USTA Youth Tennis Town Hall meeting

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by MarTennis

...is that many kids go to the tournaments and are not being scouted but crossed off list. Why? The tourney reveals via 1st round massacres, that their are vast numbers of uncompetitive kids at nationals. Maybe explains why those college coaches then turnaround dole out the spoils of 4.5 scholarships to international players.

All that said, I am not discouraging all of you dedicated tennis parents for working to get what you think is right. I just am buying in that regional development, less travel, more planned player physical/mental growth and development is the efficient pathway for a speculative journey.

If a successful mutiny occurs then the way I've chosen to proceed or endorse if largely unaffected.

You might have missed the experience or your children have not played many tournaments yet. There are massacres in 1st round and deeper at EVERY levels.

Look at your local tournaments, sectionals, ITFs, even at pro levels etc. Many times you might not see competitive matches till the finals.

Nothing is unique to nationals.

The fact that the new schedule will not affect us does not mean that we have to agree or accept it.

[MarTennis]

Originally Posted by 10ismom

You might have missed the experience or your children have not played many tournaments yet. There are massacres in 1st round and deeper at EVERY levels.

Look at your local tournaments, sectionals, ITFs, even at pro levels etc. Many times you might not see competitive matches till the finals.

Nothing is unique to nationals.

The fact that the new schedule will not affect us does not mean that we have to agree or accept it.

...before, I'm not discouraging anyone's advocacy. However, I'm not going to discourage the USTA from innovating and attempting radical change. Nor should people who are optimistic and undeterred by the changes refrain from making this position clear either.

Clearly most related forums host views hostile to the changes, but that does not mean the changes should be rolled back. The revolt has always been a rear guard action. You could stop the changes, but it will require headline making massive mutiny of USTA membership. I don't see it happening.

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by MarTennis

...is that many kids go to the tournaments and are not being scouted but crossed off list. Why? The tourney reveals via 1st round massacres, that their are vast numbers of uncompetitive kids at nationals. Maybe explains why those college coaches then turnaround dole out the spoils of 4.5 scholarships to international players.

All that said, I am not discouraging all of you dedicated tennis parents for working to get what you think is right. I just am buying in that regional development, less travel, more planned player physical/mental growth and development is the efficient pathway for a speculative journey.

If a successful mutiny occurs then the way I've chosen to proceed or endorse if largely unaffected.

You have some good points, but....

1) There are massacres in sectional tournaments too.
My son has played in two tournaments where it was 6-0 all the way to the finals..... So, it is on every level.

2) Kids are being scouted at tournaments, but the 16's and 18's.
I don't see them being crossed off, but analyzed for playing style and sportsmanship.

With reduced tournament draw sizes, all you have done is make it more difficult for college coaches to see American players,
and increase the likelihood of foreigners.

3) Regional play is great, but only if you are in a great section.
If not, you have doomed the kids to playing the same few kids over and over again for years and years......
A bit like the movie, Groundhogs Day, but it won't be as funny.

[tennis5]

Snipped it down and added my own thoughts in brackets.

Notes from the 1st USTA Town Hall Meeting 11/17/12


USTA Town Hall Meeting

11/17/2012

Mid-Atlantic Annual Meeting — Reston, VA

Representing the USTA: Lew Brewer, Director Junior Competition

those with lots at stake — college, scholarships, etc.

Lew Brewer (LB):
the tournament structure is there: if it works for you use it, if not, don’t


[ Sounds like take it or leave it........]


the junior tennis competition committee was asked to look at changes that would increase player development, increase affordability, and decrease missed school (and missed work for parents)


[ Nobody asked him about why Winter Nationals is going bye-bye when it is during EVERYONE'S SCHOOL VACATION ACROSS THE ENTIRE US?

How do you "increase player development" when you have cut away the tournaments ( remember there were many national tournaments in 2010, Copper Bowl, was the most well known,) and now in 2014, you cut out Winter Nationals and the Easter Bowl, and your reduce the draws of the remaining two nationals - are you kidding me, that is increasing player development?

I do agree with "increasing affordability", as many kids will stop playing tennis after years and years of playing the same few kids over and over again....., and yes this will save the parents money. No more court time to be paid.]


in 2014 draw sizes for hard courts and clay courts will be reduced (assuming USTA approves committee’s recommendation to postpone this change for 2013)

[ Wait a minute........... the USTA didn't approve this change for 2013????????????????????]


