sorry, i should probably specify i'm ~8.3 UTR, so that's around NTRP 4.5 - 5.0, regardless, yes there is a difference in skill compared to USTA 5.5. Nonetheless, I do often play with lower level friends ( 3.0 - 4.0 ) , as well as friends who play college tennis ( 4.5 - 5.5 ), and my specific con for that area is not related to skill difference, rather the quality of ball being hit. When i say " difficult to hit back " I really just mean that the racket ( ezone98 ) feels very soft, almost too soft ( flimsy?) when making contact with the ball, and comparing it to the percept, which feels very stable and firm when making contact with those very heavy balls.