Turning pro in Canada?

M

Michael11

New User
Well i am a male tennis player and quite good. People I practice with keep telling me that I should play small future tournaments (same as satellite tournamets? no idea).

I did some research and know how to play future qualification matches. It is based on atp ranking first, then national ranking etc. and you should show up in person.
Well i think there are only a handful future tournaments in canada. most of them in quebec i think which is kind of unfair.
Someone told me that I could play regional tournaments that are sanctioned by the itf (whatever that means).
How far to you have to get in those tournaments to qualify for a professional itf tournament like futures? Is it enough if you win one of those bigger regional tournaments?

Apparently I have to join the USTA to be allowed to play those tournaments. I thought the USTA was for with american tennis only?

Are there any good tournaments in my province, British columbia that I should play if in order to gain many points?

So ITF sanctioned tournaments will only give you points towards your national ranking right? not the itf rankings?

And last question. Some tournaments require a NTRP rating. do I have to meet with a coaching pro so he can give me a rating? as you can see I have no clue but I am a really good player and everyone says that I could compete with the players who are playing future tournaments.
 
First of all, you will never get anywhere unless you take it upon yourself to get to where the action is. The action is NOT in BC.
Buy a car, go to where the tourneys are, enter, hope to get in.
Sitting home will never get you anywhere.
 
Check out the qualifiers for the Odlum Brown in Vancouver B.C.

I don't know the dates for this year's event. It might be a bit too strong for you - at least in the past it was a Challenger series event - order of magnitude tougher than Futures.

Regardless of if you play or not - go watch it and talk to some of the players if it is nearby.

re: ITF - you need to get an IPIN# for men's open
(it's different in age groups - some tourneys are both Tennis Canada and ITF - at least a senior's tournament in March in Vancouver B.C. I played in was).

Good luck! K_I
 
LeeD said:
First of all, you will never get anywhere unless you take it upon yourself to get to where the action is. The action is NOT in BC.
Buy a car, go to where the tourneys are, enter, hope to get in.
Sitting home will never get you anywhere.
Click to expand...

yes i i agree. but the action could be too far away. canada is a big country.
 
Kick_It said:
Check out the qualifiers for the Odlum Brown in Vancouver B.C.

I don't know the dates for this year's event. It might be a bit too strong for you - at least in the past it was a Challenger series event - order of magnitude tougher than Futures.

Regardless of if you play or not - go watch it and talk to some of the players if it is nearby.

re: ITF - you need to get an IPIN# for men's open
(it's different in age groups - some tourneys are both Tennis Canada and ITF - at least a senior's tournament in March in Vancouver B.C. I played in was).

Good luck! K_I
Click to expand...

i have heard about this tournament. the websites don't say if it is an itf tournament or itf sanctioned tournament.
it's all pretty complicated and the websites don't really explain anything. buy i will look into it. thanks you

and i guess i will need to get an ITF pin. but some tournaments in BC require USTA membership? is tennis canada and usta the same organization?
 
I would suggest that you look over this web site and get a local pro's opinion on your skills. Personally, (and I don't want to discourage you) I don't see how someone that doesn't know the answer to this question would have enough tennis skills to consider tennis at a pro level. Want-to-be pros have had hundred's of hours of tennis instruction per year for many years and have tournament experience. Good luck.

http://www.bctennis.com

There is no need to join USTA to play Canadian tournamants.
 
neverstopplaying said:
I would suggest that you look over this web site and get a local pro's opinion on your skills. Personally, (and I don't want to discourage you) I don't see how someone that doesn't know the answer to this question would have enough tennis skills to consider tennis at a pro level. Want-to-be pros have had hundred's of hours of tennis instruction per year for many years and have tournament experience. Good luck.

http://www.bctennis.com

There is no need to join USTA to play Canadian tournamants.
Click to expand...

fair enough. but aren't the really good players the exceptions ? :) Also, i once practiced with a good player and he couldn't really challenge me at all. later i found out that he practiced with some pro players and also played some big tournaments. never met him again though.

i checked out the tournament infos (the list for 2009) and many required a USTA membership. i just find the whole thing confusing. i should meet with a pro coach and get some advice.
 
USTA and TennisCanada are different sponsoring orgs; one for U.S., the other is Canada. I live in the U.S. and got ranked 2 years ago in Men's 35s age division - at a TennisCanada event that was also an ITF sponsored - but that doesn't apply to you.

It is kind of confusing in B.C. - as they sometimes overlap.

If I were you, I'd sign up for a local men's open tournament and see how you do. Don't worry about ipins, etc. Just basically do the bare minimum to sign up for the event.

Good luck! K_I
 
Kick_It said:
USTA and TennisCanada are different sponsoring orgs; one for U.S., the other is Canada. I live in the U.S. and got ranked 2 years ago in Men's 35s age division - at a TennisCanada event that was also an ITF sponsored - but that doesn't apply to you.

