tennisjunky
Rookie
Hello Tennis Experts!!!
I’m new to this forum but not tennis and could really use some of your insights as fuel for a family question that has recently come up.
I have a niece that is 14, she has been playing for several years now and really seems to enjoy herself. She has been heavily involved a lot in tennis camps and tournaments for several years now.
But recently in a conversation with her mother (my sister), she said it is time to cut their losses and will be pulling her out of competitive tennis this year. I have to admit I was a little surprised.
When asked why because she always seemed to really be having a good time and seemed to be driven; she said it was costing too much: money, time and overall effort for something that has turned into a recreational hobby.
I didn’t pursue the issue to much afterward as I'm no expert, but its really bothered me as I’d always thought her path was to a university tennis team. Unsure if this was possible but she has talked about this often. Stopping mid-way through a sport just didn’t seem right (to me); considering all the time, effort and expenses already utilized.
Later our mother informed me they had already spent about >$50,000 on: training, tournaments, leagues and camps since she was 8 years old!
And they just didn’t want to spend another $50k for the next 4-5 years. She’ll still play tennis, but just on the local school team with no more: camps, tournaments, clinics, etc.
I have to admit, I only played for about 7 years in junior and high school and only went to a few camps, so the expense never seemed to be a problem. But, I never thought that tennis in these development years cost so much!!!
I’m still floored!!
Anyway, my question is, is this a realistic cost for junior development (as my sister is saying)? $5k-$7k per year from (roughly 8-10 years)?????
Or do kids develop in the schools teams (as I did)? Of course that might answer my question as I never thought of myself as a strong player, ha ha.
Just looking for some good thoughts to maybe keep the competitive side of tennis going for her, rather than going down the recreational side.
Thanks for your comments.
I’m new to this forum but not tennis and could really use some of your insights as fuel for a family question that has recently come up.
I have a niece that is 14, she has been playing for several years now and really seems to enjoy herself. She has been heavily involved a lot in tennis camps and tournaments for several years now.
But recently in a conversation with her mother (my sister), she said it is time to cut their losses and will be pulling her out of competitive tennis this year. I have to admit I was a little surprised.
When asked why because she always seemed to really be having a good time and seemed to be driven; she said it was costing too much: money, time and overall effort for something that has turned into a recreational hobby.
I didn’t pursue the issue to much afterward as I'm no expert, but its really bothered me as I’d always thought her path was to a university tennis team. Unsure if this was possible but she has talked about this often. Stopping mid-way through a sport just didn’t seem right (to me); considering all the time, effort and expenses already utilized.
Later our mother informed me they had already spent about >$50,000 on: training, tournaments, leagues and camps since she was 8 years old!
And they just didn’t want to spend another $50k for the next 4-5 years. She’ll still play tennis, but just on the local school team with no more: camps, tournaments, clinics, etc.
I have to admit, I only played for about 7 years in junior and high school and only went to a few camps, so the expense never seemed to be a problem. But, I never thought that tennis in these development years cost so much!!!
I’m still floored!!
Anyway, my question is, is this a realistic cost for junior development (as my sister is saying)? $5k-$7k per year from (roughly 8-10 years)?????
Or do kids develop in the schools teams (as I did)? Of course that might answer my question as I never thought of myself as a strong player, ha ha.
Just looking for some good thoughts to maybe keep the competitive side of tennis going for her, rather than going down the recreational side.
Thanks for your comments.