The first national tennis-coaching platform to serve both parents and professionals—offering tailored resources, certification and the industry's most comprehensive support services
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today officially launched USTA Coaching, Inc., a new entity established to elevate and support the coaching community nationwide. USTA Coaching offers a comprehensive, inclusive and scalable solution to support every type of coach, from parents looking to introduce tennis to their children to full-time professionals. This first-of-its-kind national platform is designed to transform the tennis coaching experience through a modern holistic approach–offering certification, flexible training through a robust online learning hub, community-building opportunities and a wide range of exclusive benefits that support coaches at every level.
During a USTA Coaching session, young players participate in fun, confidence-building drills on the court (Photo by USTA/Chris Krusberg).
A USTA Coaching session on court showcases how USTA Coaching supports coaches of all backgrounds and experience levels (Photo by Aaron Wendler).
A USTA Coach connects with players, demonstrating how USTA Coaching supports a diverse and inclusive coaching community (Photo by USTA/Chris Krusberg).
"USTA Coaching is based on a simple truth: Better coaches create better play experiences, and better play experiences grow the game," said Craig Morris, chief executive officer of USTA Coaching. "We saw a need to unify the coaching experience, from tennis-seeking parents to full-time pros, and built a platform that makes coaching more accessible, more rewarding and more impactful. It's also about developing the next generation of coaches and ensuring that players see themselves reflected in the sport. This is about creating better experiences for coaches so they can create better experiences for players."
USTA Coaching education is rooted in a coach- and athlete-centered approach shaped by the USTA American Development Model (ADM), a framework built on the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee's (USOPC) ADM principles and grounded in the latest sport science and athlete development research. This connection to the USOPC underscores USTA Coaching's commitment to quality, inclusivity, and long-term player growth. Participants gain access to resources, services and benefits such as liability insurance, telehealth, equipment discounts, coaching tools and a dynamic peer community. With support for every stage and skill level, USTA Coaching delivers the structure, confidence and connection today's coaches need to lead both on and off the court.
"The USTA is a strong National Governing Body, a great partner to the USOPC and an important part of Team USA," said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. "It's no surprise that they are leading in coaching innovation, building on a history of success and giving the current and future generations new opportunities to learn and achieve with the launch of USTA Coaching."
The launch of USTA Coaching marks a strategic investment in the future of tennis and serves as a cornerstone of the USTA's growth strategy to reach 35x35 (35 million players by 2035), making the U.S. a leading tennis-playing nation (by population) in the world–increasing the number of Americans playing the world's healthiest sport to 10 percent of the population, while deepening positive impact in communities nationwide. As participation surges nationwide, the sport faces a growing need for coaches, and USTA Coaching aims to fill that need with a scalable national solution. Currently, only 2 in 10 players receive formal coaching, a gap that USTA Coaching intends to close.
More than just a platform, USTA Coaching is a workforce development initiative designed to modernize the coaching ecosystem, streamline access to training, and expand the reach of who can provide quality coaching. Recognizing that growth depends on more than certified professionals, USTA Coaching empowers parents, teachers, volunteers and community leaders, those most often introducing newcomers to the game, with the tools and support they need to succeed. By creating an inclusive coaching pathway and unifying resources under one platform, USTA Coaching is positioned to accelerate participation, strengthen local tennis communities and ensure that growth is backed by a diverse, well-equipped coaching network.
The USTA is also equipping coaches with the tools to recognize and prevent misconduct in the sport. Regardless of whether a coach chooses the Rally, Pro or Pro Plus tier of benefits, they will complete the Safe Play program—making a vital commitment to creating a secure and respectful environment for every athlete. By completing the required SafeSport Training along with a criminal background screen, the USTA covering the cost of both, coaches reinforce their professional integrity to their tennis community.
"As someone who's been both a competitive player and a coach at the highest levels, I've seen firsthand the impact a great coach can have, not just on a player's skills, but on their long-term love for the sport," said Megan Rose, managing director, head of business development and operations for USTA Coaching. "Coaches are often the first point of access to tennis, especially for kids and new players. With USTA Coaching, our goal is to lower the barrier to entry and make it easy for anyone to step into a coaching role with confidence. By providing accessible tools, flexible learning and real-time support, we're empowering more people to lead and helping grow the game in every community."
Coaches at Every Level. Support at Every Stage. At every level of the game, coaches make the difference. USTA Coaching is designed to meet them wherever they are, whether they're picking up a racquet for the first time or leading athletes at the highest levels. With hands-on learning, professional-grade tools and access to a range of tiered benefit packages, USTA Coaching helps every coach grow their skills, deepen their impact and stay inspired. While a short online quiz can help coaches find the package that best fits their needs, all packages are optional and flexible, so coaches can choose the level of support that is right for them, no matter their role or experience.
Baseline Package: Many people become coaches not by planning to, but by stepping up, whether it is helping at practice, leading a gym class, or supporting their child's first time on court. USTA Coaching makes that first step easier with free access to the Baseline package, which includes local event access and beginner-friendly drills and plans delivered to their inbox. For tennis parents, saying "yes" is about more than showing up, it is about passing down values, sharing milestones and building a lifelong bond through the game.
Rally Package: USTA Coaching's Rally package supports high school coaches and community instructors who juggle teaching with premium educational content, peer mentorship, Coach Developer office hours, Safe Play training, and tools like TennisDrills.TV. From leading pre-season tryouts to managing post-match pep talks, Rally offers the structure and support they need to lead with confidence.
Pro and Pro Plus Packages: For those part-time and full-time professionals building reputations in clubs, academies, parks and recreation programs and public facilities, the Pro and Pro Plus packages offer advanced support. That includes national certifications, continuing education, discounts on tech and gear, and insurance coverage built for coaches who lead every day. Pro Plus adds unlimited additionally insured facilities, accident insurance and telehealth, because when coaching is your livelihood, peace of mind matters.
"As a former Grand Slam champion and coach, I've seen how the right guidance changes everything," said Lindsey Davenport, Olympic gold medalist and USTA Coaching ambassador. "USTA Coaching is here to champion every coach, whether you're leading a lesson or cheering from the sidelines. This platform is going to change how coaches connect with players and how players connect with the game."
Learn More To explore your coaching pathway or join the platform, visit USTACoaching.com. A short quiz will help determine your starting point, and participants can begin accessing their Rally, Pro or Pro Plus benefits immediately after completion of their Safe Play training. Additional features, including the online learning hub and certification equivalency program, will launch in Q4 2025.
About USTA Coaching USTA Coaching is a new entity established by the USTA with a national platform created to support, elevate and expand the tennis coaching community across the United States. The platform offers tiered benefits for coaches at every level - from professional instructors and high school coaches to parents, teachers and volunteers. With a modern approach to certification, flexible education pathways and access to exclusive tools and benefits, USTA Coaching is redefining who gets to lead on the court. By empowering more people to coach, USTA Coaching ensures that as demand for tennis grows, so does the community of skilled, diverse and well-equipped leaders guiding the game forward. To learn more visitUSTACoaching.com.
SOURCE USTA Coaching
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