Height Question

[tiff3872]

John,
My daughter is 9 and will be 10 in september. She is really amazing us and her teaching pro with the way she seems to pick up on shots very quickly. Our local pro suggested she should attend either the Evert academy or Bolliterri academy full time this fall. The money is not the issue, it is the fact that she is small for her age and will probably only grow to a maxium height of 5ft to 5foot 2inches. Can a gifted female have any chance later down the road in competing with all the 6 foot players in womens tennis today. Can a smaller player compete at the top levels giving away this many inches?

[johnyandell]

I understand the question, but I'd like to comment on the assumptions it makes.

I'm not sure that knowing if your daughter can compete at the "highest" levels is a question that can be answered after 2 months--or should even be asked. Even if you could know the answer, my personal opinion is that it's the wrong reason for allowing a child to develop their gifts. And it creates a no win situation. If they can't reach the top levels, where is the upside?

The right way to look at this is whether your kid is showing a passion for something and, with some encouragement, wants to commit time and energy to the process. The experience should be viewed as one of gaining life's lessons, and enjoying the many adventures of competitive tennis.

Statistically a ranked junior player in the US has a better chance of being attacked by a shark than making the top 50 in the world. (Actually calculated by Jim Loehr). There is nothing wrong with dreaming and dreaming big, but for every Maria Sharapova there are dozens if not hundreds of disappointed families whose children may have been emotionally damaged for life.

This may all sound harsh! Bollettieri's is a fun place. I would also check out Rick Macci's--smaller and more intimate. Keep in mind a college scholarship is another great dream. Pursue it all if your gut says it's the right thing and see what happens. but keep it in perspective. If it's not instrinsically rewarding it's not worth doing.

So far as size goes, that's pretty much the last thing I'd worry about. Amanda Coetzer was about 5'1" and in the top twenty. The top two girl juniors in Socal a few years ago were 5'2" and 4'10". They can actually measure bone structure now and predict kids eventual heights. She could surprise you.

[s_morris]

Nice. Thanks for the question tiff3872 and the perspective John. I think I'll print that one and pin it on the wall.