Description
Join us this March 15th & 16th for the 2nd Annual Coaching Webinar- ‘Next-Level Strategies for Modern Tennis’, an exclusive event designed to elevate your coaching game! After the success of last year’s inaugural event, we’re taking things to the next level with world-class speakers, including professional tour coaches, sports psychologists, fitness trainers, and more.
This two-day online event will be packed with cutting-edge insights, proven coaching strategies, and expert advice from some of the most respected names in the industry. Whether you’re a college coach, aspiring professional coach, or just looking to sharpen your skills, this webinar is a must-attend!
Can’t make it live? No problem! All sessions will be recorded and available for purchase, so you won’t miss a thing.
📅 Dates: March 15-16, 2025 (8.45 a.m.-1.00 p.m. EST)
🎤 Speakers: 8 industry experts
🎥 Live & Recorded Access
Missed our incredible webinar last year? Click here to purchase the recording and catch up on expert insights from top industry professionals!
Host: Mark Gellard, Candy Reid-Harrop and Sofia Rojas
Speakers:
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Magda Linette – We are thrilled to welcome Magda Linette as a guest speaker for this year’s First Strike Tennis Webinar. A highly accomplished WTA Tour professional, Magda has been Poland’s No. 1 ranked player, is currently ranked inside the Top 40, and is one of the few active players to have maintained a spot in the WTA Top 100 for 10 consecutive years—a testament to her consistency and dedication. Magda’s career highlights include a remarkable run to the 2023 Australian Open semifinals, where she showcased her resilience and world-class ability on one of tennis’s biggest stages. She has also captured three WTA singles titles and two WTA doubles titles as well as numerous ITF titles. Beyond the court, Magda is passionate about giving back. She founded the Magda Linette Foundation (LinetteFoundation.com), which helps children in Poland gain access to sports and education, creating opportunities for the next generation. Join us as Magda shares her insights on high-performance training, match preparation, and the mindset needed to compete at the highest level, offering a rare and invaluable perspective from one of the most experienced players on tour. |
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Dr. Niklas Häusler – Niklas Häusler is the CEO and co-founder of the German neuroscience company “neuro11”. He holds a PhD in neuroscience & psychology from the University of Bonn and with his team he provides expertise in neuroscience, psychology, and sports science to worldwide partners in elite sports and high performing business environments. As such, neuro11 has already successfully trained more than 200 top athletes and managers to help perform at their best when it mattered most. World-class coaches, top 50 tennis and golf players, soccer World Cup and Champions League winners, basketball MVPs, and even elite portfolio managers are amongst the clients who trust neuro11 with their worldwide unique brain training approach to peak performance. |
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Justin Russ – Justin Russ is a dynamic strength and conditioning coach, industry presenter, and consultant with over 10 years of experience working with athletes of all ages, sports, and ability levels. His current role is Director of Athletic Performance at a South Florida Facility. Immediately prior, he coached privately on the ATP Tour and served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Virginia, where he helped to guide Men’s Tennis to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2022 and 2023, and consecutive ACC regular season and tournament titles from 2021-2023. Prior to arriving in Charlottesville, Russ coached privately, working with professional tennis athletes on the ATP & WTA Tours, worked in a business development role in Dubai, UAE and was the Head of Tennis Performance at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida from 2015-2018. |
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Dr. Elizabeth Ward – Beyond physical strength, technical skills and endurance, what distinguishes champions and championship teams from the rest? Mental edge. Dr. Elizabeth Ward, a former Harvard University ice hockey player and international competitor, knows what is required to excel under pressure. Drawing upon her extensive experience as an athlete and as a licensed psychologist, Elizabeth works with professional, Division 1 and other high-achieving athletes /teams who want to strengthen their mental skills. Her personalized mental conditioning programs, which integrate sport psychology, mindfulness training and resilience building, are based on scientific research and applied success to help her clients optimize their performance. In addition to serving as a member of the US Olympic and Paralympic Registry, Elizabeth is a member of American Psychological Association (APA), Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), Clinical Counseling Sport Psychology Association (CCSPA) and also participates annually in the select Big Sky Conference. |
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Rob Morgan – Rob Morgan is a highly respected and accomplished tennis coach with a proven track record of success on both the ATP and WTA Tours. A British native, Rob has coached three players to World No. 1 and has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of some of the sport’s biggest names. As the youngest coach ever to win a Grand Slam, Rob has guided players to over 30 professional titles, including: 7 Grand Slam championships, including Wimbledon 2023, US Open 2021, and the Australian Open 2020 Men’s Doubles title and 4 ATP Masters 1000 titles. Rob has worked with some of the world’s top players, including Joe Salisbury, Rajeev Ram, Wesley Koolhof, Neal Skupski, and Austin Krajicek, among others. In addition to his success on tour, Rob is the founder and owner of M2 Performance Tennis Academy in the UK, where he continues to develop and mentor the next generation of elite tennis players. With a wealth of experience at the highest levels of the game, Rob Morgan remains one of the most sought-after coaches in professional tennis. |
