The Importance of Relating to your Players
An aspect of being a consummate tennis professional and coach that is often overlooked is the ability to relate to your students. The majority of players you will teach in your coaching career will not be lifting the winners trophy at Wimbledon, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to achieve something by picking up a racquet. Whether your student wants to play college tennis or simply run around, hit balls and get a good workout, you as the professional have to make him or her feel as if they are the most important person during that session. You have to bring out your human side and make it about more than just tennis. Not all players want to divulge every aspect of their lives while on the tennis court, but they also don’t want to feel as if the time is completely transactional. While your student’s main concern for the hour may be finding better rhythm on their topspin forehand, they also want to feel like they are interacting with another human being. Too many pros think sa...