The 2009 US Open tennis championship featured 191 men of which 29 were American and 170 women of which 24 were American. After watching this year’s US Open, I was inspired by the number of American born players in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles draws. Every draw I looked at had a similar trend - the athletes had played college tennis and were older than 26. However, I was surprised that none of them were famous or well-known amongst mainstream tennis fans. As I watched the tournament, I thought about the current junior players and wondered how many would give up their dream of playing in the US Open and give into the social standards that dictate they get a “real” job after their collegiate career. Which junior players will keep working on their game in order to get the opportunity to travel the world while playing the sport they love?

“I know my son is not going to be a pro tennis player.”

“My daughter is going to college to get the best education because we know she won’t be a pro tennis player.”

These are some of the quotes that I hear from the parents of top juniors in the United States everyday. Unfortunately, no-one ever mentions that if their son or daughter keeps working hard and improves they will have a good shot at playing in the US Open.

The chart below shows athletes who participated in the same junior tournaments and attended the same colleges that you will. They did not give up on their dream. They trained harder than the rest and went above and beyond their coaches’ expectations. This year, they participated in the 2009 US Open. All of the athletes in the chart are American, over 26 years old, played college tennis and have never been top 60 in the world in singles or top 20 in the world in doubles.

Parents and student athletes, it is not out of reach nor impossible for the junior players of today, to play at the US Open of tomorrow. Work as hard as you can in college; continue training and playing tournaments after college and you can make it. The average age of the top 100 men on the ATP tour is 27. The average age of the top 100 women on the WTA tour is 25. Your best tennis will be played after your college career is over.