The Truth About
American Junior Tennis

by Jack W. Broudy

Let me start by saying congratulations to the USTA Junior Player Development people. Last week two of my top juniors, each received a letter and a check from the USTA to go towards their tennis endeavors: lessons, training and tournaments. Class act. That is definitely one way to improve Junior tennis and the American tennis movement in general. A gesture like that instills confidence in both players and parents, letting them know they are not all alone in the tennis World, (which is how it feels most for of a junior player’s career). I can’t stress enough how positive a move this is, and I applaud their efforts.

On the flip side, did any of you read the article in the latest Tennis Magazine regarding the bleak state of American juniors and their poor showing at the Orange Bowl this year? It was entitled "The Lost Generation: Why American Juniors Can’t Win." First they blamed NCAA for not allowing kids to play college tennis if they accept money or professional endorsements. Then they bemoan the fact that colleges are too strict about their academic curriculum, and kids can’t leave school to play the big tournaments for a few months at a time. Other experts claim the reason Europeans have an edge on the U.S. players, is because they turn pro younger than we do, and don’t even bother with college or even finishing high-school, and still others say it’s because our schools give all of the scholarships to the foreigners!

One thing is very clear, there is a lot of finger-pointing going on around here. Yet no one will address or even acknowledge what seems to be obvious: our tennis system stinks--from the attitudes to the coaching. It’s old and stodgy, misfiring on all cylinders. In short, it’s got no soul. And I can say this with conviction because I’m in the middle of this junior tour, and I see what’s going on at the clubs and tourneys. Of course there are hard-working and innovative coaches out there, but unfortunately their not being heard. It’s a money business for the facilities, the coaches, and the manufacturers. So what else is new? The problem isn’t with kids, It comes from the top, just like any other business. Unfortunately the coaches and experts in America aren’t willing to question a system in which they enjoy a place of royalty and comfort. Besides, they haven’t figured it out themselves. In the rush to make money and maintain the status quo, many of these people have lost the spirit of the game itself. Tennis in this country is no longer treated as a way of life as it is elsewhere and that has to change.

Steven and Bijan, at #1 and #2 in So. Cal. 10's, are two of America's young hopefuls.

One of my kid’s parents was telling me just yesterday that he was trying to rearrange a semi-finals match of a sanctioned L.A. tournament to be played here in San Diego, so that both participants, from San Diego, could avoid the long drive the next weekend. The parent of the other child told us his son’s coach wouldn’t reschedule their weekly hour lesson, which fell on the time they wanted to play. One hour! He wouldn’t pick up the phone and reschedule one measly hour. And what’s worse--that’s exactly what I had expected. Coaches should have some responsibility for the "grass roots" and the development of the game. The pros love to cash in (on the constant lessons) on the one hand, but they’re not willing or flexible enough to help their top juniors, who are supposed to be Americas future stars, on the other. Speaking as a coach, the kids and their parents are our extended family. And we feel it has to be this way.

To often pros try to insulate their top juniors, hiding them from the tennis World and only letting them out for tournaments that won’t affect their rankings negatively. They’re more interested in protecting their jobs and reputations than in the careers of their juniors. Their fear effects their juniors, who then fear playing outside their camp. And it rubs off on parents as well who help their kids duck tournaments so as not to hurt their rankings. It’s perpetuating a tennis paranoia. Coaches should encourage kids to play everywhere and practice with everyone they can, even if it’s at a different facility. But then, as I said it’s, all about ego.

My partner Paul and I flew up to Northern California to visit a group of "pros", to share some new concepts, products, and ideas on the game. Most of the pros seemed interested, but the supposed big-wig and author of some tennis books, wouldn’t even let us speak, proclaiming instead, "we have our own way up here."

The people at the top of our industry aren’t interested in anything new and they are the real reason American juniors are getting their butts kicked. It’s not the kids, not the colleges--but the system. The elite hide behind it and the tennis public salutes. To the contrary, the Europeans play together, dine together, wine together. They talk tennis. It’s a way of life. They play the game, not the score. They are artistic and creative and they show that expression and "connective-ness" on the court. Here we subscribe to mindless repetition, win only attitudes, and tennis camps (often run by impostors) that have absolutely killed the game. Too often, we train kids on fed balls and drills with too many players on a court. It’s a program that creates, for the most part, in-shape, reflex competitors, often "one-shot wonders" rather than true artists with a feel and intuition for the game. The Europeans share long rallies and work on their groove, while developing an intuitive all-court game There, effortlessness and grace are still held in high regard. We’re talking to our kids about "weapons," intimidation, desire, fitness, enthusiasm, and all that rubbish, while those guys are hitting perfectly balanced groundies off one foot—on either side!

At tennis seminars I’ve attended, there’s way to much talk about how to make more money in the pro shop or how to instill motivation and that "psyched up" feeling. Every once in a while some brilliant instructor utters the words "get focused." Focused on what, slapping your leg to win the next point, or "low to high?" It’s been done to death. Personally, I don’t care much which country has the best players. I’m more interested in the overall good of the game and the success of my players. But I guess I should feel lucky the tennis instructional elite in this country have their heads buried in the sand, because it keeps my kids at the top. I encourage parents and players to think deeper. Find a new operating system. They’re out there if you search. TennisONE is a good place to start.

Too often innovative ideas like the 8 Board™ which develops movement involving the entire body are ignored by the tennis elite

We have our own alternative method, which helps players reach his/her potential by elevating their quality of thinking. Our program instills all the principles, including grace, effortlessness, and an all-court intuition, that seem to come so naturally to the Europeans. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be "unconscious" or "out of your mind" to play "in the zone." You can play your best tennis "consciously." Look us up at "grailtennis.com" if you’re interested in our alternative techniques which are based on archetypal laws rather than man’s own limited perceptions. In any case, don’t buy into the cop-out of the "powers-that-be" in the American tennis business. Our kids haven’t lost the desire or dedication, they just need a more comprehensive learning foundation. Like anything else--when it comes to success or failure, it all trickles down from the top. 

Last Updated 9/1/98. To contact us, please email to: webmaster@tennisone.com

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