Young players should play with age appropriate equipment and court size. A slow ball gives the young players more time to prepare their strokes, and they will repeatedly execute more technically correct strokes than when playing with a faster yellow ball. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both support the low compression ball for 10 and under players.

A young tennis player would not be able to play tennis if there was no parent who picked up the bills for lessons, equipment, and who also drove the player to and from practice and tournaments. Parents also need to make sure that the young player completes school assignment in a timely manner in-between all tennis practice. School has to be the number one priority even for a successful young tennis players.

When traveling to tournament and to practice, young players often forget to pack things in their tennis bag that they need. Waterbottles, a towel, band aid, hat, sunscreen, bananas, jumprope, dry socks and T-shirt. If you are a tennis parent, remind your child to pack these things in their tennis bags when leaving for tournaments and practice. During hot summerdays and outside practice and matchplay it is especially important to stay hydrated. Water is good, but there are other sports drinks that replace electrolytes better than water. Try out cold Pedialite (grape flavor is quite good) and Elixir from Camelbak. Click on the link below to the USTA Hydration Poster to learn more about what to drink before, during, and after play.

Below some links to suggested reading about parents' role in junior tennis:

USTA Parent Education                            ITF Information for Tennis Parents                             Michigan State University Study 

USTA NE Jr. Tournament FAQ

USTA NE Jr. Regulations

USTA Hydration Poster

Tennis Magazine has a lot of information about fitness and sport psychology that you might find interesting.  The ATP website has a fitness section which is quite good.

Many parents like the book written by the Bryan brothers' father Wayne. I read the book took, and it is worth reading.

Raising Your Child to Be a Champion in Athletics, Arts, and Academics (Paperback)

by Wayne Bryan