Chances of Going Pro?

The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible.  Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo

What are my child’s chances of going Pro?

What are my child’s chances of going pro? is a question I am asked over and over again by parents. To answer this question, I have designed another fun “Pop Quiz” as a guide. Take the quiz and you will formulate your own opinion as to what your child’s chances are of becoming a Professional.

Let’s assume that your child wants to play at a top Division 1 University or on the Professional Tour. They already possess keen strokes and a solid physical foundation. The real issue is: Do their words match their actions? Simply answer each question Yes or No. Then check your child’s score at the end.

Attitude

1. Does your child posses a genuine love for the game of tennis? Yes/No
2. Is your child being trained to be self-reliant? Yes/No

Commitment

1. Does your child work on-court training an average of 20 hours a week? Yes/No
2. Does your child accept that they cannot be a Champion and be a normal teenager? (They have to pick one.)Yes/No

Fitness

1. Does your child work off -court an average of 6 hours per week on their speed, strength, flexibly, and core stability? Yes/No
2. Does your child do exercises designed to prevent common injuries? Yes/No

Competitiveness

1. Does your child work on how to handle frustration? Yes/No
2. Does your child LOVE the pressure of competitive tennis? Yes/No

Confidence

1. Is your child comfortable in stressful situations? Yes/No
2. Does your child spend time after tournaments discovering and overcoming re-occurring nightmares? Yes/No

Problem Solving

1. Is your child willing to overcome hardships and adversity? Yes/No
2. Is your child able to handle the many unfair barriers of our sport? Yes/No

Focus

1. Does your child use proper pre-match, between points, and changeover rituals? Yes/No
2. Does your child control nervousness and distractions? Yes/No

Tactical Knowledge

1. Does your child have well-rehearsed plans to beat the different styles of opponents? Yes/No
2. Has your child developed two meaningful weapons? Yes/No

A Full Time Tennis Parent

1. Is there a primary tennis parent willing to accept the responsibility, time commitment, and finances of managing a junior tennis champion’s career? Yes/No
2. Do you chart and/or video tape matches then review them with your child? Yes/No

Mental and Emotional Skills

1. Have you begun to focus on building your child’s “Tool Belt” with hundreds of mental and emotional tools that they will need to compete at the highest level? Yes/No
2. Do you have a detailed long and short term goal list and the time management skills required to meet those goals? Yes/No

Scoring the Test

0-2 Yes Answers – Relax and enjoy your normal kid
3-5 Yes Answers – You will need a Miracle
6-10 Yes Answers – Major changes have to be made
11-14 Yes Answers – Your child has a serious shot at Greatness!
15-20 Yes Answers – Pack your bags for Wimbledon!

Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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