Jan Silva back in USA

[Tennis_Bum]

i dont think i want a school full of children helping to develop my child's social character , i deal with plenty of them and the majority are rude and selfish , i think the plan to take their child and place him in a setting where they can monitor who he's hanging out with, his schooling and train for a sport he could play into his golden years in life and someone pay for it all ,What a deal!!

Brad, your son got a lot taller since I last saw him. When is he playing the next tournament? I like to see it if it is near where I live. As for what you say about dealing with a lot of brats, yes but those brats are tennis brats. Those kids that you teach or deal with mostly from tennis related activities. Most of these kids come from well-to-do families, not all, but most and with a lot of private lessons, they become brats. I don't know why but that is what I see too. But you can't make a general comments about kids in public schools though, some kids are very good; they work very hard and are very smart and don't play tennis. Those kids actually go on to many elite colleges, including Ivy League schools, and do well in life.

 

[BradBaughman]

Brad, your son got a lot taller since I last saw him. When is he playing the next tournament? I like to see it if it is near where I live. As for what you say about dealing with a lot of brats, yes but those brats are tennis brats. Those kids that you teach or deal with mostly from tennis related activities. Most of these kids come from well-to-do families, not all, but most and with a lot of private lessons, they become brats. I don't know why but that is what I see too. But you can't make a general comments about kids in public schools though, some kids are very good; they work very hard and are very smart and don't play tennis. Those kids actually go on to many elite colleges, including Ivy League schools, and do well in life.

he's 5'11 now just keeps growing he went a week were a lot of backhand ended up in the bottom of the net , hes playing the sectionals next he told me, june 26th its played in fountain valley

 

[BradBaughman]

It should be called the bad news b/c that's mostly what gets
reported. Don't let it lull you into a sense gloom and doom. If you
only listened to the news and papers as your source of info and
believed that's what the world was like, you'd lock yourself in your
house and never go outside and be scared of black people.

what world are you living in ? thanx but ill stick to reality and as for peoples skin color that has nothing to do with it,people are wicked in all shades and sizes

 

[Tennis_Bum]

he's 5'11 now just keeps growing he went a week were a lot of backhand ended up in the bottom of the net , hes playing the sectionals next he told me, june 26th its played in fountain valley

Wow, 5'11 already! Okay, thanks I look him up when I am there.

 

[BMG]

It should be called the bad news b/c that's mostly what gets
reported. Don't let it lull you into a sense gloom and doom. If you
only listened to the news and papers as your source of info and
believed that's what the world was like, you'd lock yourself in your
house and never go outside and be scared of black people.

Good points. I have found that if people look for the bad in life - that's what they will find. Also, the more interested you are in the day to day life of those around you, the more engaged you are with a diverse group people/places, the more you work toward contributing to the community rather than looking out only for yourself, and the more you try to enjoy every day rather than complain.....then life is good!! Hanging around reading newspapers and watching the blowhards on television turn anyone in to a whiner and doomsayer.......and fearfull of those different than themselves. This thread is a good example.

 

[nn]

any latest new on this kid

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

any latest new on this kid

Plays local Norcal tournaments. Results nothing special. Another example of how you hit at age 5 is irrelevant by age 10 when the other kids catch up. I told his dad at age 5 that he had a squatty body type and to wait it out, see how he grows before committing to a sport. His body may end up more suited as a world class baseball catcher than a tennis player. His dad cursed me out and left the forum.

I see his USTA has expired a few months ago. Maybe he took my advice and put the kid into baseball.

http://www.ustanorcal.com/playermatches.asp?id=115321

 

[Bash and Crash]

Wow, he's played a lot of tourneys, need to give that kid a break. Still only 10 or 11, seems he's been around forever.

 

[Azzurri]

Plays local Norcal tournaments. Results nothing special. Another example of how you hit at age 5 is irrelevant by age 10 when the other kids catch up. I told his dad at age 5 that he had a squatty body type and to wait it out, see how he grows before committing to a sport. His body may end up more suited as a world class baseball catcher than a tennis player. His dad cursed me out and left the forum.

