Never Stop Learning

Table of Contents

• D.Marcinkevica: Preparing for College Tennis - Wha …

• J.Garcia: Three Steps to Building and Keeping Your …

Preparing for College Tennis - What Juniors Need to Know

by Deniza Marcinkevica, former professional and college tennis player.

For junior tennis players, college tennis represents a world of opportunity for high-level competition, academic growth, lifelong friendships, and a pathway to personal development. However, it becomes harder and harder to get into college tennis because of so much competition. But once a junior player is committed, there is the transition from junior tennis to the college level. One of the biggest transformations a young athlete will ever experience. It demands physical strength, emotional maturity, discipline, and the ability to adapt to a completely different style of competition. As someone who spent my junior years competing across Europe in ITF (International Tennis Federation) and WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) events before ever setting foot in the United States, I know how overwhelming this transition can feel. I also know how rewarding it becomes once everything starts to fall into place.

Preparing for college tennis begins with understanding the level of physical intensity. College practices are long, structured, and demanding. Conditioning often starts early in the morning, weight-room sessions become part of your weekly routine, and dual matches can stretch for hours. The pace is faster, the energy higher, and expectations greater than in junior tennis. To be ready, juniors must build deep endurance for long rallies, strength to withstand months of continuous competition, and the recovery habits that keep the body healthy throughout the season.

Yet the transition is never purely physical. The mental shift required in college tennis is enormous. The atmosphere is loud, emotional, and driven by teamwork. Players who grew up in the quiet, individual world of ITF and WTA tournaments must now thrive in an environment where every point carries weight for the entire team. Teammates are constantly cheering, coaches speak to players during matches, and momentum can shift with a single rally. At first, the adrenaline and noise can feel overwhelming. Learning to stay calm, confident, and composed in the middle of chaos is one of the defining skills of a successful college player.

For international players, the adjustment goes even deeper. Until January 2019, my world revolved around the European tennis system, European junior events, ITF tournaments, and WTA competitions. Everything about life was familiar: the culture, the food, the languages, the school structure. Arriving in the United States for the first time meant navigating not only a new tennis environment but an entirely foreign way of life. Many juniors underestimate how heavily academics influence their daily routine. College athletes are responsible for classes, assignments, exams, and deadlines while juggling the full load of training, traveling, and competing. Professors expect responsibility. Coaches expect discipline. And the schedule rarely slows down.

Balancing academics with tennis requires organization and maturity. Some days begin with early morning conditioning, transition into a full schedule of classes, and end with practice, treatment, and hours of studying at night. It can be exhausting, especially during the competitive season when travel becomes constant. Time management turns into a real survival skill. Handling academic pressure becomes just as important as handling tight matches on the court.

There is also the emotional side, something rarely discussed but deeply felt by every international athlete. Homesickness can hit unexpectedly and hard, especially in the first semester. Being far from family, adjusting to a new language, learning how to communicate with professors, and trying to build new friendships can drain even the strongest players. The pressure to perform for the team and maintain good grades adds another layer of stress. Even small things, like not knowing where to buy familiar food or how to complete paperwork, can make daily life feel overwhelming.

I felt all of this firsthand. When I first came to the U.S., I had never been here before. I left my home, my training base, and the entire European tennis world behind. The tennis itself wasn’t the problem. I was ready for that. What challenged me most was the isolation. My first semester was one of the hardest periods of my life. I felt alone, disconnected, and emotionally exhausted. Even though I trained hard and competed with everything I had, my confidence suffered because my life outside the court felt unstable.

Everything changed in 2019 when I returned home to Latvia for a short period. During that time, I got married, and for the first time, I felt grounded again. When I came back to the United States with my husband, my entire college experience transformed. Suddenly, I had stability, love, and emotional support. That foundation changed everything, not just in my personal life, but in my tennis and academics. My confidence grew because I wasn’t fighting loneliness anymore. I could focus better, study better, train better, and compete with a much clearer mind. This stability gave me the strength to evaluate my goals and make decisions that aligned with my future. When the moment came to switch universities and programs, I didn’t fear starting over. I understood the academic system, I knew the tennis environment, and most importantly, I trusted my ability to adapt. I wasn’t navigating this journey alone anymore.

The truth is that college tennis is not just about forehands, serves, or conditioning sessions. It is also about navigating school pressure, adapting to a new culture, dealing with homesickness, learning independence, and finding people who support you. These experiences shape your future as much as anything that happens on the court.

For juniors preparing to enter college tennis, the most important thing to understand is that your success will depend not only on how hard you work during practice but on how strong you are outside of it. Build academic habits early. Strengthen your communication skills. Develop emotional resilience. And surround yourself with people, family, friends, coaches, or a partner who can support you through the difficult moments.

College tennis can become one of the most transformative chapters of your life. If you prepare your mind, your body, and your heart, the journey will not only make you a better athlete but it will shape you into a stronger, more confident, and more capable version of yourself.

(Read Deniza’s article “Why Young Tennis Players and Their Parents Often Underestimate Fitness and Nutrition”) this month.

Three Steps to Building and Keeping Your Clients

by Juan Garcia, Director of Racquet Sports, San Dieguito Tennis Club, Encinitas, California

1. Connect Personally

The foundation of client retention is the personal connection. Show genuine care by asking students about their lives, hobbies, and work. Find common ground to build rapport.

• Adults: Ask about work, family, hobbies, and whether they play singles or doubles.

• Kids: Ask about school, games, and sports.

• Share: Offer insights into your own life.

This personal relationship shows you care and gives you an advantage over impersonal, social media-based teaching options.

2. Make It Fun and Student-Centered

Knowing your student's personality allows you to make lessons enjoyable and catered to their needs. Cater to their pace (long focus vs. quick rotation) and integrate their other interests.

• Adults: Let them lead. Prompt them by asking: "What would you like to accomplish today (technique, hitting, points)?" Avoid the common mistake of only teaching what you want to work on; if they ask for serves, work on serves.

• Kids: The pro should take charge of the plan, but make time for fun. Explain the why behind drills and include their favorite strokes. Use creative elements like video game "levels" or a few minutes of 'tweeners to keep them engaged and having fun.

3. Ensure Consistent Improvement

While connection and fun bring students back initially, improvement is the key to long-term retention. Understand your student's learning style to ensure concepts "click.

" Stay Current: Remain open-minded, attend conferences, and talk to peers. If you become stagnant, you become a "dinosaur.

" You must be willing to be coached (i.e., learn new methods) if you expect your students to be.

Conclusion

By consistently applying these 3 steps (Connect, Fun, and Improve), you will keep clients returning and encourage them to refer others. Be passionate, energetic, and self-aware to grow the game one student at a time.