What seperates a pro tennis player from a good recreational tennis player?

Question

Is it being able to return serves at speeds of 120+ mph? Is it speed, endurance, power, quickness, mentality?

Answer 1

Must say, It is the above, but you are leaving out some important factors:

1.  Talent

2.  Motivation

3.  Hard work

Despite what one might think, a pro athlete will make the choice to go pro at the age of 10-12.   They will dedicate the rest of their life to tennis in order to make it big.  

More importantly, they need the tools (form and technique, raw talent, speed etc)  before the age of 12.  If they dont have this they will be nothing.  

You will notice pros all have the same important fundamentals in their strokes with slight variations in their game (refered to as their "style".)  

Tennis is one of the hardest sports to make it in.  Reason being that it is a world sports.  You have competition from EVERYWHERE.  Therefore, you must have everything.  There is no small combination that will get you there.  The best in college may not make a dime on tour.  The best must really be the best.

Answer 2

They are better and have more power.

Answer 3

Except for the level of play, tournaments they enter and insane amounts of money they make there is absolutely no difference between a pro and recreational player.

Answer 4

as far as talent... sometimes nothing.

i would say money and determination.

its easy to devote your life to something when you have money and dont have any worries. im not at all saying recreational tennis players dont have determination, but some of the pros are able to travel, join in whatever they need, etc...

Answer 5

Desire, dedication, training, agility, strength, quickness, tenacity, endurance seperate the pro from the recreational.

Answer 6

the money

Answer 7

Yes.

Answer 8

BIG difference in the bank account -)