Anyone remembers this crazy tennis dad story?

[comeback]

Great story!

Love that he continued his education and now may be going to business school soon.
Many companies would be lucky to have someone like him as part of their team.

Thanks OHBH, He has 10-11 years in the military and many people are telling him to stay in since he's an officer and can get a good pension...He could easily make 250k a year training soldiers in other countries...But he doesn't want it and is dead set upon getting out...His wife is one year ahead of him now at Wharton and he plans to follow her into business consulting...I don't think it's a good fit for him but who am i to question his deciscions at this point..lol

 

[BlueB]

So from a crazy tennis dad, we get to a military dad...

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[TennisBro]

I recall reading a story about a crazy tennis dad like 5-10 years ago. The guy was an MD who had a like 10-12 year old son and he quit his job and build facilities for hundreds of Ks to make him the perfect tennis player. Unfortunately I can't find it anymore, does anyone know what happened with the kid? Is he a pro now?

I thank you for this useful thread. I wonder how busy this crazy family is now and whether they have any more success with some other kids too.

 

[WhiteOut]

you should read "Chasing Points" about Gregory Howe,... ranking in 1000's and his journey to get points...
mentions some of things you're saying...
lucky draws
playing hurt seeds
searching for the most remote tourneys
etc....

Based on your post, I ordered this and just finished reading it last night -- a fun read. I started playing tennis about 10-11 yrs ago at age 36. I just kept laughing at myself...been a 3.5 my whole tennis life, and there have been days (lol...aka 'Monday')...i want to quit my job and devote myself to becoming 4.0 , follow the tour with my wife, and just become tennis gypsies and play all over the place. Then there are days I want to burn every piece of tennis equipment I own...HA!

Here's the thing I find interesting about tennis -- having taken up the sport later in life, I am what I am and I'm fine with it. Regarding the experiences and emotions I go thru each week as a middle-aged, ~20lb overweight, beer-drinking social/semi-competitive league and occasional tourney player...I found myself actually identifying with him as he described his emotions throughout his journey, even though the scale of the two of us is galaxies apart. That's the thing I've grow to really find fascinating about this sport -- it's something the lay-person can actually identify with at some level with those who are at the very top of the scale...

and I also enjoy the fact that as a player/spectator, the difference between the very top players and the 2000th best player is really razor-thin in the grand scheme of things...to me the 2000th-highest player is still awesome to watch, and there's always something to learn...

Anyway, he actually did it -- chose his path on his terms, spent his money/time chasing a goal. It was a very cool story, and I got to live vicariously thru him during the read...thanks for posting that.

 

[BulldogLouisiana]

So from a crazy tennis dad, we get to a military dad...

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All I see is a proud dad, and deservedly so.

 

[BlueB]

All I see is a proud dad, and deservedly so.

One way or another, it poluted a tennis thread with a very elaborate military career story. That's way off-topic, only connection being two crazy dads.

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[comeback]

One way or another, it poluted a tennis thread with a very elaborate military career story. That's way off-topic, only connection being two crazy dads.

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Sorry you felt the story about my son "poluted" this thread..I felt it was an alternative way to look at how a junior tennis player develops in life outside of tennis.

 

[Topspin Shot]

Sorry you felt the story about my son "poluted" this thread..I felt it was an alternative way to look at how a junior tennis player develops in life outside of tennis.

It didn't pollute the thread. But as they say, there's always one in every crowd...

 

[BlueB]

Sorry you felt the story about my son "poluted" this thread..I felt it was an alternative way to look at how a junior tennis player develops in life outside of tennis.

Well, it was more after, then outside of, the tennis. He was on a college team, dropped out, the rest is history...
If he continued playing tennis on a military team, it would have been relevant, otherwise all we get is a proud dad.

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[Deleted member 54265]

Sorry you felt the story about my son "poluted" this thread..I felt it was an alternative way to look at how a junior tennis player develops in life outside of tennis.

Describing water torture as a kind of game, is way out of line IMO

https://www.amnestyusa.org/waterboarding-is-torture-3-things-you-need-to-know/

 

[comeback]

Describing water torture as a kind of game, is way out of line IMO

https://www.amnestyusa.org/waterboarding-is-torture-3-things-you-need-to-know/

I think you took my son's water torture training the wrong way..His "water torture" training purpose was to survive in certain desperate situations...It's completely different from the link you provided..ps..i never described it as a game

 

[Deleted member 54265]

I think you took my son's water torture training the wrong way..His "water torture" training purpose was to survive in certain desperate situations...It's completely different from the link you provided..ps..i never described it as a game

Water Torture training - way out of line IMO

Any kind of torture should be prohibited, and are according to UN thank god. Sorry you don't see it this way. I understand you are proud of your son, and well deserved.

The link was correct.

​

2013 he applied for a newly formed Marine Corps Special Forces..It was a grueling 9 month course of combined Navy Seal and Green Beret training..83 men started (including seasoned combat vets and former D1 athletes) but only 45 finished..When i asked Nick how he made it through he said it was the water torture..He said there is not a worse feeling in the world than dying from drowning which is why many guys failed..I also learned later that the Marines let some NFL football players and UFC fighters try the course as an experiment..None of them lasted..While they did ok in the physical part..It was the simulated torture, being dropped in the ocean miles offshore, starvation for days etc.. that did them in...​

​

]

Sounds like you are proud of this and not embarrassed.

