Junior Tennis

[doctor dennis]

Hi

Firstly, sorry, I'm not sure where this thread should go.

I would like to know if there are any parents out there who has a child who made it to the pro level or nearly to the pro level.

Or if you know someone quite well who made it to the upper echelons of tennis or is on that path.

What I'd like to know is how much tennis they played as a junior. Did they go to a normal school, home school, private school etc. What kind of costs were incurred yearly.

I've always wondered how much tennis a junior should roughly be playing to make it to the top tier. I understand that there is no magic number so a rough estimate would do.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Kind regards

DD

[LeeD]

I think they deleted the junior's section.
It varies with the player.
I know pros who went to public SanFrancisco schools, playing maybe 6 days a week, 2.5 hours average a day.
I know pros who limited their junior tennis to 4 days a week (including tourneys) because their parents didn't want them to burn out.
I know a Qualifier seeker (former No2 for Harvard) who used to practice 4 hours a day, 3 days a week, then tourneys on weekends.
Everyone is different, and whether public school or homeschool, it doesn't matter because talent will rise to the top regardless.

[slowfox]

Whoa, the Junior section is gone? I didn't even notice. It's the one forum I don't think I've ever visited (since it might seem odd cuz I'm not a junior nor do I have a kid playing juniors, plus lurking there makes me feel like the creepy old guy hanging around the grade school yards... wait I'm saying too much... hahaha... joking )

[LeeD]

Most of my tennis years, which is since 1974, I"ve been involved with practicing with junior players from various areas, all serious with parents pushing them.
I'm the prototype lefty. Big serve, erratic, head case, big topspin forehand, quick. Exactly what most juniors need to practice against to be ready for lefty opponent's.
Current weekly hitting partners include two NorCal top 6's in 12's and 14's. We don't rally, we play practice sets.

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by LeeD

I think they deleted the junior's section.
It varies with the player.
I know pros who went to public SanFrancisco schools, playing maybe 6 days a week, 2.5 hours average a day.
I know pros who limited their junior tennis to 4 days a week (including tourneys) because their parents didn't want them to burn out.
I know a Qualifier seeker (former No2 for Harvard) who used to practice 4 hours a day, 3 days a week, then tourneys on weekends.
Everyone is different, and whether public school or homeschool, it doesn't matter because talent will rise to the top regardless.

Cheers for the responses.

I was wondering how it was fitted round there schooling and which option of the three is the best fit because tennis is a sport where you got to put the hours in on court and in the gym.

From the parents I have been speaking to the majority of them are sending there kids to private schools but the kids get to go in late / leave early to practice.

This option is probably the least cost effective though.

As you say Leed, the amount of hours depends on the child.

Thanks again.

[LeeD]

Figure your kids can skip one period, maybe phys ed, because of tennis practice, or tennis team. Maybe skip lunch. Talk to the counselor.
They can make it to the courts by 3PM. Practice till 7, 3 weekdays. Gives them 3 hours to study. Feed them on the run.

[t135]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Most of my tennis years, which is since 1974, I"ve been involved with practicing with junior players from various areas, all serious with parents pushing them.
I'm the prototype lefty. Big serve, erratic, head case, big topspin forehand, quick. Exactly what most juniors need to practice against to be ready for lefty opponent's.
Current weekly hitting partners include two NorCal top 6's in 12's and 14's. We don't rally, we play practice sets.

You are a naturally funny guy!

I didn't know the junior section was deleted. There was a great article or two sharing research about top pros and their junior training habits. I'll see if I can locate it.

[LeeD]

Most on here say my posts are a joke, so yes, naturally funny.

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by t135

You are a naturally funny guy!

I didn't know the junior section was deleted. There was a great article or two sharing research about top pros and their junior training habits. I'll see if I can locate it.

That'd be awesome if you could.

Thanks

[t135]

http://www.tennisconsult.com/junior-...-player-train/

[doctor dennis]

Originally Posted by t135

http://www.tennisconsult.com/junior-...-player-train/

Very interesting read. Thanks for sharing.

I think one of the main things to take from this is that the amount of training depends on the individual and the goals they are trying to achieve.

Thanks