Analysis: Parental involvement, particularly in decision-making, plays a critical role in any young athlete's development, particularly in tennis
By Garry Cahill and Áine MacNamara, DCU
On July 7th 2013, as Andy Murray lifted the Wimbledon men's singles trophy, he reflected that his parents had "been with me all the way." While often overlooked, parental involvement, particularly in decision-making, plays a critical role in a tennis player's development. In contrast, the media often tends to highlight so-called "pushy" tennis parents, with Andre Agassi's father frequently cited as a prominent example.
In Murray’s case, his mother, Judy, made a pivotal decision when he was 15 to send him to the Sánchez-Casal Academy in Spain in pursuit of better coaching and clay-court training. Similar narratives are found across the sport. Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur also left home at a young age to access higher-level coaching.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Ray D'Arcy Show in 2017, interview with Judy Murray about her book Knowing the Score: My Family and Our Tennis Story
It could be argued that these players may not have reached the elite level without such decisions. From the first lessons at a local club to the world stage of Wimbledon, parents navigate a complex series of high-stakes decisions often with limited prior experience. Our research has examined the experiences of parents of elite tennis players at various stages of development as they navigate the high-performance pathway, with the aim of understanding the decisions they face and the factors that influence them.
Early-stage decisions
In the initial stages of involvement, typically around ages 6 or 7, parental decisions are relatively straightforward. They often centre around selecting a local club or coach who can nurture enjoyment and engagement. While seemingly simple, these decisions are foundational, shaping the child’s early relationship with tennis.
Despite the stereotype of pushy tennis parents, none of the parents in this study introduced their children to tennis with elite aspirations. Even those whose children later competed internationally initially focused on enjoyment and opportunity. However, as children demonstrated potential often by ages 10 or 11, decision-making became more strategic and complex. A clear link emerged between perceived competence and the increasing depth of parental decisions. In other words, as players progressed, parental involvement intensified, and decision-making became increasingly complex.
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From RTÉ Brainstorm, meet Lena Rice, the only Irish woman to ever triumph at Wimbledon
Navigating school transitions
The move into secondary education marked a significant shift in the demands placed on families. Parental commitment increased, with one parent noting that "tennis has taken over our lives." This period was characterised by a tension between academic expectations and the escalating training required for athletic development.
Some families opted to relocate abroad to attend tennis academies, echoing high-profile decisions like Murray’s, often at a cost of €50,000 to €70,000 annually. Others turned to homeschooling to create more flexible schedules, an increasingly popular trend in elite tennis. These decisions reflect the growing integration of tennis into broader family structures.
Critical decision points
Between the ages of 14 and 18, decisions became more consequential. International tournament selection, college recruitment and the professional-vs-collegiate tennis dilemma loomed large. This period involved not just logistical planning but also a deeper engagement with the sport's development ecosystem, including coaches, sports scientists, and performance programmes. The stakes were high, and the outcomes often shaped future life trajectories.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Arena, interview with Alex Gibney about his Apple TV series on Boris Becker
Moving to professional tennis
As athletes moved into college or professional tennis, parents began to take a step back, though support remained substantial. Gendered patterns were evident: parents of female athletes often remained more involved, especially in decisions related to travel and safety. In contrast, male athletes were granted greater autonomy at an earlier age. This shift reflects how parental decision-making is influenced not just by developmental stage but also by broader cultural concerns around gender and independence.
30-love: what influences the decisions parents make?
Quality of information
Access to reliable, evidence-based information is essential, but many parents reported relying on anecdotal input from other tennis parents or being swayed by social media marketing. Despite the considerable investment and sacrifices for families, several participants admitted to selecting academies purely based on promotional images of successful players without deeper investigation.
Family Beliefs and Values
Parental decisions were often shaped by personal histories and values. Some parents drew on their own experiences in sport or business. For example, a negative boarding school experience led one parent to reject the academy route, while another, who had missed out on a sporting opportunity, prioritised offering their child what they never had. Such decisions were filtered through emotional connections way beyond the prize of a Wimbledon title.
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From RTÉ 2fm's Laura Fox Show, interview with former Irish tennis pro Conor Niland about his award-winning book The Racket
Contextual influences
The broader cultural context played a significant role. In countries lacking a strong tennis tradition or role models (such as Ireland), parents often viewed long-term tennis development with scepticism. Conversely, due to past success, those from nations with established tennis systems may be more confident in navigating the pathway.
Educational culture also played a role, shaping how parents balanced sporting ambitions with academic expectations. Together, these structural and cultural factors shaped how parents interpreted opportunities and risks, reinforcing the context-specific nature of decision-making in talent development.
Financial considerations
Financial limitations significantly influenced decision-making. The are "enormous" costs involved in elite training, travel and competition. "If we had all the money in the world", one parent noted, "we would make different choices." Often, decisions reflected not what was ideal, but what was financially viable. In many cases, it could be argued that parents went way beyond their means to provide their child with sporting opportunities. With one parent of a pro player stating that "if we have to live on beans and toast, we want him to have a chance".
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From RTÉ News, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević has said more role models are needed if Ireland wants to produce an international tennis athlete
Match point: 4 ways parents can navigate the tennis journey
While our research focused on tennis, the findings apply to parents in many high-performance sports. The following strategies can support families as they navigate this challenging journey.
Plan ahead
Though few parents will match Richard Williams' famously detailed 78-page plan for his daughters, the principle of planning remains valuable. Anticipating key stages such as entering secondary school or making post-16 decisions can reduce pressure and stress. A flexible plan can potentially help align sporting, educational, and family goals before high-stakes decisions arise.
Seek reliable, quality information
Rather than relying on hearsay or online marketing, parents benefit from pursuing evidence-informed guidance. This may include consulting national sport federations, speaking with independent professionals, or trialling different training programmes before committing. Developing a critical eye for information helps avoid costly mistakes.
Reflect on past decisions
Reflection is a valuable but underused tool. Many decisions, such as selecting a coach or balancing school and sport, recur throughout a player’s development. Actively reflecting on what has worked well and identifying areas for improvement can positively shape future choices. Whether through structured approaches like journaling or informal conversations, learning from past experiences supports more informed and adaptive decision-making.
The journey to elite sport is shaped by a series of complex and often high-stakes decisions, many made by first-time sports parents operating under considerable uncertainty
Involve the athlete
This may seem obvious, but involving young athletes in decision-making is crucial. Ultimately, it is their journey. While parents may believe a decision is right or wrong, considering the athlete’s perspective fosters collaboration, supports motivation, and enhances communication. Shared decision-making promotes not only better outcomes but also stronger family relationships.
The journey to elite sport is not determined by talent alone. It is shaped by a series of complex and often high-stakes decisions, many of which are made by first-time sports parents operating under considerable uncertainty. While this research does not or cannot offer prescriptive answers, it highlights that parental decision-making is highly individual and influenced by a range of personal and contextual factors.
However, supporting parents to make more informed decisions involves fostering preparation, access to quality information and engagement in reflective practice. In doing so, the developmental pathway can become not only more effective but also more balanced, promoting shared growth and well-being for both the athlete and the parent.
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Garry Cahill is a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance (Sport) candidate at DCU. He is a professional tennis coach, former performance director of Tennis Ireland and former Irish Davis Cup and Fed cup captain. Dr Áine MacNamara is an Associate Professor in Elite Performance and Chair of the Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance (Sport) at the School of Health & Human Performance at DCU.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
