[2006alum]

One thing that argues in favor of attending Stanford for at least a year is scheduling: between now and next May - when collegiate tennis is over - there are only three significant pro tournaments in the U.S.: Indian Wells, Miami, and Charleston. Bellis has only played overseas once, which was a first-round loss in qualifying at the Roland Garros last year. There's also only one grand slam (Aussie Open), and few big events she would get direct entry into this fall, barring an insane run at the Open this year.


So in my mind, to make going pro worth it, she would need to head abroad for much of the fall and winter, primarily entering qualies. U.S.-hosted ITF tournaments have so little prize money and few rankings points that I don't see her turning pro just for that. But I think committing to the full global tennis playing lifestyle might be a pretty significant jump for her, and forget playing for Stanford - I don't think she could even attend Stanford if she were overseas for Sept.-Nov. and Jan.-Feb. And if she's not overseas, she really doesn't gain much from going pro. Just the prize money from the trio of big U.S. spring tourneys.


In contrast, a year playing at Stanford and getting the experience (and she could still enter the Aussie Open, Indian Wells, Miami, and Charleston for rankings points while forsaking the prize money) seems like she'd still get a lot of benefit with little downside, apart from lost $$$ via a QF or stronger running at one of the aforesaid events.


So on further assessment, I actually think turning pro right now isn't really the better option. And I don't just say that as someone deeply invested in keeping our Directors Cup streak alive.  ;D

[2006alum]

One thing that argues in favor of attending Stanford for at least a year is scheduling: between now and next May - when collegiate tennis is over - there are only three significant pro tournaments in the U.S.: Indian Wells, Miami, and Charleston. Bellis has only played overseas once, which was a first-round loss in qualifying at the Roland Garros last year. There's also only one grand slam (Aussie Open), and few big events she would get direct entry into this fall, barring an insane run at the Open this year.


So in my mind, to make going pro worth it, she would need to head abroad for much of the fall and winter, primarily entering qualies. U.S.-hosted ITF tournaments have so little prize money and few rankings points that I don't see her turning pro just for that. But I think committing to the full global tennis playing lifestyle might be a pretty significant jump for her, and forget playing for Stanford - I don't think she could even attend Stanford if she were overseas for Sept.-Nov. and Jan.-Feb. And if she's not overseas, she really doesn't gain much from going pro. Just the prize money from the trio of big U.S. spring tourneys.


In contrast, a year playing at Stanford and getting the experience (and she could still enter the Aussie Open, Indian Wells, Miami, and Charleston for rankings points while forsaking the prize money) seems like she'd still get a lot of benefit with little downside, apart from lost $$$ via a QF or stronger running at one of the aforesaid events.


So on further assessment, I actually think turning pro right now isn't really the better option. And I don't just say that as someone deeply invested in keeping our Directors Cup streak alive.  ;D