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People playing tennis professionally aren't simply trying it out. The development of a tennis professional is probably most similar to someone who has been bre

People playing tennis professionally aren't simply trying it out. The development of a tennis professional is probably most similar to someone who has been bred to become a classical musician. Those that play tennis or classical music professionally are never just trying something out, but have been fully immersed since childhood, to the point where their entire life revolves around playing. To give it up, would be to give up the one thing that their entire life has revolved around since childhood.

jncfhnb 2y ago
Giving up the thing your life has revolved around since childhood because it’s just not happening is totally reasonable though.
- Ekaros 2y ago
  Problem with these players is that it is kinda happening. Not properly, but they are not entirely failing... This is the most dangerous spot to be, you are not there yet, but you can reasonable think you can get there. These players get to play at least the early rounds. You are ever so slightly alternatively above and below the water...
- ordu 2y ago
  Reasonably, maybe, but it means that the person needs to rejects themself. At this level of immersion sport/music becomes the part of the person, their definition (implicit or explicit) contains words "music" or "sport". It is still possible to throw it away and start again, but it is really difficult psychologically, and probably in other aspects too: they don't know how to be someone who is not a musician or an athlete.
- TeaBrain 2y ago
  What I'm trying to explain is that for the top level juniors who become pros, it is not a hobby or "thing", it is their entire universe. Top junior players that expect to become pros are already touring the world when they are in their mid-teens. Their entire world is their parents, their coach, their peers at their tennis academy, and the players they see at tournaments. They are living and breathing it, and little else. The top junior players often do not participate in regular high schooling and the promising ones that go pro young, don't go to university at all. Almost none of the top pros even today have ever gone to university. The players that do make it to successful careers in the top 100, don't make it with the attitude of being half in with a backup plan. They make it with the idea that tennis is their entire life and purpose.
  - hyperbovine 2y ago
    Spot on. I would just add that, exactly for the reasons you describe, going to a four year US university and then turning pro is becoming a lot more common. Off the top of my head I can name a half dozen guys in the top 100 who spent at least a few years playing D1 tennis.
- piuantiderp 2y ago
  There are things more important than money
riku_iki 2y ago
> To give it up, would be to give up the one thing that their entire life has revolved around since childhood. I imagine they could try to transfer to some coaching carrier, open personal business, etc.
- ggm 2y ago
  There are psychological barriers (mostly self imposed) to taking this otherwise rational step. The best architectural model maker I knew, also made beautiful furniture. Not going on to be an architect was killing his ego. "I coulda been a contender" is huge.

jncfhnb 2y ago

Giving up the thing your life has revolved around since childhood because it’s just not happening is totally reasonable though.

Ekaros 2y ago
Problem with these players is that it is kinda happening. Not properly, but they are not entirely failing... This is the most dangerous spot to be, you are not there yet, but you can reasonable think you can get there. These players get to play at least the early rounds. You are ever so slightly alternatively above and below the water...
ordu 2y ago
Reasonably, maybe, but it means that the person needs to rejects themself. At this level of immersion sport/music becomes the part of the person, their definition (implicit or explicit) contains words "music" or "sport". It is still possible to throw it away and start again, but it is really difficult psychologically, and probably in other aspects too: they don't know how to be someone who is not a musician or an athlete.
TeaBrain 2y ago
What I'm trying to explain is that for the top level juniors who become pros, it is not a hobby or "thing", it is their entire universe. Top junior players that expect to become pros are already touring the world when they are in their mid-teens. Their entire world is their parents, their coach, their peers at their tennis academy, and the players they see at tournaments. They are living and breathing it, and little else. The top junior players often do not participate in regular high schooling and the promising ones that go pro young, don't go to university at all. Almost none of the top pros even today have ever gone to university. The players that do make it to successful careers in the top 100, don't make it with the attitude of being half in with a backup plan. They make it with the idea that tennis is their entire life and purpose.
- hyperbovine 2y ago
  Spot on. I would just add that, exactly for the reasons you describe, going to a four year US university and then turning pro is becoming a lot more common. Off the top of my head I can name a half dozen guys in the top 100 who spent at least a few years playing D1 tennis.
piuantiderp 2y ago
There are things more important than money

riku_iki 2y ago

> To give it up, would be to give up the one thing that their entire life has revolved around since childhood. I imagine they could try to transfer to some coaching carrier, open personal business, etc.

ggm 2y ago
There are psychological barriers (mostly self imposed) to taking this otherwise rational step. The best architectural model maker I knew, also made beautiful furniture. Not going on to be an architect was killing his ego. "I coulda been a contender" is huge.