I see his USTA has expired a few months ago. Maybe he took my advice and put the kid into baseball.

http://www.ustanorcal.com/playermatches.asp?id=115321

I don't play USTA tourney's, but since May he has won 7 out of 20 tournaments (is that correct?). prior to that he had not won any. At least he has beeen winning, so how can you still be so negative?

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I don't play USTA tourney's, but since May he has won 7 out of 20 tournaments (is that correct?). prior to that he had not won any. At least he has beeen winning, so how can you still be so negative?

Whoa, context. Without proper context everything seems different. For a year the dad was on here telling us how he was taking him to France, full time massage therapist, full time PT, full time academy, selling his house, pulling his other kids out of school.

When we suggested that he wait and see how the kid grows, he went off on everyone. He told us his kid was a once in a life time rare talent, would be better than Federer and Nadal, on and on. Its fine to think that but when you cuss out anyone who even suggests chilling and seeing what happens you should expect backlash.

By age 9-10 his dad told us he would be winning national tournaments. The 7 tournaments you see are local events with a mostly casual players. The point is that you do not guarantee that a 5 year old will be the next Federer and abuse anyone that suggests you wait and see.

When you position your entire family's live around a 5 year old, give him full time academy training, and he is still struggling to win local park tournaments at age 10-11, it should be a lesson for others. These parents sold their house and ended up separated due to the stress....another lesson for tennis parents to use some restraint.

My post was made knowing the dad probably still lurks around here. I hope the kid is happy, healthy, and lives whatever dreams he has.

 

[Fedace]

Is he going to be as good as Donald young ?

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Is he going to be as good as Donald young ?

I would bet no. Young has been in the top 100.

 

[chalkflewup]

Not sure but I think Young recently cracked the top 40.

 

[treeman10]

-------------------

 

[flat]

Not trying judgmental with this kid, know nothing about him at all - but I did check the link, aside from that tournament called Championship (where he lost early), all the rest are really low level opens. They may be called opens but are closer to novice in level, there is great difference between one open and another, usually based on location. Probably like other sections of the country, in certain areas (probably urban with larger populations or like S Fla.) of the sections there is a strong field. Drive an hour or two outside of that and the tournaments get pretty weak. Some use these for easy points and will make the drive. The draws can be really small (6-8 players rather than 32 or 64) and the W gets the same amount of points for the win of that round. Not suggesting he is doing that, I think he just lives in one of these outside areas.

Gold River is a Sacramento suburb. It's kind of hard to tell the strenght of the field since most people will not travel up to Sacramento for a Open level tournament. Need to wait until he is playing 12 champs (or excellence, or Regionals) before you can tell how good he is doing.

 

[Pro_Tour_630]

I see his USTA has expired a few months ago. Maybe he took my advice and put the kid into baseball.

http://www.ustanorcal.com/playermatches.asp?id=115321

or maybe he took your advice and stopped tournaments and concentrated only on privates and drills,

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

or maybe he took your advice and stopped tournaments and concentrated only on privates and drills,

Maybe, just kidding around on this topic as I am pretty sure his dad still comes around now and then. We used to have some fun 'debates'.

 

[chalkflewup]

It just doesn't matter if he's winning or losing. First and foremost, hopefully he's having fun and developing. Looking and dissecting his results at this age with a critical eye is what a crazy, nutso, whack job tennis parent would do.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

It just doesn't matter if he's winning or losing. First and foremost, hopefully he's having fun and developing. Looking and dissecting his results at this age with a critical eye is what a crazy, nutso, whack job tennis parent would do.

I do miss Jan's dad posting here, those were some epic threads. When he and BB were both on a roll it was a good time!

 

[jigglypuff]

I do miss Jan's dad posting here, those were some epic threads. When he and BB were both on a roll it was a good time!

Not to fear, you've replaced them quite well.

 

[ga tennis]

Not to fear, you've replaced them quite well.

NO ONE CAN REPLACE BRAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has produced the best product.Love him or hate him results dont lie.

 

[MarTennis]

Silva and strength of competition

Gold River is a Sacramento suburb. It's kind of hard to tell the strenght of the field since most people will not travel up to Sacramento for a Open level tournament. Need to wait until he is playing 12 champs (or excellence, or Regionals) before you can tell how good he is doing.

