'Tennis Parents'

We are all aware that over-Zealous ‘Tennis Parents’ put heavy pressure on their teen-aged child and even on the pre-teens are not spared. This enormous pressure is exerted on the innocent child by the mom-dad to see their kids scale the heights of achievements.

The pressure i.e. the stress of these ‘Tennis Parents’ comes in many forms – commonly through small mental methods and one of them is playing one child down towards another ("How come Shivani's forehand is far better compared to yours? -- Don't you think so you need to practice more on a regular basis?" Very common method of giving pressure is daunting a young child of a loss in some benefit or value if he/she will not perform, such as – ("Forget about that new cell phone if you don't defeat Shivani").

Further such ‘Tennis Parents’ puts more stress on the kids by taunting them on their personal interest - "I know you want to spend more time with your friends, but I am aware what's best for you, and what's best is that you simply spend couple of more hours on practicing your forehands.

If truth be told then in a few extreme cases, the pressure turns into cruel act in the form of actual physical/bodily abuse.

On an international level, probably the most (in)famous ‘Tennis Parents’ of all is Jim Pierce, whose daughter, Mary, had been for several years among the game's top women players.

During the early 1990's, Jim Pierce’s conduct became so menacing to his daughter that she employed bodyguards and got preventive orders to safeguard herself from him.

In 1993, he was restricted} by the Women's Tennis Association from entering/attending tournaments, although that ban was lifted a couple of years} later.

The other in-famous episode was of the relationship between Jelena Dokic and that of her father Damir, their relations were strain as her father physically abused her and ultimately she left her home to escape the physical abuse meted by her father.

There are number of familiar cases of exactly what can only be identified as child abuse which led to premature retirement and also the destruction of the parent/child relationship.

These are just those instances in which the child reaches an international level of play where the bully activity of such abusive ‘Tennis Parent’ is highlighted and exposed, consider simply how much of this kind of thing keeps going at the lower levels.

Whenever I have a look at a number of ‘Tennis Parents’ today -- in contrast to 20 years or Two-and-a-half decades ago, when most parents could actually draw the difference between a supportive influence as well as an overbearing, constraining one -- I can't help but take notice of the same kind of unhealthy obsession with their child's performance that characterises a lot more notorious of ‘Tennis Parents’.

These ‘Tennis Parents’ forget the fact that most critical thing is to motivate and help the kid to develop a love/passion for the sport, but their abusive behaviour with the kid is a guarantee that their child's involvement with the sport is going to be short-lived.

A person who has competed at higher level of sport knows that there's nothing worse than suffering the additional burden of unwanted pressure, particularly coming from a parent (or coach) who have zero knowledge of what the game is all about -- but who thinks they actually do.

Living weird life through their son or daughter, or trying to impress other parents with their child's ability, or secretly looking to eventually live off their child's earnings, the Tennis Parent is driven by way of a compulsive need to control each and every aspect of his / her child's career, often based on a groundless assumption that their son or daughter is destined for tennis stardom.

I was told by Akhtar Ali Sir (Indian Davis Cup Coach and recipient of Padma Shri) that – “Remember Mr. Gomes, Allan is your SON FIRST then a Tennis Player”. – So True. Thank you Sir for the golden guidance and today me and Allan are the best pal.

My experience says Tennis Parent have to be a rock solid ‘Supporting System’ to the child’s tennis program, motivate them and love them.

To Your Massive Tennis Success
Alex Gomes
9824060060
alexgomesee@gmail.com

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EnthuIndian

We Are Good But GOT To Be The BEST

In Gujarat tennis is growing very fast and turning into a tiny organized cottage Industry by the effort of the individuals. The Basic Infrastructure in the state for tennis is one of the best in India. There are number of Academies, coaching classes in school, colleges and Social clubs. The Money flow is substantial if not huge. The parents are enthusiastic and students are passionate to achieve their goal.

Being attached with the tennis and tennis fraternity since last 14 years due to my son Allan’s tennis I have observed that there seems to be no development program or scheme either from State or State Association. By the way AITA is doing great job for the development of the tennis by organizing tournament for every level and having program for the development of the coaches in a right way. It also gives awards and scholarship to the deserving players.

Shri Chintan Parikh and Shri A Prasad have done a yeoman service for the Gujarat Tennis. However, at present ‘tennis flow’ is heavy and hence it is the correct time that GSTA has to be a professionally managed organization. The work is easy as we have great entrepreneur leader Shri Chintan Parikh as our President to guide and lead us.

Points to Ponder with -

A. Coordinating with All India Tennis Association (AITA) Sports Authority of Gujarat and other sports bodies.
- Reason, recently no team is being send to Nationals held in Ranchi. The sufferers are the kids who will be in the next category in the coming year and have lost a chance to represent the State and bring laurels to themselves and State.

B. GSTA runs a tennis coaching school with highly qualified coach with no loss and profit ratio or marginal profit.

- Reason, This will keep the fees to a considerable low rate and the under privileged kids can participate and fulfill their dream. Every one is aware the sky rocketing fee structure in the present Academies, as a result the common mass kids can hardly make to the tennis court. This could help the talented youngsters who have the fire in their belly to reach the very top in the sport.

C. Organizing the Annual Day Function and presenting awards and acknowledging the prospective and the talented players of different age group.

- Reason, this will motivate the kids and will increase the parent’s enthusiasm to fulfill their child passion.
- Appreciation is a must for motivation and healthy atmosphere among the tennis fraternity and such function is the best way to do it.

D. Conducting Coaching camps for the State Team by an Elite Master Coach (preferably an Indian Davis Cup Player or reputed AITA, ITF Coach).

-Reason, Due to quality input the players have a chance to go to the next level or has vision or sees a path to take him or herself to next level. This kind of Camp will be a motivational fuel which will help them to go for deep practice and their energy, passion and commitment will be tested. They will be ignited for the next level. Minimum two Camp of 21 days during a year should be organized.

E. Conducting workshop and examinations for Umpires and Officials

-Reason, the players, coaches or parents at one instance or the other have felt injustice during a match due to umpires’ verdict. We are all aware that the matches are played and umpired by senior ball boys, junior assistant and junior players. They judge with their experience level but are not conversant with rules and regulation of ITF.

F. Promotion of tennis in Rural Gujarat is of vitally important. In certain area of rural Gujarat, kids are well built and are extremely talented. With the help of Sports Authority of Gujarat, District Tennis Association or the Business Houses the GSTA should come out with Tennis Development Program in such area.

-Reason, there are number of talented kids from rural Gujarat or so called semi town have played tennis till national level and included in Junior Davis Cup, to name few of them - Sameep Mehta, Etti Mehta, Jay Soni from Patan. Bhoomi Parmar from Kutch, Thakkar Brothers from Mehsana.

However, due to lack of any concrete program from the right corner these kids fizzled out in the senior category and now have to satisfy themselves as an assistant coach to a money minting Academy.

This is just a brain storming to get the best of the present infrastructure and the resources of our Charismatic President Shri Chintan Parikh, to give the best to our kids so that they can excel in their tennis passion.

Positively
Alex Gomes
9824060060
alexgomesee@gmail.com

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EnthuIndian