Tennis Parents FAQ

Which Age Group?

QUESTION:

Should my child play in tournaments above his or her age group?

ANSWER:

It depends. If your child is excelling in his or her own age group, playing up an age group (or two) is definitely beneficial. Playing against older, tactically smarter and more experienced players will definitely be beneficial to your child's game.

However, if your child is struggling in his or her own age group, he or she isn't going to gain anything by losing more often and more comprehensively to bigger, stronger and faster opposition.

As a general rule, I advise junior players whom I coach to enter tournaments at a level where they win 75 - 80% of their matches, no matter what age group they enter.

Related FAQ's:

When should my child start playing in tennis tournaments?
When should my child start tennis lessons with a coach?

Related Articles:

Tennis Parents and The Ugly Parent Syndrome
Tennis Ethics
Raising Big Smiling Tennis Kids (Book Review)

Other Articles by Chris Lewis:

Sorry Pete, But That's No Sacrifice
Are Tennis Champions Born? Or Made?
On Court Coaching: Should it be allowed?
Wimbledon Center Court: What An Experience
A Tribute to Maria Montessori -- An Article on Child Education