Is it too late to be a pro athlete?

Question

I mean, I wanna be a Pro Tennis player, but to tell you honestly I have NEVER played tennis.. I only watch it on TV, but I can't play, because

1. Don't have a place to play(real tennis court)
2. Don't have playmate/s(I'm not looking for a Pro tennis player, just someone who knows how to play the sport, problem is even that kind of person is not in here)
3. Don't have racquet(well that one's easy but why will I buy if I don't even have the chance to play the sport..?!)

I've been a fan of the sport since I was 16, and I watch the games on TV(Grand Slams-- Wimbledon, US Aussie French Open..) but I have NEVER ever played it. sometimes I act like I'm playing it, like re-enacting I'm serving and/or volleying, y know things like that, but never really played it.

By the way I'm 17.

Please I need some encouragement, and/or advice...

Answer 1

It's never to late to follow your dreams but I don't think you have the get-up-and-go to do it. You've made a list of excuses why you can't do it.
You should make a list of things that you are going to do and get out there and get started. You need to practice, practice, practice. Not dream about it.
You can really do it if you really put your mind to it. They have indoor tennis courts so you have no excuse not to do it on rainy days.
So, what do you think? Are you going to get off of your butt and get started. You can if you really want to.
Go for it.

Answer 2

Well. It depends on what u got. If you live somewhere where u can get a membership somewhere where there is always an open court, u should get it. Then probably if u are totally serious, get a personal tennis coach, but not until you are actually pretty good and wouldnt drive him/her crazy, cuz it will make things more productive. Now, there has to be some people at school, church or whatever that are pretty good players and could help you. Or try a local tennis store that would sell tennis stuff and make a flyer so if anybody would like to help you, they can call you. Then it will make it a whole lot more possible if you are a very good athlete and can play just about any sport, or at least look good playing any. I know I started when i was like 8 or 9, but i wasnt totally serious about it and I didnt have the money to do anything with it anyway. But, i am a really good athlete so i picked it up pretty quickly. So if you are really serious, practice every day, and once you get the basics down and get pretty good, you can also practice, at least serving, on your own. I kno that i would go out an play w/ u if i was close cuz i dont have anybody to play with either. so, Good luck!

Answer 3

The odds are that you'll never make it to Wimbledon, but you still could learn well enough to be a local star, if you're willing to spend the time learning, practicing, etc. Even then, if you don't become a local star, you can still enjoy the game, and just have fun on weekends with friends. I didn't start playing until I was in my 40's, and I'm having a ball playing once a week.

The best thing I can suggest is to either find a friend with 2 racquets, and go try a few games, or go to the local sporting goods store, get a racquet, and practice on the wall at a court in a park. Learn a basic forehand and backhand ground stroke, and a basic serve, and then just spend an afternoon messing around. If you like it, sign up for a course at a tennis facility, or ask your school if they have a someone who can teach tennis in the gym class, or check the local adult ed. program, or take a tennis class through the local community college.

Answer 4

I don't think so. The only thing that i can suggest is joining a tennis team at college, in your community or with some other organization to hone your skills. I think George Foremen played professional boxing in his late 40's.

Answer 5

I doubt that you will ever be a pro unless you practice like 6 hours a day. Most pros started when they were like 4 or 5. You should take lessons somewhere if you wanna start playing, but put pro out of your mind.

Answer 6

It's gonna take a lot of practice. I've played it before and I sucked bad. I was athletic enough, but the key to tennis is HAND-EYE coordination and that doesn't come naturally. Get to work NOW!!!!

Answer 7

Sorry, you are too far behind the curve on this one. The only chance you might have is if you are an absolute freak of nature, in which case you would be dominating in every other activity or sport you already have opportunity to participate in.

Answer 8

since your're 17, you better get crackin. a lot of the phenoms have been playing since they were 5 years old, so you have A LOT of catching up to do. good luck with it and hopefully you don't suck too bad, although you most definately will at first.

Answer 9

it's never too late to do anything in life. how successful you'll be is another matter. with determination, hard work, and a little luck, You Can Do It.