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With the Australian Open having just finished up, and reading about all the ages of the winners, it made me think about how being young has many advantages when it comes to sports. The winner of the men’s side Novak Djokovic , is only 20 years old. Roger Federer, who’s considered the best tennis player today, is only 26 years old. Maria Sharapova who won the woman’s side is also 20 years old. She won her first tennis major, I believe, when she was only 17 years old.

In basketball, arguably the best player Lebron James is only 23 years old. Players as young as 19 leave college to go pro. In the olympics, you have some sports such as gymnastics where the peak age of a gymnast is around 15 years old! In baseball, you have players as young as 20 joining the league, though the average age of a baseball player is 28 years old. Football is another sport where youth has it’s advantages, though some positions are better served by those with experience.

I would say that sports is probably one of the few places where young people are able to have a big impact. Usually once you get past 30 or so, your best days are typically behind you when referring to the sports world. You have some jobs, such as President of the USA, where you’re not even allowed to attempt to run for office unless you’re 35 years old.

So for those talented enough to play professional sports, or have a chance to compete in something like the olympics, definitely take advantage of it as you’ll most likely be replaced by someone younger in a few years.