age problem

K

kelghazaly

Rookie
so i am 22 i got back to tennis a year ago and am getting better by the day more experience more technique more speed

i played when i was 6 untill 12 and i was one of the best players the kids used to look up for me i was so the gonna be someone in the game

but my parents made me stop because education :(

so is it too late and by "too late" i mean to be a pro to make a living?!!

before everyone just tell me your too late buddy just lets have ground rules

nothing is impossible

which is what i did before in my life i achieved some stuff people told me its impossible but i found as long as i have passion a man can achieve his dreams

i am very fast player and my greatest gift and learn some much faster than normal people so much and muscle memory and coordination is very good

right now we are working with tactics and here comes the problem my coach which i consider as a big brother to me i know him since i was 6

told me i can make it the best in my own country but turning pro is impossible
when i asked why he answered because you lack experience that most player started gaining at 14 which as about when u left the game and that i left it at critical age

so what should i do should i chase my dream or just let it die and do whatever my parents see good for me as the only thing i know i wanna be a pro player and i do not know anything else i want to do

i just graduated from pharmacy which great and i can work in plenty of field that most people wish but i hate it i actually hate i wanted to go in the air force my parents did let me do it

they are not bad they are just looking after me in their own way and when it comes to works i will fulfill their wishes as i know nothing about that i do not want to do anything but be someone that matters in this game i love it so much the court is the only place that i feel truly alive yeah it can get stressful yeah i can get do tired yeah i can get frustrated so much when am injured but nothing make me happier what should i do
 
B

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
kelghazaly said:
so i am 22 i got back to tennis a year ago and am getting better by the day more experience more technique more speed

i played when i was 6 untill 12 and i was one of the best players the kids used to look up for me i was so the gonna be someone in the game

but my parents made me stop because education :(

so is it too late and by "too late" i mean to be a pro to make a living?!!
Click to expand...

As a player, no chance. As a teaching pro, sure.
 
S

sarag

Rookie
You should because you love it so much and restricting yourself is not a good way to live life . Give yourself 3 years and see what happens.
You already have a practical college degree (pharmacy) so you should be able to have a nice career if you decide to leave tennis later.
 
user92626

user92626

G.O.A.T.
It's not late at all if you are into doubles. Doubles is just full of natural talent and less of the physical, and can be improved and played until you're in your 40s and make more than most pharmacists.
 
B

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
user92626 said:
It's not late at all if you are into doubles. Doubles is just full of natural talent and less of the physical, and can be improved and played until you're in your 40s and make more than most pharmacists.
Click to expand...

OP didn't play tennis from age 12 to 21 and you think he can make more as a pro doubles player than as a pharmacist? :confused:
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
You can secure some ATP points.
And working at McDonald's as a cashier when garner you much more money than you'd ever make playing tennis, after the payout of 5 years of practice, lessons, coaching, and court incidentals.
However, you CAN turn pro, play the Futures/Satelite/Q tours, and expect to lose by the 3rd round every single event.
Making money in tennis is a guarantee that you will never come close to the money you spent to get good enough to start to qualify to make money by winning tennis tournaments.
Playing tennis for the thrill, the adventure, for the sport, is a quarantee that you will have a good time, enjoy and learn from the experience, but you will never make money over what you already spent.
 
F

FuturesPlayer

New User
LeeD said:
You can secure some ATP points.
And working at McDonald's as a cashier when garner you much more money than you'd ever make playing tennis, after the payout of 5 years of practice, lessons, coaching, and court incidentals.
However, you CAN turn pro, play the Futures/Satelite/Q tours, and expect to lose by the 3rd round every single event.
Making money in tennis is a guarantee that you will never come close to the money you spent to get good enough to start to qualify to make money by winning tennis tournaments.
Playing tennis for the thrill, the adventure, for the sport, is a quarantee that you will have a good time, enjoy and learn from the experience, but you will never make money over what you already spent.
Click to expand...

You can make money if you stay at the open level and dominate that. 1000 for a singles win maybe 500 for a doubles and in the Summer you can play these every week. Its not great but its something, winning any paycheck in tennis feels great!
 
