Claremont I.T.F

[Number1Coach]

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

I don't know why people on here still bash the journey DB & family is on?

Where do they think our past American Champs came from?

Sampras, Chang, Capriati, Evert, Austin, Davenport...

Strong parent, private coaching and no USTA help.

They've made their bed, just cheer for them.

So true ! thanx

[tennis5]

Just reading about your son in Zoo tennis.
Congrats!

[Erman]

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

I don't know why people on here still bash the journey DB & family is on?

Where do they think our past American Champs came from?

Sampras, Chang, Capriati, Evert, Austin, Davenport...

Strong parent, private coaching and no USTA help.

They've made their bed, just cheer for them.

Because the posers on this board act like they have a clue as to what it takes to be or make a pro and DB's dad and coach are trying their hardest to help this kid become a pro without the safety net of college. In other words, they're jealous and like to crap on DB. I don't know him or his dad but the BS he puts up with is laughable. My son was at a national and we saw him playing while his dad was busting his balls, not my way of training, but I never saw Aggassi's dad bang a pipe on the fence either. I'm glad the kid is doing well and hope he's a pro if he has the talent and the work ethic. Seems like he has a good start.

[ClarkC]

Originally Posted by Number1Coach

So next week the level will increase because the players there can travel more and collect more points around the world because of the money the have backing them,,I have come to learn the rankings really don't say much at the junior level .

In that case, I guess you are predicting he does as well next week as this week?

[Erman]

Originally Posted by ClarkC

In that case, I guess you are predicting he does as well next week as this week?

why "predict" anything? If he doesn't go into every tournament thinking that he can win the whole thing, why bother? I don't get this whole "crapping on DB or his dad" thing. Just seems like misplaced hostility. I suspect that each of us has a kid and/or coached and let's just put the results up to comparison. DB seems to be doing well. I can't predict the future and I suspect that many here are similarly disabled. why not just comment on what you know and quit trying to put other people down.

[tball2day]

.......................

[SoCal10s]

Originally Posted by tball2day

People aren't crapping on him, it's just the kid is not at a level required for pro relative to so many other really good/great juniors out there. And he is behind hitting key marks. Good coaches can size up a player really quickly - do you think any doing well on the pro tour were a big surprise? What people crap on is the blatant over marketing of the kid, which isn't helping him either. There is a G1 ITF this week - the International Spring Championships in Carson, CA, where players world rankings range from #12 in the world to 500. So why aren't those players/this tournament being discussed?They have such stronger results and are better indicators of a much higher level of tennis. It isn't brought up because some on here actually think winning a G4 means a player can be pro, which is so naive, and those that have experience are trying to tell you and others this, but in so doing, we are "mean." Over the last few years, the kid has no winning tournament record, and contrary to your statement, many here are not similarly disabled to predict the future, because they did have a high level junior player as a parent or as a coach. Even if he won this one, it is a a spit in a pond. If he can't take the criticism he should quit putting himself in the online spotlight to get it. This isn't a place where ya come to feel all good about yourself.

he's 15 ,6'4''+,big serves,works hard,nice young man,starting to know how to win,moves well for a tall kid...... put things in their proper perspective...

[Erman]

Originally Posted by tball2day

People aren't crapping on him, it's just the kid is not at a level required for pro relative to so many other really good/great juniors out there. And he is behind hitting key marks. Good coaches can size up a player really quickly - do you think any doing well on the pro tour were a big surprise? What people crap on is the blatant over marketing of the kid, which isn't helping him either. There is a G1 ITF this week - the International Spring Championships in Carson, CA, where players world rankings range from #12 in the world to 500. So why aren't those players/this tournament being discussed?They have such stronger results and are better indicators of a much higher level of tennis. It isn't brought up because some on here actually think winning a G4 means a player can be pro, which is so naive, and those that have experience are trying to tell you and others this, but in so doing, we are "mean." Over the last few years, the kid has no winning tournament record, and contrary to your statement, many here are not similarly disabled to predict the future, because they did have a high level junior player as a parent or as a coach. Even if he won this one, it is a a spit in a pond. If he can't take the criticism he should quit putting himself in the online spotlight to get it. This isn't a place where ya come to feel all good about yourself.

