Why do so many tennis players let modelling and photo shoots get in the way of tennis?

[Jokervich]

This mainly seems to be an issue on the WTA tour, but not saying it can't happen on the ATP tour (though it's a lot rarer).

As a lover of tennis, I just find it so sad to see many tennis players let the modelling, photo shoots, magazine covers, endorsements and other off-court activities get in the way of their tennis. It stops them achieving their potential in the game. I suppose the prime example is Anna Kournikova, who in the end pretty much gave up with tennis and made a career from her looks. A current day example is Eugenie Bouchard.

I'm just wondering why they do this? Isn't it so much more fulfilling to achieve great things in the sport, instead of going down this path which very few people admire or respect?

 

[Steve0904]

$$$$$. If you're not that successful a tennis player (like Bouchard), there's more money in modelling.

 

[EloQuent]

 

[Newballs]

You got it...

 

[merwy]

GOAT tennis player
GOAT model

 

[Jokervich]

$$$$$. If you're not that successful a tennis player (like Bouchard), there's more money in modelling.

I'm sure she's already set for life, financially speaking. So she should focus on making the most of her potential in tennis and achieve great things there. I find it depressing to see that she and many others do not do this, and instead let the off-court distractions take precedence.

 

[Alba Barragan]

Who else besides Bouchard is struggling with that? It's a legitimate question. I have seen a few players doing some photo shoots from time to time but I can't find any link between the players who have photo shots, the frequency in which they have them, and how that affects their results.

 

[EloQuent]

Who else besides Bouchard is struggling with that? It's a legitimate question. I have seen a few players doing some photo shoots from time to time but I can't find any link between the players who have photo shots, the frequency in which they have them, and how that affects their results.

also is there any evidence that Bouchard's drop in level has anything to do with her non-tennis success?

 

[Bluefan75]

I'm sure she's already set for life, financially speaking. So she should focus on making the most of her potential in tennis and achieve great things there. I find it depressing to see that she and many others do not do this, and instead let the off-court distractions take precedence.

Ok, I've thought Bouchard has been an attention ***** this whole time, but frankly, this post is absurd. Who are you to tell her what she should be doing, for one, and two, who are you to tell her whether she is set financially or not?

This sounds like projecting.

 

[sureshs]

This mainly seems to be an issue on the WTA tour, but not saying it can't happen on the ATP tour (though it's a lot rarer).

As a lover of tennis, I just find it so sad to see many tennis players let the modelling, photo shoots, magazine covers, endorsements and other off-court activities get in the way of their tennis. It stops them achieving their potential in the game. I suppose the prime example is Anna Kournikova, who in the end pretty much gave up with tennis and made a career from her looks. A current day example is Eugenie Bouchard.

I'm just wondering why they do this? Isn't it so much more fulfilling to achieve great things in the sport, instead of going down this path which very few people admire or respect?

So your entire premise lies on mentioning Anna and Bushy?

Anna was a great success in doubles.

Wozniaki was accused of being too much into glamour and she proved everyone wrong this month.

Your arguments have no factual basis.

 

[Jokervich]

Who else besides Bouchard is struggling with that? It's a legitimate question. I have seen a few players doing some photo shoots from time to time but I can't find any link between the players who have photo shots, the frequency in which they have them, and how that affects their results.

Lots of them. Mainly on the women's tour, because female beauty seems to be a more sought after thing than male beauty (not sure why).

 

[Jokervich]

Ok, I've thought Bouchard has been an attention ***** this whole time, but frankly, this post is absurd. Who are you to tell her what she should be doing, for one, and two, who are you to tell her whether she is set financially or not?

This sounds like projecting.

Yes obviously she can go down this path if she wants, but you will gain far more respect and admiration by achieving things in tennis. Also from a personal standpoint, I find it sad to see that this is the path that she and so many other players go down. When if they didn't let these distractions get the better of them, they could achieve much more in tennis.

 

[Jokervich]

So your entire premise lies on mentioning Anna and Bushy?

Anna was a great success in doubles.

Wozniaki was accused of being too much into glamour and she proved everyone wrong this month.

Your arguments have no factual basis.

I gave 2 examples, but there are far far more.

Wozniaki did win a grand slam and I congratulate her for that, but if she hadn't let those photo shoots and magazine covers get in the way, think of how much more she could have achieved by now. This is what I'm getting at - there is so much lost potential it's unreal.

