Raising a tennis playing kid

Flat Top · Nov 5, 2011

Hello. My first post.

I have a 12 yo son who learned tennis from his school teacher last year, now in love with the game and getting pretty good. I was never a tennis player although played a little as a kid. Never got addicted to it, was not even watching tennis on TV. Now we are glued to Tennis Channel daily, watched FYB videos and bought a ball machine. Enrolled him in group classes. Told him that school is number one, tennis is for fun. He says it is the other way around, haha.

How much tennis would you have a kid who wants to do it all the time have? When do parents know that it is worth entering them to academies? For every kid who went that route, how many should have just stayed in school? A kid can always argue that how would we know how good he could be if we did not give him the full support that pros got when they were kids. Thank you.

Soianka · Nov 5, 2011

I don't think you should limit how much he plays so long as it doesn't affect his school work.

If he loves tennis and wants to play, then by all means let him play.

If you can afford a good academy or good coach, then definitely do that.

BaboFan · Nov 5, 2011

I'd say academies aren't the best thing but finding a good private coach, sigining him up for usta tournaments, and finding good players or friends to hit with frequently is the best way. As long as he can keep up the straight As its good. But I've found with my son that you can take away tennis as a punishment and they'll be devastated.

Flat Top · Nov 7, 2011

Thank you for the replies. Any ideas how many kids are in tennis as their career path and how many actually make it (make money in competition)?

BaboFan · Nov 7, 2011

Starting at 12 he can get really good as in pro coach and go far in open tournaments (BC I did) but pro and winning the opens are very hard

andfor · Nov 7, 2011

Starting late may be a blessing. I'd shoot for playing college tennis. Many kids who start the game between 4-8 years old and are superstars in the 10's, 12's and even 14's lose interest and fall off in the 16's and 18's.

hacker · Nov 7, 2011

My son is almost 12 and has been playing USTA tournaments for a few years. Plays 5 times a week. He wants to drop other sports to concentrate on just tennis. I'd prefer he stick with a couple sports, but school is still number one. He's a good tennis player, but there are some REALLY good young players at these tournaments. I'd see where your sons skill level is in tournaments before thinking about academies. As others have suggested get him in a Jr program with a good Pro Coach.

andfor · Nov 7, 2011

There's a lot of good books out there to help coaches and parents with their athletes. Here's just one of many. http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/successful-coaching-3rd-edition1

BMC9670 · Nov 7, 2011

Flat Top said:
Thank you for the replies. Any ideas how many kids are in tennis as their career path and how many actually make it (make money in competition)?

I think many kids (and their parents), maybe millions, dream of making money as a competing professional players in tennis, but the reality of the sport is very, very do. Many make their living as teaching professionals, but making a living as a player is extremely hard as only the very top echelon actually make good money.

SoCal10s · Nov 7, 2011

if you're lucky and do everything right .. high hopes would be that he gets a nice tennis scholarship at a good d1 school.. after that it's up to him...

Tennishacker · Nov 7, 2011

BMC9670 said:
I think many kids (and their parents), maybe millions, dream of making money as a competing professional players in tennis, but the reality of the sport is very, very do. Many make their living as teaching professionals, but making a living as a player is extremely hard as only the very top echelon actually make good money.

It would be safe to say that less than 1% of junior tennis players go onto making money as a pro.

Tennishacker · Nov 7, 2011

SoCal10s said:
if you're lucky and do everything right .. high hopes would be that he gets a nice tennis scholarship at a good d1 school.. after that it's up to him...

Agreed, if you child loves tennis, make college the ultimate goal, for reaching that is still very difficult.

BMC9670 · Nov 7, 2011

BMC9670 said:
I think many kids (and their parents), maybe millions, dream of making money as a competing professional players in tennis, but the reality of the sport is very, very do. Many make their living as teaching professionals, but making a living as a player is extremely hard as only the very top echelon actually make good money.

Tennishacker said:
It would be safe to say that less than 1% of junior tennis players go onto making money as a pro.

Ha... just realized I left out an important word in my post... very, very FEW do.

TennisFan2Day · Nov 7, 2011

SoCal10s said:
if you're lucky and do everything right .. high hopes would be that he gets a nice tennis scholarship at a good d1 school.. after that it's up to him...