It is kind of confusing in B.C. - as they sometimes overlap.

If I were you, I'd sign up for a local men's open tournament and see how you do. Don't worry about ipins, etc. Just basically do the bare minimum to sign up for the event.

Good luck! K_I
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ah that link is great thanks!

and yes you shall be shocked. the guy i gave a beating was a 5.5. anyway talk is cheap. i should let my rackuet do the talking. i will try and keep this thread updated. if not then i failed big time
 
sorry wrong quote.

i will self rate myself. but i just want to play tournaments where i can gain credible points that can help me qualify for bigger tournaments. the serious ones.

and yes kick-it. it is confusing sometimes. for example the tournament details say that it is not ITF sanctioned and that you have to be a usta member (eventhough its a canadian tournament). and below it says that it is ITF sanctioned. strange. i should email them.
thank you
 
check out Tonlars on this site, he plays pretty high level cash tournies and wins often, though he isnt hunting for points like you seem to be, but he might know someone in your area you can hook up with with regards to tournies etc.
 
I think you should test your skills first by playing in some local (non-ITF) tournaments. We had tons of them in the summer here in BC and a few are still left this year. They have the province's top players playing in them. Your performance in the 5.0 / Open categories of these tournaments will give you a good gauge of the real level of your game. You just need a Tennis BC membership ($35) and the tournament entry fee (around $30+/event) to enter.

Tennis BC NTRP Events

The top ranked players in these tourneys usually get into the qualies of the 'big' local tournament - the Vancouver Open which is a decent sized tournament ($175,000 USTA Pro Circuit event). Last year's winner was Baghdatis, this year we have Taylor Dent playing for the second year in a row I believe. In the past players like Andy Murray, Sharapova and many others have played here.

Best of luck!
 
justinmadison said:
I would start with some local USTA Men's open tournaments to find out how good you really are. Use this link

http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Schedule/Search.aspx

Under the National/Section/District drop down select British Columbia.

My suggestion is to self rate as a USTA NTRP 4.5 and work up from there. You can play open divisions as a 4.5.

I will be shocked if you are above a NTRP 5.0.
Click to expand...

Here in BC (and I think Canada in general) the NTRP rankings aren't monitored/scored as tightly as in the US. Anyone can enter any category all the way up to and including 5.0 in local tournaments. To qualify to play in the Open you have to win a few rounds in the 5.0 draw.

There is some really good competition here in the Open draws so the OP will very quickly learn if he's really good enough to play at this (or higher) level. The #1 Open ranked guy here in BC is an ATP touring player ranked 380 in the world. ( Philip Bester
 
Kick_It said:
Check out the qualifiers for the Odlum Brown in Vancouver B.C.

I don't know the dates for this year's event. It might be a bit too strong for you - at least in the past it was a Challenger series event - order of magnitude tougher than Futures.

Regardless of if you play or not - go watch it and talk to some of the players if it is nearby.

re: ITF - you need to get an IPIN# for men's open
(it's different in age groups - some tourneys are both Tennis Canada and ITF - at least a senior's tournament in March in Vancouver B.C. I played in was).

Good luck! K_I
Click to expand...

X2...Michael 11, call the Hollyburn club in Vancouver and ask them all the questions you have. There will some players that are just awesome playing that tournament. Be prepared to get your *** kicked big style! :twisted:
 
Michael11 said:
yes i i agree. but the action could be too far away. canada is a big country.
Click to expand...

I dont get this comment. If you are not willing to travel pro tennis isnt gonna work. If you dont have money to travel pro tennis wont work. You have to be willing to fly or drive many hours to go to tournaments.

If you dont wanna fly across Canada go to the Futures in California. They have plenty of them and the level will be good. It will tell you really fast if you can play at that level or not.

Also are you not even playing tournies in your area?

If not this thread is pointless as you have no idea what your level is.
 
maverick66 said:
Also are you not even playing tournies in your area?

If not this thread is pointless as you have no idea what your level is.
Click to expand...

Very valid point. Really it's all for nothing until the OP actually plays a tourney locally.

Here is my suggestion - this should be a good measuring stick - to the OP:

Enter the following local tournament in August:
August 9 - 15, Fraser Valley Open
(see tennisbc.org for details)

It has a 5.0 category (no Open). Of all the local NTRP tournaments this has always had the weakest draw/competition by far (it's end of season plus it's a little outside the city). If you can win the 5.0 convincingly then you for sure should try your ambitions at a higher level. If you can't then I think you may be over-estimating your level of play by quite a bit. I know most of the guys that played the 5.0 last year and really they are strong 4.5 to average 5.0 players so you should be able to clean up if you are the level you claim you are.

