The Relationship Between Performances at U-14 International Youth Tournaments and Later Success in Tennis

International athletes appear to be getting younger and national tennis federations aad coaches ef[ea identify taleat based an performances at youth tournaments. Spansers prefer to iavest in young players who have goad on-court results. However, not much is kaawn about the accuracy of youth performances as an indicator for later success. This article explores the relationship between performances at iateroationalunder-14(U14)tournamentsandlatersuccessin teeuis. Performance progress of players was examined using a bottom up and top dawn analysis based oo the results of 3,521 players at U14 youth tearnameats and the professional ranking of 727 male players and 779 female players. The results revealed that even thauglr good performaeces at yoeog ages increase the chance to becoming au elite athlete, they ate nat necessary to achieve later success. Performances at U 14 youth tournaments seemed te have nely a relative importance in the determination of later success.