I think the question all tennis players need to ask themselves is this: Do I want a career in tennis, or do I want a career in the modelling/porn industry? Once they know which one they want, follow that path and become an expert in that particular field.

 

[Deon Sanders]

Professional tennis is just a job at the end of the day

If you could get a better job wouldnt you take it?

Modelling is easier and depending on who you are pays more

 

[millicurie999]

That's just stupid talk. What level do you play? Can you imagine how monotonous their professional lives are? Money is good but my guess is that they just welcome the distractions. Much like you welcome a little weekend tennis after a whole week of desk job.

 

[JMR]

Wozniaki did win a grand slam and I congratulate her for that, but if she hadn't let those photo shoots and magazine covers get in the way, think of how much more she could have achieved by now. This is what I'm getting at - there is so much lost potential it's unreal.

You have absolutely no evidence for any of your conclusions. What you have to prove to us is a causal relationship, not just that non-tennis activity occurs. For all you know, the complete opposite of your assertions could be true. E.g., "The tennis season is way too long and draining. If not for the relaxation and fun of occasional modeling, I'd probably have burned out long ago. Staying sane by enjoying life off the court enabled me to focus better on the court."

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Money.

It’s that simple.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

GOAT tennis player
GOAT model

 

[spirit95]

I'm sure she's already set for life, financially speaking. So she should focus on making the most of her potential in tennis and achieve great things there. I find it depressing to see that she and many others do not do this, and instead let the off-court distractions take precedence.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world who are 'set for life' continue to strive for yet more cash. It seems money is something people continue wanting even after they have more than they can imagine

 

[waarp]

but if she hadn't let those photo shoots and magazine covers get in the way, think of how much more she could have achieved by now.

Absolutely ridiculous statement.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

I hate PETA but Jesus Christ this is brutal.

 

[PDJ]

So your entire premise lies on mentioning Anna and Bushy?

Anna was a great success in doubles.

Wozniaki was accused of being too much into glamour and she proved everyone wrong this month.

Your arguments have no factual basis.

Kournikova gets a bad rap on here. It was frequently reported that she was one of the hardest working pros on the practice court. And she was a great doubles players.
Where she may have fell down was that she didn't play lesser tournaments to achieve more in terms of getting used to winning. However, the WTA and premier tournaments wanted her because she was a huge draw. Probably been none bigger since her, although I guess Sharapova comes close hence the general rush to give her wildcards.

 

[r2473]

Lots of them. Mainly on the women's tour, because female beauty seems to be a more sought after thing than male beauty (not sure why).

You’re not sure why

 

[Deleted member 512391]

I hate PETA but Jesus Christ this is brutal.

Yeah, completely agree. I don't like them either, but this is like a message from hell. But, the amount of fur in Fed's picture sends a similar message.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

This mainly seems to be an issue on the WTA tour, but not saying it can't happen on the ATP tour (though it's a lot rarer).

Not rare at all, Nadal has participated in modeling, photo shoots, etc. for many, many years, as has Murray, Federer, Djokovic, Dimitrov, and lots more.

As a lover of tennis, I just find it so sad to see many tennis players let the modelling, photo shoots, magazine covers, endorsements and other off-court activities get in the way of their tennis. It stops them achieving their potential in the game. I suppose the prime example is Anna Kournikova, who in the end pretty much gave up with tennis and made a career from her looks. A current day example is Eugenie Bouchard.

How can one know these activities prevent further tennis accomplishments? Serena, Venus, Maria and others have basically achieved it all and have modeled extensively.

I'm just wondering why they do this? Isn't it so much more fulfilling to achieve great things in the sport, instead of going down this path which very few people admire or respect?

The two aren't mutually exclusive, in my opinion, and then there's money, fame and fun. I imagine many players enjoy it.

 

[Harry_Wild]

This mainly seems to be an issue on the WTA tour, but not saying it can't happen on the ATP tour (though it's a lot rarer).

As a lover of tennis, I just find it so sad to see many tennis players let the modelling, photo shoots, magazine covers, endorsements and other off-court activities get in the way of their tennis. It stops them achieving their potential in the game. I suppose the prime example is Anna Kournikova, who in the end pretty much gave up with tennis and made a career from her looks. A current day example is Eugenie Bouchard.

I'm just wondering why they do this? Isn't it so much more fulfilling to achieve great things in the sport, instead of going down this path which very few people admire or respect?

