Is 16 too late to start tennis to become a pro?

I'm sorry, but I don't think these people are being realistic. They're right, it's never too late to start playing, you can start playing at any age. You can even go to tournaments at any age.

However, the chances of you becoming a pro are slim to none. You have to live and breathe this sport to learn all of its little intricacies. I started playing when I was nine, and when I was thirteen, my parents, my coach, and the head of my training facility all sat down, and they told me that I become home schooled and devote all my time to tennis, and maybe professional range would be in my future, or I stay in school and just stay as a good, but never professional player. I stayed in school, and still played for three hours at least every day, and that landed me nothing more than a coaching job.

So, unless you want to quit school, say goodbye to having a social life, and accept the fact that no matter how hard you practice you most likely will never be as good as those that have been playing since they could walk, no, you cannot become a professional tennis player. With that being said, still play! It's a great sport and there are plenty of local competitions that you could compete, and even place in.

Possible? Yes. Likely? No. Start taking lessons asap. The longer you practice using poor mechanics, the longer you'll remain a lesser player. I started at 15 and ended up on the satellite tour (think minor leagues) after playing 4 years at a Div I college. I also played at least 4-6 hours daily and rarely missed two days in a row in 7 years. When starting late, any time off from tennis will drop your level at a much faster rate than someone who started, say, at age 5. Watch tennis. Tape matches. Read Tennis Magazine. Visit the USTA site. Find an instructor to help you get your strokes grooved and using proper technique. Get yourself in phenominal shape. Practice every single day. And play matches whenever possible. It's typically not a sport someone just has a natural ability for. Even great athletes find tennis challenging, because it is! You're running around hitting a moving ball, having to clear a net and place it inside of the lines...it's just not an easy thing to do consistently.

The other answers are being a little too soft on you (except for Golfbro). While I do believe you are young enough, that if you REALLY trained you can make it, but think about the training of other kids. I know a kid who has been playing since he was five and coached since he was nine. He's fourteen now, and while he is VERY good, the club and coaches say he probably won't make it.

Pro tennis is very hard, and there are hundreds of kids who have been training nonstop since they were babies. You say you've played so you DO have that, but if you really want to make it you'll have to really work.

For example, you would need to be playing EVERY day, workout and train, (build muscles). You should probably find a club, etc. Lots of things that would have to happen and I think you should do what you love, but just be aware of the competition that's out there. Good luck!

Daniel

@

DrewZ

I believe the pre-frontal cortex, a large part of cognition for the brain, stops developing in the early twenties, about 22-23 years old. :)

Studies have shown that many parts of the brain will continue to change and grow, despite the person's age.

How To Start Playing Tennis

@Damir You obviously don't know much about tennis then as I can name several, maybe not in the top 100 but certainly in the top 500. Turkey also has a futures ITF and tournament most weeks of the year, showing they have the facilities and opportunities for players to play, plus several challenger events there on the calender.

@ Matthias Another one that clearly knows nothing about tennis. Rafa Nadal did not begin playing tennis at 13, where did you pick up that gem of misinformation from? He has been coached by his uncle from before he was ten, so please get your facts straight before giving people false hope.

I do think that people are being a bit soft, to become a pro in any sport you have to be trained from a young age by coaches that have the caliber to produce real talent. There are next to no routes into pro sports these days for people that are just good, and who do not have a coach, or any sort of affiliation with a club, it just doesn't happen. And even if someone is better than the rest so to speak, they would find the step up to a proper club level, or playing the best people in their country of the same age a leap too big for them to handle.

Anything is possible BUT you have to get a proper coach, you also have to become a member of a club, and finally dedicate yourself to the sport so all you do outside of your studies is train, practice, get fitter and stronger.

If you don't have funds then you have to improvise and put yourself in the shop window. Go to a club and ask to speak to a coach on the pretence you want to join and pay. When you are talking to someone there who truly knows what they are talking about, you just ask for the chance of them seeing you play. You make out you are that good and if you are then they will see it, if you are not then at least you have received an expert opinion and know for sure that it wasn't to be.

When I say club I don't mean the guy who is paid to open the gates at any local tennis court either, I mean a proper club with a reputation and history of producing players. If that is no local then you have to find a way to get to one, simple as that.

Good luck

Theoretically it's never too late, but unfortunately, especially in the sport of tennis, most are trained from a very young age. Practice harder than you think anyone else can and leave it all on the table. Also, there are plenty of lessons online you can utilize. It won't be as efficient as working one-on-one with a coach but I'd say it's the next best thing. Go big or go home!

You're crazy, thousands of people are trying to make it and they've started at age 3, 5, or maybe 9, and REALLY pushed themselves since.

You think you can become a pro because your "daddy took you to tennis a few times as a kid". No, you need to have done tournaments at age 10 or 12. it's way too late baby, but dream on!

Do it don't listing to some of these people they got their fingers up their asses you can start whatever age you want it just comes down to hard work and talent anyone can become a pro if you train everyday good luck

Having the passion for tennis can contribute to your success. As much as continuous physical training, sports visualization is also very important to acquire a skill and refine mastery.

Ya it is possible, I might be different but some of the greatest guitarists start at age 16 even 18 and make it big, there is no age limit, your still young and your brain is still developing so you can still learn things not as easy as newborn babies but waaaayyyy more easier than adults… I could be wrong but I think the brain stops growing at 30 or 21 I don't remember but it's some adult age , maybe 42 but even still than they can learn to be great athletes and musicians