Simona Halep may not have become one of the world's top tennis players if it wasn't for the financial support she received from a wealthy benefactor. Shipping tycoon Corneliu Idu stepped in when the Romanian needed to play international matches at the age of 14.
Simona Halep may not have become one of the world's top tennis players if it wasn't for the financial support she received from a wealthy benefactor. Shipping tycoon Corneliu Idu stepped in when the Romanian needed to play international matches at the age of 14.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Developing a pro tennis player from the age of 5 to 18 may cost around $306,000 (£250,000) according to the British Lawn Tennis Association. It can get even more expensive when you enroll your child in a tennis academy. Top 10 player Madison Keys recalls her parents spending up to $50,000 a year on an academy run by Chris Evert between the ages of 10 and 13.
Developing a pro tennis player from the age of 5 to 18 may cost around $306,000 (£250,000) according to the British Lawn Tennis Association. It can get even more expensive when you enroll your child in a tennis academy. Top 10 player Madison Keys recalls her parents spending up to $50,000 a year on an academy run by Chris Evert between the ages of 10 and 13.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
If you do make it to the top, the financial rewards in tennis are huge. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, seen here celebrating last year's win at the US Open, became the first tennis player to earn more than $100 million in prize money earlier this year.
If you do make it to the top, the financial rewards in tennis are huge. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, seen here celebrating last year's win at the US Open, became the first tennis player to earn more than $100 million in prize money earlier this year.
Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for the USTA
Teenage champions have become a rarity in recent years as players have become more focused on every aspect of the sport including food and conditioning. The last teenager to win a major was Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open when he was 19 years old. Here he is holding the winner's trophy that year alongside former Roland Garros champion Mats Wilander.
Teenage champions have become a rarity in recent years as players have become more focused on every aspect of the sport including food and conditioning. The last teenager to win a major was Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open when he was 19 years old. Here he is holding the winner's trophy that year alongside former Roland Garros champion Mats Wilander.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
A new tennis academy recently opened by Patrick Mouratoglou, shown here on the left with his protege Serena Williams, charges $60,000 (€54,250) a year for full-time students. In return, they get some of the best coaching and top-notch facilities on the French Riviera. And if they don't make it as a pro, they still have a realistic shot at landing a scholarship with a US university.
A new tennis academy recently opened by Patrick Mouratoglou, shown here on the left with his protege Serena Williams, charges $60,000 (€54,250) a year for full-time students. In return, they get some of the best coaching and top-notch facilities on the French Riviera. And if they don't make it as a pro, they still have a realistic shot at landing a scholarship with a US university.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images