[Trish101]

ive often thought of this issue as being over looked for many reasons yet ive never said anything before. Before i thought that this was somewhat of an anomoly yet im begginning to think that maybe i was dead wrong?


Capriati has had a career full of blessings and tragedies, heartache and triumphs yet for all of these extreme high and lows there has always been a constant in her life. Family. Family has always been a source of strength for capriati and ultimately its what helped her get through life on the tour happy and invigorated. Also a prime example of this would be both the william sisters (maybe o a lesser degree now) but both of them take pride in the fact that there parents approve/support there career goals, instead of shunning there unorthadox lifestyle.

To be successfull on the tour, and live a healthy balanced lifestyle free of substance abuse and mental lapses ive discovered you need that family structure. Without that sence of family and the lack of parental "guidance" and everything that comes along with it, the players on the tour become lost in a world of shadows and self loathing, eventually becoming suceptable to the "darkside" of things.

At one point i did not feel so strongly about the presence of your "folks" or even just a close coach traveling with an individual participating on the wta tour (or atp) but since the recent shooting of Yetunda Price and all of the problems with young girls (Jelena, Kornikova....ect ect) getting into trouble, partying drugs ect, ive changed my views....parents are a good thing ANYBODY is a good thing you need someone to guide you and keep you focused on the tour...that i truly believe.


please feel free on sharing your opinion on this issue, im sure most of you will agree with me.

-toodles

 

[Trish101]

this is a totally important issue that NEVER gets raised because people like hurley (hurl) always post trash posts about people...

 

[Ballbuster]

True. The fam is the Rock.

Yet, its the individual to get it. Cappy's family used her for a mealticket. She caught on (since her playing skills didn't equate) she rebelled and got caught up. Now, years later with her divorced parents she's better. For those that fued and fight with their parents in the press, I feel for them.

NOTHING is like your parents. You only get two. You can see the love/respect Venus and Serena shows Richard and Oracene.

 

[Mrs. Peel]

I agree family is soooo important but it doesn't mean that if they are there with you that they will help...

You mention Jelena and Anna...they family's prescence could be construed on few occasions as a hindrance rather than a benefit.

 

[alfajeffster]

Jim Pierce vs. Stefano Capriati match-up has produced some of the most comical and interesting confrontations for years on the junior circuit, and well into the pro tour. It's nice to see Stefano has calmed down his Soprano aura in the past year or so.

 

[jmp]

Restricting the topic to tennis players, I think it really depends on the individual. From all accounts, Andy, Lindsay, and Pete were brought up with loving parents. Because of the kind of people they are it's not necessary for their parents to be a constant presence. But, they probably communicate with their parents and siblings as often as the players whose parents we see at matches.

I see a lot of topics about Justine and her family on this board. But, I think she made the right decision for her life and I applaud her for her courage in making that difficult choice.

Jennifer's parents may have been pivotal to her coming out of her dark period. But, how much did they contribute to her getting there in the first place? It's commendable that they seem to have reached a balance in their relationship in the present.

Martina H. and Stevenson seem like (s)mothering in full bloom.

It's a mixed bag.

 

[Trish101]

youre right it IS A MIXED bag, yet i can only say that it does help, after all you dont get the urge to look for affection in the (wrong areas)


side note*** my 1000th POST!!!!!! OMG MILESTONE!!!!

 

[jmp]

Congratulations on your 1000th post.

No, it doesn't necessarily help to have someone always up your butt about what you should be doing and why you're not what you should be and who you should sign with and who should be your coach and what you should wear etc.

No, it doesn't help when leeches disguised as relatives are constantly looking at ways to help you stay broke or mess up your good thing because they are messed up.

Your original post is a nice sentiment. But, biological ties can be more of a hindrance than a help.

 

[Trish101]

CAN BE...sure if you have lousy parents who are only in it for the money and really dont care (those are called BAD PARENTS) than sure thats right, you dont 'need um and they can piss over a tree as far as im concerned.

