New ESPN article on Spartak Academy

[jgmellor]

From Russia With Topspin

Photo Gallery

[Pro_Tour_630]

what do we have here:

the older kids playing with Dunlop FORT a ball that is designed for red clay, it is heavy and hard, while playing on Hard court

the younger kids are playing with babolat Mid, which is the same as dunlop green ball. They are also using foam balls, no red no orange. which is what I did.

SO there you have it,,,,,,,,,,

[TCF]

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[Bash and Crash]

Good read, and video, like this line......
"An Audi, a Lexus and a BMW are parked in one of Spartak's lots. An Acura approaches the gate and unloads three kids, all of whom sling Babolat bags over their shoulders. The promised cold front has arrived, but so has the sun, which is reflecting brightly off the hood ornaments, making these new-model cars impossible to ignore"

as tennis becomes more expensive in Russia will be interesting to see what effect it has on their tennis talent at the top.

[hhollines]

Originally Posted by Bash and Crash

as tennis becomes more expensive in Russia will be interesting to see what effect it has on their tennis talent at the top.

Agreed. Great read and thanks for posting. I suspect the expensive of tennis will likely have the same impact as it does in the U.S., hence why tennis is generally not an equal opportunity sport.

[TennisCoachIN]

Originally Posted by Bash and Crash

Good read, and video, like this line......
"An Audi, a Lexus and a BMW are parked in one of Spartak's lots. An Acura approaches the gate and unloads three kids, all of whom sling Babolat bags over their shoulders. The promised cold front has arrived, but so has the sun, which is reflecting brightly off the hood ornaments, making these new-model cars impossible to ignore"

as tennis becomes more expensive in Russia will be interesting to see what effect it has on their tennis talent at the top.

When I read that I thought the same thing.

[TCF]

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[Pro_Tour_630]

yep kids already playing with phones and ipads in the photos

[klu375]

Originally Posted by Bash and Crash

...
as tennis becomes more expensive in Russia will be interesting to see what effect it has on their tennis talent at the top.

What effect? Right now there are no Russian boys or girls in Top-25 ITF rankings. Kazakhstan meanwhile is introducing tennis training in elementary and middle schools.

[PBODY99]

Originally Posted by klu375

What effect? Right now there are no Russian boys or girls in Top-25 ITF rankings. Kazakhstan meanwhile is introducing tennis training in elementary and middle schools.

The feeling is that hunger builds champions. When co$t$ keep the most driven kids out, You fail to find your best players. Also, as other outlets are available to young athletes, fewer choose tennis.