By Blair Henley | Friday, March 21, 2014

 

The ATP University is a unique program designed to educate rising tennis stars on issues facing players on and off the court. This photo of past graduates includes Milos Raonic and Igor Sijsling.

Photo Credit: ATP World Tour

Professional tennis players train daily to prepare for the ups and downs of competition. After all, many of them have dreamt of showcasing their skills for adoring fans since they first got their hands on a tennis racquet. But even with parents, coaches and agents in their corner, not all of them are quite as well equipped to deal with the rest of the pro athlete package. Peripheral topics like dealing with the media and managing finances are somehow less riveting for teenage ingénues than the idea of impending fame and fortune.
 
With that in mind, the ATP created a program to help its rising stars build a foundation for a successful career on and off the court. Established in 1990 as an initiative from the Player Council, the ATP University is a mandatory, three-day seminar open to those ranked inside the top 200. Twice a year, a new group of young athletes comes together for education on topics like social media, anti-corruption, financial management, media training and anti-doping.
 
Austria’s Dominic Thiem was one of 11 players to graduate from the most recent session, which took place in Miami just before the Sony Open. Currently the youngest player ranked inside the top 100, the 20-year-old already has a presence on various social networks. As for deciding how much personal information to share with the public, he came away from his University experience with some good rules of thumb.
 
“They told us to share what you would also tell your grandmother,” Thiem explained with a smile. “You can share what you would put on a big advertisement board. You shouldn’t take pictures at 5 a.m. in a bar or something. They showed some embarrassing pictures of stars, and it was helpful to avoid some embarrassing moments.”
 
Like most pros, Thiem missed out on a conventional education, studying from home once he hit high school. The ATP University experience deposited him back into a classroom environment for the first time since 2009. 
 
“It started at 8:30 like real school and ended at 2:00," he said. "It felt like I was back in school with nice guys and different teachers. I enjoyed it a lot.”
 
ATP Director of Player Development Erika Kegler says graduation from the University has become a rite of passage.
 
“I’ve heard many players say they were looking forward to coming,” she said. “Just getting to this level identifies them as one of the next elite players to emerge.”
 
Classes are taught by a combination of ATP executives, industry insiders and outside sources. The ATP hires a professional media trainer to spend time with each athlete, conducting and critiquing mock interviews. Players also hear from a tournament director who explains the year-round process of event planning and execution. Players are often surprised to find out how much work goes into a one or two-week tournament.
 
Unlike many other professional sports where signing bonuses are doled out before the real work has begun, most University attendees have yet to hit the big time. It’s the perfect opportunity to teach them the basics of life in the public eye.
 
“This is the point where they are playing at a more consistent level at the ATP tournaments,” Kegler said. “It’s a good time when they are still malleable and willing to listen. When you have more responsible guys on the circuit it definitely helps the ATP shine a little bit brighter.”
 
Now in its 25th year, the ATP University has seen over 900 players pass through its doors. The program and its attention to detail have undoubtedly helped to shape the ATP World Tour brand. Plus, the players actually enjoy it. Just ask Thiem.
 
“It was three nice days. I wish it could happen more!"