🎾 What Tennis Players Started Late (and Still Made It Big)

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What tennis players started late and still reached professional success?

While most pros start swinging a racket as kids, a surprising few began much later—and still made it to the top.

Their careers prove that the tennis journey doesn’t have to follow a single, rigid timeline.

What Tennis Players Started Late and Still Made It Big

Some famous tennis players started late and still made it big. Ben Shelton began playing seriously at 12 and reached the Top 15 within two years. Andrés Gimeno won his first Grand Slam at 34. While most pros start by age 7, these players prove a late start can still lead to elite success.

What Age Do Most Tennis Pros Start?

Most top tennis players start between the ages of 3 and 7, but here’s the exact breakdown from a study of 300 pros:

  • 75 % began between ages 3–7
  • 21 % started between ages 7–10
  • 4 % began between ages 10–13

(Li et al., 2020, International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching)

These numbers show that late starters—like Ben Shelton or Andrés Gimeno—are rare, but not impossible.

🌟 Professional Players Who Took the Long Road

Here are five tennis pros who defied the “early start” expectation:

ATP Players

Stan Wawrinka

Began serious training at age 8—not extremely late, but slower to rise compared to prodigies.

He didn’t win his first Grand Slam until almost 29, later adding two more majors in an era dominated by Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.

Víctor Estrella Burgos

Holds the record for the oldest Grand Slam debut in ATP history—at 33.

Went on to win three ATP titles and become a tennis icon in the Dominican Republic.

Ivo Karlović

Didn’t turn pro until age 22. Built a successful career using one of the game’s most feared serves,

WTA Players

Li Na

Started structured tennis training around age 9–10, which was considered late in China’s strict development system.

She peaked in her late 20s, winning two Grand Slams and inspiring millions across Asia.

reaching the ATP top 20 and competing into his 40s.

Barbora Krejčíková

Primarily a doubles specialist until her mid-20s. At 25, she shocked the tennis world by winning the French Open,

proving it’s never too late to rise in singles.

⏳ Why Starting Late in Tennis Isn’t a Dealbreaker

If you’re starting tennis as a teen or adult, you may actually have advantages:

  • More focus & intention – You know why you’re playing and what you want to achieve.
  • Ability to invest – Access to better coaching, fitness programs, and equipment.
  • Mental maturity – Discipline, patience, and work ethic are often stronger.

Modern tennis is also more accessible than ever thanks to online tutorials, data-driven coaching, and affordable training tools.

📈 Tips for Late Starters Who Want to Improve Fast

From years of working with older juniors and adult players, here’s what works:

  1. Get a qualified coach – Early corrections save years of bad habits.
  2. Play matches regularly – Competition speeds up adaptation.
  3. Build your movement – Footwork and balance fuel consistency.
  4. Master fundamentals – Reliable technique beats flashy shots long-term.
  5. Stay patient – 2–4 hours per week can yield big progress over time.

🎯 Related Resources:
If you’re looking to sharpen your game, check out our guides to mastering the forehand technique and backhand technique. Building strong fundamentals on both sides will accelerate your progress—no matter when you start.

🧠 Real Talk: The Odds & The Opportunity

Most ATP and WTA pros do start young, and late starters making it to the top are rare. But that doesn’t erase your potential for high-level play.

Many late starters go on to:

  • Compete in local and national tournaments
  • Dominate adult leagues and UTR events
  • Earn college scholarships with rapid development
  • Play the best tennis of their lives into their 40s and beyond

Your tennis journey doesn’t have to be about chasing rankings—it can be about mastering the game on your own terms.

🙋 FAQ: What Tennis Players Started Lat

Q: What’s the latest age to turn pro?

A: Some players have turned pro in their 20s, especially in doubles or via the ITF circuit. It’s rare, but possible with exceptional ability and dedication.

Q: Can I get good at tennis if I start in my 20s or 30s?

A: Absolutely. With structured coaching, regular practice, and match play, many adults reach advanced competitive levels.

Q: Who was the oldest player to debut at a Grand Slam?

A: Víctor Estrella Burgos debuted at age 33—the oldest in ATP history—and went on to win multiple titles.

Q: What Percentage of Tennis Pros Start at Each Age?

A study in the International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching (Li et al., 2020) found that most elite players begin training very young. About 75 % start between ages 3–7, around 21 % between ages 7–10, and only 4 % between ages 10–13. This is why late starters like Ben Shelton or Andrés Gimeno are such rare success stories in tennis.

🔗 More to Explore:

Citations

Li, P., Weissensteiner, J. R., Pion, J., & De Bosscher, V. (2020). Predicting elite success: Evidence comparing the career pathways of top 10 to 300 professional tennis players. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 15(5–6), 793–802. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954120935828

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