In the tennis world (as in all areas of life) people are busy climbing the "ladder to success." By its very nature, this isn't all bad but not necessarily all good. Its kind of in how you do it, what you want to achieve, and how important it is in your life.
Here are some of the rungs in the ladder of tennis officiating:
1. LOCAL LEVEL. This is the beginning point for everyone. If you're just starting, be sure to contact your local coordinator about all the details.
2. COLLEGIATE LEVEL. A great level for the more accomplished officials. Requires a strong understanding of the rules and an ability to deal with coaches, players, and fans. If you're interested, you need to contact the local ITA coordinator in your area.
3. PRO LEVEL. Begins with calling lines in lower level pro tournaments and progresses up to the US Open. If interested, contact your local coordinator and they can put you in touch with the right people.
Now that we all recognize that there is a ladder to climb in the officiating world, let's listen to some words of wisdom from the infamous COOPER...
COOPER'S WORDS OF WISDOM** Always tell the truth and be nice to people. Remember: "everything makes a circle" and if you're a jerk it will come back to bite you.
** Don't overload your schedule in the beginning. Nothing more useless than a burned out official.
** Always honor your commitments. The quickest way to fall off the ladder is to get a reputation for backing out of assignments.
** Don't worry about the pay--because it isn't enough to live on. Just enjoy what you are doing and be appreciative of what you get.
** Always listen to those who are in authority or above you on the ladder--then sift through the BS and get down to what is real and then incorporate it into your life. There are a lot of good and wise officials out there--just seek them out and learn from them.
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