Coach Chuck Kriese (CK): I agree with the reduction. The field at Kalamazoo has been diluted. Recently, there were 51 defaults in the backdraw. Lots of kids cramp the first day because they are not prepared to win, they are there just to have shown up. But maybe there can be a qualifying tournament.

[I like Chuck Kriese, but a lot of kids cramped the first day and threw up, ( kid on left hand side court in the flower pot), but he kept on playing. The first day was SUPER HOT this year......

51 defaults in the backdraw of the national of 192........
Has anyone ever looked at the backdraw of a sectional tournament since the new point system went into effect?
With ONE NATIONAL POINT PER WON MATCH, who stays anymore. No one...... ]


Q: If there were 51 kids pulling out of the backdraw, the majority was actually those kids who came expecting to win and wanted only to be part of main draw. It was not kids who were so excited just to get in.

Q: There are amazing kids who are between 128 and 192, or even alternates who get in and have phenomenal tournaments.

It is also much better for college coaches to have larger draws.

If a parent doesn’t want to travel, they always have that option.

LB: We could debate this issue all day and would still disagree.


[Wow, is that a response or a deflection?]


Q: Have you studied the impact of those kids between 128 and 192?

LB: Yes, we studied players who lost 1st round to see how they did in backdraw but I don’t have the results with me. There have been kids who have done very well, even a kid who made it to quarters of Kalamazoo.

[Yes, I wrote my term paper, but I don't have it with me....]



Q: much better for college coaches to have larger draw sizes.

If player is injured in summer out of luck unless they have Easter Bowl or winter nationals.

[Excellent point, why is this not addressed by LB?]


Q: at NCAA division 1 tournament, only 22 of 128 players were american.

[ That number of 22 is not right, it is higher. ]

CK: Very big and serious issue.

Only Americans in top 50 or 60 can easily play — otherwise competing against all international players.

$63 million in scholarships given to foreign players.

Q: So can’t the uSTA address this issue and help US kids play tennis for US colleges?

SS: this issue is incredibly upsetting and we have to do something.

Q: If we are not competing well internationally, how do we improve kids beyond top 50?

LB: Most kids better served by competing locally

[ Is this a listening tour or a done deal?]

[coaching32yrs]

It's all about trying to fix the "problem" of not enough Americans in the top 20. The USTA leadership should forget about changing the national tournament structure- that's not going to fix the "problem". They should focus on getting the colleges to limit the number of scholarships for foreign players. If they could convince the NCAA to require a minimum of 1/2 the athletic scholarships must go to Americans that would help American tennis.

[rww]

why set the limit at 50% foreign? I say only allow a foreigner if the roster can't be filled with a national

[ClarkC]

Originally Posted by rww

why set the limit at 50% foreign? I say only allow a foreigner if the roster can't be filled with a national

Sure, just get some guy out there who recalls picking up a tennis racket in elementary school but has not touched one since. I bet he would be willing to accept a partial scholarship. What do you mean by "can't be filled" by an American?

[usta10sfan]

I really enjoy reading these messages. It makes me understand how lucky I am to live in America.

My son is playing junior tennis and would like to play in a national championship. Instead of whining about the USTA, he is trying to stay home and get better by playing lots of good players near his home. If he doesn't qualify from his Section (Florida) then he doesn't deserve to compete with the best (and judging from these messages maybe a lot who aren't the best). He will play college varsity tennis - likely without a scholarship - but it's pretty hard for most boys now. The college coaches we have spoken with tell us no boy gets a full scholarship these days. Coaches are trying to spread their 4.5 scholarships to as many players as they can.

[Alohajrtennis]

Originally Posted by usta10sfan

I really enjoy reading these messages. It makes me understand how lucky I am to live in America.

My son is playing junior tennis and would like to play in a national championship. Instead of whining about the USTA, he is trying to stay home and get better by playing lots of good players near his home. If he doesn't qualify from his Section (Florida) then he doesn't deserve to compete with the best (and judging from these messages maybe a lot who aren't the best).

Why is "instead of" ? Are the players whose parents are "whiners" not practicing hard too ? How do you know that ? Can't they do both ? Why is that people who object to USTA changes are whiners ? Because we don't accept everything the USTA says as if were handed down from Mt. Zion? So, if the USTA follows Wayne Bryan's principles to the logical extreme and makes the national tournament a 17 player tournament, 1 player from each section, you would be cool with that ?

By the way, good for you that he lives in Florida and has plenty of good players near his home. Not everyone is so fortunate. Instead of insulting people, why not take some time to understand the complexity of the issues.