I've seen Jan this year. He does have the squatty body type. He is also still very skillful. He is not a hustler at all. He seems normal and well adjusted given all that has transpired. His main thing imho is that he does not possess the requisite motor to be world class.

As for competition in Sac. They are up and coming. Favorable weather and several serious junior programs out of the clubs have Sacramento on the rise.

 

[chalkflewup]

NO ONE CAN REPLACE BRAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has produced the best product.Love him or hate him results dont lie.

With all due respect to BB, many others have too - they're just not on the PR train.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I've seen Jan this year. He does have the squatty body type. He is also still very skillful. He is not a hustler at all. He seems normal and well adjusted given all that has transpired. His main thing imho is that he does not possess the requisite motor to be world class.

As for competition in Sac. They are up and coming. Favorable weather and several serious junior programs out of the clubs have Sacramento on the rise.

Great to hear he is well adjusted. I wish him nothing but happiness.

Exactly what I told his dad at age 5. He posted numerous videos at that time. I told his dad that my gut feeling is that his legs looked heavy compared to other little ones I have watched for 20 years. My bet was that he might end up more squatty than his dad. His dad told me he and mom were tall so I was an idiot, I said sometimes genetics plays some tricks.

I also told him that he was GREAT at hitting balls fed directly too him, but did not seem to want to run, nor be very fast. Again, told I was a hater.

I simply suggested to his dad that he support the little guy's tennis but chill on all the hype, chill on moving him to the academy in France, see how his body develops, see how his hustle develops.

Even though Jan got tons of publicity thanks to his dad, I have seen my share of kids who could hit just as well at age 5. Its cute, its possible they might be great players.....but it is not something you sell your house and move to France for....lots can change from ages 5-10, let alone from 5-15.

Rick Macci will tell you right away, "if they won't run after every ball, I don't care how well they hit".

His dad is the poster guy for all cliches of tennis parents. Early hype, looking at hitting fed balls and not hustle, thinking hitting great at age 5 means a great player, only you know about tennis. And the big one....the other kids catch up. Your kid may look great at age 5-9 but in most cases the other kids who start later and are simply better athletes/hustlers catch up and go on past.

My girl is 7 and plays as well as any kid her age. But that margin will shrink and shrink as time goes on. Tennis parents need to accept that a prodigy at a young age is no guarantee of anything.

 

[Soianka]

Great to hear he is well adjusted. I wish him nothing but happiness.

Exactly what I told his dad at age 5. He posted numerous videos at that time. I told his dad that my gut feeling is that his legs looked heavy compared to other little ones I have watched for 20 years. My bet was that he might end up more squatty than his dad. His dad told me he and mom were tall so I was an idiot, I said sometimes genetics plays some tricks.

I also told him that he was GREAT at hitting balls fed directly too him, but did not seem to want to run, nor be very fast. Again, told I was a hater.

I simply suggested to his dad that he support the little guy's tennis but chill on all the hype, chill on moving him to the academy in France, see how his body develops, see how his hustle develops.

I guess my question is that if it is so obvious that the kid is going to have a "squatty" body type, be a bad mover, and have no "motor," how did he fool Patrick Mouratoglou who actually saw the boy play in person and surely has quite a bit of tennis knowledge and experience developing world class tennis players?

Mouratoglou must really believe in the kid to have (and perhaps continue to) provide that level of financial support.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I guess my question is that if it is so obvious that the kid is going to have a "squatty" body type, be a bad mover, and have no "motor," how did he fool Patrick Mouratoglou who actually saw the boy play in person and surely has quite a bit of tennis knowledge and experience developing world class tennis players?

Mouratoglou must really believe in the kid to have (and perhaps continue to) provide that level of financial support.

Baghdatis was Patrick's most famous student and took a liking to Jan. Marcos brought looks of business to Mouratoglous. Patrick used the Silvas for publicity, he got tons of it back then. He put them up in a very small house on campus. Jan's parents did lots of his training.

It was a business move by Patrick....or he simply did not have much experience with 5 year olds and had no clue about predicting body types. As you can see....if Patrick did spend lots of money, it did not pay off. He was wrong.

