who won four Grand Slam singles titles in the 1980s, is staying at Elbow Beach this week on vacation after watching the action at the US Open over the last two weeks.

Mandlikova does not knock power merchants such as the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, and Lindsay Davenport, who have increased the pace of the game with the aid of graphite rackets.

But she does feel that progress has not necessarily made the sport better to watch.

"All the girls are so big now and they hit so hard,'' said Mandlikova. "They are stronger and more powerful players.

"I'm sad that a lot of the touch and feel has gone. When John McEnroe and I were playing, we were touch players.'' Mandlikova won every Grand Slam tournament except Wimbledon during a glittering playing career. Her first major success was the Australian Open title in 1980, followed by the French Open in 1981, the US Open in 1985 and the Australian again in 1987.

And Island youngsters will get the chance to benefit from her experience when Mandlikova holds a junior tennis clinic at the Elbow Beach courts tomorrow at 11.00 a.m.

All young tennis players are welcome, the clinic is free and those interested are asked to turn up by 10.30 a.m. prompt.

And on Sunday, Mandlikova will give some tips to a group including the Island's top tennis coaches and some of the young players leaving to take part in the Caribbean 14-and-under championships next month.

Since she finished playing, Mandlikova has been coaching fellow Czech Jana Novotna, who announced her retirement after being knocked out of the US Open last week.

Novotna's one Grand Slam success came last year on the one stage where her mentor had twice been a losing finalist -- Wimbledon -- and Novotna immediately dedicated her triumph to Mandlikova.

"Jana's best surface was always grass, so Wimbledon was the one she felt she could win. After she won, it was really emotional and it was nice for me to touch the trophy and know I'd some part in winning it,'' said Mandlikova.

"We did everything for that one goal -- winning Wimbledon -- and after she finally won, she went down a little. Maybe that was one of the reasons she retired.'' Despite the fact that Novotna's decision to quit at the end of the year had left her unemployed, Mandlikova felt her friend had done the right thing.

"I think she made a good decision. It is always difficult to decide when to stop, but she will soon be 31 and as I've said, the girls are hitting the ball much harder now. I just hope Jana can be happy.'' Mandlikova's trip to Bermuda is her first visit to the Island for 15 years.

"It's so beautiful I don't know why I didn't come back sooner,'' she said.

Her trip marks the start of a four-month holiday, which will include a safari in Kenya.

When she returns to her home in Florida, she aims to set up a tennis academy in Boca Raton.

Mandlikova is enjoying life to the full after escaping the pressures of the WTA Tour.

"Playing on the Tour is like living in a cocoon for 10 or 15 years. It's difficult to try and live a normal life. Now I can enjoy life the way I want to,'' she added.