A Professional Tennis Player?

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

~Walt Disney

This video was taken about 6 months ago. I debated about 

whether or not to even put it on. Brady's game has improved

so much this summer...and he is now hitting much harder and using top spin.

I need to get a new video!

A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited ENTHUSIASM.

~Samuel Goldwyn

Anyone that knows Brady... his coaches,

friends, players, family... knows he

is enthusiastic about tennis! 

This is how it all began.  A couple of weeks before Brady's fifth birthday, Eric and I bought two tennis raquets and a couple cans of balls at Walmart.  We thought tennis might be a fun way to get some exercise and would be something different to try.  We also thought Brady would enjoy running around the court collecting the balls for us.  And he did.  Twice.  On our third outing...Brady wanted to play too.  He has loved the game ever since.  I'm not sure where this enthusiasm comes from?  You see, we thought we were going to be a basketball family!  My husband played basketball and was a highschool basketball coach.  I played basketball and was a highschool basketball official.  We love basketball.  However, in the last two years we have learned about tennis and have loved watching Brady play. 

For the past two years, Brady has talked about (almost daily) wanting to be a professional tennis player.  In the summer, he plays tennis almost everyday.  Whether he is doing a tennis camp, a clinic with other kids, having a private lesson or just hitting with mom and dad...he can never get enough.  He knows and loves the game.  He practices on the courts, the street, the driveway, inside our garage (if it's raining) and sometimes (if I'm feeling nice) our livingroom.  I often wonder at this rate...how old will he be when he gets burnt out? 

Brady's first doubles match.  He always plays with the older kids.

I'm not sure if he's a big fish in a little pond or what...but it's good for the confidence...that's for sure!

Brady took his Christmas money and bought himself a new tennis

raquet from a pro tennis store.  He calls his raquet "buddy".

When Brady was five, he told us that when he's a professional tennis player, he will buy a house near the park where we play tennis...so he won't have to waste time driving to the courts...he will just walk.   He is too funny!

Sometimes I feel guilty because I often complain about too much tennis!  It's tennis all the time in our house.  Brady is always asking me to go play.  And sometimes I just don't want to.   Thankfully Daddy will take him to play at the drop of a hat.   Brady wants to start playing in tournaments this winter...which means our weekends will be spent traveling.  As parents, we want to provide him with the best opportunities to get him to where he wants to be.  On the other hand...I want to protect him (as best I can) from life's hard lessons.  I understand to achieve anything, it requires a great amount of belief in yourself, vision and hardwork, determination and lots of dedication.   The old saying that all things are possible for those who believe....isn't always the case.  Not everyone can be a professional athlete...no matter how hard you try!

Two things Mom and Dad do know for sure:

1. We love him to pieces!

2. He's the cutest darn tennis player we've ever seen!