Blockchain Decentralization: How it can change the struggles of amateur tennis

Published in

Globatalent

5 min readFeb 13, 2018

When most children take their first steps onto the clay or grass courts of modern-day tennis, they will discover an aspect of love. Some will produce the fantasy that they will eventually step out in front of a crowd of strawberry and cream eating supporters at centre court of Wimbledon. Others will receive an incredible sensation when they are losing their first game forty-love. The reality for many tremendously gifted young athletes is that professional tennis is no more than a mere dream. Only the selected few will get the opportunity to fulfil their potential and we must delve into why this is the case. We are also going to explore the solution to its turmoil. Decentralization through blockchain technology and cryptocurrency will radicalize the sport and it can help overcome the biggest struggles in tennis today.

Looking at tennis as a sport, the United Kingdom should dominate. The first ever recognised tennis match was played near Birmingham in the mid 19th century. As a result, it is often recognised that the most prestigious Grand Slam in the modern era is Wimbledon. Crowds travel from all over the globe to watch the most famous and successful players in the world while trying to get a tan in the British summertime rain. Shockingly, during the Open Era (1968 onwards) there have only been two British winners (Virginia Wade and Andy Murray). When you look into British tennis players pre-Andy Murray (former world number one) there has never been an abundance stepping into professional status. Tim Henman and Canadian born Greg Rusedskidominated the headlines in the 1990’s for losing matches whereas Andrew Castle and Sue Barker have achieved greater accolade in presenting television shows over their sporting achievements. How can a country which has fame for producing the origins of the game become so unsuccessful in their own sport?

The reality involves several factors that seem to be solutionized by money. Even though the United Kingdom was used as an example, these are global issues. All talented young tennis players need economic support to push them to the next level of the game. To attain the highest level, you would need to break into the top spaces at the ATP (Association of Tennis Players). This is done by gaining points and winning matches that take place all over the world. Therefore, a teenager would need to have the financial support available to them so that they can fund the flights, accommodation, training, equipment and so much more. These are financial hurdles that only the select few can overcome. In rare cases, some are fortunate enough to have a family unit who can afford to raise the money to help their child’s dream. In other cases, large investment companies see the talent and launch an attack on their vulnerability for profit. They will fund the start of their careers in exchange for up to 60% of future earnings. As a result, there are many incredibly gifted young tennis players who never get an opportunity within the sport due to lack of economic support.

Researching deeper into other reasons as to why so many amateur junior players give up early has shocking findings. The LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) dropped their bonus scheme in 2011 thus leading to more talent having to quit early due to lack of finances. There is also a limited quantity of adequate training facilities away from France and the United States, therefore, teenagers from all over the world have to find an enormous amount of funding just to train at facilities that can help them reach their potential. Even further, the tournaments away from the Grand Slams do not produce the level of prize money that you would expect. Many winners of junior and lesser-known tournaments do not make any profit, in fact, they regularly make losses. It can cost them $10,000 to play in a tournament where the winner receives a prize fund of $6,500. These reasons are only a blade of grass in a tennis court full of reasons as to why tennis players do not make it to professional status. The defining factor always comes down to the same conclusion — money.

This financial faux-pas within tennis needs to change. We need to change the fundamental structure of the Tennis industry and create tools to allow as many talented players to reach their true potential.. The revolutionists within the finance sector today are the ones who are decentralizing industries with blockchain and making a more transparent and radical future for all.

Decentralization within the tennis world will ensure that everyone who has the ability and the passion will get the opportunity to achieve sports financing. An opportunity for every single budding talent within the game today and in the future. This will lead to a beautiful equality within the game that some would never have imagined. The majority of Grand Slam winners come from Europe and North America, with decentralization and the offer of finance for all, we could see a rise of African or Asian talent within the sport. A rise of a new group of players who would never have been able to fund travelling the world for tournaments or find adequate training facilities to practise.

Marketplaces such as Globatalent will also be able to offer the opportunity for anybody and everybody to invest in their favourite athletes. This gives tennis back to its fans and followers. It means that normal people like you and me will have extra motivation in watching their favourite tennis player at the US open because they have invested in them via tokens.

Decentralization combats tennis hurdles by giving young players, who did not necessarily have the chance to make it in the game, go further than they had ever imagined while also giving the opportunity for anybody and everybody to invest and be involved much deeper within the sport. The athlete is also in complete control of their future earnings.

Decentralization is not just a solution, it is a complete transformation of the whole sport. With the endless lack of opportunity for all, there is a sense of John McEnroe’s ‘You Cannot Be Serious!’ when you discover the issues within tennis but in this world of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, we have found a step forward.