5 Year Old Tennis Prodigy

[jansilvatennis]

You make me sick, not the fact that you pretty much forced your sons into tennis at such an early age. (I doubt he woke up at the age of 3 and said HEY DAD LEMME PLAY TENNIS, 1hbh too please!), but rather the fact that you seem to be using them to...how shall i put this...show off. Yes, they're very talented, but right now isnt an age that matters. Shut up about it and when they DO turn pro, come here and brag a little.

This is why I become defensive...Who is showing off? I forced nothing. His mother is a TENNIS INSTRUCTOR whom went into labor with him while teaching a TENNIS LESSON. She was the alternate for the WTT CAPS so he sat there watching matches before he was a year old. HE TAUGHT HIMSELF how to play. Please come down off of your high moral horse and look at this from the standpoint of this 5 year old tennis player in 1 year has learned a new language. He is going to School in another country and learning the game on clay which is good for his BODY. He meets and plays with players like Gasquet, Monfils, and Baghdatis regularly. These players whom are like big kids love him and respect us for what we have done. I am not bragging 1 little bit...When they do turn pro you wont have to worry about hearing from me.

 

[jansilvatennis]

I guess I am missing something. We run a program in Florida for 3-6 year olds. Kids that stick with it are in our elite group at 5-6 years old, the same age as Jan Silva.

Out of our 14 elite children, I can say that 5 are much better than Jan, playing a much more powerful, little pro type game. Their strokes are much cleaner, their footwork vastly superior.

I imagine there are hundreds of such programs around the world. For elite 5 and 6 year olds, I don't see how this child is even in the top 25%. I don't get why the need to hype a little boy at all, let alone one that is good but not great.

why is it that Tracy Austin, Vic Braden, and the like have never seen any of these elite players that you are talking about???

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

why is it that Tracy Austin, Vic Braden, and the like have never seen any of these elite players that you are talking about???

How and why would any of these people ever see these kids? They are kids from South Florida whose parents brought them to tennis lessons starting at 3 years old. Some stuck with it and are now 5-6 and in the elite group.

Their parents bring them to lessons 3 times per week, and thats it. I have never been asked to 'display' them on any level to tennis luminaries. Their parents, nor I, see any point in that. 5 and 6 year old talent almost never translates into a pro player. Most of the greats are multi sport kids at least until 10 to 12 years of age.

Not trying to insult your child sir, but there are many 5 and 6 year olds in S. FL. who are every bit or more skilled. Again, I just don't see why this little guy should be singled out when hundreds of kids his age are just as talented, or more so.

 

[35ft6]

How is he getting a free education again?

If he wants, I'm sure he can find a US college that'll give him a free ride by the time he's 17. You're obsessed with McDonald's, but it's not fast food or tennis stardom. There are actually many opportunities in between these extremes.

 

[dukemunson]

If he wants, I'm sure he can find a US college that'll give him a free ride by the time he's 17. .

Your sure based on what? His ability at 5? His fathers decision to sell the house and move to another country? What??? I got a scholarship and can tell you its not easy...you dont get it for results in the 12's, 14's or 16's (obvious inference of not getting one for results at 5) you get it for results when you are 17 or 18...

I'm all for giving kids direction, but this is ridiculous...in all likelyhood this kid will never be heard from again. You said it well in the other post about your knowledge on this kid and junior tennis in general...

Jan looks impressive, but then again, I have no way of knowing. I don't really see highly trained 5yo tennis players on a regular basis so thanks for putting it in perspective.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I noticed from reading the comments after the USA Today column and those here that his father is very in your face, aggressive that his child is almost super human. He pretty much blasts anyone who dares to name other talented youngsters.

In my very humble opinion, from all the kids I have seen over the years, I would say they are decreasing the chances of this little boy developing into a pro player.

With this much hype, the kid can not even enjoy victories, if and when they come in juniors. They are expected. So when he loses, its devastating. When he wins its nothing special, just expected.

This is not a formula for developing a great tennis palyer.

 

[jansilvatennis]

I noticed from reading the comments after the USA Today column and those here that his father is very in your face, aggressive that his child is almost super human. He pretty much blasts anyone who dares to name other talented youngsters.

In my very humble opinion, from all the kids I have seen over the years, I would say they are decreasing the chances of this little boy developing into a pro player.

With this much hype, the kid can not even enjoy victories, if and when they come in juniors. They are expected. So when he loses, its devastating. When he wins its nothing special, just expected.

