1) What are the main differences between US college tennis and Japanese college tennis?
While there are many differences between the two systems, the three main ones that seem to surprise most Japanese are the following- First of all, in the US, there are over 1100 college tennis programs that compete at the NCAA level including Division I, II, III, NAIA and JUCO while in Japan, there are only 20-30. In addition, the US system is available to all nationalities which creates a diverse group of athletes, coaches and perspectives while the Japanese system is catered to domestic players only, and lastly, most US tennis teams comprise of 8-12 players with two coaches, a physical trainer and sometimes other support staff while in Japan, most teams have 40-50 players with one full-time coach and possibly a physical trainer.
2) What kind of scholarships are available to student-athletes?
Men and women tennis players have different scholarship rules in the NCAA, and each Division also has their unique guidelines for scholarships. At the highest level of NCAA tennis (Division I), men’s teams have 4.5 scholarships which can be divided among its team members, and women’s teams have 8 full scholarships. Typically, US colleges can cost anywhere from $20,000- $80,000, so getting a scholarship can save you and your family over $200,000 over four years!
3) How good does my English have to be to get accepted into college?
It depends! Every school has their own standards for international students-athletes, but in general, every student must achieve a minimum score on the SAT or ACT test as well as an English proficiency test such as the TOEFL, ielts or Duolingo. Most students have the most difficulty passing the English tests, so it is recommended that you start studying as soon as possible. An average minimum score for the TOEFL for Division I sports is approximately 65, and Duolingo is 90-95.
4) How good does my tennis have to be to get a scholarship?
Again, it depends! Because the NCAA has so many schools participating at the collegiate level, there is a wide range of tennis levels. There are no specific ranking requirements, but many coaches will look at results to get a general idea of your playing level. Currently, the UTR rating system is widely used for international players since it is hard for college coaches to see international players play in person. Also, each player should make a video of their tennis to show to potential coaches if they do not have sufficient results from national or international tournaments.
5) When does college tennis start in the US, and how long is the season?
Most players will begin their college career in August, but it is also possible to start in January. In the fall, most teams will participate in some individual collegiate tournaments as well as one or two team events, but the main focus will be on training, academics and preparing for the main spring season. After the students return from winter vacation, colleges will play a non-conference and conference schedule that will consist of approximately 20-25 matches depending on their results. At the end of the regular season, each team will participate in their conference tournament, and a select number of teams will qualify for the NCAA Championships in May. During the season, dual matches will consist of 3 doubles matches and 6 singles matches. A player may participate in both singles and doubles or they may participate in either one depending on the coach’s decision.
6) When should I start preparing for US college tennis?
As soon as possible! There are many paths to playing US college tennis, so it is best to start building your tennis and academic resume right away. Most tennis players will create a video of their tennis ability, so that college coaches can get a general of your level if they are not able to watch you in person. Also, remember that colleges will look at your grades starting from the third grade of Middle School. Even for English native speakers, most students will take the SAT multiple times, and there are only 6 SAT test taking opportunities each year (5 internationally). In addition to that, international students will need additional time to prepare for the TOEFL or other English proficiency tests, so the sooner the better!
7) If I get a scholarship, what exactly do I have to pay for and what is included?
First of all, it differs between men and women because of the number of scholarships available. For women, it is pretty simple. In Division I, women can only receive full scholarships which mean that their tuition, room and board, books, sports training and coaching, traveling expenses for matches, meals and equipment (ex.- rackets, strings, etc.) are all included. The main things that the student will be responsible for would be trips to and from their hometown, spending cash and non-athletic clothing.
For men, because there is less scholarship money available, most coaches will split the money between players which means you may receive a partial scholarship or only certain costs will be covered by the college. For example, the coach may offer a 40% scholarship, so the player will be responsible for 60% of the cost of college. Another important fact to remember is that scholarships are not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back!
In the other Divisions, partial scholarships are more prevalent for both men and women tennis teams, so it is important to think about a budget if you are planning to go to a Division II or III, NAIA or JUCO school.
8) How much will I be able to practice?
The NCAA has strict rules about the number of practicing during season and out of season. These rules are in place to protect the student-athlete as well as emphasize the importance of getting an education while representing the college in athletics. Compared to Japan, students are expected to attend class, and they must maintain a minimum 2.0 (out of 4.0) GPA average in order to stay eligible to play in competitive matches. In general, during the off-season, players can practice up to 8 hours per week and 20 hours during the season. There is also a maximum 4 hour per day practice rules, and students must also take one day off a week.
9) What other benefits are there in going to the US for college tennis?
There are many benefits both on and off court at US universities. As for your tennis, this is a great opportunity to have four years of high level training with other players at your level at very little expense to you. Also, you will learn a second language, meet other players from around the world and build friendships that you could never dream of. After finishing college, your opportunities beyond tennis may also be plentiful as many companies are searching for bilingual, goal-oriented former athletes. Former TM3 athletes have worked at prestigious companies such as The Golf Channel, SAP, Prince Hotels and others.
10) Have college players continued their careers on the ATP/WTA tours?
Yes! There have been many players from all over the world who have had successful professional tennis careers after playing collegiate tennis. John Isner reached a career high ranking of #8 after spending four years at the University of Georgia, and Danielle Collins played at the University of Virginia before achieving a ranking on #23 on the WTA tour. Also, many college coaches support their players playing professional tennis tournaments DURING their college careers, and in fact, many colleges host professional tournaments on campus while they are not in season.
11) Are there many other Japanese tennis players who have played in the US college system?
Yes! Japanese players have been coming to the US for many years now, and some of them have achieved tremendous success both on and off the court. Last year, Yuya Ito played for the University of Texas, and their team won the NCAA Team Championships! In 2017, Miho Kowase of Ohio State University won the NCAA Women’s Doubles Championships! There are approximately 10-20 Japanese men and women players participating on all levels of collegiate tennis in a given year. In addition to the on court accolades, many ex-athletes have moved on to the business world and had similar success partly due to the experiences in the US.
12) What is a typical day in the life of a college student?
For tennis players, there is usually one scheduled on court practice either in the morning or afternoon for 2-3 hours, and depending on the season, off-court training, film sessions and individual sessions may also be part of the daily program. The rest of the day may be filled with academic classes and tutoring sessions if needed. According to the NCAA, 38.5 hours per week are spent on athletics while 34 hours per week are focused on academics. 17.1 hours are allocated for socializing and relaxing, and the remaining 78.4 hours are spent sleeping and extracurricular activities (Insert NCAA Graphic).
13) What happens if I can not keep up academically?
First of all, please remember that you are a student-athlete and not an athlete-student. Therefore, in the US, each student-athlete is required to maintain a minimum standard of academic level to remain eligible for competitive play. For example, if your GPA goes below a 2.0, you may be declared academically ineligible for the season, but the good news is that the university, coaches and your teammates do not want that to happen. While each university is different, many colleges will provide, free of charge, tutors to help you with your classes, and oftentimes, the tennis teams will have group study sessions so the players help one another with their classes and homework. Don’t worry! There will be plenty of resources available to help you navigate through the college experience both on and off the court.
14) If I have received prize money playing money tournaments or on the ATP/WTA/ITF tours, can I still play collegiate tennis?
Yes, but it depends on how much you have received and how much your expenses are. There is a maximum limit of how much prize money you can receive as an amateur, and it is best to be honest and open with the NCAA as you apply for eligibility.