Is there still hope on becoming a pro tennis player, at least in the top 60?

Question

Im 5'6 and im slim built and athletic, but Im 22 years old (is that too old) I use to play as a kid, but never took any serious lessons. I still have no serve really. But over all I think Im about a 4-5 out of 10 ( or a 2.5-3.0 in tennis) I'm really into tennis right now and have been practicing everyday. I'm hoping to finaly get my USTA membership and take some lessons at a college, but I have no serious money for serious lessons and serious equipment (Im useing my Babolat Pure Power 360/ zylon360 right now, not too bad) Tennis is all I got left, and all I care about right now, so I wonder, do I still have a shot???

ok, at least top 150.

Answer 1

You have only one chance and that would be to enroll in a tennis academy and practice 8-10 hours a day and that would cost serious money. Also you would be extremely short for a tennis player. Most pro tennis players are 6 foot and up. There is no way you could make the top 60. What I'm telling you to do might get you in the top 500 in 10 years and then you would be to old to play. I hope I didn't shoot your dreams, but you would have a better chance winning the lottery twice.

Answer 2

If you have got the will power, then it is not impossible; but there is a very very slim chance that you will make it to the top 60, please don't feel bad. I would say every one of the top 1000 tennis players( well, not just tennis, it applies to every other sport), works really hard right from childhood. Since you have had some tennis earlier, it won't be too difficult to catch up. But the real thing is to win matches. You are a bit old to start it, but that should not let you down. Always try to learn from others, even if they are 10 year olds. You have pull yourself out of everything else and shift your entire focus on tennis, because it is all that you have got left with. If everything goes right, why, Federer might be praising you in the next 5-6 years!! All the best!! At least you are lucky to know how to play tennis, I have not even seen a tennis racquet in my life. It is my favourite sport, but then it is the 'rich man's' sport. Anyway, :-) !

Answer 3

There's only one way to find out. You should enter a few lower level, local or regional, tournaments and see how you do. Don't get discouraged if your first try is a flop. There's a lot more pressure playing in a tournament than practicing, and it may take you a while to get used to that. All the talent in the world won't be enough if you can't control your nerves. You also can't base an assessment of whether or not you're "good enough" on one match or even one tournament, so enter quite a few. If you have success at the smaller level, then enter yourself into larger tournaments. Depending on how big a tournament it is, you may need to play qualifying rounds to get into the tournament. But just take it one level at a time. You'll know if and when you're ready to move up. As for your age; if you're talented enough, it doesn't matter. You can still have a decent length career. Agassi played until he was 36. He was older than a lot of the guys on the senior tour. Even then, it was the back injury that forced him out, not his age. In tennis, like life in general, you're only as old as you feel. Besides, if you're just starting out, you won't have the physical wear and tear of a typical 22 year old player. You'll feel younger than most players your age. Don't focus too much on rankings and prize-money though. You've got to play for the sake of playing. It's important to enjoy the game. If you do well, the rewards will come naturally. Even if the worst comes to the worst and you realize that you are unlikely to be able to make a living playing tennis, you'll at least have the satisfaction of knowing you tried. Better that than looking back when you're 50, thinking "If only I'd given it a shot".

Answer 4

Top 60, well that's going to be quite a challenge...There's a least 10,000 people who have been playing since they were 5 (like me =]) and practice everyday, weekends are for matches. But if you start practicing everyday for at least 2 hours, in 2 years you might have a chance of getting into the top 1000. Serving is a really big part of the tour. If you can serve around 100mph, then you'll be okay, for a while. Start training on your own since you don't have money, with college life and all. Balancing everything is going to be pretty hard, but possible. 22 is kinda late, but you still have 10 years to 'get in there' so keep trying.

P.S. Start playing in tournaments, you'll probably lose against the 'all stars' but it's great practice and motivation.

Answer 5

Haha! Are you kidding me? Man if you have no serve (first of all) you are Kapput. 22 is waaayyy to old to start and if you have no money you are screwed up also.

Tough luck dude.

Try Mcdonalds, I hear they have a new burger which they let emplyees eat if it falls ont he floor :P