Unstoppable 9-Yr-Old Tennis Prodigy!

Comment

Comment by Mark Dalli on December 12, 2012 at 8:48am

I'm glad I'm not singing solo. I agree with Brad, I have been developing successful players for a very long time. I wish her the best as I do for all young players. Our culture want everything now, fast, to become an elite player takes time. Nurture this little girl give her confidence, put her in the hands of those that have done it before, like Rick. I believe the push at 9 isn't appropriate. She has a great deal of development to go. So why push the issue, she has time to build a game become more psychically mature, and have a chance as a player. What is the rush? Consider all the other so called phenoms that fizzled. Pay attention to history or it will be repeated. Rick commenting on this girl comparing to Capriati , I disagree and think that the comparison is hard to live up to. My comments come from my teaching experience of 30+ years, as a junior development specialist. I wish all  young players the experience of becoming a tennis player, it takes you places. Too much hype, I hope she continues to enjoy playing and competing into her teens.

Comment by GUGA on December 11, 2012 at 8:46pm

Seen many, MANY talented young tennis (Prodigies, Phenoms, Stars or Future Pro Players) but by the time they're supposed to peak or reach the performance phase in their development their no longer that so called name given to them at such a young age. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying Gaby won't make it but it's just way too early to tell. These videos that become viral or receive main stream exposure create's in MY opinion more pressure to the young player. The LABELING of a player is what I have a problem with, in my experience and working with all levels of players and seeing it all I call these athletes TALENTED players. The last player who came to my club labeled and proclaimed: the next American tennis STAR & PHENOM (video @ msn.foxsports.com/topics/m/video/23157222/meet-the-next-american-tennis-star.htm) Deiton Baughman. A thread exists on TT: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=269587, so what happened? My boys played 1 match each with him one Friday/one Saturday he only got 5 games total & on Sunday my talented 11 year girl lost to him 6-4 and his dad called it a day as they had another match scheduled in Long Island. His dad without the camera around is a very different person as depicted in the piece..... I'll keep that to myself. Where is he now? Junior ranking: 215, Pro Circuit: no ranking, 1 loss singles, 1-1 in doubles, not what is expected from a PHENOM or the next American tennis star but like I said a talented player nonetheless but time will tell us the real Hollywood story. Support is what these young talented athletes need let them be kids first, keep the smiles going and be REALISTIC don't get sold by someone else's DREAM.... I wish Gabby the best as all the TALENTED top 10 or top 20 or top 30 USTA players in the Nation in all divisions without the National exposure, viral video or who were not labeled for already eing the best........
Gus Alcayaga

Comment by Tim Prapong on December 11, 2012 at 12:42pm

Haha! Yeah he has that nervous cough around the wife. He has to control her with that cough. lol

Dad played for Penn State, I read.

Comment by CoachV - William Vazquez on December 11, 2012 at 12:39pm

the dad should not have worn sleeveless shirt.

Comment by CoachV - William Vazquez on December 11, 2012 at 12:37pm

Wife at 2:40 says Mark is a great tennis player ( aka the dad ) and then he start coughing funny. and then she says i dont want you living through your daughter and he starts coughing again.... lol

Comment by Tim Prapong on December 11, 2012 at 12:36pm

I agree with Brad. That's what I felt seeing the video, that it captures the psychological dynamics. In the following internet article, a sports psychologist has already followed the Gabby Price story http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/eye-performance/201208/gabby-price-...:

"But in practicing so much, she has learned the hardest part of game is pushing herself hard enough to avoid losing. It's a pressure that sports psychologist Dr. Alan Goldberg believes isn't necessarily healthy at such a young age.

While the desire to play and to succeed may be genuine on Gabby's part, Goldberg says too often the pressure to perform goes deeper than winning on the court.

Especially among young athletes being groomed for greatness.

"The pressure from the adults causes a significant amount of damage to the kids and ultimately fuels the kid's burnout," Goldberg says in a phone interview from his office in Amherst, Mass. "Every kid is hard-wired to make their parents proud and not to disappoint them."

Goldberg says when dealing with young athletes blessed with so much talent, proper parenting becomes critical. Too often, he said, failure in an athletic endeavor leads children feeling like they are letting their parents down, which, in turn, leads to traps of the children feeling that they are not as lovable as they would be if they constantly won."

