The “Crazy” Tennis Parents

To become a high-level collegiate tennis player or professional, many times there are tough parents or “crazy” tennis parents as some would say, involved in the process.

I believe in tough love, which does not mean that you beat down the child mentally, but you explain and expect that certain things need to be done properly, and if they are not, there are consequences.

Isn’t that what life is about? As a parent, if you make a big mistake at work, you may get fired. If a player in college tennis makes a big mistake, they may get fired as well, which means thrown off the team and in some respects, thrown out of school.

The beauty of tennis is that regardless of the child’s tennis level, you learn so many more important and beneficial skills that you will transfer over to other aspects of your life when you decide to hang your rackets up competitively. It takes a team between the coach and parents to develop a great tennis player. There usually is a monumental driving force behind the athlete and it usually involves a “crazy” parent.

Many coaches do not want to deal with the “crazy” tennis parents, but I can tell you from experience that having parents who are soft and do not expect much from their kids will get a tennis player without much ambition a significantly reduced chance to reach their potential. I like tough tennis parents who expect excellence from their child, because that is what this sport requires.

If becoming the best you can be is your goal, remember, the apple never falls far from the tree, so do not forget that high-level tennis is a game of toughness and many times, that toughness comes from a tough parent, coach, or both.

Lastly, in lieu of “crazy” tennis parent, I prefer to use the term “dedicated and disciplined” parent. Success takes dedication, discipline and ambition from all involved.

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