It is important for players and parents to realize the importance of the different levels of the tennis ladder and the commitment required for each step.

 

NATIONAL/SOUTHERN RANKED PLAYERS: To receive a southern sectional or national ranking a player must play 5-6 days a week. On a weekly basis the player should, take a minimum of 1-2 private lessons, attend a minimum of 4-5 training sessions, and play at the minimum 1 practice match. For competition, the player should play two USTA LEVEL 1, 2 or 3 tournaments a month which equates to around 85 to 95 tournament matches per year. Some out of state travel may be required. The player must commit to an off court physical training program 3 days a week. He or she should maintain a tennis journal which should include all lesson information, a record of off court conditioning times, pre and post tournament goal sheets, and opponent player information with strengths and weaknesses. A player who reaches this level of tennis will either become a professional tennis player or obtain a tennis scholarship. Homeschooling or an early release program is the ideal situation for a player wanting to reach this level of tennis.

 

STATE RANKED PLAYERS: To obtain a USTA state ranking a player must play tennis a minimum of 2-3 times per week. On a weekly basis the player should, take a private lesson, attend a minimum of 2 training sessions, and play 1 practice match. For competition, the player should play a minimum of 1 USTA level-3, 4, or 5 state tournament every 6 weeks which equates to the player playing 8-10 tournaments per year which would be around 40-45 matches per year.

 

HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYER: If a player wants to play high/middle school tennis in Georgia it is important to consider the amount of time spent going to practice, travel time to matches, if you are even going to play, if you are just playing doubles, or you are playing singles against another player that does not know how to compete. In addition, parents and players must know that high/middle school tennis takes a lot of time and does not usually improve a player’s game. The season can actually harm a player’s game right before the summer season which is the peak season for tennis players. For a player wanting to play high/middle school tennis and not regress in his game, the junior needs to make sure he continues to improve his game by attending his normal academy training schedule and private lessons and to use the high school/middle school matches as practice matches. An important note to all players seeking college placement through tennis: College and University Coaches will choose from juniors that have USTA state, southern, and national rankings.