Another "could i go full time pro" question

[chris1992]

I will give an honest assumption of myself.

Im 15 years old and around 5 foot 9 and very fit for my age but not incredibly strong. I started playing tennis at 5/6 years old and had a lesson a week at 9 years old till i was about 12 when i played slightly more. At 14 i now take it alot more seriously and play as much as possible. However i do not play alot of tournaments due to school etc... but i train alot and play a few practice matches and have been told i have alot of talent but i just need to keep my head together and mental focus which i can only practice in matches/tournaments. I live in the UK by the way so i cant give you one of those ratings and i am considering getting a tennis scholarship to an university in america.

Do i have a chance of making it pro?
Have i been playing from a good enough age?
Will my lack of tournaments ruin my chances?

[TennisNinja]

Lack of tournaments won't ruin your chances. But lack of experience might. I've seen really good players just fall apart in matches because they don't have a strong mentality. Age doesn't matter too much. I'm better than some people that started when they were 8 even though I started in 6th grade. It seems as if your playing enough, and you don't have to be strong, but you do have to have a lot of stamina.

It's hard to say if you're good enough to turn pro without actually seeing you play.

[TennisNinja]

Plus the head coach at my club didn't play tennis till his freshman year in high school, so you never know. You could or could not have a shot. It depends on how you acutally play.

[xtremerunnerars]

I'm kinda starting to wonder if asking around about a potential career tour is like buying a yacht. By that I mean, "If you have to ask, you probably can't."

If you're that good and in the UK, have you been recruited by that new developmental program they have over there? I'd take a look at those kids before anyone else because they'll be the best comparison. The UK obviously sees the "potential" in those players so you should try to contact someone. Since it concerns your future, phone calls are the best bet.

The worst they can say to a match is no, right? Give it a shot.

[fgs]

chriss1992,
i'm happy for you that you play tennis, play good and enjoy it. i think though that there is vacation time or holidays or however you call it in the uk too, and there i guess you could see to entering some tournaments. it's different and don't get discouraged if you will lose a few due to lack of experience, even against other competitors that basically are less skilled than you. the point is that you won't know if you can turn pro unless you test your skills in competition - that's the point of being a pro (i don't mean teaching pro as i don't think you are thinking of this).
everyone can be a pro! only winners are successful pros. give it a shot this summer and see how you do and how you like this competition feeling, than we can take it from there and go one step further. good luck and keep it going.

[cujays]

try playing in some tourneys