Transition from college to Futures and Challengers

[ClarkC]

Interesting ZooTennis article.

It links to a story about the decline in Challengers, which makes it tougher to climb the pro ranks. It also mentions that Futures tourneys that offered $10,000 in total prize money in 1990 are still offering the same amount today, when it would take $17,000 to match the inflation since 1990.

Awfully tough to get started and make a living if the tennis associations are not going to push for more money in Futures and Challengers.

[Tennishacker]

Originally Posted by ClarkC

Interesting ZooTennis article.

It links to a story about the decline in Challengers, which makes it tougher to climb the pro ranks. It also mentions that Futures tourneys that offered $10,000 in total prize money in 1990 are still offering the same amount today, when it would take $17,000 to match the inflation since 1990.

Awfully tough to get started and make a living if the tennis associations are not going to push for more money in Futures and Challengers.

Decline in Challengers related to economic down turn from 2007-08.

Best remedy is for the USTA to cut funding for USTA Junior High Performance and use those funds for futures/challengers.

[goran_ace]

Th USTA could also reduce/freeze total prize money at the US Open and put that put all/some some of that towards futures/challengers. Prize money at the Open increased by $2MM in 2012 compared to 2011 (up nearly 10%).

[2ndServe]

This guys is pretty sharp. Best quote from Norman

"One thing that I think is very dangerous to players is to look at ITF points and a ranking. All the players, of course they are competitors, but you have to understand that if you are No. 1 in ITF ranking, it doesn't really matter. You have to develop your game and strokes and a physique that can take you all the way to the ATP or WTA level.

You see a lot of guys finish No. 1 in the world who have played a lot of ITF tournaments, have gotten a lot of points, but it's more important to do every day what you think can make you a better player. And if you become a better player, you're going to win matches at the end of the day. So it's important to never lose sight of your long-term goal."

Get better everyday, you're going lose more trying to get better but down the road it pays off against the better players.

[LeeD]

Perhaps the road to the top is HINDERED by the player's obsession with making money during his journey. Instead, he should concentrate on his tennis on the court.
If not, too bad, nobody ever said life is required to be fair to everyone.

[Nostradamus]

Agree, Challengers should also raise the prize money to $75,000 to $100,000. but I don't see that happening.

but anyway, if you are very talented and promising, you will likely be able to find a sponsor to support you while trying to make your way.

[t135]

Originally Posted by 2ndServe

This guys is pretty sharp. Best quote from Norman

"One thing that I think is very dangerous to players is to look at ITF points and a ranking. All the players, of course they are competitors, but you have to understand that if you are No. 1 in ITF ranking, it doesn't really matter. You have to develop your game and strokes and a physique that can take you all the way to the ATP or WTA level.

You see a lot of guys finish No. 1 in the world who have played a lot of ITF tournaments, have gotten a lot of points, but it's more important to do every day what you think can make you a better player. And if you become a better player, you're going to win matches at the end of the day. So it's important to never lose sight of your long-term goal."

Get better everyday, you're going lose more trying to get better but down the road it pays off against the better players.

Donald Young is the poster boy for this.

College tennis should be the answer to this problem. Perfect place for people to develop their game.

[andfor]

Originally Posted by t135

Donald Young is the poster boy for this.

College tennis should be the answer to this problem. Perfect place for people to develop their game.

On the surface your assumption would appear to be correct. But, it's a little more complicated for that with Donald. And we only know what we read and hear through rumor. It started with the wildcard debacle when he went 0-8 or whatever and his (parents) resistance to start at the Futures and work his way up the ranks. The obvious is his parents being the helicopter coaches and resistance to outside coaching. Hindsight is 20/20. Singling him out is a little unfair, but this is the internet and he's a public figure, so judgment is easy. This just scratches the surface of what shoulda, coulda, woulda for Donald.

If college is the perfect answer, explain Brian Baker. Yea, he went to college during his injury phases, but did not play college tennis.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by t135

Donald Young is the poster boy for this.

College tennis should be the answer to this problem. Perfect place for people to develop their game.

Yeah, it did wonders for Alex Clayton

[goran_ace]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Yeah, it did wonders for Alex Clayton

Hard to believe it's already been 7 years since Donald and Alex teamed up to win the junior doubles title at the US Open.

[andfor]

Originally Posted by goran_ace

Hard to believe it's already been 7 years since Donald and Alex teamed up to win the junior doubles title at the US Open.

This is disturbing.

[tball2day]

Originally Posted by andfor

On the surface your assumption would appear to be correct. But, it's a little more complicated for that with Donald. And we only know what we read and hear through rumor. It started with the wildcard debacle when he went 0-8 or whatever and his (parents) resistance to start at the Futures and work his way up the ranks. The obvious is his parents being the helicopter coaches and resistance to outside coaching. Hindsight is 20/20. Singling him out is a little unfair, but this is the internet and he's a public figure, so judgment is easy. This just scratches the surface of what shoulda, coulda, woulda for Donald.

If college is the perfect answer, explain Brian Baker. Yea, he went to college during his injury phases, but did not play college tennis.

Ya, there's a lot more behind DY's story and blaming the parents was a nice USTA cover for a legal predicament that was better left under the rug. But I say leave the kid alone, he gave it a shot.