Importance of height (or not so much)

[dominikk1985]

Originally Posted by Love10s

Actually, I find it very easy to believe. I think the problem is that some posters from other sections aren't aware that the system in SoCal is different.

Jan. 1, 2012, was the first time SoCal went QS. Before that, all 10U tourneys were regulation balls. This year, 10U are all green ball. They also are REGULAR SCORING.

I checked, and this particular tournament in Lakewood, Calif., was best of 3 sets, with a match tiebreak to 10 in lieu of the third set. The match in question was 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (1).

Now, I've seen a lot of 10U matches in SoCal over the years, and I can tell you firsthand that some of them are quite long--yes, even 3 hours. And that was with yellow balls. Remember, the green balls are advertised as "resulting in longer rallies."

Originally Posted by TennisCoachFLA

If average height is 5'10 for men and 5'6" for women then there are more players taller than average playing in D-1 and the pros. So 'statistically' it makes more sense to invest more in a taller kid. But our kids are not statistics.

As parents we just have to do what is best on a case by case basis. If tennis keeps kids away from drugs or other bad influences as teens, what is the value of that?

yes. height helps. however olivier rochus is 5"5 and he easily beats any college player out there.

so if you are good enough it doesn't really matter unless you are really tiny.

[gplracer]

My friend's son went to Bollettieri recently and they plan to go back. They were told to bring x-rays of his growth plates and a statement from his doctor about how tall it was thought that he would be. Have you ever heard of such?