tennis parents

[klacr]

Really, I'd like something explained to me.

Why are tennis people so obsessed with the mom and dads?

The TV camera's, always pointing to mom and dad.

The commentators and coaches, always commenting on mom and dad.

The mom and dads, famous celebrities.

I don't get it?

Who knows the dads from the NFL, NBA or NHL?

Who cares?

I kind of thing these associations, coaches and fans are bat shit crazy for stalking these poor mom and dads.

You know how embarrassed a hockey player would be if daddy or mommy was being interviewed by the media?

I remember one reporter in Toronto once called a NHL players parents, and asked about the 25 year old's most recent injury. The reporter was literally blackballed, and the paper was harshly criticized by everyone in the business.

Tennis people or media? I'd consider myself a tennis person and I'm not obsessed with tennis parents. In fact, I avoid them at all costs. The media however likes them because they are trying to get the human interest story out of it for viewers. There is only so much they can talk about strokes and results, they need to create a story so often spotlight the players parents as a way to humanize the competitor and to shed some light on their history. They do it in many sports but in tennis is more pronounced because its simply one person out there on the court playing against another. No teammates and no coaching staff and general manager to change the subject to.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Stotty's Dad...

My father had three children and umpteen dogs. He always maintained bringing up a child or a dog is principally the same. Sounds awful to many, but true. Training - or bringing up a child if you prefer - is a about love and discipline...right and wrong. There is isn't a whole lot of difference between puppy and child when you think about it.

Sounds awful alright...as in awfully simple. Your father had his heart in the right place that is for certain. Just look...the fruit doesn't fall to far from the tree.

A man after my own heart.

[GeoffWilliams]

EVery time my kid gets out of line, I grab him by the scruff of the neck and roll him down to the ground. Works well. Until they bite you.

[gzhpcu]

Absolutely. All parties involved could have faked their intentions and attitudes throughout their sons' entire playing careers, not letting anyone else know that deep down inside that both Sam and Georgia Sampras as well as Robert and Lynette Federer are bat shit crazy tennis parents. Maybe we'll never know.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Robert and Lynette Federer are both nice, quiet soft-spoken parents. Federer was driven by himself, being fascinated in any sport involving a ball. Marrying Mirka, who organizes and manages everything herself, allows him to be concentrated in playing tennis.

[don_budge]

Mr. and Mrs. Federer...Louis CK

I think that this thread has run it's course...or maybe it is time for a break. But I wonder what Louis CK might add about tennis parenting. I really do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aShbdsUOco

[klacr]

Robert and Lynette Federer are both nice, quiet soft-spoken parents. Federer was driven by himself, being fascinated in any sport involving a ball. Marrying Mirka, who organizes and manages everything herself, allows him to be concentrated in playing tennis.

Thank Phil. Did you sense the facetious tone in my post?

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gzhpcu]

Should have guess it Kyle...

[hockeyscout]

Robert and Lynette Federer are both nice, quiet soft-spoken parents. Federer was driven by himself, being fascinated in any sport involving a ball. Marrying Mirka, who organizes and manages everything herself, allows him to be concentrated in playing tennis.

Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Oscar Pistorius, OJ Simpson, Joe Paterno, Barry Bonds, Ben Johnson, Pete Rose and Bill Tilden -- need I say more?

My mama worked 30 years in RCMP, and their were a lot of quiet soft-spoken parents who were arrested for child abuse, pedophilia, wife beating and a range of other stuff. You never quite know.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are on the line, images are crafted wisely and people are savvy.

[hockeyscout]

My father had three children and umpteen dogs. He always maintained bringing up a child or a dog is principally the same. Sounds awful to many, but true. Training - or bringing up a child if you prefer - is a about love and discipline...right and wrong. There is isn't a whole lot of difference between puppy and child when you think about it.

You never cease to amaze me.

[gzhpcu]

Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Oscar Pistorius, OJ Simpson, Joe Paterno, Barry Bonds, Ben Johnson, Pete Rose and Bill Tilden -- need I say more?

My mama worked 30 years in RCMP, and their were a lot of quiet soft-spoken parents who were arrested for child abuse, pedophilia, wife beating and a range of other stuff. You never quite know.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are on the line, images are crafted wisely and people are savvy.

True, however, I used to see Federer as a youngster playing tournaments, and his parents were no where in sight...

I also saw him playing Davis Cup as an 18 year old and he was throwing his rackets around and pulling tantrums. One recognized the talent and beauty of his strokes, and he managed to tame his character and become successful.

[johnyandell]

The fact is that tennis is a game and should be played for fun and personal and physical development by kids just like all other sports. For every story of a young champion and his or her parents--good story or bad--how many others are there out there were the emphasis on becoming a pro damaged the child and the family? Ask Barry Buss how many of his friends who were high level So Cal players actually put their own children into tennis.

But if there is one thing I have learned is that the truth is irrelevant in dealing with parents who are living this fantasy--even after the handwriting is on the wall.

Near my house at Mt Lassen I was watching a $25K women's challenger. A 35 year old Alexandra Stevenson (remember her?) was playing and more power to her especially at about 205lbs. She got to the semis, which it would seem is kind of a cool story until you talk to the people running the tournament and find out about the absolute disrespect, entitlement, lack of gratitude, and outright dishonesty she and her mom displayed from the moment they walked into the club.

[GeoffWilliams]

From 2010, about 20 lbs lighter than now! I find that many good players act as if they are too good to hit with me, show up late, not at all, no apologies, always produce entitled behavior ala punctuality, honest calls, don't bring new balls ever, etc. This game has a way of producing men that are not men at all.

[johnyandell]

Hey Geoff I didn't say anything like that! I think it's great that she was out there playing and maybe she will lose weight if that's what she wants...my point is that she didn't look like she was having any fun and she and especially her mom alienated some of the nicest people you will ever meet at Sun Oaks Racket Club.

[hockeyscout]

But if there is one thing I have learned is that the truth is irrelevant in dealing with parents who are living this fantasy--even after the handwriting is on the wall.

If their is one thing I have learned as well is the truth is irrelevant in dealing with a lot of coaches, associations and clubs who also prey on parents when the handwriting is on the wall. It is a two way street.

[GeoffWilliams]

Canadian Eskimos shoot seals with rifles. Can't sneak up on them anymore! Would have loved to beat Mceroes teeth in. Punk didn't always pay his stringers, took horse steroids, lied about it, treated fans badly outside range of tv cameras, etc. Sometimes men with beautiful games are ugly people.