I'm 16 and I started to play tennis recently and I got soo into it that I want, if I can, become a pro.
I have dedicated on perfecting my tennis and all but is it still possible for me to become a pro??
since most pros started at a really young age.
please I need an honest answer can I still be one??
2007-03-14 16:51:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Tennis
Yes it is possible!
I just need to be seriously dedicated and take every chance you can take. just start with USTA and play any match that you can possibly play, win points and finally reach super champs! then when you think you're ready sign up for Pro-Tennis!
I think that anyone can do it as long as that is their main goal.
2007-03-14 16:58:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possible? Yes.
Likely? No.
Start taking lessons asap. The longer you practice using poor mechanics, the longer you'll remain a lesser player.
I started at 15 and ended up on the satellite tour (think minor leagues) after playing 4 years at a Div I college. I also played at least 4-6 hours daily and rarely missed two days in a row in 7 years.
When starting late, any time off from tennis will drop your level at a much faster rate than someone who started, say, at age 5.
Watch tennis. Tape matches. Read Tennis Magazine. Visit the USTA site. Find an instructor to help you get your strokes grooved and using proper technique. Get yourself in phenominal shape. Practice every single day. And play matches whenever possible.
It's typically not a sport someone just has a natural ability for. Even great athletes find tennis challenging, because it is! You're running around hitting a moving ball, having to clear a net and place it inside of the lines...it's just not an easy thing to do consistently.
2007-03-15 04:48:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's really hard to say, but I wouldn't say the "force is with you" on this one. I play internationally, and am shooting for the same goal--to play pro and not only pro but be in the top 20.
I started when I was nine and a half, and even That is considered late. All of the people I am competing with started about when they were 4 and 5.
Experience is something that is catching up with me, and its been making things tough lately.
But, playing pro isn't really much. You can pay to get a wild card into a little pro tournament where the prize money for first place is about 2,000 dollars...
You could be terrible and still be considered "Pro" even though... to be considered pro I believe you have to play in a 75,000....
I honestly would work hard, see where you get when your twenty... and most likely you can get into a decent college with a partial or full scholarship.
But again, you could already be amazing and I don't know what I'm talking about... really... so... i don't know
2007-03-15 11:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by JanetB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are looking at 8-10 years of hard work with playing tennis nearly everyday or, atleat studying something tennis related. To become pro you need to make up the time that most have; get a coach and train your butt off. Play tourneys, pick up games, practice serves when you have no one to play with. It is true, most pros start at 5 or 6-years-old, that means by your age they have 10 years of tennis. I wish you all the best and hope it works out for you though.
2007-03-14 18:15:24 · answer #4 · answered by mattlayer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! It is possible!
Remember Martina Navratilova won her last Grand Slam at age 49 (not sure on the exact age but I know she's on her 40s when she won it). This means you can play high level tennis at age 40. When you think about it you still have 33 years to perfect your tennis game (49 - 16).
But it will take extreme dedication and belief on yourself no matter what other people say to make your dream happen. Anything is possible as long as you put your mind into it. Goodluck and I hope you still pursue your tennis goals. (Kinda strange because I'm asking myself that same question and I'm a lot older than you... and yes I believe I could still achieve my tennis aspirations)
2007-03-15 08:11:12 · answer #5 · answered by pinoy_tennis_ace 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i think that you can be a pro! Ofcourse chances are if someone takes up a hobby at a young age he has more possibilities of mastering it but i really thing that there are no boundaries especially in something like tennis. For example you cant play football at 45 and go pro but tennis is a sport you can master anytime. I wish you the best of luck, Cheers!
2007-03-14 16:59:05 · answer #6 · answered by tom b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, there are really slim chances of you becoming a professional. But if you really work hard for it and give your all then you may be able to become a pro. If you're like good enough to become a pro at age 18 or 19 then you can make it. But if you don't think that you can make it at maybe 20 through 24 then chances are that you won't become a pro. What is your national, junior and midwest or whatever you're in rankings?
2007-03-15 09:42:38 · answer #7 · answered by Dijahpoo 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you're talented enough and dedicate yourself to the sport, your age will not be a huge factor in the equation.
At this point, your focus should be on playing at a high collegiate level as a stepping stone to the pro tour.
2007-03-14 20:35:51 · answer #8 · answered by zapcity29 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can most of the people I train are around 18 and up I had one that was 26 and he became a pro don't give up
2015-11-02 16:03:26 · answer #9 · answered by ash 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont want to sound mean, but probably no. most pro's start playing at a very early age, and to become pro, u need to play a lot of tournaments and get ranked. im not saying it's impossible, but very very unlikely. keep working on it though...u never know
2007-03-14 17:00:41 · answer #10 · answered by fetterfetty 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