This is not a formula for developing a great tennis palyer.

I talk with too many people who disagree with you and all your years of coaching. I just dont get why everyone is so against what I am doing. MY CHILDREN ARE HAPPY. They live and train with top juniors, professional players, see and eat with top 10 players daily. They see what the path is like at this early age??? This Hype as you put it had the people at IMG paying for him to hit with Nick B. he lives in a part of the world where he is not affected by any of it. the negatives are the foolish things that people say on these boards that he doesnt read but I do??? The parents are scared to let him play with other good kids in his area??? CPS should take him from the parents??? He is going to end up an alchoholic and his childhood is ruined??? This kid does everything everyone elses kids do anywhere in the world...He speaks two languages??? WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL.

 

[norcal]

I talk with too many people who disagree with you and all your years of coaching. I just dont get why everyone is so against what I am doing. MY CHILDREN ARE HAPPY. They live and train with top juniors, professional players, see and eat with top 10 players daily. They see what the path is like at this early age??? This Hype as you put it had the people at IMG paying for him to hit with Nick B. he lives in a part of the world where he is not affected by any of it. the negatives are the foolish things that people say on these boards that he doesnt read but I do??? The parents are scared to let him play with other good kids in his area??? CPS should take him from the parents??? He is going to end up an alchoholic and his childhood is ruined??? This kid does everything everyone elses kids do anywhere in the world...He speaks two languages??? WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL.

Jan's Dad: Don't take it so personal, it's an anonymous internet forum. Sounds like you will give Jan plenty of other options than tennis so it's all good.

Maybe reading this thread will calm you down:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=87961

 

[Breaker]

Jan's Dad: Don't take it so personal, it's an anonymous internet forum. Sounds like you will give Jan plenty of other options than tennis so it's all good.

Maybe reading this thread will calm you down:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=87961

Hahaha class, pure class

 

[counterpunchingrules]

thats kind of wishful thinking and stupid to sell your house just to have a 5 year old train at a good academy. something could happen to him that would destroy his 'future career'

youre just upset a 5 year old kid can destroy you

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

youre just upset a 5 year old kid can destroy you

http://www.barnestenniscenter.com/PDF/LittleMo/LittleMoDraw07boy8.pdf

Can we stop the nonsense please? How about some real results? Jan Silva lost 8-0 in the Little Mo to another Under 8 kid. Several kids form our area got 3-4 rounds deep, one just turned 6 years old.

I'm sorry, this is nothing but a silly hype machine attempt. The child is just not that good compared to elite children 5-7 years old.

 

[norcal]

Don't want to get technical on you but the draw said he lost 10-1, not 8-0.

 

[Gemini]

It looks like it was 10-1 in the main draw and 8-0 in the consolations.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Don't want to get technical on you but the draw said he lost 10-1, not 8-0.

True. 10-1 in one match. 8-0 in the other. The first kid he lost to was very good. The 2nd kid is an average player.

18-1 total loses. No offense but we have 5 and 6 year olds who consistently beat 8 year olds in these events.

 

[norcal]

True. 10-1 in one match. 8-0 in the other. The first kid he lost to was very good. The 2nd kid is an average player.

18-1 total loses. No offense but we have 5 and 6 year olds who consistently beat 8 year olds in these events.

Yeah but those 5 and 6 year olds aren't on the Today Show and their parents aren't blinging around Paris on someone else's dime.

Kidding of course, I find interesting the perspective you bring TennisCoachFLA. I didn't know there are so many good players so young.

Are most of the elite kids this age boys, or is it girls too?

I haven't even tried to show my four year old an actual stroke yet, I know she's not ready.

 

[goober]

True. 10-1 in one match. 8-0 in the other. The first kid he lost to was very good. The 2nd kid is an average player.

18-1 total loses. No offense but we have 5 and 6 year olds who consistently beat 8 year olds in these events.

Wow- I thought he was suppose to be a prodigy? 10-1 and 8-0!?!?. He was completely demolished. I have seen some players that have gone onto the little Mo nationals (this was just a regional) and they are great for their age but probably none or very few of them will have a pro career.

Oh well like I said on the another thread wake me up when he does something on the pro tour.

 

[richw76]

Yeah but those 5 and 6 year olds aren't on the Today Show and their parents aren't blinging around Paris on someone else's dime.

Kidding of course, I find interesting the perspective you bring TennisCoachFLA. I didn't know there are so many good players so young.

Are most of the elite kids this age boys, or is it girls too?

