Christy Lynch - From College Standout to Academy Owner

After connecting with Christy Lynch on LinkedIn and following her journey from a junior player to an academy owner, I felt compelled to interview her. She shared that it was a single coach, Derek Tarr, who inspired her to stick with the sport and pursue a career in tennis—a powerful reminder of the lasting impact coaches have on young athletes. Tarr built an incredible legacy during his 32-year tenure at UAB, where he retired in 2021 as the winningest coach in the program's history.

RB: Hi Christy, how old were you when you were first introduced to tennis?

CL: I was around 7 or 8 years old when I first started playing tennis.

RB: Who introduced you, and how did this come about?

CL: My mom initially introduced both my older brother and me to tennis. She played tennis in high school, was largely self-taught, and later played at Jacksonville State University in the 1970s. She was one of the first few women to receive a college tennis scholarship following Title IX, which truly changed her life.

At the time, she was working at a hotel while also attending a community college in Panama City, Florida. One summer, she was spotted hitting with a friend by the head coach at Jacksonville State, who offered both of them scholarships. That opportunity shaped her future—and ultimately mine.

RB: Did you play on school teams? Was there a coach during your formative years?

CL: Yes. My first coach was the head pro at our local neighborhood club in Alabama when I was about 8 years old, a man named Derek Tarr, who had competed at the highest level, reaching the Top 100 on tour. I was incredibly fortunate—he was an outstanding coach who truly shaped my game and my love for the sport at a young age.

I also played high school tennis in Alabama during 7th and 8th grade. I always loved being part of a team, and many of those girls became some of my closest friends growing up.

Christy writes about the above photo: It shows Bryan Shelton, my coach at Georgia Tech (father and coach of ATP player Ben Shelton), and the Athletic Director at GT at the time, Dan Radakovich (now AD at University of Miami). 

RB: What made you decide to play on the WTA Tour?

CL: I had a solid college career at Georgia Tech, reaching Top 25 in singles and Top 15 in doubles. The true highlights, though, were our team accomplishments—winning the 2007 National Championship, the 2007 and 2008 ITA National Indoor Championships, and four ACC Championships.

I also had the opportunity to learn and play under Bryan Shelton, the father and coach of Ben Shelton. Bryan was a phenomenal coach who encouraged us to follow our passions.

I always had a strong desire to keep playing after college and to stay involved in the sport, which ultimately led me to pursue professional tennis.

RB: What was the highlight of your time on the Tour? Did you enjoy it?

CL: I had already competed on the ITF Pro Circuit before and during college and even earned a win over a former Top 60 player during my freshman year.

That said, I struggled to truly enjoy professional tennis after college. I missed being part of a team and the built-in support system that comes with college tennis. The experience felt very different on my own, and the financial challenges of professional tennis also played a role.

RB: What made you decide to go into teaching and coaching tennis after the Tour?

CL: I began teaching in Atlanta right after graduating while still playing professional events. I fell in love with coaching almost immediately. Atlanta is a huge tennis town, and I met so many people through the sport. Sharing my passion for the game while helping others improve was incredibly fulfilling for me.

RB: What did you like better, teaching at a club or at a college?

CL: They are very different, and both have their pros and cons. I’ve loved meeting people from all walks of life through club tennis and being part of that broader community. At the same time, I absolutely love coaching college tennis—there’s nothing quite like being part of a team and seeing players grow, both individually and collectively, throughout their journey.

RB: How was working at the ITP mega racquet sports center, and what was your main job there?

CL: My primary role was building and directing a junior tennis academy. The facility was brand new and had zero clients when I started. Within one year, I grew the academy to over 50 students while also building and managing a team of coaches. What I’m most proud of is the culture we created—watching it grow and seeing the impact on the players was really special.

RB: Very recently, you started your own business, The Academy at Glenlake. What made you decide to do that?

CL: I’ve been a resident of Decatur/DeKalb County for almost 20 years, and the opportunity to partner with the City of Decatur to build my own program while giving back to my community is incredibly exciting to me.

I have a fantastic team of coaches, and we’re focused on building a culture that helps young players not only get started in tennis, but truly fall in love with the game—while also providing a pathway to college or professional tennis if they choose. I also have a 6-year-old daughter who plays tennis and attends our program, which makes this journey even more meaningful.

RB: Can you comment on your experience as a female teaching professional and how we can attract more females to racquet sports careers?

CL: Being a female coach in a predominantly male profession comes with both positives and challenges. I’ve always embraced my role as a female coach and have connected well with players of all ages and genders. I believe women bring a valuable—and often different—perspective to coaching and leadership roles in racquet sports.

That said, gender bias still exists in how female coaches are perceived. I hope to continue inspiring more women to pursue coaching and help change that narrative. Visibility is key—when young women see other women thriving in coaching and leadership roles, it becomes easier for them to envision themselves on that path as well.

RB: Thank you, Christy, and best of luck with your new Academy!