+1........

Flat Top · Nov 7, 2011

Thanks for the replies. Really useful.

Number1Coach · Nov 7, 2011

Flat Top said:
Thanks for the replies. Really useful.

If your going to do anything remember one thing if your in America, there are no limits , make your dreams your goals and never shoot for 2nd best "college".

Be in reality though measure up your kid , will he have size ? is he smart ? does he possess common sense ? will you and your wife be completely involved ? Dad and Mom are the guiding force behind your child's success not a coach or academy not even the child !

Be ready to sacrifice your lives to reach the goal as a pro , keep your circle tight and small not to much outside influence . Never listen to anyone who does not have proof of their own success.

Best to you and your child.

BMC9670 · Nov 8, 2011

Number1Coach said:
If your going to do anything remember one thing if your in America, there are no limits , make your dreams your goals and never shoot for 2nd best "college".

Be in reality though measure up your kid , will he have size ? is he smart ? does he possess common sense ? will you and your wife be completely involved ? Dad and Mom are the guiding force behind your child's success not a coach or academy not even the child !

Be ready to sacrifice your lives to reach the goal as a pro , keep your circle tight and small not to much outside influence . Never listen to anyone who does not have proof of their own success.

Best to you and your child.

While this outlook is absolutely necessary for anyone who wants to make it to the top of professional tennis, the facts are that very, very few do, regardless of their own or their parent's intentions. It's simply math: only 10 men and 10 women can be in the top 10 at any given time, and if you don't get there, you don't make the really big money. This makes the odds of getting there, no matter the talent and drive one has and sacrifices made, extremely long. The OP asked the question of how many actually make it and this is the reality, not pessimism. Dream big, go for it, but have perspective and never look at an education as "second best".

TennisCoachFLA · Nov 8, 2011

The answer to how many actually make money in tennis? The estimated average costs to be a professional tennis player has been calculated at $140,000/year.

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/USTA College Varsity Analysis of College vs Pro FAQ.pdf

So look through the ATP money list and how many make $140,000 plus enough on top of that to make a living? 75 or so?

So about 75 guys make good livings at tennis would be an educated guess. How many are on the career path to tennis at any given time is impossible to answer though.

Remember lots of guys can 'go pro' and enter low level tournaments that offer purses. But earning $600 in a low level deal a few times per year is not making a living at tennis.

BMC9670 · Nov 8, 2011

TennisCoachFLA said:
The answer to how many actually make money in tennis? The estimated average costs to be a professional tennis player has been calculated at $140,000/year.

http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/USTA College Varsity Analysis of College vs Pro FAQ.pdf

So look through the ATP money list and how many make $140,000 plus enough on top of that to make a living? 75 or so?

So about 75 guys make good livings at tennis would be an educated guess. How many are on the career path to tennis at any given time is impossible to answer though.

Remember lots of guys can 'go pro' and enter low level tournaments that offer purses. But earning $600 in a low level deal a few times per year is not making a living at tennis.

And the cost to get said players to that level over the course of their junior career? I think you had estimated that at one time as well.

BMC9670 · Nov 8, 2011

Number1Coach said:
If your going to do anything remember one thing if your in America, there are no limits , make your dreams your goals and never shoot for 2nd best "college".

Be in reality though measure up your kid , will he have size ? is he smart ? does he possess common sense ? will you and your wife be completely involved ? Dad and Mom are the guiding force behind your child's success not a coach or academy not even the child !

Be ready to sacrifice your lives to reach the goal as a pro , keep your circle tight and small not to much outside influence . Never listen to anyone who does not have proof of their own success.

Best to you and your child.

Just look at the two BOLD statements in this post. What a contradiction! This from a guy who states on TV that he was kicked out of high school, never went to college, has had no success with a pro tennis player as of yet, and stakes his entire future on the shoulders of his son. So, who would you listen to?

gully · Nov 8, 2011

I remember reading an article about a girl who recently turned pro and was long the #1 recruit in the nation. She professed excitement that at midyear of her first professional year, her agent had informed her that she had reached the "break-even" point and had recouped her expenses to that date. (She was ranked mid-300s at that point.)

