Another Shakeup @ USTA

[BradBaughman]

tenniscraze what do you know about this hugeras? were suppose to sit down with him ive heard hes a nice guy and and a decent track record any thoughts!

Originally Posted by BradBaughman

tenniscraze what do you know about this hugeras? were suppose to sit down with him ive heard hes a nice guy and and a decent track record any thoughts!

Best clay court coach in tennis bar none. Google him.

[GameSetNavritilova]

Regardless of whom they hire, they need to develop a program/philosophy that the entire coaching staff believes in and subscribes to -- everyone needs to be on the same page. P-Mac will surround himself with people that are more experienced than himself which shouldn't be difficult. I don't mean that in a disrespectful manner. USTA freed up some big cash with the recent cleanup including Carson. Higueras is a great start to getting things turned around. Stay tuned as I suspect more impressive resumes will follow. US Tennis will turn around. Tennis isn't dead in the US...remember our Boys and Girls 14s swept the 2008 World Junior Championships.

[flat]

I agree with TCF's opinions. But I feel that's just 1/2 of the story. The other half is simply tennis economics...there isn't enough money in tennis for kids in the US to take the risk.

Unless you are a sure fire star, coming out of HS, should you take a scholarship or go pro? Scholarship is much safer path and you get a college education.

Coming out of college, should you take that $80K/year job and start your career, or go fight it out in the futures/challengers for (I think) ~$20K/year?

Read the latest Tennis magazine article on life in the challengers. Robert Kendrick, Scoville Jenkens, etc. You gotta really love tennis to take that chance, cause more than likely you will do better $ wise starting your career. Factor in risk of injuries and the numbers just don't add up.

Tennis popularity (on TV, not at the parks) must be raised and prize $ increased. If you can't make a decent living being amongst the 200 best in the world in what you do, then there is not much motivation, for kids in the US.

I'm pretty good at my job, and I make much more than the 200th ranked tennis player. If I'm even remotely amongst the best 1000 in the world in my craft, I would be surprised.

[tacoben]

Originally Posted by BradBaughman

my son tried to get a grant a few years back...

Hi Brad,

Don't mean to go off topic but..

Please clarify for those of us who don't know...what is this "grant" you are talking about. I take it as some kind of subsidy from the USTA for high level junior players? or, acceptance to elite player development, such as in Carson?

Thanks!

[tennisjunkie101]

Originally Posted by tacoben

Hi Brad,

Don't mean to go off topic but..

Please clarify for those of us who don't know...what is this "grant" you are talking about. I take it as some kind of subsidy from the USTA for high level junior players? or, acceptance to elite player development, such as in Carson?

Thanks!

I'll answer this for Mr.Baughman. The grants are under a couple terms. You have the Multi-cultural , which means if anything but Caucasian you'll receive supplemental money, regardless of your skill level. The other grants I have seen handed out, have to do with the skill level of your child and your willingness to relinquish your child to the USTA guidance and coaching. Thats where Mr. Baughman butted heads with them about the direction of his son, so I am told.

[Tom C]

Well, Ola Malmqvist is the new head of women's tennis, and Jay Berger is the head of men's tennis.