Becoming a professional player?

[krprunitennis2]

How do you become a professional player? As in the steps to becoming one.... Do you have to join specific tournaments to move up in ranking/stuff like that whatever?

1. Starting out as a school player.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

[damasta55]

If you're at step 1, you're probably too late. You start at an early age. You train everyday. You play usta tournaments and be top in state, and then join itf and start playing some tournaments. Some ppl after 18 go to college and play only college tennis. Some are good at 18, and they start playing satellite/challengers, eventually making it or not to the top-tier tournaments. Some go to play sattelites/futures/challengers after they play a couple years in college. You can become a pro player anytime, you just may not get very far. You have to qualify to play at the itf sanctioned tournaments, unless granted a wc. Even if you do qualify, you may get blown away in the first round.

[power_play21]

so to put damastas comments in order

1. play a lot since young

2. join tennis academy

2. play USTA tournaments

3. Get a top sectional, national rank

4. Apply for ITF Pin to sign up for futures / challengers events (id say at 15 or 16 yrs old here)

5. Get farther into the draws on futures

6. move on to challengers

7. Get farther in the draws

8. Start playing qualifying for some international seris once you get enough atp poitns

9. get farther in draws of intl seris

10. play a a grand slam 1st round

11. play masters series

12. win intl series

13. win master series

14. win grand slam

15. Be federer.

[westy]

Originally Posted by power_play21

so to put damastas comments in order

1. play a lot since young

2. join tennis academy

2. play USTA tournaments

3. Get a top sectional, national rank

4. Apply for ITF Pin to sign up for futures / challengers events (id say at 15 or 16 yrs old here)

5. Get farther into the draws on futures

6. move on to challengers

7. Get farther in the draws

8. Start playing qualifying for some international seris once you get enough atp poitns

9. get farther in draws of intl seris

10. play a a grand slam 1st round

11. play masters series

12. win intl series

13. win master series

14. win grand slam

15. Be federer.

seems easy enought

[na2b]

How old are you anyway? And from where?

[krprunitennis2]

14, in California. I'm around 3.5 NTRP with a forehand close to 4.0 level. Started playing last year, June.

[LASVEGAS ACES]

Sorry, you have a better chance raising an army and taking over the world.

[blakesq]

You can get good enough to go to college on a tennis scholarship. And even if that doesn't work out, you can become good enough to teach tennis for a living. Good luck.

Blakesq

[krprunitennis2]

Originally Posted by blakesq

You can get good enough to go to college on a tennis scholarship. And even if that doesn't work out, you can become good enough to teach tennis for a living. Good luck.

Blakesq

Blast, I have no chance of ATP?

[westy]

seriously, th guys ranked in the 200's and 300's have been playing since they were 4 or 5 years old, only some guys started later then this. hewitt didnt start until he was 16.16!!! now he must just be one hell of a talented!! he could have become a professional aussie rules football player, like his dad and grandad, so he was just an immensely talented sportsmen!!

[Kabob190]

i guess the only way to be a pro is to have a mike agassi type father. cuz no 4 year old is gonna take tennis seriously.

[westy]

at age 4, its more about fun. but even this improves coordination, court awareness etc preparing them for when tennis become more serious

[Kabob190]

the parents would still have to play a huge role in the pros tennis career. i dont mean just paying for racquets, lessons, etc. but actually making the kid play.

[westy]

yes, the expense for the parents would be great, but the parents shouldnt make the kid play. if he.she enjoys it, he/she will continue to play, if not they will stop

[Dashbarr]

starting basic, just-for-fun tennis at 5, playing to learn and get better at 11, and first tournament at 13 and a half good enough ya think?

[brayman9]

Originally Posted by Dashbarr

starting basic, just-for-fun tennis at 5, playing to learn and get better at 11, and first tournament at 13 and a half good enough ya think?

that is what i did and everyone said i started USTA's to old. Is 13 to old?

[Kabob190]

Originally Posted by brayman9

that is what i did and everyone said i started USTA's to old. Is 13 to old?

not considering that i started them at 16

[Dashbarr]

yeah, but kabob, are you a pro?

[300Gkid]

yes, well, starting at 13 is probably too late, most pro's start tournaments at 7 or 8 and are naturally talented besides. Its not too late to be thinking about a Scholorship though, if you dont mind, whats your ranking?

[Dashbarr]

dont have one yet, as i said, first tourny starts the 26th. im not great, but i guess im decent.