Keep in mind, this is America's best junior player. Of the thousands who play competitively, she is (arguably) the best. Her family has probably already spent tens of (a hundred? two?) thousands on her game. She can barely recoup her expenses for the year. If she reaches the top 100 or top 50 of the WTA (no sure thing!), and stays there for a few years, she may actually make money at this sport -- or not.

treeman10 · Nov 8, 2011

[----------------

BMC9670 · Nov 8, 2011

treeman10 said:
From age 5-20, about $400k - I have seen this in a couple articles and can personally say that seems about right. Ouch. Of course, some find ways around that, but a lot do in fact put that into it. Tennis should be done for fun and passion, not investment.

This article compares education v. tennis.....there's some interesting things in this link re junior tennis. Some are pretty accurate, although they are low on cost per year to be pro in this article (shown over and over again to be $140k as TCF knows) but they are always relevant issues/discussions.

http://ustennisparents.wordpress.com/

I agree. Too many parents making tennis a "job" for their kids at very young ages. We've also been through the tennis scholarship vs paying for college as well, and tennis is still more expensive to get to that level. Tennis is a great sport, but one very few people make a good living playing.

Number1Coach · Nov 8, 2011

BMC9670 said:
Just look at the two BOLD statements in this post. What a contradiction! This from a guy who states on TV that he was kicked out of high school, never went to college, has had no success with a pro tennis player as of yet, and stakes his entire future on the shoulders of his son. So, who would you listen to?

Who would you trust to balance your checking account me or all the Ivy league graduates running congress , the house or even good ole Harvard himself the President ?

Think about your answer before you post it your educated answer is gonna be corrected by a bunch of newspaper clippings on our economy !

BMC9670 · Nov 8, 2011

Number1Coach said:
Who would you trust to balance your checking account me or all the Ivy league graduates running congress , the house or even good ole Harvard himself the President ?

Think about your answer before you post it your educated answer is gonna be corrected by a bunch of newspaper clippings on our economy !

That makes no sense at all and has nothing to do with my post. You spew heavy handed advice on these boards left and right as if you have all the answers and then say "never listen to anyone who has no proof of their own success". Well sir, show me proof of your success in making a top professional tennis player. Show me success you have in any way over someone who chose to go to college and get an education. You look down on college and yet never went yourself (your writing skills are obvious proof that!). You've never trained anyone other than your own kids and they have not become pros. That's all I'm pointing out.

tennis5 · Nov 8, 2011

BMC9670 said:
That makes no sense at all and has nothing to do with my post. You spew heavy handed advice on these boards left and right as if you have all the answers and then say "never listen to anyone who has no proof of their own success". Well sir, show me proof of your success in making a top professional tennis player. Show me success you have in any way over someone who chose to go to college and get an education. You look down on college and yet never went yourself (your writing skills are obvious proof that!). You've never trained anyone other than your own kids and they have not become pros. That's all I'm pointing out.

In all fairness, I think DB is a little young to say he has not become a pro.
I believe he is only 15 or 16.

tennis5 · Nov 8, 2011

BMC9670 said:
I agree. Too many parents making tennis a "job" for their kids at very young ages. We've also been through the tennis scholarship vs paying for college as well, and tennis is still more expensive to get to that level. Tennis is a great sport, but one very few people make a good living playing.

Jerry Maguire: Rod, think about back when you were a little kid...
It wasn't about the money, was it? Was it?

[Questionably]
Jerry Maguire: Was it?

TennisCoachFLA · Nov 8, 2011

tennis5 said:
In all fairness, I think DB is a little young to say he has not become a pro.
I believe he is only 15 or 16.

If you follow this board you would see that BB has claimed numerous times that he knows how to make a pro player and the rest of us don't.

As BMC pointed out, he has not done so as of yet. So if DB is too young to say he isn't a pro yet, than it is also too early for his coach to claim he knows how to make a pro. Can't have it both ways.

tennis5 · Nov 8, 2011

TennisCoachFLA said:
If you follow this board you would see that BB has claimed numerous times that he knows how to make a pro player and the rest of us don't.

As BMC pointed out, he has not done so as of yet. So if DB is too young to say he isn't a pro yet, than it is also too early for his coach to claim he knows how to make a pro. Can't have it both ways.

