Comments on: Should My Child Participate In Tennis Tournaments?

By: iCaleb

iCaleb — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:15:07 +0000

Tomaz,

Thanks for the reply. That makes a lot of sense. I do think she could use some more coordination and speed (probably in that order). I appreciate your advice.

By: Tomaz

Tomaz — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:07:18 +0000

Hi ICaleb,

It depends how well the rhythm of the serve is. If the kid has a good rhythm of the serve and can hit the ball fast when most of the body parts are coordinated and she holds a forehand grip, then I would also start to change to continental.

But if she cannot hit well even with the forehand grip, then I would look to develop the general movement first so that she can generate power and would later change to continental.

If she is taught continental too early, she will not hit fast. Rather she will try to do the “correct technique” and that will break down the fluid movement.

By: iCaleb

iCaleb — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:50:30 +0000

My daughter is 10 years old, has been taking group lessons for a year, and likes tennis a lot. She has just started learning to serve from the baseline over the last few weeks. This week, we just tried out a new (more serious) group lesson and she really liked it. But the instructor there asked her to try serving with a continental grip and pronating on a flat serve.

I had thought that this was taught to kids when they got a bit older (maybe 12-13). But is it okay to teach her the “real” serves (flat with pronation, slice, and kick) this early?

As of now, she just serves with the Eastern forehand grip. But is it better to switch now, so she doesn’t have to start over down the road?

Thanks!

By: Arif Iftikhar

Arif Iftikhar — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:23:10 +0000

she must play tournaments if you want to judge a player confidence you have to see his matches.most of the player are very good on practice but they cant play in matches.if you want to make him professional tennis player she has to play tournaments but in the begining if she loses dont worry about results but her attitude,confidence and how much she is focus.

By: ustennisparents

ustennisparents — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:49:51 +0000

Dear Tennis Thoughts,

this is not 100% related to your article, but I am wondering if that is of any interest to you and your readers:

Is the USTA discriminating with a tournament rule “English only on the court”?

We are raising our children in a way that they understand treating other kids different based on their ethnic background is just wrong. Tennis is an international sport and we need to accept the fact that there are players from different ethnic backgrounds. What would you say, if we discriminate our own youngsters by setting rules that kids are not allowed to speak in their native language. We are enforcing juniors in the US with a “English only policy” and if they use a different language we penalize them. So for me to make a difference starts right at our own doorsteps. Please read further at:
http://ustennisparents.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/is-there-usta-discrimination-against-our-juniors/

By: Zack

Zack — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:10:07 +0000

You guys need to become leftys. I’m lefty and win 69% of my tournaments. I am only twelve but I serve over 105 miles per hour. I normally practice 15 minutes a day 6 times a week. The reason why I win is because I pratice against sophmores even though I am in 7th Grade.

By: Tomaz

Tomaz — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:02:08 +0000

Hi Arkadi,

She should play around 20 tournaments per year at this age. Although you must try to find the appropriate level for her so that she wins at least 40% of matches. Preferrably around 60%…

If you cannot find official matches, have her play practice matches with players of the same level. Also, don’t neglect having her play with an ocassional lower level player and ocassional higher level player.

By: arkadi

arkadi — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:46:42 +0000

Hi Tomaz,
My daughter is 10. We are living in eastern Europe and she make tennis training, like Slovenians, 6 time a week plus 3 time per week physical and soccer. It is not enough competitions for 10 years old in our region and she took part in some G12. But she loose in the first/second match. How many tournament do you recommend her to take part per year or per month.

By: Tomaz

Tomaz — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:19:26 +0000

Hi Richard,

Hard to say if I don’t see your serve but most likely you just lack practice. Hitting a reasonably fast serve into that small service box takes a lot of practice…

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:13:32 +0000

i have a problem with my serve i was tought to serve like serena williams because my coach asked me how serve i think is probly the best i chose hers. but i can get the trough up and angle right can u please tell me how tto get it right and what i am doing wrong