Emma’s First Ace
Last Tuesday, I watched 7-year-old Emma hit her first ace. Her eyes went wide, her mouth formed a perfect “O,”
and then she jumped so high I thought she might take flight. Her mom cried. I might have gotten a little misty too.
Emma came to me six months ago—a shy second-grader who hid behind her mother’s leg during our first meeting.
“She watched the US Open on TV,” her mom explained, “and kept saying she wanted to hit the ball like the ladies
on screen. But she’s never held a racket.”
That’s the magic moment every tennis coach lives for—when a child discovers something they didn’t know
they could do. When they realize they’re capable of more than they imagined.
Working with children isn’t just about teaching forehand grips and proper footwork (though we definitely do that).
It’s about creating an environment where kids feel safe to try, fail, laugh, and try again. Where a “mistake”
becomes a “learning opportunity,” and where every small victory gets celebrated like a Grand Slam title.
The Real Goal: Building Humans, Not Just Players
I’ve been coaching junior tennis for 12 years, and here’s what I’ve learned: parents bring their children
to me hoping I’ll teach them tennis. What actually happens is so much bigger.
Tennis teaches kids how to handle pressure. How to stay focused when things get tough. How to shake hands
with their opponent whether they won or lost. These lessons show up in their math tests, their friendships,
their ability to handle disappointment when they don’t make the school play.
One parent told me last month: “Olga, I don’t even care if Jake becomes a professional player. But since
he started tennis with you, his grades improved, he’s more confident, and he actually asks how I’m doing
when he gets home from school.” That’s the real win.
My Approach to Coaching Children
🎯 Age-Appropriate Progression
Ages 4-6 (Mini Tennis): We use smaller courts, lighter rackets, and softer balls.
Lessons feel like play—because they should. We focus on coordination, having fun, and falling in love
with the game.
Ages 7-10 (Development): Technical foundations come into focus. We work on proper strokes,
movement patterns, and basic tactics. Still lots of games and fun challenges.
Ages 11-16 (Competition Ready): More structured training. Match play, tournament preparation,
mental toughness, and strategic thinking. For those who want to compete seriously.
👥 Small Groups = Real Attention
I cap my children’s groups at 4 students. Why? Because I need to see each child’s technique, correct
their form, answer their questions, and catch that moment when someone’s struggling or about to give up.
In a group of 12 kids, you’re just hitting balls and hoping for the best. In a group of 4, I can
teach, coach, and mentor.
🎪 Making It Fun (Without Sacrificing Quality)
Every session includes games and challenges: “Target practice,” “King of the Court,” relay races,
and mini-tournaments. Kids learn faster when they’re having fun and don’t realize they’re working hard.
But fun doesn’t mean unfocused. We have clear goals for each lesson, and I make sure every child
understands what they’re learning and why it matters.
💪 Building Confidence, Not Just Skills
I celebrate effort over results. The kid who finally keeps their eye on the ball for an entire rally
gets just as much praise as the one who hits a winner. Confidence comes from feeling seen, supported,
and capable.
Some children arrive at their first lesson afraid to try because they might fail. By their tenth lesson,
they’re volunteering to demonstrate new techniques in front of the group. That transformation is everything.
What Parents Notice
“Marcus was so shy he wouldn’t speak in class. After six months with Olga, he’s not only confident
on the court—he raised his hand in school for the first time last week. Tennis gave him his voice back.”
“My daughter has ADHD, and most activities overwhelm her. Olga’s patient, structured approach helps
Lily focus. It’s the only sport she’s stuck with for more than two months. We’re now in our second year!”
“Olga doesn’t just teach tennis—she teaches life skills. My son learned how to lose gracefully,
work hard for goals, and be a good sport. These lessons show up in everything he does.”
Investment in Your Child’s Development
Private Lessons
- One-on-one attention
- Fully customized to your child’s pace
- Perfect for beginners or kids who need extra help
- Flexible scheduling
- Age-appropriate equipment provided
Small Group (4 Kids Max)
- Maximum 4 children per group
- Grouped by age and skill level
- Social learning + individual attention
- Fun games and challenges
- Weekly progress tracking
- Great for building friendships
Sibling Package
- Perfect for brothers/sisters
- Shared lesson time, individual drills
- They learn together and motivate each other
- Great bonding opportunity
Equipment: I provide rackets and balls for all beginners. Once your child is ready
for their own racket (usually after 4-6 weeks), I’ll help you choose the right one.