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Mark Gellard – With over 15 years of experience training some of the world’s most elite tennis players, Mark Gellard has established himself as a leading figure in professional tennis coaching. He has worked with the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF) and the prestigious Star River Team in China, providing top-tier coaching to emerging and established talents alike. Mark’s impressive coaching résumé includes working with Grand Slam champions, top-ranked professionals, and some of the most successful players in the game, including Martina Hingis, Kristina Kucova, Melinda Czink, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Zarina Diyas, Danka Kovinic, Panna Udvardy, Shelby Rogers, and Magda Linette. He is one of the few professional tennis coaches worldwide to also hold the prestigious Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential from the NSCA, ensuring a comprehensive, high-performance approach to player development. For the past six years, Mark has served as the coach of WTA player Magda Linette, guiding her to some of the biggest successes of her career. Additionally, he is an active member of the WTA Coach & Player Advisory Council (CPAC), where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of professional tennis through various strategic initiatives. |
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Raj Chaudhuri – brings a wealth of experience in elite tennis coaching, having worked extensively on the WTA Tour from 2000-2017 and again in 2023 to the present as a tennis coach, strength & conditioning expert, and performance coach. Throughout his career, he has been privately contracted by numerous WTA and Grand Slam champions, including Martina Navratilova, Lisa Raymond, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Petra Martic, and Julia Görges, among many others. His expertise has guided players through over 400 WTA events and 71 Grand Slam tournaments, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier performance coach. Beyond the WTA Tour, Raj has an extensive history in team coaching, serving as Head Coach of the Philadelphia Freedoms, leading them to the 2001 World Team Tennis Championship and earning Coach of the Year honors. He was also part of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Tennis Team in Sydney (2000) and worked as a coach and hitting partner for the U.S. Fed Cup Team from 1999-2005. His collegiate coaching experience includes a tenure with the University of Florida Women’s Tennis team (1998-2000), where he was named Wilson ITA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year. As the Founder and Inventor of Synapse CCR, Raj continues to push the boundaries of performance training and athletic development, offering cutting-edge solutions for elite athletes. His deep knowledge of tennis coaching, strength & conditioning, and performance optimization makes him a highly sought-after expert in the sport. |
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Curtis Stefan – Curtis is one of the world’s leading racket specialists, with decades of experience customizing, stringing, and fine-tuning rackets for top ATP and WTA players. As the owner of Custom Tennis Racquets, Curtis has worked with legendary players such as Pete Sampras, Andy Murray, Casper Ruud, Martina Navratilova, and Jessica Pegula, among many others. His expertise includes racket customization, stringing, weight and balance adjustments, handle modifications, and custom painting, ensuring that elite players get the perfect setup for peak performance. If you want to learn how to enhance player performance through racket manipulation, string tensions, and optimal weight and balance systems, or simply want to be more informed about racket technology and equipment, this presentation is a must-attend! |
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Shreyas Gajendragadkar – Shreyas is a leading expert in tennis data and performance analytics, helping coaches leverage cutting-edge statistical insights to optimize player development and match strategies. His expertise in data-driven decision-making enables coaches to identify key patterns, tendencies, and performance indicators that provide a competitive edge. In this session, Shreyas will break down how to effectively use tennis data and analytics to refine coaching strategies, enhance player performance, and gain a deeper understanding of the modern game. |
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Mike Anders – Mike is a key figure within the WTA, bringing extensive experience in professional tennis operations, player development, and tour management as the director of member services & coach program. With a deep understanding of the inner workings of the WTA Tour, Mike provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of women’s tennis, including player pathways, tournament structures, and industry trends. At the Next Level Strategies for Modern Tennis webinar, Mike will offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes perspective on how the professional tour operates, discuss key developments in women’s tennis, and share expert advice on what coaches and players should know to navigate the professional circuit effectively. His session will be a must-attend for those looking to gain a better understanding of the tour’s structure, its opportunities, and the factors that impact player success at the highest level. |
