“Play a team sport”: Swiatek, Draper, Kokkinakis conflicted on wisdom of aiming to be a pro
The players who have been through it know that the sacrifices, dedication and sheer hard work is not for everyone
Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
Making it as a tennis professional is notoriously difficult. Aside from the obvious talent required, the dedication, sacrifices and sheer hard work means that the percentage of people who set out trying to make it on Tour and who actually make it is infinitesimally small.
And while those who do make it are hugely proud of their efforts, many of them know that the effort required is so great that they’d be reluctant to encourage others to do it themselves.
“I kind of feel bad saying this, but when I have parents come up to me about their kids saying they want to get into tennis, I try and shy them away from it,” Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis said.
“It’s probably not what tennis wants to hear. But honestly, if they knew, unless you’re a really, really good prospect and and you have financial backing, they do not understand. If there is a team sport, go play that, you will get looked after better. “
Specialising too soon
In many countries, the obsession with trying to find young players early and train them hard means they often focus on one sport alone, when they would have liked to play other sports too.
British player Jack Draper said variety is important and that specialising too soon, too young, is not the way to go.
“I think my parents were very good with me sort of being open to every sport. I played a lot of football. I always played tennis, but my weekends would be I’d play Saturday league and then I’d play some tournament on Sunday or something. I’d play a couple of matches.
“I see these young kids being sort of tutored from the age of 8 to 10. I honestly believe that’s not the right way to do it. If I was a parent and I wanted my kid to be good at tennis, I’d definitely maybe put them into other sports, let them learn different skills, being in a team environment, being in individual, all these types of things because I know from my journey especially, I kind of started working like a professional when I was 15, 16 and there were times I felt burned out as well even in those two years afterwards. I can’t imagine what that’s like for someone who starts fully going into it at 10 years old. I just think that’s honestly really unhealthy.
“If I was a parent, I’d definitely let my kid do every other sport, learn how to sort of enjoy the sports they’re playing and if they become really great at tennis, then obviously maybe take it a bit more serious.”
Swiatek: Parents should be open-minded
In addition to the physical attributes required to be a top-level player, tennis pros need incredible hand-eye co-ordination and technical skills. Moreover, they need to be mentally strong.
“For sure it’s not the easiest sport,” women’s world No 1 Iga Swiatek said. “Also, you need to be individual. I know many people that would fit better probably in some sport with a team.
“Parents are to judge, and it would be nice if they wouldn’t force this on a kid because at some point their children are going to figure it out on their own. They should just kind of look at them with an open-minded kind of approach and not being stubborn about just picking one sport.
“I guess it always starts from having fun. Then if the person is good enough, they may try being pro, and then this person is going to become an adult, and will decide on their own.”
