Can you become a pro tennis player if you start at 12?

: Can you become a pro tennis player if you start at age 12?
I started playing serious tennis when i was 12 and now i am 17. Do i have a shot at becoming a world class tennis pro? I play long hours everyday and get match play in. I just get discouraged since i started a little late.

Answers and Views:

Answer by MacMiller92
sure. if you work hard enough and can get yourself recognized in a tournament or something then id say you have a good shot at being pro. good luck!

Answer by Chuck
Yes, I think you still have a shot at getting an ATP or WTA ranking someday. Like anybody else, you need support, good coaching, a place to hit with other young players, enthusiasm, a good work ethic, etc etc etc. The ATP World Tour currently has over 1,900 players in its singles rankings list, while the WTA has about 1200:
https://www.atpworldtour.com/Rankings/Singles.aspx?d=09.01.2012&r=1501&c=#

Assuming that you’re an American, if you are looking for a teacher, here are links to three tennis-teaching organizations:
https://www.uspta.com/
https://www.ptrtennis.org/

If you live in the USA, you should be able to find an instructor near you in one or more of the web sites above.

Starting at age 5 or 6 is no guarantee of success. Players can burn out at any age if they’re not properly managed.

Will you get ranked in the top 100 or 200 of the ATP or the WTA? That is tough assignment for anybody. A lot depends on you and also those who are supporting, teaching, and coaching you.

You mention that you “get match play in,” but did not say whether you’ve ever played any sanctioned USTA events to get a sectional or national ranking. If you’ve never been ranked at age 17, and have yet to play any sanctioned USTA tournaments, then yes, you are behind in terms of experience.

However, don’t let that stop you. We’ve had late bloomers who’ve shot up the rankings in their late teens or early to mid-20’s. If you love to play, you get a natural little buzz from being in a tournament, why not join the hunt?

I would try not to count on fame or fortune via playing tennis. Rather, be thinking about how you will make a good living in your own real life someday. Tennis players normally do NOT make serious money. What you see on TV is not reality, it’s a sort of a fantasy that a very select few have been *extraordinarily lucky* to be a part of, a little bit like the lottery, IMHO.

I think it’s better to try and play for the joy of playing [extrinsic motivation] rather than dwelling on rewards like money or fame [extrinsic motivation].

Best of luck, hope you have a little fun along the way, as you struggle to become the best player you can be 🙂

Here are a couple of sources to help you:

Answer by Harley Drive
no chance, if you were any good you would be nationally ranked and have a junior world ranking, even the top 20 juniors are not guaranteed success in the senior game

Answer by Damir
You have to comapre yourself nationally and internationaly in your class (18 and under) and you will get right answer

Answer by Mimi
Basically all the Pros started at a really young age. I would say nothing is impossible, but it depends on how talented you are and how hard you work. But also, you are 17, you should know it already because next year (or this, don’t know how old you are), you would be definitely in the Pro age..

Answer by Its A Blue Moon
yes