L

looseleftie

Rookie
To the OP, go for it, have no regrets in life, u want to try your hand then give it your best shot.. Regardless of outcome, either way, you will be pleased with yourself for trying.

In regards to making a living, well u have a nice back up job, so I might perhaps suggest that u may make a supplemental income with your tennis perhaps.

You also have to be a realist here, and accept areas where u are behind in possibly, and some of these may never be fixed (at a Elite level).. Still think u should get in there, try your best, and see what happens over the next couple of years (minimum).

I would love to see your game through some video too?!?!
 
navigator

navigator

Hall of Fame
kelghazaly said:
so what should i do should i chase my dream or just let it die and do whatever my parents see good for me as the only thing i know i wanna be a pro player and i do not know anything else i want to do
Click to expand...

You're young so you haven't had time to learn this yet, but... lots of folks try to turn their avocation into a vocation. Unfortunately, once a hobby becomes something you have to do for money it loses a lot of its luster. I guarantee you that a high percentage of people that play tennis for a living - whether professional or teaching pro - don't enjoy the game much anymore. It's just another job, something they've gotta do to pay the bills. I don't care how much you think you like doing something, if you have to do it all the time, you'll like it a h*ll of a lot less. Just something to keep in mind.
 
B

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
navigator said:
You're young so you haven't had time to learn this yet, but... lots of folks try to turn their avocation into a vocation. Unfortunately, once a hobby becomes something you have to do for money it loses a lot of its luster. I guarantee you that a high percentage of people that play tennis for a living - whether professional or teaching pro - don't enjoy the game much anymore. It's just another job, something they've gotta do to pay the bills. I don't care how much you think you like doing something, if you have to do it all the time, you'll like it a h*ll of a lot less. Just something to keep in mind.
Click to expand...

Well, he won't be making a dime, so... it should still be fun then. :)
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Does EVERYthing you do have to do with making money?
Do you ever do something just for fun?
I still windsurf 5 days a week, for fun.
I still play bad tennis 3 days a week, just for fun.
I'd still surf, if I lived somewhat near the beach.
I'd still snowboard and ski, if I didn't go to PuertoRico for a whole month every Dec./Jan., and the windsurf season didn't start in March like it does.
 
B

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
LeeD said:
Does EVERYthing you do have to do with making money?
Do you ever do something just for fun?
I still windsurf 5 days a week, for fun.
I still play bad tennis 3 days a week, just for fun.
I'd still surf, if I lived somewhat near the beach.
I'd still snowboard and ski, if I didn't go to PuertoRico for a whole month every Dec./Jan., and the windsurf season didn't start in March like it does.
Click to expand...

No, but that was not the OP's question. He didn't ask if he could play for fun. He asked if it's too late to become a pro. A PRO. A money-making pro. The answer is yes, it's too late at 22 having not played since 12. He should do exactly what you do in your many pursuits and play for fun and fitness.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
To me, PRO means the status and ranking, not necessarily making huge millions to support my private jet.
Like, Vet PRO, means I can maybe win 200 bucks by winning a race, but likely my 50 dollar entry fee mulitple times means I'm really paying out for the privilege.
Expert PRO means I get to race at the qualifier on Sat. for a OaklandSuperCross on Sunday, but I still have to pay $200 for the privilege of crashing out on the third turn.
4A PRO means I get to pay $75 to enter a contest in some midget wave venue in SoCal, to be knocked out the first round by some 5'5" x 125 lbs kid who only surfs in midget waves hopping up and down in the whitewater that is too weak to even move my board with me on it.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Did I mention me me me?
Jonny Valentin is a real person living the tennis tour dream, travelling around the country, entering Sats/Futures/Q's, and having a good time doing it.
Where did I me me me, get mentioned?
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
BMC, are you jealous of my life's experiences?
What's the big deal I post something based on actual history?
Don't YOU post things based on YOUR history?
What, you are sooooo insecure you are afraid of people who post about their past?
All our opinions are based on our own history and experiences. Even yours.
 
