SPC Coach Spotlight: Keagan Van der Merwe

South African tennis coach Keagan Van der Merwe has built a career shaped by family influence, international experience, and a passion for helping players grow on and off the court. From coaching in Austria to developing elite players in Hillcrest, KZN, his journey reflects dedication, curiosity and a philosophy built around individual growth. In this SPC Coach Spotlight, Keagan shares his coaching approach, his ambitions abroad, and the personal values that guide his work every day.

Good morning Keagan Van der Merwe — it’s great to have you as a guest in our new series of “Coach Spotlights.” Please tell our readers a little about you and your career in tennis so far?

Hi Mark, thank you for this opportunity to share a bit about myself.

I started playing at a young age in a small South African town. My whole family played tennis, so I grew up watching them and naturally fell in love with the sport. As I got older, I realised I wanted to see the game from a different perspective and help players reach their goals both on and off the court. That’s when coaching became my real passion.

I’ve learned from many coaches, but a big influence was my friend, coach and mentor, Tischardo Roos. My career then took me to a tennis hotel in Austria, where I met incredible people, before moving back to South Africa to work with elite players in Hillcrest, KZN — where I’m currently based.

Thanks very much Keagan. Please tell us what a day in the life with Keagan Van de Merwe looks like currently?

My daily routine is very full and very active. Mornings are usually packed with lessons, which always gets me energised for the day. I coach a wide range of players of different ages, mixing private sessions with group lessons and match play. Most days involve plenty of travelling between clubs, schools and our company’s indoor court.

One of my favourite parts of the day is arriving home late in the evening and having my little ones run straight into my arms. No matter how long the day has been, that moment reminds me why I’m grateful for the life I have.

Some days are also spent at tournaments, supporting my players and watching their growth in real match situations — something that always inspires me.

And in South Africa… is tennis on the rise? Padel seems to be growing fast too?

Padel has definitely exploded, not only in South Africa but all over the world. I’d love to play more of it myself and learn more about the sport.

As for tennis, I think it’s in a really positive place. There are so many young players coming through who love the sport and want to be on court more often. There’s a lot of passion and potential here.

Keagan, you joined SportsProsConnect about 6 months ago. What were your aims and goals when you joined, and has anything changed since?

I’ve dreamed of coaching overseas for most of my life. When I finally had the opportunity to join a platform like SportsProsConnect, I was excited to see what possibilities were out there.

My goal was simple: find a place where I could use my skills, be valued for the work I do, and build a better life for my family. Six months later, nothing has changed — those goals still drive me every day, and I’m grateful to be part of SPC as I work towards them.

Tell us a little more about your coaching philosophy, and perhaps a little about the coaching manual you wrote?

My coaching philosophy is:

Empower every player — on and off the court.

For the 3-year-old giggling with a racket, it’s joy. For the pro chasing big dreams, it’s grit. For everyone in between, it’s growth. I coach with curiosity: What’s your game? What fuels you?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. We build technique, mindset, resilience, and confidence — tailored, fun, fearless.

Tennis is a playground for life: discipline, empathy, adventure. Let’s chase potential and lift each other.

In my manual, I put together a structured guide tailored to players’ needs, including preparation tools for tournaments and approaches that help players stay grounded in good habits.

I believe you used that manual on a trip to Saudi Arabia recently. How did that help you and your player?

The player I supported in Saudi needed help staying connected to the fundamentals — simple, strong habits both on and off the court. The manual helped keep our routines consistent, and I believe I succeeded in helping him stay focused on the core basics that matter.

Keagan and Theim

Thanks very much Keagan. Finally, I have a round of quick-fire questions to ask you:

Pickleball or Padel: Tennis! But if I had to choose, Padel
3 Dinner Guests: Jesus, my wife, Roger Federer
Favourite Tennis Players: The Big 3 (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic)
Who would you most like to play doubles with? Federer
Grand Slam winners in 2026: Most likely Sinner and Alcaraz
Dream Car: Tesla
Other Sports Followed: Golf and rugby
Favourite Holiday Destination: Europe, especially Switzerland

Family Time