Are you a tennis-loving parent looking to support your child’s tennis journey? Look no further! Tennis is a fantastic sport that teaches valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child succeed on the court.
This guide provides you with all the tips and tricks you need to become the ultimate tennis parent. From finding the right coach to creating a supportive environment, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s dive into this exciting journey of being the best tennis parent for your child!
The most important thing is to have fun. Developing a competitive junior tennis player is a complex process requiring the entire family’s involvement. The long road to a professional career can satisfy everyone involved if well managed. However, a negative attitude on the part of the parents can be extremely damaging, affecting both the child’s performance and family relationships.
An overbearing tennis parent frequently causes their young kids to stop playing entirely. As a result, I believe it is critical to think about how we can be good tennis parents. Concentrate on your child’s game improvement rather than the outcome of matches. Success is less important than dedication and hard work. Avoid rewarding only results.
Don’t forget that tennis is just a sport; it can also be a good life preparation even if your child will never be a professional. Tennis isn’t the most important thing in life and never will be. Education, for example, should always take precedence. Try to understand and share tennis’s emotional difficulties and nuances as a parent of a junior player.
Avoid underestimating the pressures of an individual sport such as tennis. Assign responsibilities to your child. This will boost their self-esteem and independence over time. However, please don’t let them become overly reliant on you. Ensure that competitive tennis is a positive experience, particularly in personality development.
Sportsmanship, values, personal development, accountability, discipline, and a positive mindset toward others are required. In addition, you can teach your child a healthy way to be passionate about sports. Acknowledge that children have the right to play and not to play tennis.
Let your child know you care about them and are available to them if they require help, but avoid becoming overly involved in their tennis activity. Be ready to listen to and learn from your children. Don’t try to learn everything there is to know about tennis for them.
Emotional Support
Be prepared to provide emotional support for your child, especially during difficult times. Withholding affection is not a punishment or a way to get your child to play better. Make your child feel valued and boost their self-esteem, especially if they lose a game. Avoid criticizing poor outcomes. Remember that your child decides to compete, and you may only watch if they want you to. Avoid saying, “let’s play well today”, as if you’re competing.
Acknowledge your child’s tennis abilities, but keep your feet on the ground and remain objective. Don’t put your child on a pedestal. Stress that winning does not imply love. When your child loses, try not to get angry or treat them differently. Participate in the game while remaining calm in positive and negative situations. Demonstrate to your child that you are interested in and appreciate their efforts, regardless of the outcome.
If your child is performing poorly, try not to leave. “How was the game?” “How did you feel?” “How did you play?” “Did you have fun?” These demonstrate that you were concerned about how your child played or whether they had fun rather than just the outcome. Don’t just ask, “Did you win?” when they return from a match.
Assist your child (both financially and otherwise) by demonstrating that you are willing to assist them in playing tennis. Avoid instilling guilt in them by informing them that you are spending a lot of money. Encourage your child to be self-sufficient and think for themselves. Avoid acting as a coach from the stands.
When your child loses a match, remind them that it is only a game. The world does not end as a result, and the sun will rise again tomorrow. Never, ever, ever physically or verbally abuse your child. Encourage your child to avoid making excuses. For example, if they complain about the tennis court, point out that it was the same for both players.
In the long run, an objective, a fair analysis will only help. But don’t be too harsh; try to persuade them to be objective. Show your child’s tennis support by attending matches if they ask you to. However, avoid being present at all of their games (high school, college, junior tournaments) or practice sessions.
Allow the coach to decide when and how your child will be trained. If you believe your child should be playing more, avoid criticizing them. When it comes to practice, remember that quality is preferable to quantity. Attempt to comprehend the risks and watch for stress symptoms (tiredness, hypercritical attitude, cheating, etc.) On the other hand, don’t dismiss your child’s fears and insecurities.
The only thing you should expect from your child’s tennis activity is that it will help him become a better person and a better athlete. Everything else is a bonus. Examine your child’s progress in his abilities and goals. Avoid comparing your progress to that of other children. Instead, try to motivate your child positively and amicably (for example, using positive reinforcement).
Three compliments for every criticism is a good rule of thumb. To encourage your child, avoid using sarcasm. Make sure that your child adheres to the principles of sportsmanship and appropriate and polite behavior. You must act quickly if your child misbehaves on or off the court. Praise your child for who they are as a person, not as a tennis player.
Don’t promise special perks, prizes, or anything else in exchange for winning. Remember that you and your child must have interests outside of tennis. So try not to spend too much time talking about tennis with your child. The most important thing is your child’s well-being and happiness.
Keep in mind that tennis players require some peace of mind after a loss. When a player loses, a pat on the back or words of encouragement is more than enough. After everything has calmed down, you will be able to comment on the game. However, it is preferable if they initiate the conversation. Avoid pressuring your child to talk to you right after a game.
Take your child’s injuries seriously, and get medical attention if necessary. Never ignore pain or discomfort, and never force them to play if injured. Make it clear to your child that you are willing to accompany them to tournaments and training sessions, but refrain from insisting on accompanying them to every match and training session.
Parents’ Behavior
Maintain a positive image of serenity, calm, and relaxation during matches. Avoid displaying negative emotions by appearing nervous or angry when your child makes a mistake. Maintain a positive attitude and try to enjoy watching your child play. However, avoid being overly critical or negative in your behavior.
Remember that being a good parent of a tennis player necessitates a high level of emotional control. Maintain your parental role. Avoid taking on the part of your child’s coach (for example, discussing technique, strategy, etc.).
Outside of tennis, live your life. Remember that you have personal needs as well; don’t ignore them. Avoid having your child experience some of your unfulfilled dreams. Be generous in recognizing and applauding your child’s opponents’ dedication and skill. But, conversely, you should avoid ignoring or criticizing them.
The Coach’s Role
Be respectful of your child’s coach’s experience. Try not to criticize their training methods. Ensure that the coach has a positive, motivating attitude and promotes positive values. Avoid being too negative, results-oriented, or demanding as a coach.
Establish open communication lines and speak with the coach regularly to inquire about your child’s progress, goals, and mental attitude. Do not avoid making eye contact with the coach. Before switching coaches, ensure the relationship ends on a high note.
Don’t forget that your child’s coach is a qualified expert who can help you in various ways, both on and off the court, and teach you more about tennis. Please collaborate with the coach to better understand your child’s personality and emotions. Don’t think of the coach as a simple employee or a ball machine.
Maintain objectivity and recognize when your child’s opponent has performed admirably. Try to maintain positive relationships with other parents so that you can assist one another. Strive to strike a balance between your tennis interest and the interests of other family members. For example, try not to lose interest in your other children.
It is critical for parents and coaches to make the child aware of “invisible training,” including friendships, evening outings, parties, sleepovers, etc. All of these factors can have an impact on a player’s performance.
FAQs
How To Best Watch A Junior Tennis Match As A Tennis Parent?
After all, matches and tournaments can last long, and parents often serve as the primary “coach” there. It’s challenging to be a junior player’s parent. You want to encourage, enjoy, watch, and support your child in developing confidence. After all, it’s said and done, the parent’s main goal is to de-stress the environment, which includes keeping it simple, enjoying yourself, and not obsessing over every single point.
What are the main mistakes to avoid as a tennis parent?
Believing that tennis is the only sport required for success in life and pressuring your child to devote their entire life to tennis. Punishing or criticizing him in response to a poor outcome or an error. Dismissing your child’s bad behavior, such as cheating, racket abuse, etc. Attempting to replace the coach or giving your kid advice during a match.
Extra Resource
Check out the USTA and USPTA sites for additional info on being a tennis parent.
Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.