In my opinion, to be great in tennis you cannot miss a step in the following formula. I have derived this formula from being around tennis at all its levels as well as other sports. Recently, I came accross several blogs discussing the benefit of crazy tennis parents to the probability of the kid turning pro. It is an interesting topic and I think it is an absolutely essential part of the formula.
1. Kid's ability to learn, interpret instruction, correct mistakes and maintain discipline - not without talent and a work ethic
2. Parent's 100% obsession with tennis and devotion to their kid and I mean pushing the kid to a great extent, teaching them how to work hard
3. Money for lessons, equipment and travel as it gets super expensive
4. Good coaching and good early basics because fixing bad technique takes away precious time
5. Homeschooling because its impossible to keep up a serious level in both, and I mean tennis should come first with school a close second
6. A setting with a great variety of players and a program such as a tennis academy
7. 100% parental supervision even if the kid is at an academy because that parent has to be there to connect the dots for the kids when they question their priorities
8. Thousands of hours of practice, everyday, since age 4, 5, 6
9. The earlier to start the better, sure there is a risk of burn out, but there is also the reward of developing necessary skills while kids absorb information like a sponge and the rest is just repetition and experience...10 years to be exact...so earlier you start, earlier they will break out
10. Name one top pro without a crazy, dedicated parent or uncle or someone close? Or someone who started tennis at 10 or later? Or someone who went to public school their entire life? You can't. There's your proof.
You have to read this awesome article looking closer into the role of crazy tennis parents and former/current pros!
And this really old article on burning out due to parental pressure.
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