US juniors and ITF's, Tennis Europe

[skftennis]

I'm new to this forum, but have been following the posts here for a while and these posts are very informative. As the parent of an exceptionally gifted 10 yr old, I'm curious as to how the seedings in U-12 Orange Bowl are determined. Given that regular junior ITF tournaments cannot be played before the age of 13, how can a Russian kid Artem get number 1 seed in the U-12 section?

I do know there are some ITF tournaments (mostly in Europe) for U-12 categories - I believe these can be found under Tennis Europe, if I'm not mistaken. I also know Artem and other foreign kids who were seeded in U-12 Orange Bowl this year did well in these U-12 Tennis Europe tournaments. So, the question arises as to whether the performances in these tournaments were used to seed these foreign kids higher than the American kids.

That is a bit surprising as Tennis Europe I believe states on their website no rankings for players under 12?

I also have a question, as to if it is a good idea for a very talented American junior who wants to turn pro one day to try playing some of these U-12 Tennis Europe tournaments or just play the USTA tournaments and wait till 13 for the regular ITF tournaments? Which Tennis Europe tournaments should be considered first?

Is there a good resource for American juniors wanting to play on the junior European circuit?

[seminoleG]

Originally Posted by skftennis

I'm new to this forum, but have been following the posts here for a while and these posts are very informative. As the parent of an exceptionally gifted 10 yr old, I'm curious as to how the seedings in U-12 Orange Bowl are determined. Given that regular junior ITF tournaments cannot be played before the age of 13, how can a Russian kid Artem get number 1 seed in the U-12 section?

I do know there are some ITF tournaments (mostly in Europe) for U-12 categories - I believe these can be found under Tennis Europe, if I'm not mistaken. I also know Artem and other foreign kids who were seeded in U-12 Orange Bowl this year did well in these U-12 Tennis Europe tournaments. So, the question arises as to whether the performances in these tournaments were used to seed these foreign kids higher than the American kids.

That is a bit surprising as Tennis Europe I believe states on their website no rankings for players under 12?

I also have a question, as to if it is a good idea for a very talented American junior who wants to turn pro one day to try playing some of these U-12 Tennis Europe tournaments or just play the USTA tournaments and wait till 13 for the regular ITF tournaments? Which Tennis Europe tournaments should be considered first?

Is there a good resource for American juniors wanting to play on the junior European circuit?

Each federation submits kids information. Yes ITF points in 12U can get you into main draw.

Exceptionally gifted 10 put him USTA 12s and if he is that good you won't need ITF.

[Dadof10s]

I would also suggest seeing what happens the next few years. Our family has been involved in junior tennis for several generations now. Exceptionally gifted boys at age 10 many times will come back to the pack. Like the last poster said the USTA 12s should give him all he needs while you see where he is 3 or 4 years from now.

[skftennis]

Thank you for the replies! Greatly value your inputs.

seminoleG, so getting a few points in the U12 ITFs like those held by Tennis Europe will get him into the main draw of the next Orange Bowl?

It seems kind of unfair to the American kids who slog through so many nationals and regionals and still have to go through the qualifiers.

We are just collecting information for when he is ready to play at that level (he is playing USTA 12s currently).

Looking at the boys Orange Bowl U-12, the future American potential pros were no match for the Russian, Turkish and Philippino kids.

The Europeans do not seem to care so much about the American tournaments - they seem to prefer the European ones. Playing the USTA only may not give the American kids enough exposure to the Spanish and French style of constructing the points type of game plan?

[seminoleG]

Originally Posted by skftennis

seminoleG, so getting a few points in the U12 ITFs like those held by Tennis Europe will get him into the main draw of the next Orange Bowl?

Tennis Europe and ITF Juniors are not the same thing. Yes if he has enough (majic number is???) Contact the Orange Bowl, or EH folks for that information. Most of the kids I know were playing regular ITF @13 and earned points thus bypassing Qualies, for OB 14,16,18 Tennis Europe a different story.

Originally Posted by skftennis

It seems kind of unfair to the American kids who slog through so many nationals and regionals and still have to go through the qualifiers.

Life isn't Fair But that is the USTA System, and if they are good enough they can get thru the Qualies (as some did) and bypass the Nat/Reg/Sec. If they do these then they should do well. If not then do they actually belong in these Main Draws? That is the hard truth.

Originally Posted by skftennis

We are just collecting information for when he is ready to play at that level (he is playing USTA 12s currently).

Looking at the boys Orange Bowl U-12, the future American potential pros were no match for the Russian, Turkish and Philippino kids.

We'll take a look at past OB results and they speak the truth. The Asian kids have done very well and do you see them on tour? How many American Potential Pros were in past OB or EH Semi's or Finals?

Originally Posted by skftennis

The Europeans do not seem to care so much about the American tournaments - they seem to prefer the European ones. Playing the USTA only may not give the American kids enough exposure to the Spanish and French style of constructing the points type of game plan?

American Kids Cheat overall most are good kids but the prevailing view from Europe and the USTA events is KIDS CHEAT. Second view is Parents chase points and the best US Kids are not necessarily the ones you will compete against. Third the REGIONS have such a varying degree of skill. Yes you could play in the one and the Top 2 kids are the best in the US, but the rest may be the bottom third. So what events would you travel 1000 miles for? OB and EH as they do.

Bottom line for us is the USTA 12s are justfine until 13, then its bye bye and on to ITF's Start with the Lower Grades and work her way up. UNLESS there are Local USTA events of interest.

[justinmadison]

Originally Posted by seminoleG

American Kids Cheat overall most are good kids but the prevailing view from Europe and the USTA events is KIDS CHEAT.

My son has played Tennis Europe, ITF, and USTA. I have not see any difference in the amount of cheating.

If you live in Europe Tennis Europe is good for tournaments in the 12 and 14 age group. When the kids get to 16 and 18 it is all ITF from there.

ITF only play just does not work in the US for upcomming juniors. There are not enough G5 and G4 events in the US.

[skftennis]

Based on your experience, was there any difference in the quality of players and styles in the Tennis Europe and ITFs held in Europe vs USTA tournaments and ITFs held in the US?