Through a newly established program designed to strengthen the pipeline of future tennis professionals, USTA Coaching will collaborate with Hope College to further align academic preparation with the evolving needs of the tennis industry.
The collaboration – which will also involve Ferris State and Methodist University —intends to support students pursuing careers in tennis by creating stronger connections between university programs and the professional coaching ecosystem. The participating institutions and USTA Coaching will expose students earlier to industry resources, professional standards and development opportunities that support successful careers in coaching and racquet sports leadership.
“Our students are incredibly excited about the opportunities this partnership creates, as it connects their academic experience directly to the tennis industry,” said Adam Ford, director of Hope College’s professional tennis management at Hope College. “This collaboration gives them a clearer pathway to grow as professionals while gaining early exposure to the standards, relationships and resources that will shape their careers.”
As part of the collaboration, students enrolled in Professional Tennis Management and Racquet Sports Management programs will have expanded opportunities to engage with USTA Coaching resources and professional development tools as they prepare to enter the workforce. The initiative is designed to help bridge the gap between academic study and real-world experience while supporting the long-term growth of the tennis profession.
The collaboration will also create opportunities for enhanced engagement between university
programs and the broader tennis community — including access to educational resources,
industry insights and select professional development experiences designed to support
student learning and career readiness.
“We could not be more excited to be working with these colleges to help us recruit the next generation of tennis professionals,” said Elliott Pettit, USTA Coaching’s senior director of education and certification. “As a former alum of the program, it really opened doors for me to expand my skills in the tennis industry. As we look to get 35 million people playing tennis by 2035, we need to be sure that the proper infrastructure is there to make sure those heading out onto a court have a great experience and want to keep coming back.”
To learn more about USTA Coaching visit www.ustacoaching.com.
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 redefines 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 visit USTACoaching.com.
For more information, contact: Tom LaDue, Director-Corporate Communications, USTA at (914) 697-2352, ladue@usta.com or Coyne PR at (973) 588-2000, USTACoaching@coynepr.com