Should parents force talent development?

Should dad back off on teens' life decisions?
Our daughters are 14 and 16 years old. They have physical talent for tennis. Hubby is trying to make them try out for HS tennis team or take the class (which plays JV sometimes in tournaments). He thinks...

they have real talent, maybe enough to earn way to college.
After practicing w/him about 3 times a week for 2 years, the girls have had enough of his teaching and tennis. They say they don't like it and don't want to play. Hubby says they have been given a talent and it's a sin to waste it.
I think they are old enough to choose what they want to do, and if they waste their talent, then so be it, but they also may find their talent in other areas and who are we to say?
What is YOUR opinion, should we let them decide for themselves?
Hubby says they'll be sorry later..

It's been said many times- passion is one of the most important keys to success. If your kids aren't into tennis, why restrict them to that one activity instead of allowing them to branch out? Branching out may actually have a greater impact when they are going to college than sticking to tennis throughout high school would. If they branch out, they know they can come back to tennis later on if they realize they enjoy it. But forcing them to miss out on other possibilities isn't the way to go- they could have other talents that would be inhibited if they stick to tennis the whole time.

Maybe they've tired of dad's teachings, and a new coach would do them some good. If dad was never really a tennis pro, then maybe he's hit a wall and taught them all that he can. A good coach will inspire the athlete when they're feeling discouraged, keeps them shooting for the prize.

Also, at that age, a lot of teens want to start departing from their parents and making their own way. If they're really good at it, surely they do have passion for it. I'd start offering the girls ways to play and grow that don't involve dad so much anymore. It's time to let them spread their wings.

On that TV show, Kung Fu, Young Grasshopper was set free into the world by his teacher when he finally was able to take the grasshopper out of the master's hand. When that happened, the teacher said, I've taught you all that I can. Maybe your girls feel they long ago took the grasshopper from dad's hand and need a new teacher.

Speaking from a childs POV. Having dad around like that does get a little tiring, especially if they don't really want him there like that. Let them decide for themselves. Any more from dad and a wall will be put up by the girls. Trust me, Dad will not like it but your girls will appreciate the space they get to do what they like for a change. I've seen this happen a lot with close friends of mine. They get so obsessed in pleasing sports fan parents that they loose all mind in focusing hard on succeeding for Daddy. Your girls are young and need there fun as well. If they want to pursue the sport they will let you know. But if they show signs of disinterest then dad should know that he's pushing a little too hard.

Your girls will love you both with their space.

i'm a teenager myself, and the way i would respond is by shutting down, i love playing soccer, but if my parents tried making me play constantly, i would lose a lot of interest in it. i think its like most other things in that a good balance needs to be found: if you pressure them too much, they may become rebellious about it (if that's part of their personalities) but if you just let them go any which way with it, they may very well forget about it altogether and that talent will go to waste. I, of course can only look at it from my own perspective, but i have seen kids who were great at a sport come to despise because it was just too much practice and the fun of it was lost.

Let them be. if they don't want to play tennis then that's ok. Tennis use to be something fun for them. but you hubby is pushing it so much it has become hell. let them do what they want with there lives. your hubby shouldn't push them anyway. if they do become something else it'll be weird for them to see your hubby. if they think they let him down than they'll always feel weird around him. You should get (Make) you hubby tell them that he doesn't care what they do as long as there happy. which is how it should be.