oh I get it. You and the jesters are just trying to straighten DB and his dad out for the good of tennis in this country. Just toughen them up so they get used to the hard knocks coming their way. Got it.. Gee, is there a book with the "key" marks in it? What a joke. Since you know the "key marks" could you please look at the current roster of 13,14,15 and 16 year olds in this country that just might have a chance. Since DB should pack it in, would you mind going up to him in public and just telling him that. You know? As a helpful way of making him realize that he has NO CHANCE according to you of making money on the tour. I mean as a tall 15 year old that hasn't even finished his secondary growth and worked his way up underfunded and essentially making the rounds by his dad's hustle. Did you ever think that maybe that's why his dad is "over hyping" his kid. He might have a hard time coming up with airfare/gas, hotels, shoes, strings, coaching, videotaping, balls, overgrips, clothes and the other hundreds of things that all the top kids need. Just because you and some of the others failed to produce a pro, or had a player get injured, burnt out or just didn't make it, makes your and the others "predictions" and "helpful suggestions" look petty and at times a bit pompous. I can't measure what's in DBs heart or his dad's. That's all that really matters. My kid has a Big 10, an SEC and a Mountain West conference coaches talking, emailing, and looking at him. If he's real lucky he'll get to play D-1 tennis at the school of his dreams. However I'd never crap on his dreams of somehow qualifying for a pro-event. He's mature enough to know that it's not likely but he's competitive enough to dream big dreams and work his tail off. Who knows? I hope DB does well. I wish his father well. It would be nice to see some Americans in a wave about 4 or 5 years from now dominate the top 10. It would be really nice.

[Soianka]

Originally Posted by Erman

oh I get it. You and the jesters are just trying to straighten DB and his dad out for the good of tennis in this country. Just toughen them up so they get used to the hard knocks coming their way. Got it.. Gee, is there a book with the "key" marks in it? What a joke. Since you know the "key marks" could you please look at the current roster of 13,14,15 and 16 year olds in this country that just might have a chance. Since DB should pack it in, would you mind going up to him in public and just telling him that. You know? As a helpful way of making him realize that he has NO CHANCE according to you of making money on the tour. I mean as a tall 15 year old that hasn't even finished his secondary growth and worked his way up underfunded and essentially making the rounds by his dad's hustle. Did you ever think that maybe that's why his dad is "over hyping" his kid. He might have a hard time coming up with airfare/gas, hotels, shoes, strings, coaching, videotaping, balls, overgrips, clothes and the other hundreds of things that all the top kids need. Just because you and some of the others failed to produce a pro, or had a player get injured, burnt out or just didn't make it, makes your and the others "predictions" and "helpful suggestions" look petty and at times a bit pompous. I can't measure what's in DBs heart or his dad's. That's all that really matters. My kid has a Big 10, an SEC and a Mountain West conference coaches talking, emailing, and looking at him. If he's real lucky he'll get to play D-1 tennis at the school of his dreams. However I'd never crap on his dreams of somehow qualifying for a pro-event. He's mature enough to know that it's not likely but he's competitive enough to dream big dreams and work his tail off. Who knows? I hope DB does well. I wish his father well. It would be nice to see some Americans in a wave about 4 or 5 years from now dominate the top 10. It would be really nice.

Well said.

[CoachDad]

Originally Posted by Number1Coach

Its all about the money in the juniors

Its all about the money and connections at the top of the juniors and the pros BB. It is what it is.

You look at the top pros, they caught someones eye early on with their talent and got WCs and sponsors helped with equipment and expenses. They rode that support in the juniors, through top ITFs, Jr. Slams, etc. Look at the support guys like Harrison, Young, Sock have gotten.

The talent gets them noticed. Then it takes tons of support to gain any kind of traction in order to try and climb that steep hill to the top 100.

My friend, if you can pull off any sort of profitable pro career you will be my hero. The road you are trying, from the outside, not one of the federation's guys, no fanfare in juniors such as Orange Bowls and Jr. Slams to attract major sponsors, trudging through men's opens, challengers, futures. Wow, that is about the toughest way of doing it that I can imagine. All I can say is good luck, with your energy and tenacity I know you will give it your best!

[CoachDad]

Congrats to Logan Smith for winning Claremont.

[CoachDad]

Originally Posted by Erman

why "predict" anything? If he doesn't go into every tournament thinking that he can win the whole thing, why bother? I don't get this whole "crapping on DB or his dad" thing. Just seems like misplaced hostility. I suspect that each of us has a kid and/or coached and let's just put the results up to comparison. DB seems to be doing well. I can't predict the future and I suspect that many here are similarly disabled. why not just comment on what you know and quit trying to put other people down.

This post is over the line. Clark is a good poster and asked a valid question of BB. If BB feels rankings are worthless and only the result of chasing points, does he feel his son will dominate the perennially highly ranked boys he will face next week? Are all the high ranked boys inflated or just some in BB's educated opinion?

A valid question from Clark that could have sparked a nice conversation between the 2 posters. No need to blow it up like this.

[SoCal10s]

Originally Posted by CoachDad

Congrats to Logan Smith for winning Claremont.

yes indeed.. he's younger than DB...haven't seen him play lately , this is a great win...

[CoachDad]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

yes indeed.. he's younger than DB...haven't seen him play lately , this is a great win...

Wow, you are right, I did not know that. Logan does not turn 16 until the end of October, DB turns in April. Quite impressive win for the young fella.

