A Parent Talks About Top Obstacles for American Tennis Players

The following letter has come from a tennis mom. Let’s read and discuss it.

Great thread and comments! Tennis mom, 11-year-old playing since 4, trains full-time, year-round etc. (Hawaii)– my perspective is both personal as well as global/community. All here are savvy/ well-informed coaches etc. and may agree with these top obstacles for American tennis players:

1. We are not as ‘hungry’ as juniors in other countries (for many it’s all they’ve got);
2. We lack ‘competitive edge’–not enough travel to ITF’s /junior circuits to get the competitive match play they need;
3. Few can bankroll a pro tour after college or Juniors (travel expenses, pay a training coach);
4. Even if they could have a good run at it–they can’t sustain themselves because professional tennis players don’t make enough money to support themselves.

I like the idea of inviting all NCAA players to a year’s trial training at a center and see who really has the grit after that to launch a pro career. But one better might be to initiate a stipend program sponsored by USTA whereby juniors from across the nation apply for ‘advancement’ funds. Criteria?… based on a demonstrated commitment by the athlete–grit, passion, training/conditioning full-time, etc.

A letter of interest or a video of stated goals, degree of interest, etc. In addition a short video clip of the player’s talent and a coach’s endorsement letter (character/attitude, sportsmanship/ leadership). This will ‘weed out’ if it’s the parents’ dream or the child’s. It would also be motivational for some who may need to improve their attitude, degree of how hard they want to work to excel (I don’t want to sprint/go to the gym…these ones ‘need not apply’).

Well, you get the picture. Here in Hawaii where we can play year-round and have tournaments 2 on average a month ( very few comparatively) but we have very few junior players due to cost and even fewer who can travel to other Islands because a weekend tournament is 1000 bucks easy (airplane, hotels, rental car, food). I am certain high travel expense applies to many others in various regions.

But lucky me, my child begs to play, never complains, runs extra when asked, and would stay til midnight training if I let her. She loves tennis for herself and that is one blessing. Yes, tournament travel is cost-prohibitive for us but we enter all on our own Island ( 1 hr travel typically) and love it! So many eloquent solutions for American tennis.

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