What do YOU think?

[kuzkasate]

Okay so basically my friend is like 15 or 16, yes I know its bad I don't know his age But basically, we had this little debate about tennis.

After watching Wimbledon for the first time, he now wants to start tennis and wants to become a pro and hopefully get into Wimbledon :rolleyes:

I told him straight. It's not going to happen. Only a small minority get into pro's and most of them start at a very early age.

But he said 'well loads of people are saying that it doesn't matter what age you start at, as long as you have a good athletic ability and if you dedicate the rest of your life and time to tennis, why wouldn't I get on Wimbledon?'

I suppose he does have a point and then he got this interview up with Sharapova's coach where he said that age didn't matter, as long as you're actually good at it and will make tennis your whole life.

I think he's still gonna go ahead with it though and maybe, just maybe he will get that far, but I'm not convinced. What do you think, should he bother or should I persuade him to just leave it and do something else rather than waste his time?

[AgnesIO]

He is wasting his time, and it seems like he lives in a dreamland.

[kuzkasate]

He is wasting his time, and it seems like he lives in a dreamland.

That's what I originally thought, plus tennis is quite expensive aswell so I don't want him to waste loads of money on it and then not get anywhere. Fair enough if he just wanted to do it for like fun or a hobby, but he doesn't. He is determined to get somewhere. Maybe he will, because he is so determined idk :S

[Robi]

Seems very unrealistic, seeing as most sports you have to play for some time to get good at, tennis is one of them. But it's his life, let him make his own choices, he will soon regret it!

[dbgtz]

Unlikely, but he may be amazing naturally... unlikely I guess. I was actually looking at some girl who is in her first year in the adults, think she's 16/17 so to be quite honest he's a bit late.

[Lamz]

why is it too late???

If you want something bad... then you will work hard until you get to where you want to be... yes most tennis players start at a very young age but there's a 1st time for everything.

[kuzkasate]

why is it too late???

If you want something bad... then you will work hard until you get to where you want to be... yes most tennis players start at a very young age but there's a 1st time for everything.

I think he only wanted to start doing it because he found out I was going to get private coaching soon. But I have to say, I kind of agree with you. He may get somewhere, but he will sure have to be ALOT dedicated and will definitley have to work his ass off, like training every day for hours and hours!

I just dont think he realises that it isnt as easy as it looks, it isnt just about hitting the ball back to the player, I've tried explaining to him that you need to understand the mental part of the game aswell, but I think it just came in one ear and went straight out the other. Plus, tennis is known to be a 'rich man's game' and in order to get somewhere, you'll have to take an awful lot of risks and spend an awful lot of money, which is something I don't think he's prepared to do.

I mean look at Sharapova, she and her father took a massive risk! Moving to America when she was just aged 5/6, to a country where they had nothing, where they didnt know the language and her father actually did a lot of jobs just to keep her in that tennis academy she went to in Florida. Sharapova's mum was also refused entry to the country as they wouldnt give her a visa, so it requires also a lot and I seriously mean, a lot of risks which I don't think he will bother taking.

[Lamz]

thats true. Well he can start & if he doesn't enjoy the months of endless training then he will drop it. My brother is a tennis freak, he has done it since 8, went to an academy for years and when he got offered a scholaship he refused it because he was bored of it, he does it as a hobbie and not a profession now. Im a football person, I've tryed every sport possible & football and basketball are my best sports, i play badminton now and again.

I've played football for ages now, but I wouldn't do it profesionally simply because I have seen my friend go from the "school star" to Profesional & since he has signed his contract to Millwall he hasn't played a single game yet but he is on a 6month course thingy were hetrains 4 times a week im just like wow! goodluck to you

but yeah, if your friend doesn't have it in his heart to pursuit tennis, he will drop it.

[Callum.]

I think he only wanted to start doing it because he found out I was going to get private coaching soon. But I have to say, I kind of agree with you. He may get somewhere, but he will sure have to be ALOT dedicated and will definitley have to work his ass off, like training every day for hours and hours!

I just dont think he realises that it isnt as easy as it looks, it isnt just about hitting the ball back to the player, I've tried explaining to him that you need to understand the mental part of the game aswell, but I think it just came in one ear and went straight out the other. Plus, tennis is known to be a 'rich man's game' and in order to get somewhere, you'll have to take an awful lot of risks and spend an awful lot of money, which is something I don't think he's prepared to do.

I mean look at Sharapova, she and her father took a massive risk! Moving to America when she was just aged 5/6, to a country where they had nothing, where they didnt know the language and her father actually did a lot of jobs just to keep her in that tennis academy she went to in Florida. Sharapova's mum was also refused entry to the country as they wouldnt give her a visa, so it requires also a lot and I seriously mean, a lot of risks which I don't think he will bother taking.

well done for getting your coaching after two years, love how you made this thread two years ago right when wimbledon was going on too, blast from the past.

tell him about this thread and then laugh; http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=587642

[Mark]

He is creating a goal or an achievement to reach, I think you should support your friend and tell them to go for it! Let them acknowledge themself that it is very unlikely it will happen, especially when you're 15/16!