Question on amateurism for college freshman

[10ismom]

This might be a dumb question or already explained before. I was just surprised while browsing college rosters and internet that a 19 year old international player with 3 years WTA experience, earned prize money, got recruited and playing for an excellent DI university (public academic college and great tennis team) as a freshman this year.

I am sure this is not a unique case. I don't know exact fact about amateurism, but wonder if the requirements to play college tennis are the same for both American high school grads and international players (who prob. failed pro tour then applied for college scholarships in the US).

Can an international pro player who had earned prize money for a few years be granted a DI tennis scholarship?

 

[TennisFan2Day]

Any player is allowed to accept prize money as long as it doesn't exceed their expenses. For example, if it costs you $2500 to go to a tournament(food, airfare, coaching, stringing, hotel, rental car, gas, etc.) that is the max amount that the player can accept.

Just to let you know that it is easy to fudge the numbers. For example, a coach takes 5 girls to the tournament. One girl wins, that girl claims to have paid the entire fee for the coach and shows the paperwork to the NCAA when it is questioned.

The answer to your question is, Yes. The school just has to get approval from the NCAA. Sometimes they make them sit out a year. It all depends on the situation. Duke, Texas Tech, & USC all signed players this year that played on the tour prior to signing.

 

[10ismom]

Any player is allowed to accept prize money as long as it doesn't exceed their expenses. For example, if it costs you $2500 to go to a tournament(food, airfare, coaching, stringing, hotel, rental car, gas, etc.) that is the max amount that the player can accept.

Just to let you know that it is easy to fudge the numbers. For example, a coach takes 5 girls to the tournament. One girl wins, that girl claims to have paid the entire fee for the coach and shows the paperwork to the NCAA when it is questioned.

The answer to your question is, Yes. The school just has to get approval from the NCAA. Sometimes they make them sit out a year. It all depends on the situation. Duke, Texas Tech, & USC all signed players this year that played on the tour prior to signing.

Thanks for the answer.
No wonder why USTA encourages our top American juniors to play college tennis before going on tour.
Several top colleges probably are filled with older, ex-pro tennis players so top US juniors can test and grow their games, before going on a pro tour.

It seems to me that international players have a different approach. They go on tour first then if not succesful,....apply to play college tennis in the US.