T

TennisCJC

Legend
Sorry, no way you will make a decent salary playing tennis unless you can beat current D1 top 100 players or better. Those would be your peers at the age of 22 and that's being generous as some of your peers will already be on the ATP circuit in the top 200 in the world.

If you really have a shot at being the best in your country, then it would be cool to see if you could play Davis Cup for them. You will not make any money but it would be a cool experience.

My advice is to get a good day job and teach tennis on the side. You can also play local tournaments and/or leagues to get some good competition.
 
SoBad

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
kelghazaly said:
but my parents made me stop because education :(
Click to expand...

Education is important – you wouldn’t have gotten very far on this forum without the solid writing and analytical skills.

so is it too late and by "too late" i mean to be a pro to make a living?!!
Click to expand...

You are about 10 years late – the 2003-2007 era when ATP ranking required little more than a pulse is long gone.
 
G

GuyClinch

Legend
You are about the millionth person to post this kind of thread, OP.

Let me save you some trouble - and tell you the real deal. If you are pro worthy - you will KNOW it. People will ask you for lessons, people will tell you that you are the best player they have ever seen. People will recommend that you sign up for this or that open tournament etc etc. People will introduce you to this or that coach. You will get free trips to this at that locations to play tennis.

This is how life is for the elite athlete - when they are great the their sport - the rest is taken care of for them. Sports aren't like acting or music - there is a strong sub-culture that will recognize your talent and push you forward. This means you don't have to sweat it - just concentrate on being awesome at tennis - if that's your goal. Neither the doubters nor the rah-rah guys will have any impact. It's all about getting great - that's the main thing you have to do.
 
Last edited:
arche3

arche3

Banned
LeeD said:
To me, PRO means the status and ranking, not necessarily making huge millions to support my private jet.
Like, Vet PRO, means I can maybe win 200 bucks by winning a race, but likely my 50 dollar entry fee mulitple times means I'm really paying out for the privilege.
Expert PRO means I get to race at the qualifier on Sat. for a OaklandSuperCross on Sunday, but I still have to pay $200 for the privilege of crashing out on the third turn.
4A PRO means I get to pay $75 to enter a contest in some midget wave venue in SoCal, to be knocked out the first round by some 5'5" x 125 lbs kid who only surfs in midget waves hopping up and down in the whitewater that is too weak to even move my board with me on it.
Click to expand...

So what are you? No money no status and no ranking?
 
T

TennisCJC

Legend
MethodTennis said:
So wawrinka and djokovic sucked at doubles the other week because of lack of talent? Fact is doubles at the top level is equally a practiced skill.
Click to expand...

yes, I don't think there is a significant difference in skill levels between ATP singles and doubles. Yes, if Roger Federer and Tsonga paired up and practiced doubles for a few months, they would likely be number 1 doubles team, but you are not going to crack ATP doubles rankings unless you can play world class tennis. And, there is very little probability that you will play world class tennis (top 200) if you are not already there by the age of 22. ATP doubles is not the same game as what we play or even the same as local open level players.
 
navigator

navigator

Hall of Fame
I apologize, BMC, but I have to step in here...

LeeD said:
BMC, are you jealous of my life's experiences?
Click to expand...

No, Lee. I doubt anyone is jealous of your (purported, grain-of-truth, likely embellished) life experiences. You know that old guy that comes into the bar all the time and does nothing but yack endlessly about his glory days? You don't feel jealousy; you feel pity. And constantly pitying someone eventually gets old.

LeeD said:
What's the big deal I post something based on actual history?
Don't YOU post things based on YOUR history?
Click to expand...

Yes, most folks here do *occasionally* post about their past - the operative word being "occasionally" as opposed to "constantly."

LeeD said:
What, you are sooooo insecure you are afraid of people who post about their past?
Click to expand...

It's not insecurity or fear, it's pity. It's not "people," it's just you.