That is another great thing about tennis. In most sports a kid sees an opponent who is 6 months older, 6 inches taller, and 30 lbs. heavier and would be thinking "ut oh". But in tennis the smaller players have lots of options to level the playing field and walk away with the trophy. We also saw that in the women's Sony final.

[Tennishacker]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

yes indeed.. he's younger than DB...haven't seen him play lately , this is a great win...

Is that Peter Smith's kid?

[jigglypuff]

Originally Posted by Tennishacker

Is that Peter Smith's kid?

no........

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by SoCal10s

yes indeed.. he's younger than DB...haven't seen him play lately , this is a great win...

The 9th grade has quite a few kids that are really good.
Not only beating excellent 10th graders, but some excellent 11th graders.

[Erman]

Originally Posted by CoachDad

This post is over the line. Clark is a good poster and asked a valid question of BB. If BB feels rankings are worthless and only the result of chasing points, does he feel his son will dominate the perennially highly ranked boys he will face next week? Are all the high ranked boys inflated or just some in BB's educated opinion?

A valid question from Clark that could have sparked a nice conversation between the 2 posters. No need to blow it up like this.

Really? Just asking a valid question. Uh, OK. You mean he isn't trying to bust BB's balls about how proud he is of how his son is doing. He just want's a little prediction about how his son will "dominate the perennially high ranked boys" he'll face.
I'll tell you how he might feel. (speaking as a father, trainer and coach) He'll think his son will win. If he didn't feel that way and make DB feel that he can beat ANYBODY then he's not doing his job. As far as a "nice conversation" with Clark. Doubtful, very doubtful. These jags usually turn into subtle and overt putdowns of his kid, his methods, his coaching, his personal life and on and on... it's pathetic.
I've been lurking on this board trying to glean information about equipments, latest training, good coaching, good tournaments, strings etc... for awhile and finally registered in order to comment. I just found it odd that a guy that seems to march to his own drummer and brags about his kid is just pummeled by keyboard commandos. Then they spout off about this necessary timeline, or that needed ITF marker or which junior beat who in order to just crap all over a road that he and his son have taken. His kid is still 15 or 16 and playing in a tough section with NO FINANCIAL HELP for travel and training.
I saw a youtube video that made me a little sad seeing his kid on a f'ing stationary bicycle in his house "getting cardio", running up some hill and punching a bag. No pylo boxes, no interval training with a cardio monitor, no training with lactate detectors and accuchecks, no low O2 training to develop advanced cardio for sea level vs. elevation tournaments, probably no dietary consultation in order to eat 6-7 meals a day with proper carb/fat/protein ratios and post work out weight checks, hydration checks and recovery diets. He probably hasn't even considered doing bone density tests, range of motion/strength analysis or go get high speed video to analyze in order to prevent shoulder injuries or stress fractures of his back. Just some poor smo that is kind of winging it and hustling his butt off in order to get his kid noticed. Well if I hurt Clark's feelings or the other putdown queens on this board. I'm sorry. It's just that where I grew up, I didn't like bullies and generally found them to be cowards. But hey, it's just my opinion and I could be wrong......as far as giving me advice on what to post. Why thank you so much. I'll consider what you've written.

[CoachDad]

Erman, relax already. BB implied on post # 14 that top rankings are only the result of money. So if you want to talk about 'busting' on kids, thats doing it too. I see how hard the top 10 kids ITF and USTA work....very, very hard. They put it on the line with killer schedules month after month and deserve respect.

So Clark simply asked BB if since he felt his kid would beat the high ranked kids he would face. Clark is a parent too and most likely reacted just like you say you and BB would.

BB is not Mother Theresa either. So lets not act like these big bad posters are picking on him. BB has said over the years only he knows how to raise a champion, accused a child named Kozlov of lying about his age with no evidence, said other American coaches are worthless and weak, predicted numerous shorter kids would fail as pros, etc.

He ain't no angel so lets not get too aggressive when folks challenge him.

[tenniscp]

Originally Posted by CoachDad

Erman, relax already. BB implied on post # 14 that top rankings are only the result of money. So if you want to talk about 'busting' on kids, thats doing it too. I see how hard the top 10 kids ITF and USTA work....very, very hard. They put it on the line with killer schedules month after month and deserve respect.

So Clark simply asked BB if since he felt his kid would beat the high ranked kids he would face. Clark is a parent too and most likely reacted just like you say you and BB would.

BB is not Mother Theresa either. So lets not act like these big bad posters are picking on him. BB has said over the years only he knows how to raise a champion, accused a child named Kozlov of lying about his age with no evidence, said other American coaches are worthless and weak, predicted numerous shorter kids would fail as pros, etc.



He ain't no angel so lets not get too aggressive when folks challenge him.

Are the draws out for ITF Grade 1? Would be interesting to see how the matches lined up?