No, im talking about the parents who only want the best for there kids (they want to see them succedd and prospere) so in a way your right, in this world that we live in its a sad fact, many parents use there kids as meal tickets so they dont have to work.

Those parents shouldnt BE parents (but thats another issue for another thread) and so im not going to concern myself about discussing disfunctional parents because they know what they are doing and in the end they will end up with nothing! (and thats what they deserve!)

 

[Trish101]

lets get a discussion going here, this is a unique topic that can really be discussed!

 

[RAA]

I think it is a balancing act. of course when these girls are young and traveling all over the world their parents should be there ..

however, as the girls turn into young women, it is my opinion they need to cut the cord a bit. I know that capriati gets a LOT of support from her parents, but she is almost 30 years old.. it is my feeling she should try and live her professional life a bit removed from her parents. it is part of growing UP.. you don't have to be with mom and dad all the time. that is not to say that they shouldn't support her.. but I just think some distance is healthy.

most (many) young people in this country leave home around 18 and go to college away from their parents. then they get jobs, go to work etc, without their parents accompanying them and micro managing their professional lives...

support is one thing.. traveling and basically living with your parents into your late 20s is another...

 

[RAA]

sorry, I just realized that post sounded like an "anti-capriati" rant, and it wasn't meant to be.

i just think women's tennis is so ODD with all the parents coaching their daughters well into their careers. it doesn't happen quite as much in other big money sports.. ...

 

[*JR*]

lets get a discussion going here, this is a unique topic that can really be discussed!

I admire your good intentions. (BTW, I told you I'm not a "Rancher" anymore. ). However I'm not having the best of luck @ getting the star-struck to look past what happened to Yeunde in A ghetto, to the obscenity that some areas are "written off" as such, so I'll only share your optimism about "seious discussion" here then. (Not to belittle the Williams/Price family's pain, AND to laud both Richard and Oracene for NOT letting their divorce become the public soap opera some in the media were begging for).

 

[Volcana]

Actually, that HAS been addressed here, just not for a while. Once they're adults, they should be capable of handling themselves, or their parents failed. Pro tennis is a wierd life though, so maybe these players mature slower. Generally speaking though, world travel fosters maturity. It doesn't impede it. At 18 years old, these players likely no loonger NEED to have their parents around. That doesn't mean life isn't more comfy with them there.

 

[Joana]

I really like this quote by Mary Carillo, when she was asked who are the best tennis parents. She replied: "The Davenports, because I have never met them."
Those are all grown up women out there. I really see no need to have their parents around all the time.

 

[jmp]

I think close familial relationships can be very nurturing. For example, Michael Chang was tremendously close to his entire family throughout his career. Keeping his brother as his coach may have been a bad career move, but, he seems very grounded and independent. Taylor Dent's dad is around the court all of the time. But, he was smart enough to let his son get a new coach. The Bryan brothers' dad is always around. But, he never seems to disrupt his sons' careers.

When a prodigy turns pro as a teenager, I think it's important to have parents/coach or some stable force in their lives. There's no reason why a player's family can't stay with them for their entire career. But, I think it's important that the relationship evolve to one of mutual respecting adults. I think it could be a lot of fun to travel the world with a group of people who are friends, family, and treat each other with respect. That's not the impression I get from a lot of tennis families. But, it's not outside the realm of possibility.

 

[Trish101]

all good points and observations....jollyROGER i see your still the sarcastic one! Thats k cause im getting a good laugh out of it...keep this up guys, where really getting some good points across!

 

[DutchieGirl]

There's a discussion at the moment in "Who Let the Dutch Out" about Michaella Krajicek's situation with her father. He was a shithead to Richard and apparantly he's not being much better with Michaella. The consensus in there seems to be that she should get away from him asap...so maybe not ALL family is good!

 

[Trish101]

good point inkyfan, although im not too familiar with the whole situation there its very kind of you to mention that to us!