Welcome to the board.

[usta10sfan]

Originally Posted by Alohajrtennis

Why is "instead of" ? Are the players whose parents are "whiners" not practicing hard too ? How do you know that ? Can't they do both ? Why is that people who object to USTA changes are whiners ? Because we don't accept everything the USTA says as if were handed down from Mt. Zion? So, if the USTA follows Wayne Bryan's principles to the logical extreme and makes the national tournament a 17 player tournament, 1 player from each section, you would be cool with that ?

By the way, good for you that he lives in Florida and has plenty of good players near his home. Not everyone is so fortunate. Instead of insulting people, why not take some time to understand the complexity of the issues.

Welcome to the board.

OK, I don't agree with everything the USTA does or doesn't do, but I do think the 128 draws at National Championships are better and I deeply agree that players should qualify from their home Section. I would very much like to see that 17 player tournament. I think it would be very exciting to have each Section's Champion compete together. No wild cards, no ranking needed to get in - just the winners of each Section's Championship. There would be some pressure-filled matches.

Thanks also for the welcome.

[jrtennis]

10s fan, you might want to understand the process better before you write.
If your kid is good enough to be a top player, please talk to be when he's #11 in Florida bu can't play a national even though 50 kids who aren't as good from other sections get in under the new, unfair quota system.
Call parents "whiners" when you clearly don't have a sense yet of what happens at the national junior tennis level. Your dream 17 sectional winners tournament would be a total bust. In the top 20 in the country in the boys' 12s (in head to head rankings), only five sections are represented. In the top 30, only 8 sections are.
Be careful what you write if you don't understand the issues, especially if you choose to insult people who have bothered to take the time to do so.

[Alohajrtennis]

Originally Posted by usta10sfan

OK, I don't agree with everything the USTA does or doesn't do, but I do think the 128 draws at National Championships are better and I deeply agree that players should qualify from their home Section. I would very much like to see that 17 player tournament. I think it would be very exciting to have each Section's Champion compete together. No wild cards, no ranking needed to get in - just the winners of each Section's Championship. There would be some pressure-filled matches.

Thanks also for the welcome.

The Nike format used to be just this for the 12's and 14's. They sponsored a tournament in each section and the winners got to go to a singles national tournament.
They did away with this format though and just invited the top appx 20 kids to a national tournament

[NLBwell]

From the notes it didn't seem like there was much listening going on.

[MarTennis]

Originally Posted by usta10sfan

I really enjoy reading these messages. It makes me understand how lucky I am to live in America.

My son is playing junior tennis and would like to play in a national championship. Instead of whining about the USTA, he is trying to stay home and get better by playing lots of good players near his home. If he doesn't qualify from his Section (Florida) then he doesn't deserve to compete with the best (and judging from these messages maybe a lot who aren't the best). He will play college varsity tennis - likely without a scholarship - but it's pretty hard for most boys now. The college coaches we have spoken with tell us no boy gets a full scholarship these days. Coaches are trying to spread their 4.5 scholarships to as many players as they can.

...the right thing. But IMHO, avoid gloating. It just makes things nasty quick. We all want a competitive fair system. These changes will apparently be very difficult for many. No use can come of appearing to rub it in. Just help your youngster keep grinding.

[tennis5]

AN UPDATE FROM WAYNE BRYAN

Dear Tennis Friend,

Hope you are having a nice Fall Season.

As you probably know, there was a very positive and productive meeting on Sunday, October 21, with Steve Bellamy and his concerned group with the USTA officials in Chicago about the state of our National ‘n Sectional Junior Schedule and Rankings that led to a pause on the new changes and a listening tour to be held across the country to make revisions that will be fair for all our juniors and that will hopefully bring a smile to everyone’s’ face.

I then met on the evening of Oct. 24 in Malibu and the early morning of Oct. 25 with incoming USTA President, Dave Haggerty,and USTA Chief Executive of Community Tennis, Kurt Kamperman. We met for a total of 7 1/2 hours and the discussions on my outline of American Tennis Concerns were fair and frank and sometimes hard hitting and a lot was learned on all sides of the issues.

Although we share many experiences in common with our sport, we come from different vantages and viewpoints – - - Dave, as the newly elected President, has served on several national committees and has been a very successful CEO of major tennis companies; while Kurt is employed by the USTA and was the former CEO of theTennis Industry Assn. and knows Community Tennis in all sections of this country; and Wayne, who spends a good part of the year on the road emceeing ATP events and doing clinics on the tour and at clubsand schools and who coaches World Team Tennis and speaks tocoaches and parents frequently.