I haven't even tried to show my four year old an actual stroke yet, I know she's not ready.

I read many of the two sets of posts, adn I watn to start off by saying teh kid looks good, and has nicer strokes than most recreational and many tournament level kids a little older than him.

I also understand him "choosing" tennis...... I was the same way, at my baby sitter when I was a kid another older kid was playing soccer, so I played and loved soccer. I was not as talented at soccer, but it has made me a better tennis player.... the other kid, my friend Jon ended up playing collegiate basketball(although he was a great junior soccer player-played mid field for a top traveling team in so fla.).

And I agree with the dad. I think usually juniors "burnout" or lose interest when they are ok, and know they have no real future. Betwen 12 and 16 and unders alot of kids start and stop playing above the 30-50 rankings..... I can't think of anyone when I was playing that was top 20 and just quit, unless they had soem serious family stuff going on.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Yeah but those 5 and 6 year olds aren't on the Today Show and their parents aren't blinging around Paris on someone else's dime.

Kidding of course, I find interesting the perspective you bring TennisCoachFLA. I didn't know there are so many good players so young.

Are most of the elite kids this age boys, or is it girls too?

I haven't even tried to show my four year old an actual stroke yet, I know she's not ready.

The girls pick up the game fast also. A great example of an elite girl is Sonya Kenin who trains in Florida. She is currently a top ranked 10 and under player at age 8. I think she is Florida rank # 2 as of this time in the 10s. You look at her strokes on video at 5 years old, including serve, amazing.

Do not hesitate to start your 4 year old. I have taught my almost 3 year old already and she has a great forehand stroke. Do not let them just swing wildly.

Use a 17 inch racquet and a low compression ball. Make sure the bounce is low, in her strike zone. I always narrate like I am the one learning, it works.

I say, "Okay daddy, watch the ball with your eyes" every time I hit. She now has amazing focus for the ball. I also say, "Okay Daddy, hit from the ground to your shoulder". This gets them to copy a low to high stroke.

A four year old girl will learn super quick. Always make it fun. Give the balls names and after she hits one say, "This next ball wants to go over and see its friends".

After we hit about 30 balls, we gather them in the corner and have a pretend party. She loves it.

Her stroke looks so polished, low to high, always watching the ball. She asks me every single morning, "Can we go to the green courts today?".

 

[dukemunson]

I don't know why they brought the 12's nationals back either...let the kids play zonals and if there good enough challenge cup...10 and 11 is too young to be throwing these kids into nationals...let 'em enjoy some national competetion in a more relaxed team centered setting before the madness begins at 13/14...

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I don't know why they brought the 12's nationals back either...let the kids play zonals and if there good enough challenge cup...10 and 11 is too young to be throwing these kids into nationals...let 'em enjoy some national competetion in a more relaxed team centered setting before the madness begins at 13/14...

I have to agree. Some of our parents want the kids competing very young. But many times they start playing cautious tennis games and ducking opponents, chasing a ranking. They moon ball each other because they don't dare work on their difficult strokes and lose the match.

I plan to have my daughter just work on improving her game until she is about 12. She can play informal games and matches against her friends if she wants to. Then if she wants to compete, fine.

I think in the long run kids are better if they play multiple sports to become all around athletes. I have seen so many kids do great in 8s and 10s and 12s and totally get crushed in 14s-18s by the real all around athletes they eventually encounter.

They are good tennis players compared to other little kids who don't have the repetitions...but it all falls apart as the better athletes catch up with them.

 

[Azzurri]

Average height for a 2-year-old boy is 36". Average height for a 3-year-old boy is 39". Halfway between is 37.5". It looks like your son is about 0.5" shy of average height.
"Barely"? The kid is 4' tall (48"). He is 11" taller than your son. Is someone who is 6' tall "barely" taller than someone who is 5' 1" tall?

In any event, 44" is average height for a 5-year-old boy, so this kid is 4" taller than average for his height. He's 1.25" taller than the average 6-year-old boy and just an inch shy of the average height for a 7-year-old boy.

You can find average heights and weights for children here.

how tall is this kid? From reading another post or article it seemed to me he was short of stature for his age. He just does not look to be 4 feet tall.

 

[jansilvatennis]

Your absolutely right...God Bless you and good luck to you and your kids!

 

[jansilvatennis]

Your absolutely right...God Bless you and good luck to you and your kids!

 

[jansilvatennis]

Your absolutely right...God Bless you and good luck to you and your kids!

