Continue Reading
This is a preview of the article. The full content is available to TennisPlayer.net members only.
Is Wayne Bryan right about USTA Player Development?
During the presidential primary season, it is common for candidates and interested observers to take big rips at government, because it is a large, easy target. The same goes with the USTA, the nation’s governing tennis body.
My question is this: who is to blame for the so-called lack of American champions? Is it the USTA or is it at least partially the private coaches so critical of USTA Player Development?
Recently, prominent coach Wayne Bryan, the father of doubles No. 1’s Bob and Mike, wrote a very long, widely-circulated letter, and then a follow-up letter, taking on dozens of issues in U.S. tennis. These included issues regarding 10 and under tennis and foreign players in college.
But what created the most stir was his direct and prolonged criticism of the USTA and his call for the elimination of the Player Development program.
“Having observed it up close and personal for the past 23 years, I say USTA Player Development has been and continues to be the biggest impediment to the growth of tennis in this country and also the creation of champions,” Bryan wrote.
“Get rid of USTA Player Development altogether,”…