What do college coaches actually look for?

(Getty/Marie LaFauci)

With the growing popularity of junior tennis players in Australia choosing the collegiate path, there is a whirlpool of information about what a player needs to do to get recruited. Much of the information available to players and parents is vague, expensive, or contradictory, which only confuses the process further.

But what do actual collegiate coaches truly look for in their recruitment process? 

With so many recruiting agencies, social media groups, and agents in the expansive web of collegiate tennis recruitment, a perfectly polished recruitment video is often not enough to get a collegiate coach to reach out. 

Yes, recruitment videos help catch the attention of coaches looking for budding talents by featuring movement, technique, and physicality. But edited videos of perfect technique and winning points tend to only highlight a glimmer of your true potential and character as a player. Top coaches dig a lot deeper to uncover if you are truly someone they believe will fit their team. 

Listen to The First Serve Live every Monday at 8pm AEST in its 18th year on the SEN Network/App, Australia's only dedicated weekly tennis program on commercial radio running through till the end of November.

A common starting point for coaches is looking at the metrical and statistical side of players' games. UTR rating, national and international ranking, as well as tournament results are all pieces of the puzzle that coaches look at. 

Typically, there are specific metrics that coaches will enter the recruitment process with, such as 'I want a player between a 9-10+ UTR rating'. However, this is not always the case. 

Coaches then take this a step further and analyse what the journey has been like for a recruit. 

Has this player's progress been gradual and sustained? Are they pushing themselves and competing in tougher tournaments and events? Do they apply themselves in doubles with the same vigour as singles? Have there been periods of dramatic increase or decrease in performance? 

Coaches do not simply stop at your current ranking and most recent results. Coaches analyse your entire journey, the highs and the lows, to evaluate your progress as a junior. 

Another popular tactic is looking at available game film. UTR Pro Circuit events as well as ITF, WTA, and ATP events often have livestreams or film publicly available online. 

Coaches look beyond the way you craft points, not only at whether you have won or lost. They look at your ability to overcome adversity, persevere, and fight back in tough moments. They track your temperament, how you handle difficulties, and your overall behaviour on court. 

For many coaches, results are not the be-all and end-all.

They want someone who can not only be part of a team, but also be a vital piece of a system that seeks to extract the very best from everyone. Tennis may be an individual sport, but collegiate tennis is a team one. 

Oftentimes, game film can show a coach whether you have what it takes to not only "fit in" but also progress team culture, values, and morals further than bringing wins to a program. 

A coach will often ask themselves: "Can this player apply themselves to every aspect of collegiate tennis: training, competing, and elevating my team?"

Communication is also a key factor for many coaches. Most Australian players will find that in-person visits can be difficult to conduct. That is why the communication between a recruit and coach is vital. 

Emailing, messaging and phone calls can all show a coach a deeper glimpse into your character, values and respect you have for the game and potentially their program. Every impression matters, and communication can be a great way of building or breaking a bond in the early stages of recruitment. 

Tickets to the 2027 Kooyong Classic are officially on sale! 🎾 12–14 January 2027. Buy your tickets here 👉 bit.ly/4xEDn7p

In summary, there are a few key points that a coach looks at when potentially recruiting you. 

• A video that shows clear ability, technique, and physical prowess. 

• The metric journey that highlights how you have progressed to your current rating, ranking, and results. 

• Game film that can help a coach better understand who you are as a player in the thick of competition. Your ability to adapt to and better everyone in the team system. 

• The way you communicate and show respect to potential coaches and peers. 

All of these points help a coach gain a better understanding of your overall character, not just as a player, but as someone they are willing to invest in to promote the improvement and development of their collegiate team. 

AATC – Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches, Providing Quality Coach Education Globally. Led by Industry Leaders and Tennis Business Owners who understand your journey. 

Learn Locally, Coach Globally. Start Your Coaching Journey Today. Enrol Now at www.aatc.tennis