Who is the Best Tennis Coach in London?

Tennis in London grows more popular every year, largely thanks to the Wimbledon tennis championships, but also thanks to all the inspiring tennis coaches in London. Here are six of the best:

Alexander Slabinsky

Born in Ukraine, Alexander turned pro when he was 18, and went on to compete in grand slams, including Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and the US Open. For some time he was Andy Murray’s training partner.

In 2008 and 2009 he became British men’s rank number 4 player. His highest ATP world ranking was 266, and he continues to compete on the ATP tour.

Having been coached by top international tennis coaches Brad Gilbert and Paul Annacone, Alexander got a taste for coaching, and is now available for private coaching lessons in London. He can be contacted through the UpMySport website.

Gaddo Guidotti

Gaddo began his coaching career in Italy, then moved to London and became a licenced LTA coach (Level 2). In 2005 he  co-founded  The London Tennis Academy.

For 10 years now Gaddo has been head coach at The Globe Tennis Club in Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park, London NW3. He favours the Spanish school of coaching methods.

Gaddo has coached 2 world ranked players: Alexander Slabinsky and Alex Bogdanovic. He also has wide experience of competing internationally, including matches against several world top 10  players.

His top tip is to get tennis lessons, but also to apply what you’ve learned with as much match-play as possible between lessons.

Ben Halstead

Ben combines experience of  international competition on the Reebok Tour, with extensive coaching experience in New Zealand, Central America, and now London. He is technically strong, and coaches an attacking style of play.

Ben is head coach at The Gardens Tennis Club (Wimbledon Park Road, Southfields, London SW19 6NS). He uses the Bailey Method of advanced biomechanics, and blends this with the Spanish coaching method with particular emphasis on the optimum use of the hands.

Ben’s career high was to reach an ITF world ranking of 150. He is available for private lessons at his club, and also in Hammersmith, Fulham, and Hurlingham Park SW6.

Phil Vivian

Although Phil has not competed internationally, his strength lies in his 3 decades of coaching experience and multiple qualifications. He started playing at 18, but such was his natural talent that he qualified as a coach just 1 year later.

Phil is head coach at Aldersbrook Tennis Club in Wanstead (Blake Hall Crescent, London E11 3RH), where his son Jamie also coaches. Under Phil’s expert guidance,  Jamie competed nationally and reached a British ranking high of 61.

Phil is one of the most highly qualified coaches in London. He is a Senior LTA Club Coach, PTR Academy Professional, PTR coach education tutor & tester, and PTR Chief Assessor.

He holds a Sports Science Degree, was PTR Pro of the Year 1998, and in 2012/13 was PTR International Tester of the Year. Beat that!

Justin Pimm

Justin earned a 1st class Honours Degree in Strength & Conditioning (St Mary’s University, Twickenham), and with this strong academic background went on to qualify as a PTR coach in 2005. He uses the Guided Discovery Method in his coaching.

Justin coaches at the Woodfield Grove Tennis Club in Streatham (London SW16 1LR). He is also the club’s junior co-ordinator. He has built a reputation for being an inspiring and fun coach, who gets the best out of a wide range of pupils, both adults and kids, and teaches them above all to enjoy the game and play with relaxed confidence.

What sets Justin apart from many other coaches is the sheer breadth of his sporting skills: he has attained an advanced level of skill in sailing, skiing, golf, and mountain-biking.

Ben Gudzelak

Ben is a LTA Level 4 coach (senior club coach), and coaches at the Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club (London NW6). He is the lead coach in Junior Performance & Development, and also coaches adults.

He picked up valuable experience working with Brad Langevad in video biomechanical analysis, which deepened his technical knowledge.

As a former county player (Yorkshire), and international competitor on the ATP Tour (top world ranking 850), Ben is well placed to pass onto his pupils the secrets of world class professional tennis tactics, strategy and mental toughness.

So you can see from the profiles of these 6 supremely talented coaches, that tennis in London will continue to go from strength to strenth.

Who do you think is the best tennis coach in London? Have your say in the comments section below.

 

Dominic Londesborough is a personal trainer in London, and founder of the Fitness Buddy social network, where you can find a tennis buddy in your part of London.

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