Young Professionals

After the reprimanding of two young tennis players, for what seemingly appeared to be "normal teenage behaviour" (according to my sources - my teenage years are well behind me!), I had to ask myself and others, "What does it really mean to be a professional sports person?". It also raised the question, "Who are funded athletes accountable to?"

In the case of the two tennis players it was certainly the LTA who imposed the sanctions and made it known to the public that this behaviour was not acceptable. I hate to be in two minds about any issue, but this particular one does have me in two minds. On the one hand you don't want to see talented athletes playing the fool and not appearing to be responsible, but on the other hand you don't want them to not have no social life and have no fun at all. It has been show that having a varied and full life, that is one which includes some activities and involvement with things outside of one's sport, enables an athlete to be one that can cope with different challenges more easily and also become an athlete who can make a smoother transition from being a "professional" sports person to a "former" athlete.

It is a delicate balance between the two I think. However, the message that the LTA is giving, although perhaps harsh, is one which certainly shows young athletes that they do have a responsibility to others, not just themselves to be professional at all times, but also that they should not be taking anything for granted, regardless of their talent.

The LTA have made a bold decision and are sticking by it and I hope that it does have an effect an all athletes, not just tennis players, to show that when they have a duty to be as professional as they can be regardless of age or talent, youthfulness is not always a defence!