Is Your Child Ready?
Before diving into competitive tennis, consider these questions:
- Does your child love tennis? The journey is long—passion matters more than early talent.
- Can they handle competition? Tennis is an individual sport with clear winners and losers.
- Is your family ready for the commitment? Time, travel, and finances add up quickly.
There's no perfect age to start competing. Some kids thrive starting at 8-9, while others develop better by waiting until 11-12. Follow your child's lead.
Finding the Right Coach
A good coach can make or break your child's tennis experience. Look for:
- Experience with juniors: Teaching kids is different from teaching adults.
- Technical knowledge: Proper fundamentals prevent injuries and enable growth.
- Communication skills: They should connect well with your child AND keep you informed.
- Development philosophy: Beware of coaches who push winning over development at young ages.
Red Flags
Watch out for coaches who: promise unrealistic outcomes, discourage questions, focus only on results, or create an overly intense atmosphere for young players.
Understanding the Junior Tennis Structure
Junior tennis in the United States follows a pathway:
Local & Club Level
Club tournaments, local USTA events, recreational leagues
Sectional Level
USTA sectional tournaments (there are 17 sections nationwide)
National Level
USTA National Championships, National Opens, ITF Juniors
Age Groups & Divisions
USTA junior tennis uses age divisions:
- 10 & Under: Often uses modified courts, nets, and balls (red, orange, green dot)
- 12 & Under: Transition to full court, full-compression balls
- 14 & Under: Full competitive structure
- 16 & Under: Key recruiting years begin
- 18 & Under: Final junior years, peak recruiting
Essential First Steps
- Get a USTA membership — Required for sanctioned tournaments
- Understand UTR — Universal Tennis Rating is increasingly important
- Start with local tournaments — Build experience before traveling
- Create a tournament calendar — Plan 3-6 months ahead
- Set realistic expectations — Improvement takes years, not months
Practice Recommendations by Age
Ages 6-8
On court: 2-4 hours/week
Focus: Fun, coordination, basic strokes
Tournaments: Optional, local only
Ages 9-11
On court: 4-8 hours/week
Focus: Technique development, match play
Tournaments: 1-2 per month
Ages 12-14
On court: 8-12 hours/week
Focus: Strategy, fitness, competition
Tournaments: 2-3 per month
Ages 15-18
On court: 12-20 hours/week
Focus: Peak performance, recruiting
Tournaments: Based on schedule and goals
Remember
These are general guidelines. Your child's individual needs, school schedule, and other activities should all factor into training decisions. More isn't always better—burnout is real.