The rise of a tennis player
From first serve to center court
the process
Tennis is a sport often regarded as one of the hardest to make it professional in with countless hours spent on the court. But the sacrifices to reach the highest level don’t stop there with many players from youth level right through to a senior rank struggling to afford the ever-rising costs of the sport so many love. But how difficult truly is it for young athletes to make it to that next level? And what can change so the paths can be made easier for everyone?
the stats and the figures
out of over 85 million players worldwide, fewer than 10,000 have any kind of professional ranking, fewer than 0.01% of all players.
1 in 10,000 juniors reach the top 500 in ATP ranking or WTA ranking,
Many rising tennis players prefer to go through a collegiate pathway with 8% of players in the top 100 playing at a college level such as Jack Draper who found himself playing at the university of California Berkeley
1 in 2500 Collegiate players make it as professional players
stats in accordance with; Benson (2025)
the realities of professional tennis
Liam Broady times article – speak about how even when you make it, the life isn’t as prosperous unless you're in the select few as opposed to other sports such as football where tens of thousands can create a full time living from the sport. Its great therefore having improved pathways but the potential for a larger scale of full-time players should be ensured to combat this. *draft*
Liam Broady at Wimbeldon in 2015, shot by Carine06
