How to get by: being a great player

[baseline08thrasher]

I was just wondering.
It feels like to go pro you have to go to a really great academy, or spend a fortune on lessons.

Is it possible that you can go pro by having one or two lessons a week with about 20 hours of playing a week, (with really good intensity) and being gifted with your skills?

But once you get good enough from all of those weeks of practice and people start to recognize you do people start wanting you to come train with them?

How does this sort of thing work?

 

[kctennis1005]

denis nguyen, number 8 in the nation for freshman, takes one lesson a week and plays 1-2 practice matches and he is that good

 

[baseline08thrasher]

okay thanks.
I just wanted to make sure I'm going in the right direction.
And I know I am now.
I was just wondering how to maximize my potential.
But I guess it's going to take a while.
I've only been at it for a few years.
TENNIS IS A GAME OF PROGRESSION.

 

[SoCal10s]

denis nguyen, number 8 in the nation for freshman, takes one lesson a week and plays 1-2 practice matches and he is that good

I think you are a bit mis-informed . I heard he has 2 coaches and drives everywhere to play practice matches... constantly working on his game all the time.. He doesn't play too many tournaments and dodges a lot matches ...
A great young player,very professional and has a super game.... I think he's over rated... He needs to play more in his own age division and National tournaments where he can really prove himself and have a chance to deal with real pressure situations having to win...
But to answer you... MAYBE... It depends on your focus,and/or physical development... You maybe a late bloomer and amy develop those strengths needed at a later time than others...
This may surprise you,but most past champions never got good doing the academy tennis thing....everyone hears about Agassi and Bolleteri but most or all of them were already super good before they got there,including Agassi..
Just find yourself a good coach and stick with him/her who will be devoted to you and vis/versa ... Venus and Serrena had their dad and no fancy coach or academy(until later) so everything is up to you...below is from another blog...
Originally Posted by Fedace
I think what Bolletieri does so well is that he know exactly when to put certain Juniors into correct level of tournaments. He seem to know exactly when the junior is ready for 12's 14's, 16's and so on. he does not rush them. he feeds them pile of hot air but he knows how to bring them along.
What Bolleteri does well is market himself. He gives juniors scholarships who already play at a world class level, and charges the rest of the suckers a ton of money. He doesn't really develop players. This is why Sharapova flew to CA to see Lansdorp when she was on scholarship at Bolleteri.

 

[CityHeightsTennis]

I think you are a bit mis-informed . I heard he has 2 coaches and drives everywhere to play practice matches... constantly working on his game all the time.. He doesn't play too many tournaments and dodges a lot matches ...
A great young player,very professional and has a super game.... I think he's over rated... He needs to play more in his own age division and National tournaments where he can really prove himself and have a chance to deal with real pressure situations having to win...
But to answer you... MAYBE... It depends on your focus,and/or physical development... You maybe a late bloomer and amy develop those strengths needed at a later time than others...
This may surprise you,but most past champions never got good doing the academy tennis thing....everyone hears about Agassi and Bolleteri but most or all of them were already super good before they got there,including Agassi..
Just find yourself a good coach and stick with him/her who will be devoted to you and vis/versa ... Venus and Serrena had their dad and no fancy coach or academy(until later) so everything is up to you...below is from another blog...
Originally Posted by Fedace
I think what Bolletieri does so well is that he know exactly when to put certain Juniors into correct level of tournaments. He seem to know exactly when the junior is ready for 12's 14's, 16's and so on. he does not rush them. he feeds them pile of hot air but he knows how to bring them along.
What Bolleteri does well is market himself. He gives juniors scholarships who already play at a world class level, and charges the rest of the suckers a ton of money. He doesn't really develop players. This is why Sharapova flew to CA to see Lansdorp when she was on scholarship at Bolleteri.

nicely written

 

[Brendan]

Look at Sam Querry, a random high school kid who never went to any academy, he even played 3 different sports until he was about 16 im pretty sure. But you gotta be very talented to just be a normal town kid and be a pro.

 

[GameSetNavritilova]

So what constitutes a Tennis Academy? Two courts, a few students, and a fancy sign? In many instances, I think it's a self-proclaimed license to steal. I'm not a fan of the Tennis Academy because at some point - size matters - it becomes detrimental. And unfortunately for our young juniors, many of the Tennis Academy's become victims of the almighty dollar and sacrifice short term results for a happy mum 'n pop. So junior gets an extreme western grip, hangs out behind the baseline, and climbs to the top of the 10s and the 12s. No thank you.

 

[Aeropro master]

I was just wondering.
It feels like to go pro you have to go to a really great academy, or spend a fortune on lessons.

Is it possible that you can go pro by having one or two lessons a week with about 20 hours of playing a week, (with really good intensity) and being gifted with your skills?

But once you get good enough from all of those weeks of practice and people start to recognize you do people start wanting you to come train with them?

How does this sort of thing work?

If that was true, all the high ranked national players would be from california and florida. Even though people in colder areas don't play as much as kids in the south, if they have a higher intensity, they will be just as good/ even better.

 

[Forehand_Punisher]

If that was true, all the high ranked national players would be from california and florida. Even though people in colder areas don't play as much as kids in the south, if they have a higher intensity, they will be just as good/ even better.

Uh....there are indoor courts...

 

[GameSetNavritilova]

In my opinion, the opportunity to train on both surfaces is the ideal situation for a junior. Beyond natural ability, genes, coaching, etc... the three largest ingredients to successful training are location, location, and location. Learning to play on clay from a young age will teach a kid to grind, play defense, and it's easier on your body. Now that doesn't mean a great player won't ever come out of East St. Louis, IL (google James Scott Connors) but more kids play tennis in warm weather climates. Just ask the parents that move to Florida or California.

 

[Gyrik]

Uh....there are indoor courts...

Ahh.... I really prefer outdoor courts...

Though I guess some people will prefer indoor courts...

 

[Gyrik]

In my opinion, the opportunity to train on both surfaces is the ideal situation for a junior. Beyond natural ability, genes, coaching, etc... the three largest ingredients to successful training are location, location, and location. Learning to play on clay from a young age will teach a kid to grind, play defense, and it's easier on your body. Now that doesn't mean a great player won't ever come out of East St. Louis, IL (google James Scott Connors) but more kids play tennis in warm weather climates. Just ask the parents that move to Florida or California.

Well said- I agree that learning on different surfaces is important, and don't you just love having some warm weather, maybe a slight breeze, when you practice? I don't know about anyone else, but it makes me feel happier (and isn't that the point of playing tennis?).