Many young players cannot really figure out what to do to improve or get a world ranking.They think they should play some $10,000 Qualifyings in the US if they are American or go to Croatia, Spain or Portugal and play $10,000's if they are European. As a player, you have to be willing to go wherever opportunity presents itself. That could be in India, the Phillipines, Nigeria or Thailand. Whether you are in a 128 Qualie of a $10,000 or a 32 Qualie of a $25,000, the level of women's tennis is pretty much the same. The key to cracking the system is money. Do you have enough money to go wherever it takes to get your ranking up? Do not automatically think that you must first win a $10,000 in order to go on to the supposed next level.

If you simply "go for it" you would be a lot better off than respecting these imaginary levels in womens pro tennis. A player ranked between 150 and 200 is not guaranteed to win a $10,000 anymore than some lower ranked up and coming qualifier. Almost anybody can win. The smart player takes advantage of opportunity. The opportunity could be in a Qualifying of a WTA Tier IV event in Morocco or Bali or in a $25,000 in Thailand. Too far and too expensive you say...so why not just give more money to your coach or pay for an academy instead of going where opportunity presents itself. Why is money spent for an opportunity not equal to giving it all to your coach or academy or paying for extravagant travel expenses for some junior tournament on the other side of the US? Just look at the cut-offs from the previous year from all events all over the world. If you want to make money in pro tennis, you have to spend it first. Remember, there is no money in womens pro tennis until you reach rank 100 - 150. So hurry up and get your ranking up so you can make more money later on. Or do you think time stands still and waits until you practice and win a $10,000 first? Do not be fooled by that myth. Get busy playing where it counts.

Is your Coach or Academy Causing you to Miss Opportunity?

O.K. coaches, you know who you are. Would you rather have your student keep practicing and paying you and making you feel needed or are you able to advise your player to go on the tour before it is too late and also tell your student that practicing with tour players free of charge is not a bad idea at all.

Parents, just do the budget. How much are you paying for coaching and USTA Junior events, maybe this money could better serve your son or daughter on the tour gaining valuable real life tennis experience. Why put it off, you are only young once and opportunity soon passes us by. What a shame to be constantly getting ready for something that literally passed you by. Questions about where and when to play?