Let us know after the 15th how it went. Would love to hear about the results.
 
Very strange thread. What is the name of the 5.5 player the OP routinely beats? There is certainly no need to travel outside BC to play in tournaments against Future level competition.
 
If he's asking and wondering about NTRP then sorry to say but....well we all know the answer.

Anyways, being in BC will get ya no where however since he's from there he should of played the Stanley Park Open this summer. Sign up for Men's Open Singles and see how you do. If you can't make the quarterfinals at least, and I'm being generous here, forget about wasting your time and money on playing ITF Futures.

Lots of people in Canada know d*ck all about what they are taking about with tennis, sadly thats not me being negative thats the truth. They see a half decent junior and say "Wow, you're amazing you should try going pro!" Kid starts to believe it, big fish little pond scenario. After hockey, curling and a little bit of baseball Canada is absolutely clueless when it comes to sports. Its nothing against the OP or his dreams, go after them but be realistic.
 
tennis_balla said:
If he's asking and wondering about NTRP then sorry to say but....well we all know the answer.

Anyways, being in BC will get ya no where however since he's from there he should of played the Stanley Park Open this summer. Sign up for Men's Open Singles and see how you do. If you can't make the quarterfinals at least, and I'm being generous here, forget about wasting your time and money on playing ITF Futures.

Lots of people in Canada know d*ck all about what they are taking about with tennis, sadly thats not me being negative thats the truth. They see a half decent junior and say "Wow, you're amazing you should try going pro!" Kid starts to believe it, big fish little pond scenario. After hockey, curling and a little bit of baseball Canada is absolutely clueless when it comes to sports. Its nothing against the OP or his dreams, go after them but be realistic.
Click to expand...

What you say is true, but I don't think this is a "half decent junior" with delusions, and yes, there are many...in all countries. Were he that, he'd have a coach/coaches, and tourney experience. This is either a troll, an 11 yr old kid, a very stupid adult, or a mentally ill person. :-(

If you actually enter some local tournies/opens and do well, send me a mail. I know some Tennis Canada people who might be able to help/give advice.
 
I don't know, I think he's just been told some things and gotten ideas in his head. Its easier to be exposed to high level tennis in other countries because those types of tournaments are more frequent. In places like BC you got 1 maybe 2 tournaments that are of higher level and after that its just your regular open tournaments that the guys you grew up with playing compete in. Not many outsiders coming in. So it very well may be that he just hasn't been exposed to whats really out there, heard someone compliment his game and now wants to know whats up. My guess is he's around 16 years old or so.

My advice would be train hard of course, thats obvious, but play the Tennis BC men's open tourney around Vancouver, and see how you do. Take a drive down to Seattle as well and play some USPTA men's opens down there. Then you'll have a better understanding of where you stand. Keep in mind that Futures would be a good level above those.

Good luck to you :)
 
tennis_balla said:
I don't know, I think he's just been told some things and gotten ideas in his head. Its easier to be exposed to high level tennis in other countries because those types of tournaments are more frequent. In places like BC you got 1 maybe 2 tournaments that are of higher level and after that its just your regular open tournaments that the guys you grew up with playing compete in. Not many outsiders coming in. So it very well may be that he just hasn't been exposed to whats really out there, heard someone compliment his game and now wants to know whats up. My guess is he's around 16 years old or so.

My advice would be train hard of course, thats obvious, but play the Tennis BC men's open tourney around Vancouver, and see how you do. Take a drive down to Seattle as well and play some USPTA men's opens down there. Then you'll have a better understanding of where you stand. Keep in mind that Futures would be a good level above those.

Good luck to you :)
Click to expand...

I think you're being well...way over generous! LOL. If he was playing regular open tournies, or any open tournies, even in BC, he'd know his level compared to general college level, teaching pro level, very low satellite level etc. He'd be exposed to coaches, players, etc. Whom he could easily ask his questions of, and of course, he'd have credentials/rankings. Were he actually cleaning up, and THEY were the ones telling him to go pro, why not as ask them...why ask strangers on TW? Doesn't know about NTRP, USTA, etc?? Nah....he's one of the categories that I gave above. I applaud you for your tolerance though.
 
I coach juniors for a living, tolerance and patience is needed haha

Well anyways, he never mentioned anything about what he currently plays in, meaning tournaments, his results, rankings, etc. which is why I said I bet someone who thinks they know it all put ideas into his head that he could play Futures. Can he? We won't know, and posting a video on TW Forum is probably the worst he could do as every 3.5 weekend warrior will dissect and criticize his every stroke. "You're not using your legs enough" "Your uhh unit turn is too late" and on and on. Its like you said, if you're at any decent level you'll have people around you to ask. Players, coaches, email Tennis BC (now theres a brilliant idea ;) ). If you need to ask on a tennis forum, you missed the train about 10 years ago.
 
