China The New Hotbed

[Bash and Crash]

Originally Posted by Misterbill

How can you conclude that the parents are stupid?

We don't know, maybe their tennis expense is less than 1% of annual income or a much smaller percentage of net worth. Meanwhile, it wouldn't surprise me if lots of parents right here on this Board are paying upwards of 5-10% of annual income on their kids' tennis.

Looking at nominal amounts rather than percentages in any business or family isn't the best way to take risk or maximize material enjoyment/the return on investment.

Sorry, I'm not saying it literally, but meaning that you can't just buy a tennis player. I'm just assuming they are doing it to make him a pro as per the post about that kid. Hey if parents want and can afford to fork out wads of cash keep it coming, but doesn't guarantee a tour player, which I suspect many of the parents are looking for.

[Misterbill]

Originally Posted by Bash and Crash

Sorry, I'm not saying it literally, but meaning that you can't just buy a tennis player. I'm just assuming they are doing it to make him a pro as per the post about that kid. Hey if parents want and can afford to fork out wads of cash keep it coming, but doesn't guarantee a tour player, which I suspect many of the parents are looking for.

I agree with that!

(But maybe you can buy an Ivy Leaguer. Not sure about that myself, hope more people post up on that topic)

[Bash and Crash]

Originally Posted by Misterbill

I agree with that!

(But maybe you can buy an Ivy Leaguer. Not sure about that myself, hope more people post up on that topic)

Well I know a kid who is on Harvard, one of their top players and he trained pretty much with one coach, at small club, and had 4.95 gpa. Never full time, and not sure what his parents spend but I would guess about one month of bills was about the same as one day for the kid from China.

[Chemist]

Originally Posted by Bash and Crash

Well I know a kid who is on Harvard, one of their top players and he trained pretty much with one coach, at small club, and had 4.95 gpa. Never full time, and not sure what his parents spend but I would guess about one month of bills was about the same as one day for the kid from China.

Winston Lin, the #1 single at Columbia, ranked #40 something ITA, was coached by his dad, a professor. He only hit one hour a day in the winter. His dad did not start to play tennis until he was about 40. Really amazing!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...940515768.html

[Misterbill]

Originally Posted by Bash and Crash

Well I know a kid who is on Harvard, one of their top players and he trained pretty much with one coach, at small club, and had 4.95 gpa. Never full time, and not sure what his parents spend but I would guess about one month of bills was about the same as one day for the kid from China.

In percentage terms?

I'm calling a time out for myself, because I don't see from this thread or anywhere else where this supposed Chinese family was trying to buy a ranking or an Ivy admission. For all we know the exorbitant tennis expense was chump change to them and a frolic.

On the other hand........lots of indications on the Board that good ol' 'mericans are spending a high percentage of their wealth on just those objectives.

Not judging this to be good or bad.......just wondering how China got dragged into this. Because Li Na made the finals?

Anyway, I'm on time out here for at least a few more posts.

[Bash and Crash]

Originally Posted by Misterbill

In percentage terms?

I'm calling a time out for myself, because I don't see from this thread or anywhere else where this supposed Chinese family was trying to buy a ranking or an Ivy admission. For all we know the exorbitant tennis expense was chump change to them and a frolic.

On the other hand........lots of indications on the Board that good ol' 'mericans are spending a high percentage of their wealth on just those objectives.

Not judging this to be good or bad.......just wondering how China got dragged into this. Because Li Na made the finals?

Anyway, I'm on time out here for at least a few more posts.

From page two.......

"My daughter trained with a boy from china who is here to become a pro. The mom said there are few choices and competition is too strong to get the top pros attention in china. Here she buys the time and gets what she wants. She is of new money where she says that her son will never have to get a job so she will do whatever it takes to reach her sons dream. She spends $700/day on tennis!"

I'm only commenting on this, not racist or anything else. Why do posters on here get so bent out of shape? As a teaching pro I personally think parents spend more than needed in chasing the tennis dream, but it is their money and dreams to pursue. I see parents pulling kids out of school to train full time and their kids are barely ranked top150 locally. But, it is what it is, academies have a business to run.