League: ATP Sport: Tennis Country: Global Category: General

Ellie-Rose Griffiths discusses pressures of tennis parenting

BBC Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 26, 2026, 6:47 AM

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Ellie-Rose Griffiths discusses pressures of tennis parenting

Summary

Ellie-Rose Griffiths, a former top-ranked junior player, reflects on the intense pressures faced by young tennis players and their parents. Pushy parents are a common issue, leading to extreme behaviors during competitions, according to Griffiths and coach Chris Johnson. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) acknowledges the problem and is set to launch a 'Fair Play' initiative to promote positive behavior among parents. Griffiths recounts her own experience of burnout at 19, emphasizing the toll that competitive tennis can take on children. The LTA has made changes to its ranking system to alleviate pressure on young players, but concerns remain among coaches and parents about expectations placed on children.

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Key Details

•Griffiths trained full-time by age nine, leading to burnout.
•Incidents of aggressive parental behavior have occurred at competitions.
•The LTA will launch a 'Fair Play' initiative to improve parental conduct.
•Changes to the ranking system aim to reduce pressure on young players.
•Coaches emphasize that young athletes should be kids first.

Latest Updates

12:26 PMBBC Sport — What is it like being a tennis parent?
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6:47 AMBBC Sport — How not to be a tennis parent

What they're saying

"
Pushy parents are nothing new in a sport offering the potential of millions of pounds in prize money at the very top - but why does tennis create an environment that makes parents behave this way, and what needs to change?
— BBC Sport