 

[jansilvatennis]

Your absolutely right...God Bless you and good luck to you and your kids!

 

[jansilvatennis]

Your absolutely right...God Bless you and good luck to you and your kids!

 

[35ft6]

Your sure based on what? His ability at 5? His fathers decision to sell the house and move to another country? What??? I got a scholarship and can tell you its not easy...you dont get it for results in the 12's, 14's or 16's (obvious inference of not getting one for results at 5) you get it for results when you are 17 or 18...

I'm all for giving kids direction, but this is ridiculous...in all likelyhood this kid will never be heard from again.

In all likelihood? Look, I'm not the only person here speculating. Just because a kid can hit a forehand at age 5 doesn't mean he's destined for McDonald's or complete obscurity. At the very least, I think it's reasonable to assume that he'll become good enough to get a college scholarship. Much more likely than McDonald's.

 

[35ft6]

Jan's dad. Just let it go. You're starting to come off as a bit nuts. Seriously, you have more important things to worry about.

 

[goober]

Jan has only played 5 real tournaments. Is he supposed to win??? I am trying to think of my first matches in tournaments...How long it took me to win a match in men's 3.5...It should be different for him though because his face is front page of the USA Today?

Uh you don't think the expectations are far higher for someone who has been on TV annoited as the next great one, on USA today and has his own website with this

Jan Silva is a 5 year old tennis prodigy, from Rancho Cordova, California, who has been affectionately dubbed “The Tiger Woods of Tennis” and for good reason.

Barely able to see over the net, Jan is a true phenom, with a complete game. He has already mastered the fundamentals of tennis and possesses a one handed backhand that is the envy of all who have seen him, in action.

Discovered by the 2006 Australian Open Finalist, Marcos Baghdatis, Jan has captured world wide attention and has recently moved to France to train at the world’s #1 junior tennis academy, located just outside of Paris.

After multiple appearances on local television and in magazines and newspapers, Jan made the trip from France, for his first national television appearance, on the Ellen DeGeneres show, in September of 2006.

A tennis star has been born, indeed. As did Mozart, on the piano, so does Jan Silva, on the tennis court.

I have never seen that much hype for a 5 year old tennis player ever. So yes if you Jan doesn't do well I would expect a lot of criticism. I mean seriously Tiger Woods of tennis, Mozart? Yes I think winning match should not be too much too expect.

 

[dizzychump]

Jans dad.

Does he get schooling at the tennis school or a normal school?

Is it a French school? international school?

Is he going to get a bilingual education as well?

Just interested.

 

[richw76]

Jans dad.

Does he get schooling at the tennis school or a normal school?

Is it a French school? international school?

Is he going to get a bilingual education as well?

Just interested.

I wish my parents had put more emphasis on language skills. I have lots of friends that speak 3-5 languages fluently. When we travel you can always find someone that speaks, english, french, spanish, portuguese, german.

Although, I'm sending my kid for mandarin lessons ;-)

 

[Azzurri]

He is as big as some 8 and 9 year old kids...confused as to why people continue to say he is short??? I wonder what they are comparing him to. His aunt is 6'5" tall former finnish national basketball player. He is related to NBA point guards John Lucas, and Dana Barros. Grandfather was an NCAA champion in the Long Jump and a sprinter, Mother was a Tennis player while I played college basketball...I wonder why people question his athleticism...I must be missing something? Is tennis something like rocket science??? Here is a talented, big athletic kid who loves tennis??? this kid is going to shock the heck out of all the naysayers here and everywhere else.

Guess its hard to tell on video...sorry.

 

[Azzurri]

Jan's dad. Just let it go. You're starting to come off as a bit nuts. Seriously, you have more important things to worry about.

you would too if people were acting like jerks.

 

[Mark Vessels]

Jan Silva is 5 years old and loves to play tennis. His parents are uprooting their family from Northern California to move to France where he will train at Mouratoglu Tennis Academdy for free. I think this is the same tennis academy where Baghdatis came out of. Here is the full story:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2007-07-29-JanSilva_N.htm?csp=34

I feel sorry for his brothers. Kids got some mouth too. Posing for a picture with Marc Bagh and saying he does'nt win anything

 

[Mark Vessels]

we need good American clay courters!!!!

why???

 

[norcal]

whoa, check out the comments below the USA Today article - what a brawl.

 

[dukemunson]

In all likelihood? Look, I'm not the only person here speculating. Just because a kid can hit a forehand at age 5 doesn't mean he's destined for McDonald's or complete obscurity. At the very least, I think it's reasonable to assume that he'll become good enough to get a college scholarship. Much more likely than McDonald's.

