Steven W.
Normandy Park , WA (6 locations)
-
USPTA
Certified
-
PTR
Certified
USPTA
Certified
PTR
Certified
- Years Teaching: 40
- Years Playing: 45
- Levels Taught: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Teaches: Kids, Juniors, Adults, Seniors
Schedule Lessons
About Me
I’m from South Seattle, and I fell in love with the sport playing with friends and family as a teen. Then, I had a really good high school coach and later became the #1 Junior College player in the state for Highline College (1983) and played #3 singles and #2 doubles at Idaho State University where my partner and I broke a record for wins in 1984 (20-6). I have taught at four of the world’s top tennis academies, the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in Texas, for Peter Burwash International In Canada, the Harry Hopman/Saddlebrook International Tennis in Florida and for Gorin Academy in California.
I’m USPTA Elite and PTR certified and went through the USTA High Performance coaching program in 2014. I’m the #1 educated USPTA tennis pro in the PNW from 2017-2020 and have over 850 lifetime credit hours of continuing education and have taught tennis 55,000 hours. In 2023 I was ranked #6 in the US in men’s 60 singles and have been ranked #1 in the PNW in men’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s 35’s, men’s 55’s and men’s 60’s. I served as traveling coach on the ATP Pro Tour in 1988 including the US Open men’s singles main draw (Jared Palmer). I enjoy helping people develop effective and efficient technique and footwork patterns. I’ve got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the sport and I’ve spoken at numerous coaching conventions. I’m trying to stay one step ahead of my students! I am still learning weekly, as much from the students as them from me, as everyone is a little different and has some strengths that I may not have. Let’s GO!!!
Teaching Style
I think of tennis as having four parts:
1. Mental
2. Physical
3. Technique
4. Strategy
I believe tennis strokes come in three sizes: small (1/4 stroke), medium (half stroke) and large (full stroke). And different spins go with each.
1/4 strokes = underspin
1/2 strokes = flat
Full strokes = topspin.
The spin has to match the stroke.
Our typical private tennis lesson has a mini tennis warmup (1/4 strokes), a mid court warmup (half strokes) and a full court warmup (full ground strokes and serves).
After I see the player’s strengths and weaknesses, then I’ll hand feed or racket feed the player that shot that he/she needs improvement on.
No long talks. Short explanations and back to more feeding or rallying and playing some points or tiebreakers.
Teaching Locations
- Solstice Park 6 Lighted
- 7430 Fauntleroy Way Sw
- Seattle, WA 98116
- Chief Sealth International
- 2600 Sw Thistle Street
- Seattle , WA 98126
- Lower Woodland Tennis Courts
- 1000 N 50th Street
- Seattle, WA 98103
- Highline High School Tennis
- 15623 Des Moines Memorial Drive S.
- Burien , WA 98148
- Bainbridge High School
- 9330 High School Nw
- Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
- Mercer Island High School
- 9100 Se 42nd Street
- Mercer Island , WA 98040
Latest Reviews
Coach Steve is an incredible instructor—passionate about tennis, hilarious, and endlessly patient. He has a sharp eye for details like grip, positioning, and follow-through, and somehow makes improvements feel magical. Lessons are always fun, full of jokes, and never intimidating. My husband, son, and I take lessons together and he customizes each lesson to our different levels so all three of us are challenged and engaged the whole time. My husband and son (already into sports) love the lessons just as much as I do, even though I started as a complete beginner. Steve made me feel capable from the very first session and, more importantly, made it fun. I somehow went from avoiding tennis to loving it, playing with my family, and even becoming my son’s backup tennis partner. We can’t recommend him enough!