Can you name the world class players that Patrick was able to spot at age 5, accurately predict body type, and train them to be elite? Or do you only know the kids he got at age 10-12 and helped become very nice players? Big difference.

Patrick ain't supporting a 10 year old who competes in local Norcal tournaments for goodness sakes.

 

[Soianka]

I think it's kind of silly to suggest that someone on the internet can determine whether a kid will have a chance at a pro career by watching a couple of videos versus a world-class tennis coach who has actually worked with the kid in person.

The truth is Mouratoglou put his name and reputation (not to mention finances) behind the kid, so there must have been some level of belief in the kid's potential.

Not to mention, apparently continued to FINANCIALLY support the family after they left his academy.

That's an extraordinary level of support for a kid who, according to you, looks like many other 5 year olds. Mouratoglou must have seen something special.

Certainly, Mouratoglou saw much more than any of us who watched a couple of videos would be able to see.

....if Patrick did spend lots of money, it did not pay off. He was wrong.

Last I read, he was still financially supporting the dad and Jan. It's a little early to say whether he was wrong or not as the kid is 10. That's a little early to say he has failed in his quest to become a pro tennis player.

Of course, the other factors that apparently derailed his training in France (namely, domestic issues) have nothing to do with how much pro potential this little kid has.

Speaking of Baghdatis, one could say he has a "squatty" body type, but he has done okay for himself on the tour.

And certainly Baghdatis has more expertise in spotting tennis talent in person then do people who only have the benefit of a few minutes of internet video.

 

[sureshs]

^^^ Seems sensible. People here were ridiculing Donald Young and how JMac was wrong in saying good things about him. He is now a top 100 player and what, no. 3 in the US behind Fish and Roddick?

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I think it's kind of silly to suggest that someone on the internet can determine whether a kid will have a chance at a pro career by watching a couple of videos versus a world-class tennis coach who has actually worked with the kid in person.

The truth is Mouratoglou put his name and reputation (not to mention finances) behind the kid, so there must have been some level of belief in the kid's potential.

Not to mention, apparently continued to FINANCIALLY support the family after they left his academy.

That's an extraordinary level of support for a kid who, according to you, looks like many other 5 year olds. Mouratoglou must have seen something special.

Certainly, Mouratoglou saw much more than any of us who watched a couple of videos would be able to see.



Last I read, he was still financially supporting the dad and Jan. It's a little early to say whether he was wrong or not as the kid is 10. That's a little early to say he has failed in his quest to become a pro tennis player.

Of course, the other factors that apparently derailed his training in France (namely, domestic issues) have nothing to do with how much pro potential this little kid has.

Speaking of Baghdatis, one could say he has a "squatty" body type, but he has done okay for himself on the tour.

And certainly Baghdatis has more expertise in spotting tennis talent in person then do people who only have the benefit of a few minutes of internet video.

Makes no sense. I was right, Patrick was wrong.

My advice....keep playing and loving tennis, support the kid, see how he grows.

Patrick's advice, sell your house, quit your jobs, take all 3 kids out of school, move to France for a 5 year old based on fed balls.

Resullts......divorce, moved back to Cali, average results in juniors so far. Who knows what happened to his older bro and sister who were pulled out of school and left all their friends...because their 5 year old bro hit nice ball.

So because I am just an internet bum and Patrick has a name, my sensible advice and the fact that I was right makes me the bad guy?? I was personal trainer who owned a health club for 16 years. I had a kid program and trained kids from age 4, watched some grow to adults. Dealt with 100s of kids. Do you even know if Patrick has any experience with kids that age?

Yeah...so a squatty body does not mean a bad tennis player. But it does mean why not chill a few years and see how the kid grows. Gee, what horrible advice I gave.

Wow, just, wow.

 

[Soianka]

So because I am just an internet bum and Patrick has a name, my sensible advice and the fact that I was right makes me the bad guy??

I said no such thing.

I am saying obviously Mouratoglou is a highly qualified tennis instructor who has also had the benefit of seeing the kid play, talking to him, interacting with him, etc...and as such decided to make a large investment in this kid's future. That means something.

