Tennis youngster's commitment. Wtf?

Tennis youngster's commitment. Wtf?

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ph123

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

219 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
quotequote all
Was listening to 5 Live last night; report re tennis youngsters reprimanded by tennis authorities because of their blogs re partying and general yahooing?
Couldn't believe the amount of responses in support of the youngsters - ah, they're only young once, let them live a little. Can they not see that if they're put in a fortunate position, then they need to commit properly and leave the stupid stuff to those who aren't so lucky?
I'm appalled.
But that's where we are now isn't it? Short term buzz beats long term application. Does no one teach right from wrong nowadays? I believe very few do.
It stares them in the face. Every successful sportsman or businessman is committed, energetic and looking for an advantage, but playing the game. Don't they see that and can't they get a whiff of the rewards of making it by playing the game?

ewenm

28,506 posts

246 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
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You're right but it's perfectly normal and happens in all sports. Of the tens or hundreds of promising youngsters only a few will have the right attitude to make it into the professional or senior ranks.

IMO there's not a lot of point forcing a kid to do something when they don't want to. IF you can convince them that the ONLY way to succedd is to focus and commit then well done, but those most likely to respond positively to that will have already worked it out for themselves.

stimmers

2,312 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
quotequote all
ph123 said:
Was listening to 5 Live last night; report re tennis youngsters reprimanded by tennis authorities because of their blogs re partying and general yahooing?
Couldn't believe the amount of responses in support of the youngsters - ah, they're only young once, let them live a little. Can they not see that if they're put in a fortunate position, then they need to commit properly and leave the stupid stuff to those who aren't so lucky?
I'm appalled.
But that's where we are now isn't it? Short term buzz beats long term application. Does no one teach right from wrong nowadays? I believe very few do.
It stares them in the face. Every successful sportsman or businessman is committed, energetic and looking for an advantage, but playing the game. Don't they see that and can't they get a whiff of the rewards of making it by playing the game?
Andre Agassi was an absolute shite when he was young and did far far worse. Certain people decided to keep on eye on him, continue his tennis and he turned out to be one of the best players the world has ever seen, and one of the nicest and most respectful guys around.

ph123

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

219 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
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I'm guessing that wouldn't be an 'ordinary' tale. And an outstanding talent.

stimmers

2,312 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
quotequote all
ph123 said:
I'm guessing that wouldn't be an 'ordinary' tale. And an outstanding talent.
No he was just one of many great, talented American tennis players wth huge potential. They decided that he was young, immature and acting like the kid he was.

kids are going to behave like kids, why can't people understand this??? Punish them now when they know no better and haven't had time to learn from their mistakes is utterly stupid. These two have years and years of training and being proffesional ahead of them, taking away their training and sponsorship at such a young age is pathetic and those responsible should be sacked. Give the job to someone a bit more intelligent.

Kermit power

28,668 posts

214 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
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I've not actually seen the details of what they had done, but I do think it makes an interesting comparison to the world of work in general.

Look around your office tomorrow. Look and see how much time people spend chatting and messing around. Now question what would happen if management stamped it all out and people were expected to turn up and work 8 solid hours per day, 5 days per week, 48 weeks of the year without any of the messing around. Would everyone knuckle down and massively increase the productivity levels of the business, or would everyone leave and go to a more reasonable employer because they hated their job?

All work and no play makes Jack bugger off or burn out! You need to have some fun.

ph123

Original Poster:

1,841 posts

219 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
quotequote all
Absolute boocks stimmers. Utter rubbish. Appauling attitude.
So obviously no one has ever said to you, no, that's wrong, try this. There's a beter way that effing around late at night being unprofessional, unprepared and turn out a complete waste, a complete weak willed waste.
You can do all that stuff when you do know better and you've made something of yourself.

Kermit power

28,668 posts

214 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
quotequote all
ph123 said:
Absolute boocks stimmers. Utter rubbish. Appauling attitude.
So obviously no one has ever said to you, no, that's wrong, try this. There's a beter way that effing around late at night being unprofessional, unprepared and turn out a complete waste, a complete weak willed waste.
You can do all that stuff when you do know better and you've made something of yourself.
Where do you draw the line? These are kids and you can't and shouldn't prevent kids from being kids. If they're out on the piss every weekend then fair enough, they deserve what they got. If, on the other hand, it's an occasional thing to blow off steam that they've "bigged up" for their mates on facebook or wherever, then what does it matter? Overall, they'll probably be better for it, since surely they have to have some outlet to be kids or they'll just end up resenting the tennis?

stimmers

2,312 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
quotequote all
ph123 said:
Absolute boocks stimmers. Utter rubbish. Appauling attitude.
So obviously no one has ever said to you, no, that's wrong, try this. There's a beter way that effing around late at night being unprofessional, unprepared and turn out a complete waste, a complete weak willed waste.
You can do all that stuff when you do know better and you've made something of yourself.
Well speaking as ex junior county player and acceped into the LTA Junior scheme and went on to be an LTA coach for a few years, i think with regards to this situation i just a little, but only a little more qualified than an arm chair fan looking in from the outside.

I've been in their position and i've coached kids in their position. I've seen what methods work with kids and i've seen the disciplinarian route, which DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.

But hey what do i know, your obviously the expert on how to create young proffesional tennis players from young,raw, immature talented kids.

ps - what exactly did they do. Do you know the details ? oh and you think the stuff they wrote is actually true or they have added to it to make themselves look cooler. They are kids FFS



Edited by stimmers on Tuesday 25th September 21:56