Michael11 said:
fair enough. but aren't the really good players the exceptions ? :) Also, i once practiced with a good player and he couldn't really challenge me at all. later i found out that he practiced with some pro players and also played some big tournaments. never met him again though.

i checked out the tournament infos (the list for 2009) and many required a USTA membership. i just find the whole thing confusing. i should meet with a pro coach and get some advice.
Click to expand...
BIG TOURNAMENTS OPEN DRAW in succession and geoou can do it if people are telling you! Canada rankings are WAY harder than USTA, which is joke. Totally! Do NOT listen to idiotic Americans who know nothing about Tennis nor Sports in general. If you played any other sport they would have spotted you in the play ground at 6 yo for basketball, or in gym class the pool, I got stalked on my mile swim? Hell no, I don’t do race sports over Basketball. So what if I could have gone D1 ? It’s a pool. I like lakes. That’s how much I loved to play. Do you have that ? Then you got it.
Tennis is a NON RECRUIT sport, we don’t even know what tennis is yet. , how old are you ? They only find you at 8 -9 yo. Then nothing. They are poor and strategic. YOU NEED TO DO ROGERS CUP. If you qualify or get your ass over to the USA .. and look up the sanctioned open tournaments. If you beat an ITF player get yo ass to a series of ITF tournaments close in dates and geography and BRING IT!

You might have to come twice because you gotta make it through r the draw and know wtf is going on and then They only have money for like 5 people and they choose them at 8 or 9. They don’t have the money at all like we do, but they are killing the US in top players. Nick K was NOTHING, he just went to a few tennis lessons and they don’t play basketball in Australia. He is totally self taught except being limited in drop shots until 12 when he grew his first 4 inches and won a bit. Then I think 15 he won juniors Wimbledon. Still not much money. Then he grew a damn foot and promptly beat Nadal hung over deep into Wimbledon at barely 18.
He doesn’t even practice and can still beat anyone any day. What? It makes no sense to me that one needs to hit so many balls, 20 min a day is just for tune up. 2 hours max. It’s a martial art it isn’t some you can only play young thing.
The point being, it’s MORE THAN LIKELY it’s CERTAIN that they had to sacrifice and you could be really good- GO! . If people are telling you in Canada to do it, do it! That’s called recruiting! The thing with the Canadian system is they have 1/100000 of the $ into tennis , 1/100 of the population, 1/10000000 of the tennis courts, NONE of the warm weather, So they went big on young and quality. Has nothing to do with you.
Also you can totally win a grand slam later in life. We even had a dude who was like a dub! 2.0 learn himself in a damn barn in fhe USA at like 23 he finally starts winning then wins 7 Wimbledon and tons of Davis cups and wrote 15 books, one about chemistry. They had to play with big ass wooden Racquets rain or shine on grass. Contrary to popular belief it’s harder to play with a tiny Racquet head and a big long handle. It’s called Physics. Science. Small hands harder to hit ball? Long stick heavier and harder to control ? It’s a catapult.
Don’t listen to these idiots and go do it. ITF - open main draws just call. In the late winter spring- California AZ etc. Many at that time. you better come back the next year too! And the next. You just need to be seen and it’s a video game. You are whatever level you try to beat. It doesn’t matter how many times. Of course some might win, they have played the damn 7th level on Super Mario 1000 times since they were 7 yo because Dad or Mom paid someone to play them or Dad or Mom played them. That’s the whole pro tour. End stop. Go now!
 
The OP of this thread showed up almost 13 years ago, peppered this forum with a total of 6 questions over 9 days, all of which could have been answered using Google... and also claimed that they can routinely beat a 5.5 rated player. The advice was solid to sign up for the Stanley Park Open, the qualies for the Oldum Brown Open, or any number of Open events in BC. Not sure if that happened, but the OP never posted again after July 21st, 2010. So why did this thread get resurrected all these years later with the "go now" rah, rah speech that the OP will clearly never read?
 
Jack the Hack said:
The OP of this thread showed up almost 13 years ago, peppered this forum with a total of 6 questions over 9 days, all of which could have been answered using Google... and also claimed that they can routinely beat a 5.5 rated player. The advice was solid to sign up for the Stanley Park Open, the qualies for the Oldum Brown Open, or any number of Open events in BC. Not sure if that happened, but the OP never posted again after July 21st, 2010. So why did this thread get resurrected all these years later with the "go now" rah, rah speech that the OP will clearly never read?
Click to expand...
It’s never too late to play tennis. I really wish people would end that narrative. Now you see why pickle ball is the new Tenetz. I will win in 60 and over USTA Nationals women’s singles. Never haven’t achieved a goal that from the website I only have one lady to beat over 55. So I think I’m good.
 
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