Coaching philosophy in sports and tennis in particular has for many years been based on the domination of a reductionist approach - the persistence on analyzing things down to their fundamental components - and lines of influence between knowledgeable coaches and those evidently without knowledge.
Coaches have to be specialists in the specific activity or sport that they coach.
Coaching tennis players at all levels requires a diversity of skills; dependent on the support structure, tennis coaches are supposed be technical experts, motivators, psychologists, administrators and managers, to mention but a few of the evident roles.
It appears to be that successful coaching career of high-level tennis players involves a much more coordinated process than just the do-as-I-say tactics which may be used for novices. High-level players necessitate having much more contribution into goal setting and the organization of training process. They also necessitate being more responsible for controlling themselves.
Sensitivity and effectual managing of stress is also an essential aspect that makes difference between great and poor coaches. High stress surrounding leads to the burnout of a player. Good tennis coaches are ones who can recognize this as well as appreciate the other commitments placed on his players, whether they are full-time professional players or first-rate novices who have to balance sport career with employment or study. Players who have fine communications with their coaches are more likely to perceive the surroundings as less stressful.
One of the greatest tennis coaches ever was a world-acclaimed tennis player Harry Hopman. He was born in Newcastle in August 1906. When he was a student of Parramatta High Scholl Harry began to play tennis and cricket.
Between 1939 and 1967 Harry Hopman was a coach/captain of 22 Devis Cup teams and achieved 16 wins. Harry Hopman coached such players as Lew Hoad, Frank Sedgman, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall,Neale Fraser, Fred Stolle, John Newcombe, Tony Roche, Ashley Cooper, Roy Emerson, Rex Hartwig, Mal Anderson, and Mervyn Rose.
Hopman emigrated to the United States in 1969 and later became a very successful professional tennis coach at Port Washington Academy of Tennis, for future tennis champions, such as John McEnroe and Vitas Gerulaitis. Hopman and his wife Lucy later opened his own Tennis Academy, at Largo, Florida.
In 1978 Harry Hopman was introduced in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. There is also the Hopman Cup for mixed doubles play that was named in his honor.
Another remarkable personality in the world of tennis, but this time belonging to the contemporary period is Lleyton Hewitt. Hewitt is a former #1 tennis player in the world and one the today's most successful coaches. Hewitt is the winner of 2002 Wimbledon men's singles and 2001 US Open titles. He is recognized for his stern competitiveness on the tennis court. Lleyton wins a lot of his matches due to superior fitness, incredible footwork, and consistent shots. Besides, his serve shots have improved significantly during 2004-2005. Hewitt spends a lot of time working with his coach Roger Rasheed on improving his physique. Hewitt's hard work and great efforts paid off and he was able to proceed to the final game of the Australian Open 2005 prior to falling to Marat Safin.