All of us are passionate about the game and its health and future. Although the meetings were rigorous, they were at the same time cordial.

The issues discussed included:

1. The general disgust and mistrust with the USTA. It is palpable and it is pervasive.

2. USTA Governance and the feeling that the USTA is dictating from on high in an authoritarian manner from White Plains and they are not listening to Main Street.

3. The National and Sectional Tournament Schedules are ruined and right along with it the Rankings - – - it is a sad state of affairs, indeed, when our college coaches no longer rely on our USTA rankings for recruiting.. But we are all so encouraged by the Chicago Meeting and the positive new direction that came out of those talks. There has got to be complete transparency in this process as it will impact thousands of junior players. I know the last competition committee put a lot of time and energy into this past process. But “getting it right” is far more important than “being right” in this situation. The listening tour is a great idea. But the USTA and the Committee must REALLY listen and act accordingly. And we need a blue ribbon Committee with our best and most experienced tennis coaches and veteran parents from all sections of the country, chaired by a well-known tennis leader that has no ties to USTA PD. And let’s study the history of our National Schedules and Ranking systems, even taking another look at the Star Computer System.

4. For too long, the USTA turns a blind eye to the foreign player glut in American college tennis. They even have issued a White Paper saying there is no problem? College tennis should be for our US kids and not be a world class sport. Pro tennis, yes, college tennis, no! One player for international good will and understanding is fine, and even two if we must, but six overseas players on so many colleges across this country is so unfair and harmful to American tennis families.

5. The alarming fact is that we have lost some 400 college tennis programs over the past few decades. Right now Athletic Directors are experiencing enormous pressure to cut expenses. Tennis, and especially men’s tennis, needs protection and they need our national governing body fighting for them. There are currently 4.5 men’s scholarships and teams average about 10-12 players. Of those 4.5 scholarships, a good 70% of the money goes to foreign players. This just leaves nothing for the American juniors whose taxpaying parents are footing the overwhelming majority of that bill.

6. Similarly, we have lost so many ATP and WTA Tournaments over the past 40 years. In 1974 the US had 45 Men’s Pro Tournaments and in 2013 there is going to only be 11 Men’s Pro Events. The Women’s apex was 29 events and now it is down to 9. We are headed in the wrong direction.

7. USTA PD is a long time problem area and many feel that it is the biggest obstacle to the growth of tennis in this country. It is not the administrator or the coaches - – - it is the system that: hires so many foreign coaches when we have thousands of great US coaches; a system that dictates the way coaches must coach; the number of harmful and ill-conceived Mandates they have issued through the years – - – each one overturned when the next USTA PD regime comes to power; they say they will work close with local coaches and parents of top players but they never do; they say they do not “cherry pick”, but they do; the fact that so many juniors have gone to USTA Centers like Key Biscayne or Carsonor now Boca Raton and their rankings drop precipitously during their time there; and many other sad tales through the past 23 years. I say again, leave coaching to the private sector and not to our National Governing Body. It has never worked. It will not ever work.

8. U10 Mandate set off a firestorm across the US. The harsh and legalistic letter to and the treatment of the Little Mo Tournaments was disgusting. We all certainly want to increase the number of juniors playing the great game in this country, but we must also take care of and treat fairly the juniors that are passionate about the game and who have been playing since they were little tykes and who now want a shot at competing against their peers with regular tennis balls when they are 8, 9 and 10. We cannot just say that we know these players will be harmed – - – we must allow them to compete and not just be told to play up in the 12s. We are all for graduated learning and using the various colored balls and racket and court lengths as an option in tournaments and as a teaching tool, but there are a great many kids who want the right to be able to play with regular yellow tennis balls in U10 competition. This U10 Mandate must be removed or at least tweaked. Parents and coaches across the country are sayinghave all the nerf ball and soft colored ball tournaments you want, just allow regular tournaments for juniors that want to play them in the U10s.

9. Restore doubles rankings and have more doubles programming.

10. Improve JTT by looking again at the SoCal system before National took it over. Team Tennis is a great way to get started in the game. It is a self-running program. Free entry. National and Regional Championships ending up at the second week of the US Open. More team events in general – - – zonals, intersectional.