Torture should in no circumstances be looked upon as acceptable, training or not.

AND it should not be posted in a Tennis forum. I would encourage you to edit your post.

 

[rogerroger917]

Water Torture training - way out of line IMO

Any kind of torture should be prohibited, and are according to UN thank god. Sorry you don't see it this way. I understand you are proud of your son, and well deserved.

The link was correct.



Sounds like you are proud of this and not embarrassed.

Torture should in no circumstances be looked upon as acceptable, training or not.

AND it should not be posted in a Tennis forum. I would encourage you to edit your post.

They don't train to torture other people. They do it to themselves. To be able to withstand it if they themselves are subject to it.

But yes it is slightly of topic. The whole military thing.

 

[Deleted member 54265]

They don't train to torture other people. They do it to themselves. To be able to withstand it if they themselves are subject to it.

I get that, but training with torture makes the line thinner and easier to cross..... Torture should in no circumstances be looked upon as acceptable, training or not.

I am sure people here would understand my resentment, if they have experienced someone being a victim of torture like I have.

I truly hope the moderators will delete this thread.

 

[rogerroger917]

I get that, but training with torture makes the line thinner and easier to cross..... Torture should in no circumstances be looked upon as acceptable, training or not.

I am sure people here would understand my resentment, if they have experienced someone being a victim of torture like I have.

I truly hope the moderators will delete this thread.

I don't think they think of it as acceptable or not. It is so if they are captured they can attempt to endure it. There is no moral judgement on the training.

Now if they were practicing water boarding as an intern in the merika' torture squad on people in Guantanamo well then yeah we can get into the whole morality of it. Just talking about waterboarding does not condone or imply any moral and ethical judgements or values on the subject.

You or someone you knew was waterboarded? Really?

 

[Deleted member 54265]

I don't think they think of it as acceptable or not. It is so if they are captured they can attempt to endure it. There is no moral judgement on the training.

Now if they were practicing water boarding as an intern in the merika' torture squad on people in Guantanamo well then yeah we can get into the whole morality of it. Just talking about waterboarding does not condone or imply any moral and ethical judgements or values on the subject.

You or someone you knew was waterboarded? Really?

One of my very best friends, we went to school together so we go a long way back. In 2017 he took a trip back to his country of origin, Afghanistan, to visit family. He was captured by American soldiers, yes American soldiers, and was accused of being Al-Qaeda, he was being tortured by the soldiers in order to get informations. He was hit with electric cables under the feet and also waterboarded, I will not go into details about the humiliation. He was later let free as they realized he was comply innocent.

He was the kindest of man, so gentle, so humble - needless to say that he is a completely changed man, and with big scars on his soul.

Am am now a member of Amnesty International and fighting for injustice. Fighting against torture.

 

[rogerroger917]

One of my very best friends, we went to school together so we go a long way back. In 2017 he took a trip back to his country of origin, Afghanistan, to visit family. He was captured by American soldiers, yes American soldiers, and was accused of being Al-Qaeda, he was being tortured by the soldiers in order to get informations. He was hit with electric cables under the feet and also waterboarded, I will not go into details about the humiliation. He was later let free as they realized he was comply innocent.

He was the kindest of man, so gentle, so humble - needless to say that he is a completely changed man, and with big scars on his soul.

Am am now a member of Amnesty International and fighting for injustice. Fighting against torture.

Wow. I'm actually thinking about running for city council. Or being the mayor of my town. I have the money and time to run a campaign. I am sick of the police injustice. And want to do something about it. Only issue is my town is mostly white and I am Asian. Town has a very high median income and not too concerned about social issues. I just need to figure out an angle (I am not opposed to just making crap up) to get elected.

But the subject of torture in this thread is not really anything moral or ethical. Imo. You are just super sensitive to it. On the internet you just have to not read things that trigger you.

 

[Deleted member 54265]

Wow. I'm actually thinking about running for city council. Or being the mayor of my town. I have the money and time to run a campaign. I am sick of the police injustice. And want to do something about it. Only issue is my town is mostly white and I am Asian. Town has a very high median income and not too concerned about social issues. I just need to figure out an angle (I am not opposed to just making crap up) to get elected.

But the subject of torture in this thread is not really anything moral or ethical. Imo. You are just super sensitive to it. On the internet you just have to not read things that trigger you.

You are absolutely right about being sensitive, and this whole discussion is making me anxious. Torture is always a moral and ethical issue. I hope there is a place in Hell for tortures, and for people for who promote tourture (direct or indirect).

Good luck with the election, I am sure you are one of the really good guys, and I enjoy reading your post here.

all best, Toby

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Perhaps I am late to discussion and this issue has already been resolved. Hopefully that is the case.

If not please allow me to say I too have family members in the military of whom I am very, very proud.

