Do you have to play college tennis to go pro?

Question

I am wondering because I might not make college and if i get better with that time off not playing in college is there a chance if i enter serious tournaments....i am 15

Answer 1

no, the mayority of pros didn't go to college

Answer 2

No, you do not.  But if you could, try to at least get a degree if tennis doesn't work out for you.  I wish you good luck.

Answer 3

No, in fact most professional players do not.

Answer 4

John Isner played in college before his breakthrough at Washington last year.

If you like tennis, go for it! But you need to work hard for it.

Nicole David, squash player, started to play squash at 16. She's the current world #1 and has won multiple world titles. I hope that inspires you.

Good luck.

Answer 5

no, most players dont even have a degree. But alot of people say that it is a good way to transition into the pro circuit. I'm 15 as well, and planning on playing college tennis and maybe (possibly :]) go on to proffesional tennis.Also you get a degree and sometimes (like in John Isner's case) a head's up because he was already recognized in college tennis so he was noticed alot when he became a pro.

Answer 6

Cam, no you don't need to, and most Pro's don't either.

You can go right into tournaments and playing satellites and challengers.

I would suggest that you finish highschool either via some school like the Bolletierri Academy or a regular highschool with a loose schedule that will give you time off for tennis.

Play USTA tournaments and maybe even play up in the 18's to see how you fair against the big boys.

Play both 16 and under and 18 and under at tournaments if they will allow it.  It is a good way to see how you fair against your own age group and the older guys since at your age a few years is a big difference.

When you start winning every tourni you enter then enter some Open's.

Then the satelites, challengers, qualifiers and finally maindraws.

Answer 7

No you don't have to play in college to go pro. I've played tennis since I was about 5, played through my school years in Russia, and high school and now college here in America. It's more of a basic way to get you ready for the pro-circuit if that's what you want to do. But anybody can become a professional tennis player, you just have to have the dedication to it and be willing to work yourself higher on the pro-circuit. There was recently an actress who quit hollywood to begin playing on the pro-circuit. A majority of players today didn't play in college, don't have any degrees at all actually, my coach is a former pro player and she went for it right after high school. It's just about going for it and being willing to work.