17 min
An interesting trend has emerged in junior tennis: more and more players are opting for homeschooling or attending tennis academies with online schooling to maximize their training from a young age. The idea is simple—train more, get better, secure a college scholarship, and maybe even go pro. Is this approach really setting them up for success, or is it costing them far more than they realize?
The Social Cost of Skipping High School
By choosing homeschooling or academy life, young players often miss out on the traditional high school experience—arguably one of the most formative periods for social development. They trade the camaraderie of classmates, school dances, and everyday social interactions for a life spent mostly on the court, training with adults or a small circle of other academy kids.
To be fair, the junior tournament circuit does provide a social outlet. Players bond over meals between matches, play ping pong in tournament lounges, and spend hours traveling together. These friendships, however, come with an asterisk—they’re also competitors. The same people you hang out with are the ones you’re battling for rankings, scholarships, and future opportunities. It’s a unique dynamic, but is it enough to replace the social growth that happens in a regular school setting?
The College Tennis Reality Check
For many players and their families, the ultimate goal of this intense tennis-focused lifestyle is a college scholarship. Here’s the reality: many of these homeschooled or academy-trained kids still end up playing Division III tennis—where no athletic scholarships are even offered.
That’s a tough pill to swallow when you’ve sacrificed a well-rounded childhood chasing a D1 dream that never materialized. Worse yet, in many cases, it’s not even the kid’s dream—it’s the parent’s.
Early Specialization | A Double-Edged Sword
Another overlooked issue is the risk of early specialization. While focusing solely on tennis from a young age might seem like the best way to develop elite skills, it can actually hinder overall athletic ability. Cross-training in other sports builds coordination, speed, and agility, all of which are crucial for a well-rounded tennis game.
Additionally, participating in a team environment—something most traditional high school athletes experience—teaches valuable leadership and communication skills that are harder to develop in an individual sport like tennis.
The Harsh Scholarship Reality—Especially for Boys
When it comes to college scholarships, the numbers don’t favor boys. Women’s college teams have up to 8 full scholarships per team, while men’s teams typically have just 4.5, which are often divided among multiple players. That means male players are competing for fewer spots and smaller scholarship amounts.
Don’t forget—American juniors aren’t just competing against each other. College rosters are increasingly filled with international players, adding another layer of difficulty in securing a spot.
The Pipe Dream of Going Pro
Some players skip the college route entirely, hoping to go straight to the professional tour. Making a living as a pro tennis player though is brutally difficult. The path from junior tennis to the top 100 (which is the only way to make sustainable money in the sport) is littered with failed attempts. While there are success stories like Ben Shelton and Cameron Norrie, they are the exception, not the rule.
If a player forgoes college, takes a shot at the pro circuit, and doesn’t make it, they’re left scrambling to develop life skills and career options. They’ve missed out on education, networking opportunities, and career preparation—all for a dream that didn’t pan out.
My Perspective as a Former Prep School Coach
Having worked at a prep school for a decade, coaching the varsity tennis team and mentoring student-athletes, I’ve seen this dilemma firsthand. It was always difficult to convince a top junior player to attend our school; even though we offered an incredible overall education and life experience. The required academic workload, mandatory participation in other afternoon activities, and responsibilities outside of tennis meant they wouldn’t be able to train at the same volume as their homeschooled or academy-trained peers.
With that said, those who chose the prep school route gained something invaluable—a balanced life, academic rigor, and the opportunity to develop holistically, not just as tennis players but as well-rounded individuals.
So What’s the Right Answer?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For a select few, the homeschool or academy route makes sense—it maximizes their potential, aligns with their talent, and gives them a real shot at a D1 scholarship or even a pro career. For the majority, the sacrifices outweigh the benefits.
Parents and players need to ask themselves: Will this extra training make a real difference in the trajectory of their life, or are they just chasing an illusion at the expense of a well-rounded childhood?
Tennis is a beautiful sport, but it’s just that—a sport. At the end of the day, life is bigger than what happens between the lines of a tennis court.
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