Of course I'm speculating...this is a message board, everyone is speculating, guessing, critiquing and criticizing. But at age 5 its certainly not "reasonable to assume" he will get a college scholarship (nor is it reasonable to assume he will be working at Starbucks or McDonalds) as he has 12 years before a college coach would even bothers looking at him. Is it possible the kid will be great??? Yes...just as its possible that any 5 year old hitting a ball against a wall might turn out to be great, however there are simply are many intangibles at age 5 (or 10) to tell if the kid will be any good (and this isn't womens tennis with 8 scholarships...you actually have to be pretty damn good to get a schoarship to a decent school). Putting this much pressure and hype on the kid is doing nothing for the kid but increasing his chances of burning out on the sport...though it certainly sounds like getting his parents 15 minutes of fame is top priority...

 

[LuckyR]

http://www.barnestenniscenter.com/PDF/LittleMo/LittleMoDraw07boy8.pdf

Can we stop the nonsense please? How about some real results? Jan Silva lost 8-0 in the Little Mo to another Under 8 kid. Several kids form our area got 3-4 rounds deep, one just turned 6 years old.

I'm sorry, this is nothing but a silly hype machine attempt. The child is just not that good compared to elite children 5-7 years old.

OK dude, name some names so we can end this thread once and for all.

 

[anchorsteamer]

I don't see that ending the thread my good man. There is still the crazy point of justifying this type of pressure and hype on a 5 year old...

 

[LuckyR]

I don't see that ending the thread my good man. There is still the crazy point of justifying this type of pressure and hype on a 5 year old...

You're right. I was refering to the pi55ing match between the coach and the dad.

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

My little tennis player used to train with Jan's older bro Cadyn, w/ a great coach up at Rio. We are in contact w/ that coach who also works w/ or somehow knows much of the story with the Silvas going to France, hating it, moving back, new owners at the French Club, more training there, blah blah blah. Agreed that it is too early to make predictions or put pressure on that young of a kid. Just let him train and play. Maybe he'll be worth another mention if he starts doing well in the nationals in the 12's.

So ASteamer, whats shakin w/ the world traveler. When am i going to start seeing some of the new journal entires. I already viewed the entry lists for croatia.

Question for you along the same lines as this thread. A great coach offered to take my little tennis player for a year up in Sac at Rio, you know, full time training, home school, tourneys etc. He's awesome, the only coach i've ever paid, although his stroke technique training conflicts with a different great coach a bit. The wife thinks its too early for the boy to move away from home. Any insight?

 

[jansilvatennis]

I wish my parents had put more emphasis on language skills. I have lots of friends that speak 3-5 languages fluently. When we travel you can always find someone that speaks, english, french, spanish, portuguese, german.

Although, I'm sending my kid for mandarin lessons ;-)

French School.

 

[jansilvatennis]

You did not answer my question. If you want people to respect you, please don't play games. His "aunt" has nothing to do with your son. Both of my uncles are over 6 '3" and I am barely 5'9"....what is your point. I checked the youtube videos and he looks like he barely as tall as the net. 8-9 year olds are not that short. He just looks small in stature.

You are now claiming your family is some sort of sports hierarchy? It means nothing. Tennis is not rocket science...that is why your son and millions of others are able to hit a tennis ball across the net. You response has led me to believe that you are either brainless or not Jan Silva's father. You miss such an important point...his athleticism has NOTHING to do with being a great/top player...its his MENTAL make-up that will be most important. Guys on the tour have the same athletic prowess as the next guy....its the mental game that makes Federer, Nadal and some of the other "better" players top players. Since you think its all about physics I think you are a fraud. I feel sorry for your son. I understand why most people on the boards think you are a horse's ***.

Do you think if he wasnt different mentally, plus physically, the academy in France whom has 7 players 4 junior world champions, in the top 100 ATP plus several women on the WTA Rezai, Bartoli, Pavluchenkova...would be spending money on him??? Wake the hell up. It does not make a difference what I say here. You have all made up your mind. I have thought it out and like what I see....Good luck to the rest of you.

 

[jansilvatennis]

Your absolutely right...God Bless you and good luck to you and your kids!

