Steven W.

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 800 lifetime credit hours of continuing education and have taught tennis 55,000 hours. I’m currently the #7 player 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 = Travel Radius = Preferred Court