You (or anyone else) who has only seen a few videos on the internet simply does not have access to the same level of information because you've only seen a few videos on the internet.

You haven't hit with the kid, talked to him, interacted with him, etc.

I was right, Patrick was wrong.

LOL. Not really.

None of us know what this child's tennis potential is. I would bet that it is pretty high based on the fact that Baghdatis and Mouratoglou bet on him...and they are not schlubs as far as tennis is concerned.

Either way, it's easy to sit on the internet telling people their kids will never amount to anything (as far as being tennis pros), and most of the time you will be "right" simply because most people who try to become tennis pros do not make it for a variety of reasons...but why would anyone want to do that...why would anyone want to be "right" in crushing other people's dreams?

 

[NouKy]

I am not trainer, like TCF but just a beginner tennis dad
I think It is just common sense and bet on life like betting in Poker is just too risky if you already has a Family like Jan's Father. And that kid is just 5 years old.
Plus when i read the story I think that Mouratoglou (Who has plenty of money) also did that to make a big advert on his Academy.
At that time In France what was the time prime in TV ?
The TV New at 8:00PM => Bingo

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I said no such thing.

I am saying obviously Mouratoglou is a highly qualified tennis instructor who has also had the benefit of seeing the kid play, talking to him, interacting with him, etc...and as such decided to make a large investment in this kid's future. That means something.

You (or anyone else) who has only seen a few videos on the internet simply does not have access to the same level of information because you've only seen a few videos on the internet.

You haven't hit with the kid, talked to him, interacted with him, etc.



LOL. Not really.

None of us know what this child's tennis potential is. I would bet that it is pretty high based on the fact that Baghdatis and Mouratoglou bet on him...and they are not schlubs as far as tennis is concerned.

Either way, it's easy to sit on the internet telling people their kids will never amount to anything (as far as being tennis pros), and most of the time you will be "right" simply because most people who try to become tennis pros do not make it for a variety of reasons...but why would anyone want to do that...why would anyone want to be "right" in crushing other people's dreams?

His dad came on here and posted lots of videos. He told us he wanted to quit his job and move his family to France. He asked us to look at the videos.

I explained to him what I saw. Told him he was in Cali, a hotbed and could get plenty of training there. Wait to see for a few years. He got angry. Huge difference between crushing a dream and simply suggesting that a 5 year old hitting fed balls is not quite reason to uproot your entire life.

I told him the kid hit as good a ball as I had ever seen at his age. That is not saying he would not amount to anything. I told him he should chill and see what happens with the kid's growth and hustle.

 

[Frankenstine]

I said no such thing.

I am saying obviously Mouratoglou is a highly qualified tennis instructor who has also had the benefit of seeing the kid play, talking to him, interacting with him, etc...and as such decided to make a large investment in this kid's future. That means something.

You (or anyone else) who has only seen a few videos on the internet simply does not have access to the same level of information because you've only seen a few videos on the internet.

You haven't hit with the kid, talked to him, interacted with him, etc.



LOL. Not really.

None of us know what this child's tennis potential is. I would bet that it is pretty high based on the fact that Baghdatis and Mouratoglou bet on him...and they are not schlubs as far as tennis is concerned.

Either way, it's easy to sit on the internet telling people their kids will never amount to anything (as far as being tennis pros), and most of the time you will be "right" simply because most people who try to become tennis pros do not make it for a variety of reasons...but why would anyone want to do that...why would anyone want to be "right" in crushing other people's dreams?

Jan is literally an above average under 10's player in NorCal right now. He's not even ranked top 20 in the section. Now the question, why would Mouratoglou pay for him to come? Because he sees him as the next Federer? I don't think so. It was a publicity stunt. Here, multiple years later we are still talking about him. So what if he can hit a good ball when he is FIVE, that will equate to nothing in later years. Mouratoglou knows that.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

Jan is literally an above average under 10's player in NorCal right now. He's not even ranked top 20 in the section. Now the question, why would Mouratoglou pay for him to come? Because he sees him as the next Federer? I don't think so. It was a publicity stunt. Here, multiple years later we are still talking about him. So what if he can hit a good ball when he is FIVE, that will equate to nothing in later years. Mouratoglou knows that.