11. More support for HS Tennis! State Championships and National Championships at the US Open.

12. More support for the Tennis Channel to get in more homes across the USA. So goes the Tennis Channel, so goes tennis. It is the most powerful force for tennis since the BJK vs. Bobby Riggs Match at the Houston Astrodome in 1973.

13. More Futures and Challengers in the US.

14. Do a better job getting out the vote for college and pro tennis matches. Have the USTA use their good offices to help fill stadiums for college and pro matches. And even HS Matches. Very powerful tool for so, so many reasons!!

15. Return Senior Doubles to the US Open - – - similar to other Grand Slams.

16. Have a first class and powerful National/Sectional Junior WEB Site with results reported every Monday along with ranking updates - – - both singles and doubles.

We drilled down on these issues from our various positions.

I cannot say these areas of concern will be resolved like turning on a light switch. The USTA has its governance and by laws and committee system. It has thousands of hard working volunteers who love our sport and work hard for it in so many ways. By no means are we trying to step on toes and there is tremendous admiration and appreciation for what these volunteers do. But there is just such an overwhelming opposition to so many things right now, that I believe it is in the best interest of tennis to have a more transparent procedural process. And it is time that the sport at large was consulted more on changes that impact it so greatly.

[tennis5]

I do, however, think there is a fresh wind blowing in tennis. Club pros and college coaches and high school coaches and concerned parents and tennis leaders are getting involved and speaking out. They are no longer afraid of USTA backlash, either real or imagined.

I am heartened by the inclusive leadership of Dave Haggerty. He said that we have an 800 pound Gorilla in our American tennis living room and he wants to reduce it to a 400 pound Gorilla during his term. With his determination and skill set and wisdom, I think he has a good chance of turning that Gorilla into a slender little 20 pound Gibbon Monkey.

Kurt was very gracious to meet with me after my harsh criticisms of USTA policies in recent years. Steve Bellamy also took time out of his busy schedule to sit in and contribute at our early morning meeting in Camarillo even though he had just flown in from New York and had slept very little after a week on the road.

To complete the record, it must be reported that we closed downCoogie’s Restaurant in Malibu late on Wednesday Night and we were the first ones to arrive at Eggs ‘n Things in Camarillo on Thursday morning at the crack of dawn. It also must be disclosed that I paid for both meals and that Dave and Kurt shared a rental car – - – it was not a Limo and it was not a Lincoln Towncar - – - it was a American made small Chevy midsize.

I did my best to represent the views of the parents and coaches that I speak with in my travels across the US, while Dave must work within the strictures and by laws and mission statement of theUSTA when he takes office in January. And Kurt has his duties to fulfill as well, but I can attest to the fact that these two men are very talented and bright and dedicated and caring and passionate about our game and they traveled a long way to chop some wood for American tennis.

I am enthused and upbeat about the future of the great game and I will remain vigilant and I hope to meet with them again at the US Davis Cup match vs. Brazil in Jacksonville in early February. As always, I sure welcome your input by e mail . . . and I will continue to speak out when I see USTA institutional programs that are harmful to our American juniors and the great game itself.

Best and thanks for all you do for tennis each day.

Wayne Bryan

[tennis5]

Peter says:
November 9, 2012 at 7:12 am
Many thanks to Wayne Bryan et al.I am the father of a ******* junior and there is not one parent who supports the USTA changes.The idea that eliminating tournaments and reducing draw sizes will grow or improve tennis is absurd.The Big Lie… Furthermore, every kid with a spring or early summer birthday ages up before the only remaining super nationals and will never get in. Thats probably 25% of the kids in the juniors. Our sport is being ruined.

-------

Peter says:
November 13, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Unintended consequence of USTA actions: A number of parents of almost elite level juniors have decided to pull the younger siblings out of tennis and concentrate on other sports with a better chance of a college ride.These are tennis families and the core constituent group of the USTA…..AND THEY HAVE BEEN ALIENATED.The level of betrayal is palpable.

-----------------------

10smom says:
November 25, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Every single parent at this weekends Girls 14′s Nationals was against the changes. And there were a lot of girls who would still be getting in everything and they don’t want any reductions at all.

If anything, we everyone wants more tournaments and larger draws.

[Tennishacker]

Great response from Mr. Bryan.

I agree on all his points, especially the foreigners in college issue.

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

Great response from Mr. Bryan.

I agree on all his points, especially the foreigners in college issue.

I am thrilled he is standing up for Americans in college tennis.

