My Big Break

[johnyandell]

The dream has no reality! Only kids and families who attach too much to it. Nobody actually makes it in pro tennis--20 men and 20 women make real money.

[stotty]

I get it Stotty.

I grew up on the west coast of Florida and competed with, against and at The Bollettieri academy and their student body. When I was in juniors it was about $60,000 for full boarding. Most of the full boarders were foreign from wealthy families, majority were from middle east. They were good but the real good kids were there on scholarship.

I had the opportunity to move to the Harry Hopman academy at Saddlebrook resort. I preferred it much more than Bradenton at Nick's academy. But at end of the day, I gave faith to my work ethic and respected my parents money enough to not lead them to financial ruin by going to an expensive academy in hopes of earning a college scholarship which for all intents and purposes would have costed my parents more than just going to a college with no scholarship. I did not come from wealth by any means, but my parents worked their asses off and were willing to sacrifice all they had for my future, and just that acknowledgement and intention meant more to be than actually going there.

And as for the education thing, it's not so much an american system of education as it is a nonexistent system of education. Going to school for 3-4 hours a day (when you feel like) is not so much an educational environment as it is glorified babysitting for kids who were on a permanent tennis vacation.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Thanks for sharing.

Over here, at my venue, we have two very good players. One is playing in America, the other has played in Europe but recently gave up trying to make it. Both players are in their early twenties.

The player who recently gave up trying to make the tour has been to various academies in Europe and sought advice and coaching from leading coaches in Europe. His family are rich to the tune of millions.

The other player is financed by his father who has borrowed, remortgaged, and gone out on a limb. The sacrifice and risk thus far has been enormous. The boy tries his guts out but will never make it. I know that for sure.

For one family there has been no risk or sacrifice. It has just been a choice of what to do with their son and how best he might spend his time. Eventually the boy will join the family business and perpetuate the family fortune. The cost of tennis won't even have made the slightest dent in the family fortune.

For the other family, everything is at stake. The father's retirement plans, life savings, and the potential to be left in significant debt are all hanging in the balance. Believe me this is true story taking place right now. The father has spent £350,000 of money he has borrowed. I just know this story will end up a tragedy.

[klacr]

I get it Stotty.

I grew up on the west coast of Florida and competed with, against and at The Bollettieri academy and their student body. When I was in juniors it was about $60,000 for full boarding. Most of the full boarders were foreign from wealthy families, majority were from middle east. They were good but the real good kids were there on scholarship.

I had the opportunity to move to the Harry Hopman academy at Saddlebrook resort. I preferred it much more than Bradenton at Nick's academy. But at end of the day, I gave faith to my work ethic and respected my parents money enough to not lead them to financial ruin by going to an expensive academy in hopes of earning a college scholarship which for all intents and purposes would have costed my parents more than just going to a college with no scholarship. I did not come from wealth by any means, but my parents worked their asses off and were willing to sacrifice all they had for my future, and just that acknowledgement and intention meant more to be than actually going there.

And as for the education thing, it's not so much an american system of education as it is a nonexistent system of education. Going to school for 3-4 hours a day (when you feel like) is not so much an educational environment as it is glorified babysitting for kids who were on a permanent tennis vacation.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

I had a kid (aged 14) I coached who went to Nick's academy for an extended vacation. He was a decent prospect who likely would have made a reasonable college player. The kid spent a month there and had one lesson off Nick (which cost a fortune). The parents recorded the lesson and gave me a CD copy. I probably still have it somewhere. He spent the rest of the time training in squads with other kids. All enjoyable. When he returned home, he was chased like mad to go back and they wanted him to spend four years there! The cost would have been around £50,000 a year, so the parents told me. The parents are rich and they could have afforded it but wouldn't let the kid go because he would have to be educated in the US system and those qualifications aren't worth much here. This is not to deride US qualifications, it's just employers over here don't recognise them.

It was a wise move not to go. It's disruptive if a player isn't going to make it, which he wasn't. The kid found girls a few years later and tennis went out of the window. He now has a city job in London and doing well last I heard. He is now 24.

The parents were savvy and could see the academy was as much about business as it was about making tennis players. For a child to make it, at least one of the parents has to be driven and barking mad unless the child comes from a moneyed background....where it's more about choice than sacrifice.

[klacr]

So Nick Bollettieri purposely sabotaged customer's racquets strung with gut by spraying water on them? Knowing Nick, that doesn't surprise me. Not meaning to say that in a negative way but the guy always has an angle, an idea, a plan to get the most out of anything, including stringing revenue. He also got the most out of many players. Its part of his charm and the Bollettieri magic. Nick owes much of his success to many people, but when it comes to hard work, devotion to his students and his craft, few go above and beyond like he does day in and day out. The guy truly cares about the sport and the people involved in it.. Good piece, cannot wait to read more.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[johnyandell]

Let's discuss Nick Bollettieri's latest article, "My Big Break!"