Parenting is a difficult task that no one ever masters. There is no perfect formula and none of the rules you have read or would read are set in stone. The already difficult task of parenting becomes a tad more challenging when you are trying to raise a tennis kid. Stories of parents who sacrificed everything for their talented child with the child, in turn, making it to the biggest stage inspire you to do the same for your child. Still, you can’t shake away the skepticism that comes with the question ‘what if my child does not turn pro?’ Such doubt could easily lead to making the wrong decisions.

There is no ultimate manual that would help you raise a tennis kid However, there are some methods that have been shown to work and others that haven’t been so successful.

Lower your expectations

This may seem counterintuitive at first but it is important that you do not expect too much from your child. When you turn up at the tennis court to cheer your child to victory, you would meet many other parents. And just like you do, all of them believe their child is the next Roger Federer or Serena Williams. However, the stats show that only a meager fraction of these children would ever get to make a living out of the sport. There are so many factors that come together in the making of a world class athlete. And telling yourself the hard truth that your child may not make it doesn’t mean you do not believe in your child.

Question your motives

Why exactly do you want your child to be a tennis player? Are you trying to make him follow your path? Or do you want to use the child as a vehicle to fulfill your dead dreams? If your motive is related to any of the questions above or anything at all other than the fact that you see a burning passion for tennis in the child, you should know it’s quite unlikely that you’ll raise a happy athlete. Even if the child is doing well on the court, the absence of a keen interest would leave a gaping hole later on.

Teach them to enjoy winning and embrace losing

You might have heard that the results do not matter at this stage. There is an element of truth in this statement but it’s not a hundred percent accurate. You should encourage your child to focus more on what they are able to learn and how they can improve. But you should also remember that it is the results that would motivate them to work harder. There is nothing bad in having a strong desire to win. You should encourage your child to cultivate it, even. However, you shouldn’t forget to teach them that losing is also an essential part of life. And how we react to our failures matter just as much as how we embrace our victories.

There you have it. We hope that the few tips shared above would help you make the right decisions with your kid. Remember there is no one-fits-all approach to raising a tennis kid. Children are unique and you should study yours to know what works best for them.