Taking Your Tennis on Tour: The Business, Science, and Reality of Going Pro (Paperback)

by Bonita L. Marks PhD (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Drawing upon stories from professional players and coaches both former and current, this book provides aspiring tennis professionals with a dose of reality as it reveals all of the necessities of life off-the-court. Thousands of players try to make it on the men's tennis pro circuit every year without a clue that they must also be their own coach, travel agent, financier, promoter, lawyer, and accountant, while simultaneously turning their pro tennis dream into a sound business venture. From the mechanics of self-promotion to developing a business plan and keeping the machine going financially while maintaining the physical and mental stamina to improve their ranking, this book guides players, coaches, and parents through the nuts and bolts of turning pro.

About the Author

Bonita L. Marks, PhD, is an associate professor of exercise physiology at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. Her research has been published in such journals as Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Medicine and Science in Tennis, and The New England Journal of Medicine. Her work has also appeared in Men's Health, The New York Times, and Shape, as well as on MSNBC and NBC World Radio News. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Usrsa (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972275967
• ISBN-13: 978-0972275965
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #972,665 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "Taking Your Tennis ON TOUR", June 12, 2009

By	Old Coach "Rocket" (California) - See all my reviews

If you've had thoughts about becoming a professional tennis player and are actually serious about it, or you're a parent who wants to know what your child is going to be experiencing if he/she has dreams of that nature, then this book is a "must." The competition is absolutely fierce, so therefore, you need all the information and help you can get. After you've read this, you will have a far greater appreciation of what it's like to leave home and try to make it in the pro's.

The financial demands for getting into the professional game are enormous, particularly here in the USA. When you see someone who has been able to play "in the show," it wasn't an accident that he/she made it that far. You can't do it by yourself. The player must have other people helping out, otherwise, it's awfully tough.

Hard work, while required, is unfortunately, not enough to succeed. The ATP tour now has over 1900 players in the computer ranking list. Do you know how many are allowed to play in the qualifying tournaments for the grand slams?

Chapter titles are: (1) The College Route to the Pro's, (2) Physical Toughness, Nutritional Toughness, Mental Toughness, (3) Develop Your Business Sense, Financial Planning, Your Sponsorship Plan, Sponsorship Contracts, Do You Need a Sports Agent?, (4) Matchmaking, Travel Toughness, Knowing When to "Hang it Up," and Looks Like You Made It. The book also has an index and a reference section for further reading.