Also, the Baghdatis dynamic. Baghdatis was his most famous student and at the time very hot on tour, also very charismatic in promoting Patrick's academy. He 'discovered' Jan.

So it all come together, his famous student telling him about this kid he found, bringing an American prodigy to get publicity which worked. Kill several birds, keep Marcos happy and get some pub.

Of course Mouratoglou knew full well how a 5 year old hit is meaningless as far as investing in a future high money making pro. He made a business decision that went south quite fast, for all involved.

It was all so silly anyway. Mom was a tennis pro at a club in California. Dad was a former hoops player. The older brother a solid junior player. Why on earth with all those advantages would anyone need to sell the house, quite work, and move to another country. They had all the tools already to support a little tennis kid.

But we should learn lessons here. Jan started hitting by age 1. Massage therapist, academy training, top equipment. And still ended up right in the middle of the tennis pack by age 10-11. Early success in tennis means nothing.

 

[Tennisstringz]

Not sure but I think Young recently cracked the top 40.

I saw donald young alot when he was 9. He was winning vs 18 yr olds and 4.5 level men. It was because he could run everything down. If Silva isnt a mover, then he ll just be your average top 100 age group player.

 

[goober]

^^^ Seems sensible. People here were ridiculing Donald Young and how JMac was wrong in saying good things about him. He is now a top 100 player and what, no. 3 in the US behind Fish and Roddick?

Actually he is no.4 behind Isner. But the hype for D Young was over the top. It was superstardom, winning every grandslam twice, ect.

If JMac said he was going to be a top 100 player, I don't think people would have said anything negative.

 

[TennisCoachFLA]

I saw donald young alot when he was 9. He was winning vs 18 yr olds and 4.5 level men. It was because he could run everything down. If Silva isnt a mover, then he ll just be your average top 100 age group player.

I wish I had a dollar for every time a parent showed me a kid who hit the heck out of the ball and thought the were headed for greatness....then you see that they do not want to run.

Coaches and parents need to honestly evaluate the hustle factor with kids.

 

[sureshs]

Actually he is no.4 behind Isner. But the hype for D Young was over the top. It was superstardom, winning every grandslam twice, ect.

If JMac said he was going to be a top 100 player, I don't think people would have said anything negative.

Mac said he had great hands. The double Slam was something Young said he wanted to do (I think). Lots of kids say things like that.

Ultimately, he is #4 in the USA and probably #2 of his "generation" - Isner, Querrey. Which means one player of his times has done better than him in this country. Sounds like something most people can only dream about.

 

[Bendex]

He is ranked 60 in the country, which is very impressive. http://www.tennisrecruiting.net/list.asp?id=1205&page=1&from=786907&sessionid=55E497385A39AC3D

Donald Young on the other hand was completely obliterating everyone in his age range at that age.

Honestly, I think tennis is a bad choice for athletic juniors. You can be a 1 percenter and still be outside the top 100 (no money). The 100th best soccer player still makes a very good living.

 

[andfor]

He is ranked 60 in the country, which is very impressive. http://www.tennisrecruiting.net/list.asp?id=1205&page=1&from=786907&sessionid=55E497385A39AC3D

Donald Young on the other hand was completely obliterating everyone in his age range at that age.

Honestly, I think tennis is a bad choice for athletic juniors. You can be a 1 percenter and still be outside the top 100 (no money). The 100th best soccer player still makes a very good living.

Trying to steer a kid to play a sport for professional purposes rarely works. That's why any persons foundation needs to be an education first. My favorite example is Todd Marinovich. Overall the odds are exponentially against anyone who tries make it as a pro athlete. There are worse choices than tennis like pro Triathlon and Racquetball where only the top 10-20 can sustain a living on the tours.

That said, I'd encourage a child to pursue what sport they like. If they happen have passion a little talent and extreme work ethic I'd support to the best of my ability their dream & goal of becoming a pro tennis player. There would have to be a plan in place and timeline to make it. My timeline would be a short one.