I'm not a psychiatrist, Lee, but you may have some combination of narcissistic personality disorder and obsessive nostalgic disorder (if the latter exists, that is). It's uncanny how many unrelated threads eventually morph into your recitations of your alleged past.
 
T

tennis_ocd

Hall of Fame
SoBad said:
Education is important – you wouldn’t have gotten very far on this forum without the solid writing and analytical skills.
Click to expand...
He might have turned into just another poor atp touring pro, going from city to city contending for points and majors with limited English writing skills.... :)
 
arche3

arche3

Banned
I used to think leeD was just odd. But I see how he rants and attacks people who question him. I used to feel pity but now I just feel annoyed at his ever evolving past glories.

navigator said:
I apologize, BMC, but I have to step in here...

No, Lee. I doubt anyone is jealous of your (purported, grain-of-truth, likely embellished) life experiences. You know that old guy that comes into the bar all the time and does nothing but yack endlessly about his glory days? You don't feel jealousy; you feel pity. And constantly pitying someone eventually gets old.

Yes, most folks here do *occasionally* post about their past - the operative word being "occasionally" as opposed to "constantly."

It's not insecurity or fear, it's pity. It's not "people," it's just you.

I'm not a psychiatrist, Lee, but you may have some combination of narcissistic personality disorder and obsessive nostalgic disorder (if the latter exists, that is). It's uncanny how many unrelated threads eventually morph into your recitations of your alleged past.
Click to expand...
 
M

maggmaster

Hall of Fame
Was it an option for you Mr.Lob? OP you are 22 years old and if you have the drive and rage to master tennis then go for it. See where you end up.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Arche3, yes, no ranking no nothin...
Except a handful of memories and the knowledge I got to give it a try, which is more than 98% of the humans of this world got.
 
G

GuyClinch

Legend
Doubles is not the worst idea - because if it say took someone ten years to become world class at doubles you might have another 10 years left at competing that that level.

Leander Paes is an awesome doubles player - better touch and finesse then pretty much anyone on the tour - and at 40+ he still can do well.

That being said its still a long shot. Almost all the players with world class talent don't stop playing for huge stretches of their youth. The reason being is that anyone could see there talent and not playing would be like stealing a violin from a likely Juliard bound student..
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
If you really have a dream, why give up because somebody says you "can't do it"?
You seem to romanticise the life of a Futures/Q/Sat player. It's not all fun and games, it's survival in a real world where sharks and leech's are going after everything you have.
Even top 200, nobody making any kind of financial gain, it's a daily struggle to travel, live, eat, and get practice time.
OTOH, your window is less than 10 years, and you still have to live another 35 years after that to work, pile up possessions, go thru 3 wives, own and lose 3 houses, and suffer thru countless heartbreaks and elations.
 
B

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
GuyClinch said:
Doubles is not the worst idea - because if it say took someone ten years to become world class at doubles you might have another 10 years left at competing that that level.

Leander Paes is an awesome doubles player - better touch and finesse then pretty much anyone on the tour - and at 40+ he still can do well.
Click to expand...

Paes' parents were olympic athletes, he trained full time at an academy as a kid and got to #1 in the WORLD as a junior - winning junior Wimbledon. Played singles on the ATP tour (won a couple singles titles, got into top 100 singles) and then specialized in dubs.

… a far cry from the OP's formative years in tennis.

Have a dream… great. But have some self-awareness. It's just unrealistic to tell someone who played from 6-12 and then not again until 21 that they have any shot at "making a living" as pro player.
 
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G

GuyClinch

Legend
Have a dream… great. But have some self-awareness. It's just unrealistic to tell someone who played from 6-12 and then not again until 21 that they have any shot at "making a living" as pro player.
Click to expand...

I agree its unrealistic - but 22 is young enough so its not IMPOSSIBLE. Its never been done - and likely never will be..

But if you took some top athlete who played 6 years of tennis - had him take 10 years off (say an NFL QB) and then spent a million dollars over the next 10 years on tennis lessons..

Then MAYBE you might have guy who could play doubles at a pro level. Its unrealistic, unlikely but not impossible. :p
 
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