As a parent and a coach in junior tennis, it’s impossible not to notice how much the sport has changed. The kids still love the game. They still work hard. But the path forward increasingly depends less on ability and more on access.

From a coaching perspective, the pattern is clear. Players who can afford frequent private lessons, constant tournament play, and long-distance travel get more reps, more visibility, and more chances to move up. Players without those resources—often just as talented and just as committed—fall behind simply because they can’t be everywhere, all the time.

As a parent, that reality is harder to watch. Middle school is far too early to decide who “belongs” at the top. Some kids mature later. Some need time to develop strength, confidence, or match toughness. But junior tennis now sorts players early, and once that happens, catching up becomes less about improvement and more about budget.

What’s most concerning is the number of capable kids who quietly leave the sport. Not because they don’t love tennis, and not because they can’t compete—but because the cost, pressure, and constant comparison become too much. When that happens, the sport loses depth, diversity, and future excellence.

Junior tennis doesn’t need less ambition or fewer opportunities. It needs broader ones. More strong local competition, fewer pay-to-be-seen barriers, and more patience in development would allow talent—not just finances—to matter again.

From both sides of the court, the message is the same: the game is healthiest when more kids can stay in it long enough for their ability to show. Right now, too many are being filtered out before they ever get that chance.

That said, kids can still "make it" even though resources might be scarce and it is possible to "game" the system to balance things out.

Stay tuned and we will get into it in the Hub section.