[tennis5]

Notes from 2nd USTA Town Hall Listening Meeting Nov 24, 2012
NOV 26
Posted by parentingaces

The following information was emailed to me by Jason Lampione – tennis coach, mentor, and writer – who was in attendance at the Rocky Hill, CT, “listening” meeting held by USTA.

These are simply Jason’s notes taken during the meeting – he will be compiling his own analysis of them over the next day or so which I will then post on ParentingAces for you to read.

This second meeting was led by incoming USTA President Dave Haggerty and USTA Chief Executive of Community Tennis Kurt Kamperman and was attended by 30-40 (exact number unknown) parents and coaches.

(Lisa Stone) - I have inserted my comments in italics at the end of certain bullet points below.

Tennis5 - red comments

USTA released a statement via email to some key people after the meeting – that statement is posted in its entirety on the ParentingAces Facebook page. Please read and share all of this information with other tennis parents and coaches so our voices will be heard. Thank you.


In two years, we would like to see the USTA go from an 800 pound gorilla to a more balanced 400 pounds. (D. Haggerty)
Sorry, but have to ask -
Are the kids the bloated weight that they are getting rid of?


Communication and structure are problematic within the USTA. (parent)

[i]This is an issue that I’ve been discussing with various USTA committee members and staff. They have to do a better job of communicating with the membership. USTA has a Facebook page, is on Twitter, and sends out regular emails – the tools are in place. There is no excuse for the lack of communication on these proposed changes and other relevant issues.

We’re going to reduce the cost of travel within each section of the USTA.
(D. Haggerty)
How is USTA going to accomplish this feat? They’re proposing to CREATE REGIONS now, potentially increasing the cost of travelling to tournaments. Is USTA going to develop relationships with gasoline companies and airlines and hotel chains to give discounts to members? If so, I’m in full support!

Kids at every level have better competition through earned attainment. (K. Kamperman)
I agree with this statement as it applies WITHIN sections. However, we all realize that the strength between sections varies enormously, so if a player emerges as the best in a weak section then goes to a national event to compete against the best player in a strong section, I’m not sure how that’s better competition for the strong-section player.
If that was really so, then the USTA wouldn't need to hand out all these wild cards each year. Fact is some of the really good kids haven't lived in their section or state in years.....
Let me ask a different question, what about a junior from a weak section.
Their chance to improve is to play up.
Now if you can only get into the 12's off your sectional ranking, that ends playing up in the 14's for that year.

Our children are playing each other at least 5, 6 and even 7 times within the tournament format within our section. (parent)
That’s why it’s good to have the option to play OUTSIDE your section. Why would USTA want to limit or eliminate that option? I still don’t understand the reasoning here.


The regional format is pretty good. (parent)
[i]I would question whether or not this parent has looked at the new region map and how much travel it could potentially involve.

Playing other regions gives better competition. (parent)
I agree. Kids love the chance to play against new opponents. That’s why we need to increase the opportunities to play nationally and increase the draws at those national events.

Playing within only one region doesn’t allow for proper player development. (parent)
I think it depends upon the region. But, generally speaking, yes, I would agree with this statement. Playing a wider variety of opponents gives a developing player the opportunity to learn how to deal with a variety of tactics, making him/her into a more complete player.

In the small sections, playing the same 5 kids over and over is the kiss of death for most juniors and will lead to boredom and yes, quitting.


The consensus is that variety is good! (K. Kamperman)
Yes, it is!

It is terrible that players cannot get on-court coaching. (parent)
That’s an issue for another day.

I spend all this money, and our players have very limited options. (parent)


The pressure to perform and accumulate points in each round is incredible and very costly to us parents. (parent)
Pressure to perform is a big part of tennis, of any sport really. If that pressure is harming your child, then maybe it’s time to find a different activity that is better-suited to the child’s temperament. High-level competition is NOT for everybody!


You cannot limit a player’s potential just by their ranking or age. (parent)
I’m not exactly sure what this parent is saying. I think we all agree that the current PPR ranking system could use some work.


Distance and travel, financially, is troublesome for certain parents, especially outside our region! (parent)

In the Eastern section, I am being charged 25 dollars per each tournament main draw entry along with traveling expenses. This is becoming too much for me and my husband to handle, financially speaking! (parent)
I think we can all agree that tennis is an expensive sport, especially if you’re trying to develop a player to the top echelons. However, I must say I’m surprised by the $25 entry fee – we pay much higher fees ($45 and up) in our section, even at local tournaments.