This morning I had a very
refreshing experience while watching some local college players battling at the
Battle of The Bay Classic in San Francisco.
While USTA junior programs and
tournaments seem to be damaging young enthusiasts by encouraging one-dimensional
athletes and heralding home-schooled players like CC Bellis, NCAA college tennis
programs are dedicated to motivating their student-athletes to achieve a higher
education and a top level of athleticism simultaneously. I enjoyed well behaved
players competing to the best of their abilities without the dominance of
parents and private coaches dictating play.
Every day I am more convinced that
players with balanced lives blossom when they get to the college level. Let’s
encourage our young tennis players to stay in school, to play other sports, and
to have friends outside tennis. These are the kids who will develop into
champions later on. Champions today don’t usually make it out of junior tennis
because they are utterly sick of their sport. The ones who succeed are those who
follow and ENJOY the process of life: learning, working hard, stretching for
goals and building relationships to last a lifetime.