Developing World Class Players

What goes into developing a pro champion?

For the last 20 years I’ve been involved in the development of hundreds and hundreds of players, from beginning 4-year olds, to sectionally and nationally ranked juniors, to college players, to tour players, to household names at the Grand Slams–and every other level in between.

What are the factors involved in that development process? What does it take to become a world class player? This article provides an overview of some of the things that I’ve learned. Some of the factors are mainly physical or genetic, although they can sometimes be enhanced in the development process. Other factors are more technical and tactical. These are the result of the type of instruction and coaching young players receive.

Movement

First, tennis is a movement sport. Even after all these years, it just blows me away how many people don’t realize it. It’s not golf and you’re not standing still when you hit the ball.

Venus and Serena took athleticism to a new level.

Movement is more vital now than it’s ever been because of the athletes now coming into the pro game. When I first saw Venus and Serena Williams and the way they…