Lawyerly reading of it, but ok. Fair point.

I thought we were ignoring each other?

TennisCoachFLA · Nov 8, 2011

tennis5 said:
Lawyerly reading of it, but ok. Fair point.

I thought we were ignoring each other?

Ha....forgot about that. To be honest I forget all the 'confrontations' I get into....there are a lot!

Its all good, we are all passionate about the junior game.

Number1Coach · Nov 8, 2011

BMC9670 said:
That makes no sense at all and has nothing to do with my post. You spew heavy handed advice on these boards left and right as if you have all the answers and then say "never listen to anyone who has no proof of their own success". Well sir, show me proof of your success in making a top professional tennis player. Show me success you have in any way over someone who chose to go to college and get an education. You look down on college and yet never went yourself (your writing skills are obvious proof that!). You've never trained anyone other than your own kids and they have not become pros. That's all I'm pointing out.

So lets see you went to college ? You played tennis ? You know how to write ?

How has that dumb truck driver who boxed and wrestled done building his kid compared to what you have done with yours ?

But the original question had to do with balancing a checkbook and with all your education you lack the intelligence to answer the simple question.

Who would you trust to balance you're checking account me or all the Ivy league graduates running congress , the house or even good ole Harvard himself the President ?

Number1Coach · Nov 8, 2011

TennisCoachFLA said:
If you follow this board you would see that BB has claimed numerous times that he knows how to make a pro player and the rest of us don't.

As BMC pointed out, he has not done so as of yet. So if DB is too young to say he isn't a pro yet, than it is also too early for his coach to claim he knows how to make a pro. Can't have it both ways.

I think what he has said all along is their goal is to go pro , most of the board has made it clear they don't believe in themselves that they could make it as a pro so they choose to go after college .

It's not that he knows how and they don't , it's that the board has openly admitted they have no belief of doing it and he does. Said it 2x , get it ?

I just say lets keep watching what happens .

Number1Coach · Nov 8, 2011

tennis5 said:
In all fairness, I think DB is a little young to say he has not become a pro.
I believe he is only 15 or 16.

He is 15 years old and his dad is smart enough to get with the people who believe in making pros and hanging out with them.

http://youtu.be/0pO74CuBh_g

tball2day · Nov 8, 2011

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

jigglypuff · Nov 8, 2011

Number1Coach said:
He is 15 years old and his dad is smart enough to get with the people who believe in making pros and hanging out with them.

http://youtu.be/0pO74CuBh_g

Man, you really need to get a tripod and set the camera up for a full view.

TennisCoachFLA · Nov 8, 2011

tball2day said:
Noah Rubin 19-2 v. blue chips
Martin Redlicki 15-8 v. blue chips
DB 3-5 v. blue chips

Which one is not like the other?

Different league dude. No results in last year speaks volumes. A match here or there means nothing.

Keep dreamin' if it gets you through the day. Hanging with the rich doesn't make you rich, makes you a wannabe and a fool. If only you heard what people say....

I still think (hope) he is just having fun on the internet and college tennis is the real plan. With each passing year how anyone could see these videos and have the thought 'future money making pro' cross their mind is beyond me.

BaboFan · Nov 8, 2011

I remember seeing Deiton play with Max Cancilla. Very good player. However, I heard he has a bad attitude.
Gage Brymer is my pick as top in California.

BMC9670 · Nov 9, 2011

Number1Coach said:
So lets see you went to college ? You played tennis ? You know how to write ?

How has that dumb truck driver who boxed and wrestled done building his kid compared to what you have done with yours ?

But the original question had to do with balancing a checkbook and with all your education you lack the intelligence to answer the simple question.

Who would you trust to balance you're checking account me or all the Ivy league graduates running congress , the house or even good ole Harvard himself the President ?

Look at the first post, that was not the original question at all and has nothing to do with this thread, so it doesn't justify a discussion.

Also...

1. Look through my post history and look through yours. I've never made any claims about my kids' success, much less their future success. I've never taken credit for training, coaching, teaching or even knowing a top junior, college or professional player. I've been very honest about my tennis abilities and experience. You claim to know it all and have the magic method that everyone should follow with the typical "if you don't agree with me, you're wrong" attitude.

