How long do you think it will take to become a pro tennis player? (i'm 15)?

Question

I started playing tennis in seventh grade (age 13). I played for my school tennis team. After the season was over I stoped playing and did other sports. Then in eighth grade my parents wouldn't let me try out for the tennis team, so I just stopped playing tennis. I am now in 9th grade and I am 15. I started playing tennis again and am getting lessons 2 times a week.

I am also going to join team tennis (USTA). I'm also going to join my school tennis team when I'm a sophmore. I am going to nike tennis summer camp for a week. Then I'll go again over christmas vacation for a week.

My coach says I'm good and that I have a lot of potential, btw.

I really want to become pro and I know it's kinda late for me to be getting started, but how long do you think it will take? I want to be pro by the time I am 21....Do you think it is possible?

Also, what other things could I do to get better?

Answer 1

You are going to have to develop very quickly in order to be able to turn pro soon enough to be able to enjoy any kind of success on tour.  The top players on tour started wielding a racquet and playing when they were 5, and probably started playing competitive at a high level by age 12.  That gives them a tremendous head start in terms of developing their games, gaining match experience, and developing physically and mentally.  You can turn pro when you are 21, but you are going to have to set realistic goals for yourself, and you are going to have to commit yourself fully to reaching those goals.  You better also start getting some real match and tournament experience soon, since competitive tennis is in a whole different league from just learning and practicing the game, and playing socially.  Good luck.

Answer 2

You need to really want it.  You need to ask yourself, do I really want it?  Put in a lot of work and one day it could happen.

Answer 3

To tell you the truth, its really rather unlikely that you'd be pro by 21. Most aspiring pros start at around age 5 or 6 and spend the rest of their childhoods focused on tennis. That being said, there are stories like Younes El Aynaoui, who started in his teens and did odd jobs to finance his stay at Bolliteri, at 18. He was ranked 14th in the world at 31.

Basically, I think you should play a couple of juniors tournaments,get yourself a ranking in the nation, keep aspiring to get better, and, after a few years, you should be able to get a good idea of whether turning pro is a good idea. Also, if financially viable, a few months at a tennis academy couldn't hurt.

Answer 4

you could, practise makes perfect!!!