USTA Building with "Quickstart Tennis"

One of the best reasons to get young children into tennis is to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.  Speaking from personal experience, that's exactly what the sport did for me, and why competing in USTA Junior events was such a priceless experience while growing up. 

Everyone is wondering when the next crop of young American players will match the legendary class of Pete Sampras, Michael Chang and Jim Courier?  So far Donald Young, Jon Isner and Sam Querrey are making a strong case, but haven't quite jumped over the hurdle yet, and don't seem to be winning any Grand Slam titles in the near future; hopefully they prove me wrong in 2008! 

The USTA is continuing to search for new ways to help build American tennis, and foster this participation among young players.  The most recent innovation is called "QuickStart Tennis," which ultimately uses shorter court dimensions, modified scoring and is broken up into 8 and under and 10 and under age divisions.  The balls are made of a softer sponge-like substance, the racquets are smaller, and the nets are shorter, making it a little easier for kids to learn.  It all boils down to having more kids on a tennis court, so instead of two, now 8 can fit on one court, while learning the game....here's the USTA's link: quickstarttennis.com 

It could be the wave of the future for aspiring young Americans....stay tuned!