 

[Dadof10s]

He is ranked 60 in the country, which is very impressive. http://www.tennisrecruiting.net/list.asp?id=1205&page=1&from=786907&sessionid=55E497385A39AC3D

Donald Young on the other hand was completely obliterating everyone in his age range at that age.

Honestly, I think tennis is a bad choice for athletic juniors. You can be a 1 percenter and still be outside the top 100 (no money). The 100th best soccer player still makes a very good living.

LOL, that list of little 4th graders is cute but I do not think it is meant to be taken seriously. Some of those children have played only 3 matches.

 

[MeggieTennisGal]

I hope everything works out for the best for little Jan. I agree it's very hard to predict what a player will become based on his or her performance at age five. How many children have even held a racket by that age? If Jan was being coached intensively from toddlerhood, then it's not surprising that he would seem exceptional by the age of five. I guess by nine or ten, other kids are starting to catch up in terms of exposure and training, and by fifteen, the competition will be even stiffer. I see this in the academic world -- hot housed, over-pressured kids taking APs and college courses at 11 or 12. They're usually bright kids, but not necessarily the standouts that they appear to be. There's a lot of readjustment for them as they get older and other bright but more late-maturing students sometimes overtake them. I guess if there's a moral to the story it's to avoid placing unreasonable expectations on a child. There's a book out on academically gifted children, Gifted Lives by Joan Freeman, that suggests early identification, acceleration, and pressure, even when done with the best of intentions, are often counter-productive. Who knows where Jan will end up and if he and his siblings will be harmed or helped by their adventure in France, but I think the overzealous predictions can only set the poor kid up for feeling like a failure.

 

[Azzurri]

I would bet no. Young has been in the top 100.

banned..how sad.

 

[Azzurri]

Makes no sense. I was right, Patrick was wrong.

My advice....keep playing and loving tennis, support the kid, see how he grows.

Patrick's advice, sell your house, quit your jobs, take all 3 kids out of school, move to France for a 5 year old based on fed balls.

Resullts......divorce, moved back to Cali, average results in juniors so far. Who knows what happened to his older bro and sister who were pulled out of school and left all their friends...because their 5 year old bro hit nice ball.

So because I am just an internet bum and Patrick has a name, my sensible advice and the fact that I was right makes me the bad guy?? I was personal trainer who owned a health club for 16 years. I had a kid program and trained kids from age 4, watched some grow to adults. Dealt with 100s of kids. Do you even know if Patrick has any experience with kids that age?

Yeah...so a squatty body does not mean a bad tennis player. But it does mean why not chill a few years and see how the kid grows. Gee, what horrible advice I gave.

Wow, just, wow.

Fact= you are on a forum spouting off things that no one can confirm (about your "history". so why brag about it?

Fact= you are on a forum...no one really cares

Fact= you are now banned.

 

[PhilAnderson]

Fact= you are on a forum spouting off things that no one can confirm (about your "history". so why brag about it?

Fact= you are on a forum...no one really cares

Fact= you are now banned.

Big man for saying that once he got banned...... Was there a point to responding to his message or are you just doing it for the giggles?

 

[tennis-silver]

Big man for saying that once he got banned...... Was there a point to responding to his message or are you just doing it for the giggles?

I guess you would care that he responded to this since your a TCF alias.

 

[Number1Coach]

I guess you would care that he responded to this since your a TCF alias.

Tennisfloridadude would be a better guess .

 

[Azzurri]

Big man for saying that once he got banned...... Was there a point to responding to his message or are you just doing it for the giggles?

aren't we all "BIG" on forums?? I am rarely on the boards anymore and found out his username was banned...but trust me he is still here. for a guy that claimed to be a tennis "guru" he really needed a forum to sprout off. pathetic.

 

[Tennishacker]

aren't we all "BIG" on forums?? I am rarely on the boards anymore and found out his username was banned...but trust me he is still here. for a guy that claimed to be a tennis "guru" he really needed a forum to sprout off. pathetic.

He's back lurking in the junior & college section, inciting posters.

 

[chalkflewup]

aren't we all "BIG" on forums?? I am rarely on the boards anymore and found out his username was banned...but trust me he is still here. for a guy that claimed to be a tennis "guru" he really needed a forum to sprout off. pathetic.

Who was pathetic?