2. Look through my post history again. Most of my posts are soliciting advice, sharing ideas, or discussing methods with the members of this board. It's a give and take. I learn from them and hopefully give some good input and share current experiences. You troll posts to swoop in with your "hand of god" advice and "rags to riches" story and start arguments. All done with nothing behind it. No success as of yet, no training, no education, and no experience.

BMC9670 · Nov 9, 2011

TennisCoachFLA said:
If you follow this board you would see that BB has claimed numerous times that he knows how to make a pro player and the rest of us don't.

As BMC pointed out, he has not done so as of yet. So if DB is too young to say he isn't a pro yet, than it is also too early for his coach to claim he knows how to make a pro. Can't have it both ways.

Thank you. To clarify, I don't have issue with Deiton or his playing. Under the circumstances, this guy has turned out a great player so far. I take issue with his interaction on the board, his argumentative and "holier than thou" tone, his slamming of education at every turn, and the attitude that it's a foregone conclusion that his son will make it to the top of the pros. It's unproductive, ignorant, and frustrating.

TennisCoachFLA · Nov 9, 2011

BMC9670 said:
Thank you. To clarify, I don't have issue with Deiton or his playing. Under the circumstances, this guy has turned out a great player so far. I take issue with his interaction on the board, his argumentative and "holier than thou" tone, his slamming of education at every turn, and the attitude that it's a foregone conclusion that his son will make it to the top of the pros. It's unproductive, ignorant, and frustrating.

True, so far he has produced a very nice American junior tennis player, no Herrs or Orange Bowls or Jr. Slams....but an excellent junior player. Just like hundreds of other parents and coaches have done through the years. But that has zero correlation to knowing anything about producing a profitable pro player. As far as I know, none of us on these boards have done that yet.

tball2day · Nov 9, 2011

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

ga tennis · Nov 10, 2011

Al Parker(GEORGIA) won over 25 gold balls,but was never ranked top 250 in the world??Winning nationals doesnt equal success on the pro tour.

tennis5 · Nov 10, 2011

ga tennis said:
Al Parker(GEORGIA) won over 25 gold balls,but was never ranked top 250 in the world??Winning nationals doesnt equal success on the pro tour.

It would be interesting to know the reverse.

Has any player, U.S., ever become a successful pro without winning a national?

ga tennis · Nov 10, 2011

tennis5 said:
It would be interesting to know the reverse.

Has any player, U.S., ever become a successful pro without winning a national?

Good question and I dont know the answer.Theres a first for everything.

BSPE84 · Nov 10, 2011

tball2day said:
Let's not feed the machine - no nationals of any level, ever.

Does this count? National L3

https://tennislink.usta.com/tournam...=57461&L=E&E=4&P=0185182177176184179178178185

MarinaHighTennis · Nov 10, 2011

BSPE84 said:
Does this count? National L3

https://tennislink.usta.com/tournam...=57461&L=E&E=4&P=0185182177176184179178178185

Wow, he swept

chalkflewup · Nov 10, 2011

tennis5 said:
It would be interesting to know the reverse.

Has any player, U.S., ever become a successful pro without winning a national?

Not sure but I don't believe The Pistol has any gold balls. If that is the case, that's astounding.

tball2day · Nov 10, 2011

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

BSPE84 · Nov 10, 2011

tball2day said:
Let's not feed the machine - no nationals of any level, ever.

Fine, but that's not what you wrote.

Number1Coach · Nov 10, 2011

BSPE84 said:
Fine, but that's not what you wrote.

Muterspa was a national Level 2 , Nike junior tour was a national, Eddie Hurr doubles champion this was and ITF title . Now you can see why and education can make you stupid , look at tball2day !

Raising a tennis playing kid

New User

Hall of Fame

Rookie

New User

Rookie

Legend

New User

Legend

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Professional

Professional

Hall of Fame

Rookie

New User

Banned

Hall of Fame

Banned

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Professional

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Banned

Hall of Fame

Professional

Professional

Banned

Professional

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Semi-Pro

Rookie

Banned

Rookie

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Banned

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Professional

Hall of Fame

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro

Banned

Similar threads