24. ALL IN A DAYS WORK!

Working with, or being a parent to, a tennis player, especially a junior or a young pro, is tough! Nothing really prepares you for the highs and lows you will experience and the extensive number of roles you will need to perform. 

When my player was starting out at junior level, my role was quite simple – enter her into tournaments, take her along to matches, support her court-side, etc. But as she began to get better, the travel got far more extensive and the roles I needed to carry out expanded considerably. To name but a few of my ‘job titles’, I became (and still am to some extent):

• a travel agent – researching and booking flights; hiring cars, booking taxis, purchasing train tickets etc;

• a laundry person – you would not believe the amount of sweaty kit a tennis player can produce and all of this has to be washed on a regular basis not only whilst at home but also whilst travelling – week in week out in hotel rooms and foreign laundrettes;

• an administrator – ensuring that ITF/WTA subs are up to date; paying bills; submitting claims etc;

• a cook – tennis players eat quite a bit and it needs to be healthy;

• a cleaner – especially if staying in self-catering accommodation whilst competing;

• a taxi driver – to and from the airport; to and from tournaments;

• a teacher – less so now although her education has not yet finished – but massively so when still at school and on the road;

• a tournament scheduler – entries, withdrawals, lots of deadlines – planning each month at a time;

• a counsellor – when things don’t go as planned – on and off the court;

• a supporter (court-side) – being there to encourage and share in the jubilation;

• a stringer – yes, I really did learn how to string racquets;

• an equipment purchaser – balls, strings, new shoes, kit etc;

• a negotiator – contracts with potential sponsors, coaches, agents;

• a grant application specialist – for financial support, really important when starting out;

• a ball feeder – when there is no one around to hit with – was key during the pandemic;

• a medical advisor – blisters, twinges, sprains – you name it;

• a marketing specialist and fund raiser – constantly seeking out products to endorse, financial assistance etc;

• a financial advisor/bank manager – looking after what little money comes in and out;

• an accountant – preparing Tax Returns – players are self-employed;

• a masseuse – rubbing down those sore muscles post-match/training when no physio is available;

• a hair detangler – an essential in humid climates after long matches;

• a social media promotor – in an attempt to attract sponsors; 

• a travel companion and roommate – to make the travel more bearable and to counter any homesickness; 

and last but not least:

• a mum – need I say more!

So be prepared! The life of a tennis parent is a busy one and can be full time. I was lucky enough to be able travel with my player as a junior and so carried out all of the above with relative ease and enjoyment. I then had to work full time for a few years (needs must) but have recently given that up to take on any necessary roles required once again. I am fortunate in that I love what I do and am very happy to help as I know that the life of a tennis pro is finite and I relish the chance to be living it with my player in real time. Not everyone’s cup of tea I know but each to their own!

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