Yeah, this goal seems very unrealistic to be honest. Looking at the NTRP ranking, I would say I'm around a 3.5. I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and I really want to play college tennis, not necessarily club tennis. My goal is to go to my local university when I graduate high school, except it's a D1 school (University of Minnesota), and I don't think I'll make the team. My season ended a few weeks ago, so now it's time for off season practice. I'm getting 2 lessons (2 hours each) each week with players that play #1 and #2 singles. I'm also going to try hitting with some of my friends (equal rank) or hit on the ball machine for 1-2 hours each day that I'm not at a lesson. Our school's #1 singles player said she'd hit with me, but I think she was joking lol. I'm going to try getting a couple private lessons also depending on how much money my parents can invest. I would get a job because I am old enough to, but I don't get my license until next summer, and being dependent on my parents to give me rides to and from would get me fired within 2 days. My mom said I could go to a tennis camp a few times this summer (each time is for 4 days). I have never done a tournament before, but I really want to start and now I have a USTA membership. I'll try for 1-2 a month. Anyways, is it at all possible to go from 3.5 to a college level? Do you guys have any advice or plans?
Okay being 100% real
It's extremely unlikely you can do it, d1 is a super long shot and you are in a time crunch.
Having said that, it's possible. My friend took up tennis and in 4 years was top 150 in tnr and is now playing d3, even tho he had several d1 scholarship offers.
This is what he did, he moved to an academy and practiced 30-40 hours a week, that's around 8 hours a day.
If you can put in 30+ hours a week including conditioning and weight lifting, it's possible you can walk on without scholarship and play when you are an upperclassmen
You have to really want it though, and your parents have to be willing to pay for a good amount of equipment.
The way I see it, you're gonna have to find courts, hitting partners, a ball machine and, true dedication.
Total cost of tennis for you will be around 10k a year
1k to steinging, buy a machine and learn. Use bargain brands kllipper, golden set, and clarke make very good very cheap stuff.
1k for clothing. Playing that much you will destroy shoes. You can stretch out 8 pairs to last you a year. buy cheap last season stuff, but never the lower quality shoes. Always the premeir ones as they are the ones that will last longest. Look into barricades mainly. You will also need 1-2 pairs of running shoes a year. Again don't skimp on quality, Hoka Clifton 2 shoes are good running shoes, they have enough foam to last you a whole year(500 miles). Lastly socks will wear out you will buy a solid amount
1k for rackets and bag, demo rackets and get 3-4. If you find some last season stuff then use that. A lot of good players don't need the latest and greatest. The pog 107 is a really good racket, as well as all of the blades and the yonex ai98
Finally 7kish for tennis. Over the course of a year that means about 600$ a month for tennis lessons, tournaments and travel. You hVe 150$ a week to practice and travel and pay for tournament fees. If you redivide it and play 2 tournaments a month that brings you to 75$ a week to practice if a tournament costs 175$ including fee and travel.
With 75$ left to practice you need to make friends with college guys and pay them to hit with you for an hour. 20$ is good. Find some usta league and join it for practice
Find some coach and get him every 2 weeks to work soecifically on stroke technique
You're in a time crunch but if you spend all of your free time on tennis you will make it