Rafa has an underwear endorsements from Armani to Tommy Hilfiger and has other clothing lines too. Now he is Kia's car endorser too!

But when he has time; he shoots magazine covers too!

 

[justasport]

The power of the mighty dollar.

 

[Alba Barragan]

Lots of them. Mainly on the women's tour, because female beauty seems to be a more sought after thing than male beauty (not sure why).

I'm waiting for more examples than just those two.

Right now I can think of at least 5 active players who have been able to deal with having photo shoots ('cause calling them models is stupid when most of those photo shoots are part of interviews about their tennis careers) and having good results at the same time:

-Muguruza had like four photo shoots in the period between the clay season all the way to the grass season of last year, right before her Wimbledon run that got her the title.
-Stephens did at least 3 during the last months of last year during her amazing hard court season and before winning the US Open (after then her level dropped, but still).
-Svitolina, especially during the first half of last year, at the same time of the best period of her career so far (winning two Internationals and three Premier 5 in the span of a few months).
-Pliskova, she didn't have them with high profile magazines, but she did have quite a few last year when she reached #1.
-Mirza, back in 2015 I saw her everywhere, at the same time she was the best doubles player in the world and was sweeping almost every tournament with Hingis.

And let's not even go with the case of Serena, the queen of being in photo shoots, music videos, red carpets and parties all while being the most dominating player tennis has seen. There are some cases of female players struggling with having both media attention and focusing on tennis, but the same can be said about the number of women who have been able to deal with both successfully. All in all, it comes down to the different personalities of each person, not to women's' inability to do well on both.

 

[Harry_Wild]

I'm waiting for more examples than just those two.

Right now I can think of at least 5 active players who have been able to deal with having photo shoots ('cause calling them models is stupid when most of those photo shoots are part of interviews about their tennis careers) and having good results at the same time:

-Muguruza had like four photo shoots in the period between the clay season all the way to the grass season of last year, right before her Wimbledon run that got her the title.
-Stephens did at least 3 during the last months of last year during her amazing hard court season and before winning the US Open (after then her level dropped, but still).
-Svitolina, especially during the first half of last year, at the same time of the best period of her career so far (winning two Internationals and three Premier 5 in the span of a few months).
-Pliskova, she didn't have them with high profile magazines, but she did have quite a few last year when she reached #1.
-Mirza, back in 2015 I saw her everywhere, at the same time she was the best doubles player in the world and was sweeping almost every tournament with Hingis.

And let's not even go with the case of Serena, the queen of being in photo shoots, music videos, red carpets and parties all while being the most dominating player tennis has seen. There are some cases of female players struggling with having both media attention and focusing on tennis, but the same can be said about the number of women who have been able to deal with both successfully. All in all, it comes down to the different personalities of each person, not to women's' inability to do well on both.

The top tennis model is still Maria Sharapova! Most of all her income is from modeling

 

[Alba Barragan]

The top tennis model is still Maria Sharapova! Most of all her income is from modeling

Agree, she's a beast in merchandising whose mere name is an empire worth millions, let's not even go with her image, and is another clear example of how women are capable of having good results and being public figures.

 

[Jmauer]

I think it depends on the person. Some pro tennis players can do the off court stuff and balance it with their play. Some cannot. I imagine that, for a player like Anna (or Eugenie today) there must be a great temptation to really cash in on the off court stuff when there is a question of doubt relating to one's tennis goals. When a player is struggling to achieve his or her potential, and the hard work they have done for many years seems to ALMOST get you there, but you can't get over that line (whatever that goal/expectation is), I'm betting that going the model/promotional route appears that much more enticing.

I could envision a player's mentality going something like this:

"Why am I busting my hump on the practice court, day after day, week after week, year after year, to win X, when X is not even guaranteed... when I could be spending more of that work time doing shoots or advertisements or whatever and getting paid far more than I ever will be winning X in the first place?"

Just my .02 on the mentality that I imagine a player would have when faced with that kind of a situation.

 

[Bukmeikara]

Tstvena Pironkova from Bulgaria is/was considered from the top tier of beautiful women on the Tour. IMO she is so into Instagram and whole the idea to make hundreds of stupid pictures to somehow satisfy her need to be liked. It may seem harmless but it really gets you out of focus and concentration. I think that is a big part of her incredible unconsistency.

 

[Fintft]

It's easy to go for the oldest profession in the world or its variations.