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**Falik** · 09-20-2008, 10:17 AM

I guess I phrased the original question badly. I'm not giving a child a tennis racquet. I was just wondering what path a player travels to get to the tournaments that we see on TV. I guess before they play at pro level they play in the juniors? Where are they playing before they get into the juniors tournaments? And before that? Is the Challenger series for juniors, as well as adult players who don't qualify to play in bigger tournaments?

Fay,
There are sectional junior tournaments. When I first started playing NELTA (New England Lawn Tennis Association) tournaments, I was about 11 years old. There are tournaments for different age groups..(12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under etc). And within these age groups there are "B" tornaments for those not quite as good or those who want to try and build their confidence. After playing a minimum amount of sectional tournaments, one will, as I remember, receive a year end ranking for that section within that age group. The highest ranked juniors from each section will receive invitations to represent the section in National tournaments for a given age group. If a player makes it to that level then all other answers should present themselves for further advancement. Things may have changed in the last 20 years from when I was a junior. But that's what it was like for me.
So find out what section you're in and then find tournaments within that section that may be appropriate for a particular individual.

09-20-2008, 10:17 AM	#12
Falik Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 518 Senior Member	I guess I phrased the original question badly. I'm not giving a child a tennis racquet. I was just wondering what path a player travels to get to the tournaments that we see on TV. I guess before they play at pro level they play in the juniors? Where are they playing before they get into the juniors tournaments? And before that? Is the Challenger series for juniors, as well as adult players who don't qualify to play in bigger tournaments? Fay, There are sectional junior tournaments. When I first started playing NELTA (New England Lawn Tennis Association) tournaments, I was about 11 years old. There are tournaments for different age groups..(12 and under, 14 and under, 16 and under etc). And within these age groups there are "B" tornaments for those not quite as good or those who want to try and build their confidence. After playing a minimum amount of sectional tournaments, one will, as I remember, receive a year end ranking for that section within that age group. The highest ranked juniors from each section will receive invitations to represent the section in National tournaments for a given age group. If a player makes it to that level then all other answers should present themselves for further advancement. Things may have changed in the last 20 years from when I was a junior. But that's what it was like for me. So find out what section you're in and then find tournaments within that section that may be appropriate for a particular individual.
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