Tennis can be a beneficial sport for kids. It offers motor skill training, a level of physicality few other sports can match, and serious mental training. At the competitive level, though, things change significantly. Competitive tennis is tough. It requires extensive training and mental stamina that can be difficult for kids to manage. Is it right for your child? Your best bet is to consider both the benefits and drawbacks before you decide. 

The Pros

• Learning to handle feedback comes with the territory. Children who play competitive tennis have the ability to take criticism and put it into action. For kids, that can build a wealth of internal resources that will serve them on and off the court. 
• Competitive athletes often have a positive body image. Tennis, and sports as a whole, often make kids feel proud of what their bodies can do, and that can lead to higher self-esteem in the long run. 
• Time management skills are a must. Competitive athletes typically have a lot to handle, as they have to balance sports and school. Tennis players are forced to take a more organized approach to schoolwork and life as a whole, and that’s a great skill to carry throughout the tennis season and beyond. 

The Cons

• It’s easy for a child’s self-esteem to be tied to their performance on the court. While you would never intentionally tell your child his or her worth is determined match by match, your child is likely to feel great when he or she wins. Those losses, though, will come, and they’re going to often come with feelings of failure and low self-esteem. 
• Coaches aren’t always easy to deal with. Competitive tennis coaches often have a win-at-all-costs mentality, and that can really harm young athletes. It’s sometimes tough for parents to see inside those coaching sessions, too, so you may not always understand how tough the coach is being on your child. 
• Strained parent-child relationships come with the territory. Often parents become over-invested in their child’s tennis career, and that can lead to unconscious moves that may hurt your young athlete. It’s hard to remember that love and affection should never be tied to performance. 

Consider both sides before you come to an agreement. Once you and your child make a decision together, it’s time to move forward!