AboutJim Leupold Expertise I feel very confident answering any questions regarding technical aspects of the game -
from stroke production to strategy. My strengths, because of my extensive training, is
keeping the game very simple, energy-efficient and effective, eliminating injuries and
mistakes at the same time.
Experience I've been the director of tennis and teaching tennis fulltime for 21 years, 19 at one of the top tennis resorts in the US and the world, the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. I've traveled to 20 countries around the world, playing and teaching tennis and performing comedic and entertaining tennis shows. I work with Peter Burwash International (PBI), a company which trains professionals for 400 hours before the first lesson can be taught. That's compounded by continuing education, including a mandatory 60-hour annual meeting and 360 educational newsletters from PBI professionals received every year.
Organizations Peter Burwas International (PBI), the world's foremost tennis management company with 90 professionals in 20 countries worldwide
Education/Credentials I received a B.A. in Journalism in 1985.
Awards and Honors * Tennis Magazine's Ten Greatest Tennis Resorts - twice
* Tennis Magazine's 50 Greatest Tennis Resorts - every year since 1990
* TennisResortsonline.com - Always in the Top 75 Resorts in the world - always in top 25 and as high as #3.
* PBI Rookie of the Year runnerup
* PBI Most Improved Professional of the Year
* PBI Professional of the Year
* Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa's Customer Service Manager of the Year
Expert: Jim Leupold Date: 5/27/2008 Subject: How early?
Question If I were to play 20-25 hours a week, would it be possible for a 13 year old to
turn pro? What would it take?
Answer Amex,
I have been getting this question a lot. There's no way I can answer whether or not you could become a professional player. I can say that if you practice 20 - 25 hours a week...and if you're practicing true fundamentals with good coaching, and you have incredible physical skills and the good luck of timing some victories at appropriate times, there's a good chance you could become a great recreational player, a great college player and maybe a professional player. You will definitely have the skill to play tennis at a high level for 50 - 70 years or even more!
I can say that you will most likely be more physically fit, you will understand better how to handle strategies and problems, you will know the discipline it takes to create something wonderful. and you will have met a whole bunch of great people.
Best of luck.
Jim Leupold
PBI Director of Tennis
Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa
