REDSHIRT (Definition of an athlete staying out of college competition for a year to develop one’s skills and extend one’s period of playing eligibility: He redshirted last season. 

Most humans max out physically at about age 27 or 28, College freshmen start college at 17 or 18.

Aspiring professional tennis players have long been advised to not go to college.

A new scenario has emereged !

The first and main problem listed is described this way:

“… if you don’t start out with a trust fund, you’re stuck, especially for a sport like tennis that requires years of youth investment. This is a major, fatal disadvantage for American tennis. In Europe, South America and lately in Asia, kids from all social classes have a shot at a tennis career. If they show sufficient talent and motivation, there are numerous community organizations, government programs and general social assistance systems to help build up their careers, in part because these other societies strongly support investment in their youth. “

My inclination is to cite #1 as the core flaw to be dealt with.

Best current estimate for annual pro tour ? $100.000. PLUS A COACH! Big dogs now have a TEAM.

This hopefully covers travel , room. meals , coaching. facilities use, equipment. Stringing cost Borg $60K in 1980. Bottom line annual expenses – 200k plus. Average annual prize money ? About 25k.

Very few make the top 200, who about break even, The conditions are often horrible, lonely and dissapointing. One fine college player after trying the pro circuit said ” I got tired of eating mayonaisse sandwiches. You need about 3/4 years to develop physically”.

The galloping aullure of American College Tennis is attracting more and more, better and better potential pro players, who are betting on a different developmental arena.

College tennis is becoming the minor leagues of International tennis. 2024 was ample proof that that day is already here. And why not? Annual expenses? That is up to you. Great facilities and coaching, schedules featuring high quality match play. Fine practice partners (a team full ), not to mention a free college education. That most often is worth more than tennis.

And don’t forget- Pro tennis expenses come after years of very similar amounts of annual costs to be in the hunt.

The KICKER–The portal and likeness monies will make very lucrative possibilities for the best borderline international players. True too of the very top Americans. But only a few. Already the first year rumor mill is adrift with wildly questionable numbers and propositions being floated.

THE BAD NEWS IS A LOT OF FINE AMERICAN ASPIRANTS WILL BE IGNORED, And the same is probably true of many “global ” sports. Basketball, golf, soccer, volleyball, track and field are right behind. Tennis just got there first. See NEXT PLEASE ( https://wordpress.com/post/littlegreenbookoftennis.com/6105 ).

Currently college coaches go after the best players . Pretty simple. Earlier the players came from the student body. Then they recruited areas, then statewide, regionally, nationally, and internationaly. Now we are attracting elite players world wide. Is Mars next?

We have created a pathway only possible for the very best and richest, What about the majority of our kids?

THE CURRENT RUBICON

The NCAA holds it’s Convention in January. Changes are inevitable. Now is the time for wise choices that affect our children and our populace. Education, reason, health-physical and mental, sportsmanship , teamwork, on and on.

Do tennis players pay their own travel expenses?

The enormous and uncertain costs. PLAYERS ARE RESPONSIBLE for paying for their own transportation to and from tournaments, as well as the support staff who travel with them, including coaches and physios.Jan 17, 2023

“…as they start their journey toward the higher echelons of the tennis world. If we’re honest, prize money at this level is modest, with tournament funds typically totaling somewhere between %15,000 and $25,000. This is to say that the winner takes home anything from $2000 to $4000.

 ATP Challenger Tour saw players competing for prize money ranging from $36,680 to $156,240 per tournament, with approximately $21 000 going to winners on average. ( 2021 )

to qualify for Grand Slams, a player usually needs to be ranked amongst the 104 best players in the world, which is not an effortless accomplishment.