"You get a kid like that on the court and they get up to serve and there is a hell of a lot at stake besides the match," Goldberg says. "And 9 years old is too damn early for kids to be that focused on being that good, being the best.

"It's just too early."

Later in the same article:

Goldberg says the pain brought on failures -- on and off the court -- is often felt by athletes achieving too much, too quickly. It's a pain often felt most by children who are pegged as prodigies.

Ask Marc Price what he thinks of the term, and greatness again enters the equation.

"It means you're special and it means you're doing something that no one else has done," Price says. "That pulls a lot of weight in my mind."

Like with Capriati, Goldberg wonders if the pressure to be the best will ultimately lead Gabby to success or to experience some of the hardships Capriati went through along the way.

The key, Goldberg insists, is receiving proper life management because without balance and proper perspective, even genuinely pursuing goals can lead down a path of destruction.

"If she starts taking in that she's a prodigy and that everyone is depending on her to fulfill all these expectations, when she gets on the court, at some point, it's going to crush her," Goldberg says. "And if it doesn't, that's miraculous."

Goldberg says in rare occasions, young athletes have the kind of temperament that keeps them from being vulnerable to the kind of traps facing star athletes."------

All I'm saying let's not take a chance on a child's psychological health. I remember Capriati's troubles and I didn't see much sympathy from the public when she found herself at a low point. And I doubt the public response will be any different should the same result fall on Gabby Price. Unless you want to guarantee it. Then you'd better back it up with your wallet and time because that's alot of psychological counseling in later life.

Comment by CoachV - William Vazquez on December 11, 2012 at 12:09pm

Whoa my twitter just has blown UP with responses about this. I asked Mr. BG he said

Brad Gilbert ‏@bgtennisnation 

@TennisProCoachV don't like the screaming.

&

Brad Gilbert ‏@bgtennisnation

Impressive for 9: NINE being the operative word. Not sure I agree with Promo video at this age - that's just my opinion http://ning.it/S4PRRV

but also here are others comments on my twitter about this discussion.

peely5 ‏@peely5

@bgtennisnation bad sign that she's already grunting! They have to stop it at this age or it will remain a part of tennis

_________________________________

skip schwarzman ‏@skip1515

@bgtennisnation Considering the WTA's new stance on grunting, Macci should work to cut the Gabby Price grunt, as well. #kindasilly

 

Comment by CoachV - William Vazquez on December 11, 2012 at 10:52am

Dalli.... you dont know if the dad is qualified or not unless you know them?.... & how do you know from this 1 video if she not having a well rounded childhood.  I was a bit put off from the dads intensity too.... but after taking the time to think about it, the video shows 1 perspective. i just think its hard for americans to see a 9 Yo being treated as an adult tennis professional. but guess what, thats how you need to be treated if that is what you want to do, and this girl seems to want to do it.

so in other words, a spin on what you are saying is, the girl has the talent and the drive lets just short change her for the sake of her age.

Thanks Arianne kim, I think the coach will have that set up in place at the academy, which is a major component to any full tennis academy/school.

Comment by Arianne Kim on December 11, 2012 at 9:57am

I loved watching this talented young girl...at a certain level everyone has the strokes, foot work, mental strength, stamina.... But what sets a winner apart from the group.... You have to want it a little bit more than the rest. :)

At this level she seems to enjoy the game, has the support of her parents...she is in a good place but in the near future they should seek out a sports psychologist to add to the mix.....would give her that edge but also give her perspective.....

Comment by Mark Dalli on December 11, 2012 at 7:53am

Bottom line she is 9 years old. I have seen talented players fizzle due to the involvement of pushy parents. He isn't qualified to teach the girl. My years of experience makes me say if they really want the best for her to give her the opportunities and see what happens but life is more than Tennis. Help her become multi dimensional. The odds of her becoming a world class player are small, sorry but that is a fact. I suggest that they work on her becoming well rounded and not have all this over the top push, she is only 9. I hope she continues to love the game, if the father pushes her that love will not last. My experience tells me she needs a sports psychologist to help her separate tennis from the rest of her life. Dad and mom need a few sessions as well.

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