As your tennis player becomes more serious about improving their game, it is wise to start exploring play options available in your area. A “play option” simply refers to a competitive event that allows your child to put their tennis skills into practice in a competition environment. These can range from casual round robin events to competitive team and individual tournaments or match play days.
Between tournaments, matchplay days and club-level events, the choices can quickly become overwhelming, so we have outlined a questions to consider:
What are my child's goals for the sport?
Before diving into the world of play options, ensuring you are on the same page with your child’s goals for the sport is crucial. Even low-pressure play options can cause anxiety for players new to the competition realm, so it is important to understand what your child hopes to get out of the event so neither of you lose focus on what is most important to them!
What level is my child?
Many events include a range of divisions so your young player can find the section that best aligns with their game, but some are level-specific to Red Ball, Orange Ball, Yellow Ball and so on. If your child is younger or just starting out, level-specific events can make a great option so your player is only competing alongside others similar to their age and skill. In addition, level-specific events often include more customization for the competitors. For example, Cliff Drysdale Tennis hosts “Ready, Set, Rally!” events for Red and Orange Ball players, which include tennis games in a carnival-style format designed specifically for the Red and Orange Ball age and skill groups.
Has my child played in a match before?
Keeping score is typically a mandatory qualification before your child competes in their first event, but there are a variety of entry-level options that will provide assistance with score-keeping, particularly for younger age groups. If your child has played in a match before and can keep score independently, consider local matchplay days, which are brief, day-long events often hosted by a club or an organization such as Universal Tennis. These events separate players by level so your juniors can compete alongside others with similar skills.
Does my child plan to compete at middle school, high school or collegiate levels?
For some young players, such goals may be a ways off, but older players may already be looking for ways to increase their chances of competing on their school teams and beyond. If this describes your athlete, consider events hosted by larger organizations, such as the United States Tennis Association (USTA) or Universal Tennis (UTR). These national organizations offer players ranking points and include a greater network of competition and play options, depending on your child’s goals. Play options by these national organizations also provide the most realistic simulation for the type of competition your athlete can expect at high school and collegiate levels.
We hope this guide has given you a better perspective on the play options available for young tennis players, and which option may be best suited for you child. For more personalized guidance, be sure to reach out to your local Director of Tennis or Coach!
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