How hard is it to become professional?

             Around 17/18 years old the junior players who have potential try to be professional. Tennis is one of the most competitive sports there is as only 100 players will be able to live from this sport out of thousands. This blog analyzes the path junior players have to take to make it to a professional level.

This year, in 2019 the ITF revisited the rules for the pro tournaments. To get ATP points (Professional point corresponding to your ranking), one player has to go through a lot of steps. First, he has to go through the pre-qualification of a tournament $25,000 minimum, then, if he wins those rounds he can go to the qualification draw of the same tournament, and after winning all his rounds the player can participate in the main draw of the tournament. He will earn one ATP point only if he is in the final of the main draw. Before that, the player won't earn any point.

But here is the problem: one point is nothing. For example, Dominic Thiem, who is ranked #5 ATP has 4765 points. The top #500, Giovanni Fonio has 11 ATP points. So the difference between top-ranked players and lower ranking is huge. To get to the same level, lower-ranked players need to do years of tournaments or have a great win one day.

More than being a highly competitive sport, tennis is also an extremely expensive sport. Let's take the example of the same $25,000 tournament. A player will have to pay $50 dollars to go to the pre-qualification and then another $40 to get in the qualification before being able to make it to the main draw. When in the main draw, a player really makes some money when he reaches the final and of course if he wins. But even in winning, the money earned probably doesn't cover all the expenses of the player to practice, pay his coach, and the expenses related to the tournament. 

To conclude tennis is a highly competitive sport where it is a hardship to get a good ranking and is also an extremely expensive sport that can put you in debt if you don't have the victories. 

How to get a tennis scholarship in the US? (International Players)

           A lot of junior tennis player dreamt, besides to be professional, to go play college tennis in the US. It is one of the only opportunities juniors have to keep playing the sport they love for a few more years. Going to study in the US represents an opportunity for any player in the world as they can experience the "American dream," while getting a valuable diploma in English, and as I said before, they get to play their sport longer. But, for many, going to the US is only worth it if they get a good scholarship. Indeed, college is very expensive and the price for one year can vary from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on the university. So, what is the best way for a player to get a good scholarship and make this dream come true?

Photo Credit: Jeff Pourchier

An easy answer would be: You need a good level. Well, this is true but there are some other factors that could help you catch the attention of the coaches. 

First of all, as you know the first impression matters a lot. Here, the first impression that the coach will have is on the video that the players will send him. The video is a requirement for any player to be recruited. So, the players need to make it look as good as possible. This video should be based on the following:

• A total of approximately 8-10 minutes.
• 10-30 seconds introduction of the player in English.
• 2 minutes baseline hitting
• 1 minute volley and overheads
• 1 minute serves and returns
• 5 minutes of points

In college tennis, doubles are important and a lot of coaches will appreciate better a player who can go the net and volley. It is important to show that in the video as it will give the player a big advantage.

Photo Credit: Jeff Pourchier

After really putting the effort into your video, you need to make sure you send it to the coaches and share it enough time before recruitment starts. This will give more options about where to go, as more coaches will have seen the video.

Finally, I highly recommend you to participate in the recruiting tournaments. Those tournaments are organized especially to recruit players for college. A lot of coaches are present and you can find those tournaments not only in the US but in different countries of the world as well.