Unfortunately the current world situation calls on them to be trained to face even the most unthinkable of circumstances. I know from many conversations with my family none of them would endorse the use of torture against others. However, the reality of the world is there’s a possibility they might at some point face it themselves.

I believe we all need to work in a unified way to eliminate this unthinkable behavior from any aspect of our society, even under conditions of war. In short, I feel compelled to say being trained as a soldier to endure torture does not mean one endorses it.

 

[Deleted member 54265]

Perhaps I am late to discussion and this issue has already been resolved. Hopefully that is the case.

If not please allow me to say I too have family members in the military of whom I am very, very proud.

Unfortunately the current world situation calls on them to be trained to face even the most unthinkable of circumstances. I know from many conversations with my family none of them would endorse the use of torture against others. However, the reality of the world is there’s a possibility they might at some point face it themselves.

I believe we all need to work in a unified way to eliminate this unthinkable behavior from any aspect of our society, even under conditions of war. In short, I feel compelled to say being trained as a soldier to endure torture does not mean one endorses it.

This is very sensible. Thank you for this input.

But unfortunately studies shows that soldiers being trained to endure torture, makes the line of using torture easier to cross later. My friend was tortured by american soldiers, and there is a lot of reports that he was not the only one.

I am against any kind of torture, and I think we all should be. I am also against training sessions to endure torture, for the reasons above. I was hoping the military dad would be kind and edit his post or take a clear stand against torture.

Anyway, I don't think this is leading to anything, so this will be my last comment.

Back to discuss more serious stuff like the 93P or TC95

 

[onehandbh]

For a family that cannot afford to pay for their kid’s college easily, f you have a talented junior with a high ranking, I think the really tough decision is whether the kid should go to college on a scholarship or turn pro. If they turn pro and earn and accept money I believe it makes them ineligible for a tennis scholarship in the future.

 

[coupergear]

I recall reading a story about a crazy tennis dad like 5-10 years ago. The guy was an MD who had a like 10-12 year old son and he quit his job and build facilities for hundreds of Ks to make him the perfect tennis player. Unfortunately I can't find it anymore, does anyone know what happened with the kid? Is he a pro now?

Interesting. I think since both parents were successful (other posters have mentioned MDs) This was more about supporting the kid as much as they could... which was a lot. I knew a rich kid great Junior golfer. (Peak was a Canadian tour card for a season.) Parents built a putting green on their estate to practice short game. It didn't seem really outlandish because they were so loaded.

I don't know the details of this story...but what...at max a tennis court (or two?), wall, home gym, ball machines? Maybe a clay court? The facilities for tennis couldn't be that elaborate.... hundreds of thousands?

 

[rogerroger917]

Interesting. I think since both parents were successful (other posters have mentioned MDs) This was more about supporting the kid as much as they could... which was a lot. I knew a rich kid great Junior golfer. (Peak was a Canadian tour card for a season.) Parents built a putting green on their estate to practice short game. It didn't seem really outlandish because they were so loaded.

I don't know the details of this story...but what...at max a tennis court (or two?), wall, home gym, ball machines? Maybe a clay court? The facilities for tennis couldn't be that elaborate.... hundreds of thousands?

It's not that much to install a court. My house has a hard court. I inquired about changing it to a har tru court. It's about 50k. My maintenance is about 3k every few year on the hard court for a resurface. The same guy that does the tennis club court does my court. But this is all cash price for both.

 

[coupergear]

It's not that much to install a court. My house has a hard court. I inquired about changing it to a har tru court. It's about 50k. My maintenance is about 3k every few year on the hard court for a resurface. The same guy that does the tennis club court does my court. But this is all cash price for both.

Exactly. I think the "crazy" dad in story really not that crazy if you really looked at the $$ involved. Sure, exorbitant by many standards, but for a wealthy family, not.

 

[mctennis]

Some parents do these things for their children to go into sports, music, theater, etc. Sometimes parents live their lives through their children. What THEY wanted to do or to be instead of what they are doing now. They will either love or hate their decision as their children grow older. The children as well. Once they get to a certain older age they can say " I'm done doing X now. I want to pursue some other career now" and leave all that training and years of work behind. Something they may have hated their entire childhood BUT did it because their parents wanted them to, just to please their parents. It is a lot of physical wear and tear on a young persons body for some sports. If they get injured and perhaps cannot play any sports after that. It is all things parents need to evaluate or at least think about.

 

[5263]

The story is probably not true, Becker won the orange bowl in doubles in 1982 and made the junior national team in 81. He always was a top prospect..

how about a bigger story....Big Bill Tilden failed on his college team effort, then went back and redoubled his efforts, with the result of becoming the most famous Legendary Champion in the 1st part of the last century.

 

[TennisCJC]

The story is probably not true, Becker won the orange bowl in doubles in 1982 and made the junior national team in 81. He always was a top prospect..

yea, but Annacone said on Tennis Channel that he picked Hewitt to be a better prospect than Federer when they were juniors. Bjorn Borg was also not the favorite of the Swedish tennis system when he was a young junior because his strokes were considered unusual and he had a poor demeanor on court always throwing rackets and losing his temper. So, some juniors are mislabeled a bit.