Supportive parentsof players, take a bow

HIGH praise to the parents and siblings of our budding tennis stars.

Sam Stosur won in Warwick as a junior. Picture: Franca Tigani

THE parents of tennis players who have made it to the professional circuit should take a bow as it all started with going to tournaments like the Warwick Credit Union Southern Downs Junior Championships last weekend in Warwick.

There were many players and families from Brisbane at the Warwick tournament, and also from the NSW towns of Tamworth and Coffs Harbour.

The first games on Saturday were at 7.30am and the last games on Sunday finished at 7pm.

It is a long way to drive from Warwick to Coffs Harbour to be home for a sleep and school on the Monday.

Juniors play in tournaments most weekends and most of the visiting players will be hoping to make it to the big time one day.

They need national ranking points at places such as Warwick to make it to the next level.

It is a big effort to travel from Coffs Harbour to Warwick for a weekend - basically it is all tennis, with doubles games going to 8.30pm last Saturday.

I commend the parents for making such a commitment to their children.

While many siblings play in the tournaments, some children go as part of the family support crew rather than as players. Well done to them too.

The pressure from some parents has been a bit too much for some young Aussies over the years, however, with Bernard Tomic a prime example.

One player from past Warwick tournaments who is now on the world stage is Sam Stosur.

I know one Warwick player who can say she has played against a future US Open singles winner in Warwick.

Originally published as Supportive parentsof players, take a bow