If you are ranked around 500, you can make an average of around $200/tournament (Singles and Doubles) with only modest results, and if a player can get to the Quarters of say a $10,000, add another $200. Points and money are all stacked at the top in women's pro tennis.

With the new point system, it is actually better for all players, as long as they are 18 years old, as they can now play any place, any time, as often as they can afford, all over the world and the WTA will only count their 18 best results. So they could play 30 events, when they turn 18, blow all of them except for 18 and end up with a pretty decent ranking. For points, prize money go to Women's Pro Tour for the rest of the story.

My advice for the younger pro-minded players (14 - 17 year olds) is to play the hardest 128 Qualies you can get into (and most you can get into with no ranking) because you can play an unlimited amount of these, just as long as you don't qualify for more than the age eligibility rule allows you to play. This limitation is roughly 7 tournaments for points for the 14 year old and on up to 13 events for the 17 year old. So don't waste your quota on wild cards if you really want to learn how to compete and prepare yourself for a pro career!

Now there are definitely some more inexpensive ITF Satellite circuits. Without money, I would say it would be best to go to Croatia (Makarska) as it is cheaper but very strong. You will usually need to win 4 rounds to qualify and receive .75 points and $100 minus the entry fee and 20 - 30% that they will take out for taxes. Remember all foreign players can get this back at the end of the year. The US can be economical as well if you are already over here and have a car to drive some of the 52 Satellites and Challengers offered each year. Although the months of May through August are for the players with no ranking. If you are lucky you can get housing and save a ton of money. Belgium also offers three in a row 128 Qualie tournaments in August. Australia has a good circuit that you can travel via train and housing is only $5 Australian per day. Italy is also crammed full of Satellites and Challengers, but they do not have that many 128 Qualies, if any. But perhaps you could get into the 64's. Any questions?, Please contact tennistrainer@tennistrainer.com