What Is The Biggest Problem in American Tennis?

I think the biggest problem we face in American tennis is not that there is poor training (which no one would disagree), it is mostly that none of us work together, to top that off, most parents are truly ignorant of tennis (need to do a better job at educating them) and that it is really expensive. Worst of all, the thing that kids need most is match play and that is nowhere to be found. I live in Miami, great weather 98% of year, don’t know any coaches who set up match play on regular basis, the solution is working together (coaches, parents, kids, clubs) and reducing costs. Otherwise it becomes cost prohibitive and logistically impossible.

Last week I met a mom who quit work to drive kid around 40-60 miles to get good coaching 3-4 times a week, plus the high priced lessons, plus in order to do that kid has to do online schooling. Problem is kid is alright,not great, parents out close to $1000 week or $52K, mothers income loss approx $45K year. Tennis lessons and no work is close to $100K, kids with no schooling, spell disaster.

So, I meet the parent and she tells me her story, I ask her if I can do a coordination test of the talented girl, to see how her motor skills relate to her tennis. Well, a simple coordination drill that involves foot and hand and eye coordination is an impossible task for the girl at 13. She need not spend $52K, leave school and quit a job. I can assure you this parent is misled and the kid will not be a pro. This is the state of our tennis.

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