Chapter 172: Professional Path
Can NCAA players participate in professional competitions?
The answer is of course yes.
There is no doubt that NCAA players can not only participate in low-level hope tournaments and challenge tournaments, but also participate in the top Grand Slam tournaments.
Before MacDonald entered UCLA, he had already won a challenge championship.
So, what is the difference between NCAA players and professional players? In essence, it is still the difference in strength.
NCAA players can only be considered to be in a stage between amateur players and professional players. Many NCAA players will take advantage of the gaps between seasons to participate in some hopeful competitions and challenge competitions, hoping to compete with professional players and hone their abilities, but ultimately they still have to return to the NCAA to complete their studies and competitions.
Former world No. 1 Jim Courier won four Grand Slam titles in his career and he also came from the NCAA.
Courier said that, including myself, 99.9% of the players are not real geniuses. They have already hit the ceiling in the NCAA and should not switch to the professional arena.
Because Courier's performance in college was just average, it was not until he was about to graduate that he showed enough strength and ability to have the confidence to challenge the professional world.
In other words, 99.9% of NCAA players should not turn professional.
Of course, “should not” does not mean “can’t”.
So why can't you play in the NCAA and the pros at the same time? Don't many players do that?
The bonus, that's why.
According to regulations, if a player participates in the competition as an NCAA player, ATP, WTA and ITF all prohibit players from withdrawing prize money. Just like McDonald, the championship prize money of the Challenge Tournament has always been in the ITF account. The money can only be withdrawn after McDonald leaves the NCAA, whether he turns professional or gives up tennis.
Similarly, after officially registering with a professional organization and changing careers, the NCAA will also cancel the player's eligibility to win college scholarships as a sports specialty student - but if the player wishes, college studies can still continue.
To put it simply, the NCAA is amateur tennis, and they are two different systems from professional tournaments, so both sides prohibit players from receiving two "salaries".
For NCAA players, once they turn professional, it means no support and no assistance. Not only do they need to form their own coaching team and training team, but they also need to pay for their own global travel expenses. If there is no sponsor support, the huge cost is enough to make people breathless.
Without enough confidence, NCAA players will not rashly turn professional.
Therefore, it often happens that NCAA players participate in professional competitions, become dark horses, and achieve good results in Grand Slam tournaments. Considering the huge prize money, they officially leave the NCAA and turn professional after the Grand Slam, using the prize money as the first start-up capital.
It's common.
Of course, the NCAA and professional tournaments are also happy to see this happen, because it means that professional tennis has added another competitive player. They all hope that this player can increase his competitiveness and prolong his career, which is good for the entire sport.
Martin was a little surprised to hear that Gao Wen wanted to challenge a professional competition.
But if you think about it carefully, it is understandable.
Martin nodded slightly. "Indeed, you should enter the professional games now to broaden your horizons and see how professional players control the rhythm of the game. This will be good for you."
Gao Wen is a typical player who plays with his brain. His batting style and line combination are very spiritual. He needs to learn, he needs to compete with real masters, even if he experiences some failures. It doesn't matter. Only in this way can he grow quickly.
"Why do you suddenly have this idea?"
Although he agreed, Martin still felt a little surprised.
"Or is it because there is too little homework?"
Gawain was amused by Martin's joke, scratched his head and explained.
"After the U.S. Championship, there will be a group of players who will have to make choices. I hope that when it is my turn to make the choice, I will be able to understand myself better."
Actually, it’s because of Sacramento.
Gao Wen knew Sacramento's strength. Even if it would be difficult for him to become a top player if he turned professional, he would have no problem gaining a place in the professional tour. However, Sacramento still chose to turn around and leave.
For Gawain, the impact was immediate.
Of course, thanks to the help of the system, Gao Wen is confident about his career change, but he also knows that he needs to put himself in the right position and recognize his current strength, so it is very necessary for him to try to enter the professional arena to hone his skills.
He would never admit that he was greedy for the professional players to fleece. More intense competitions and more difficult games were all opportunities to fleece. No, no, why would he think like that? Martin raised his chin slightly, revealing an understanding expression, and then nodded.
"Prepare for the singles match first. I'll help you with the professional match."
Hope Tournament, Challenge Tournament, Tournament, what level of tournament, what scale of tournament, what level of opponents to play against, these are actually very particular.
But the problem is that players without world ranking points basically have no choice but to play one by one from the lowest level of competition. If college coaches can help contact and get some wild cards or qualifying wild cards, things will be much simpler for players.
Martin is still somewhat partial to Gawain.
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Grant gave Martin a meaningful look, which made Martin cough twice in embarrassment.
"Coach, what would you do if other people knew?"
"...Of course I treat everyone equally! I'm a selfless person, huh?"
"Yes, yes, coach, that's for sure."
Meanwhile, Gawain had already trotted back to MacDonald's side. Noticing his friend's gaze, he spoke directly without waiting for his friend to ask.
"I asked my coach if I could try out professional competitions after the season ends."
Seeking the coach's opinion is, on the one hand, to see what Martin thinks and to examine from the coach's perspective whether Gao Wen's strength has reached the corresponding level.
On the other hand, because of the summer training, if he participates in professional competitions, the school training will definitely need to be adjusted, from the early preparations to the actual competition period. Gao Wen does not have a professional coaching team now, and in addition to the system, he still needs the opinions of Martin and others.
MacDonald's eyes also lit up slightly.
"Ha! I'm also thinking about participating in one or two hopeful competitions this summer to see the results of my training throughout the season."
"Hmm? Is that so? Then after the US Championships, we can train together. I think Clay and Marcos are also considering turning professional. Maybe we can still train together."
"Okay, that's great. If you go to compete, you can go with a companion. Otherwise, it's really boring to compete alone."
As they talked, their eyes lit up, and they couldn't help jumping and cheering eagerly. Laughter surged in their chests, and they stepped on the last ray of sunset that was about to disappear on the horizon and rushed into the splendor and magnificence of the night.
Second update.
(End of this chapter)