 

[richw76]

The only horses *** around here is you. My kids dont need your pity. What you need to understand is these boys are very athletic, and the younger one is mentally tuned in. he focuses and concentrates well enough to play his first singles match at 4. Where and what is this pressure coming from that you all speak of so warily. THE PRESSURE THE PRESSURE THE PRESSURE. My children are happy, healthy, and play a sport that they love for FREE. I am going now and will look forward to seeing granitechiefs kid in some future tournaments.

ok jansilvatennis, I really am completely on your side. However, I played 14 and one year of 16 and unders. I was ok but FAR from good. made it as far as 53 in florida, now I just play local leagues. My point. I wasn't in an acamdemy free or not, My family didn't rotate everything around my tennis, and I still felt some pressure to play well... I still do. So maybe your son is learning to deal with the pressure due to your parenting style, and his support system including siblings and friends, but it's a little nieve to think he doesn't feel ANY pressure. Don't you think?

 

[Ambivalent]

HE TAUGHT HIMSELF how to play.

Yet he's at a tennis academy in France? Makes perfect sense.

 

[ho]

jan dad, many years back, my 2nd son at 13 ask me to do the same thing. Due to financial problem, my answer is no. been 20 years past. He went to UT at Austin, work on the Tennis team and play in college for a year and left. There is too much competition and hard work involved that i tell him not to play in college team no more. He has a PH.D. now in pychology and work at a Hospital and live a very normal life, with wife and 3 kids.
Til now, i still do not know my NO then was right or wrong.
You have made a serious decision, couragous decision i mean, on your own son, that i cannot do it 20 years ago. Did not say it right or wrong. But you did choose your direction, there is no way back then. Keep your head down, go for it and avoid all the USA Today things, it can distroy your son by putting too much unnesessary pressure on him.

 

[anchorsteamer]

So ASteamer, whats shakin w/ the world traveler. When am i going to start seeing some of the new journal entires. I already viewed the entry lists for croatia.

Question for you along the same lines as this thread. Joseph offered to take my little tennis player for a year up in Sac at Rio, you know, full time training, home school, tourneys etc. He's awesome, the only coach i've ever paid, although his stroke technique training conflicts with Landsdorps a bit. The wife thinks its too early for the boy to move away from home. Any insight?

The dirt is going to be rough, it takes a lot to win a point on it and a lot more of those serves come back then in Inter-club on court 7. I'm feeling pretty good though, and while there hasn't been much to report yet for a journal (London is expensive and public transportation will drive you nuts) I'd imagine Croatia, Poland and wherever else I end up will be filling your mailbox up soon.

As for the little guy with the big forehand, I just don't think now is the right time to send him away. I think he can get good training in SB, and when supplemented with tournaments and training stints in LA and up North he has all he needs to make the leap to the next level. At this age it's a delicate balance...he needs to learn and know how to win, yet not put so much emphasis on it so as to be detrimental to his game, my backhand and volley being examples A and B (I could never handle losing a match...which was good in that I dug and fought out a lot more matches then some of my peers but bad in that I had to win so bad that I sacrificed learning some shots in order to be sure I won as many matches right then as possible). He certainly has a lot of upside, so keep doing what your doing right now and while there may come a time to look into something like that, right now he's on the right path...plus when I get back it might be time I started getting the wins in while I can (scheduling Simon as much as possible when I'm home so I can have as many career wins as possible over him). More to come though soon from Zagreb...cheers...

 

[Azzurri]

The only horses *** around here is you. My kids dont need your pity. What you need to understand is these boys are very athletic, and the younger one is mentally tuned in. he focuses and concentrates well enough to play his first singles match at 4. Where and what is this pressure coming from that you all speak of so warily. THE PRESSURE THE PRESSURE THE PRESSURE. My children are happy, healthy, and play a sport that they love for FREE. I am going now and will look forward to seeing granitechiefs kid in some future tournaments.

I need to be open-minded. I hope things work out!

 

[Azzurri]

jan dad, many years back, my 2nd son at 13 ask me to do the same thing. Due to financial problem, my answer is no. been 20 years past. He went to UT at Austin, work on the Tennis team and play in college for a year and left. There is too much competition and hard work involved that i tell him not to play in college team no more. He has a PH.D. now in pychology and work at a Hospital and live a very normal life, with wife and 3 kids.
Til now, i still do not know my NO then was right or wrong.
You have made a serious decision, couragous decision i mean, on your own son, that i cannot do it 20 years ago. Did not say it right or wrong. But you did choose your direction, there is no way back then. Keep your head down, go for it and avoid all the USA Today things, it can distroy your son by putting too much unnesessary pressure on him.

I agree with you.