SPC Coach Showcase: High Performance Tennis Coaches
At SportsProsConnect, we are continuing our new coach showcase series, created following a recent poll in our SPC New Job Alerts WhatsApp group.
We asked members:
“Which of these roles best represents you as a coach?”
The poll gave us a valuable insight into the different types of coaches within the SPC network and helped highlight the wide range of experience, specialisms and ambitions among our members.
The results showed strong representation across several areas of the tennis industry:
After focusing on Travel Coaches in our first showcase, this week we are turning our attention to High Performance Tennis Coaches working in academy environments.
High Performance Tennis Coaches play a vital role in the development of ambitious junior players, competitive athletes and future professionals. These coaches are often responsible for much more than delivering strong sessions on court. They help players build technical foundations, tactical awareness, physical resilience, mental strength, tournament habits and the discipline required to compete at a higher level.
This week, we are showcasing five SPC coaches who bring valuable experience, specialist knowledge and a clear passion for developing players within high performance tennis environments.
Luca Ottino
Luca Ottino brings a strong combination of experience in High Performance Fitness and High Performance Tennis, making him a valuable resource for academy environments looking to support player development in a more complete way.
His main passion is High Intensity Training, with a particular focus on injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and helping players build their bodies in a way that directly supports their tennis performance.
Luca believes that when the body works at its best, players give themselves the best opportunity to perform at their highest level on court. For him, physical preparation is not simply about working harder or training more. It is about training smart, staying focused and understanding what each athlete needs to develop safely and effectively.
His approach is based around building stronger, more resilient athletes who can handle the demands of competition. Luca’s aim is to help players prepare so well in training that match day feels like a natural extension of their work.
SPC Profile: https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/lucaottino/
Instagram: @luca_ottino_strength_coach
Tony Juste
Tony Juste has been involved with high performance juniors since the start of his coaching career and brings strong experience in developing competitive young players.
He has developed more than 25 regional champions in Catalonia, Spain, with his most recent successes coming between 2022 and 2024. Players under Tony’s guidance have consistently gained confidence, won more matches, enjoyed the sport more deeply and become better prepared for the future.
Tony describes himself as ambitious and uses a holistic approach to develop elite players. His coaching combines advanced drills, match tactics, tennis-specific biomechanics and mental toughness, with particular experience working with players aged 10 to 17.
He also brings energy and intensity to the court, helping keep players engaged and motivated during sessions. Away from the court, Tony’s work ethic extends to analysing match footage, scouting opponents and designing customised periodisation schedules to support player development.
Collaboration is also central to Tony’s approach. He values working alongside other coaches, strength and conditioning trainers, and parents to build a positive culture around the player and strengthen the wider academy environment.
SPC Profile: https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/tony-juste/
Dewald Linde
Dewald Linde is a South African high performance tennis coach based in Wiesbaden, Germany, with extensive experience across the ATP, WTA and ITF tours.
Having worked with multiple professional players across different levels of competitive tennis, Dewald brings valuable world tour experience into his coaching. One of his key specialist areas is sport psychology, helping athletes develop the mental strength, resilience and focus required to compete at the highest levels of the game.
Dewald holds an ITF Certificate of High Performance and also brings a multidisciplinary background that includes sports massage, injury prevention and treatment, and sport-specific fitness training.
This broad skill set allows him to support players holistically. His work goes beyond technical coaching and includes mental preparation, physical conditioning, recovery and injury management.
Whether preparing a player for a major tournament, supporting them through injury recovery or helping them build greater mental toughness, Dewald brings a complete approach to player development.
SPC Profile: https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/dewaldlinde/
Instagram: @lindedewald
Dev Fazal
Dev Fazal brings 22 years of international tennis experience and a strong background in elite player development.
As Head Coach at Asciak Tennis Academy in Malta, Dev is currently preparing two top juniors for the prestigious Smrikva Bowl 2026. He has also coached more than 15 Tennis Europe title winners and holds ITF Level 1 and Sports Science credentials.
Dev describes himself as someone who is always eager to keep learning and who gives his absolute best towards achieving success. His work is built around developing players who are technically strong, mentally adaptable and prepared for the demands of the global tennis stage.
What makes Dev’s background particularly distinctive is the combination of tennis, high-pressure environments and technology. Having worked in Michelin-guided kitchens with Gordon Ramsay and performed live with chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Dev brings precision, discipline and adaptability into his work on court.
He is also the tech founder of Courtflow and uses innovation as part of his coaching approach. His core principle is: “intuition is a guess, data is a strategy.”
This blend of tennis experience, discipline, creativity and data-led thinking helps Dev build adaptable, mentally tough champions ready for high performance environments.
SPC Profile: https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/devfazal15/
Instagram: @devfazaltennis
Riccardo Tavilla
Riccardo Tavilla is an Italian tennis coach who brings valuable first-hand playing experience into his work with young players.
Before becoming a coach, Riccardo competed across the Tennis Europe and ITF Junior circuits, before also gaining experience on the professional circuit. This background gives him a strong understanding of the demands, challenges and pressures that young competitive players face.
Since finishing his playing career in 2022, Riccardo has moved into coaching and has worked with a number of young tennis prospects in Italy. He has also travelled with players across Europe and further afield, supporting them through training, tournaments and development experiences.
As a coach, Riccardo is highly motivated and enjoys helping players improve day by day. He understands that development is not always straightforward, and believes his own playing career helps him support athletes through both the difficult moments and the positive ones.
Riccardo loves a challenge and approaches each one with determination, believing that hard work always pays off.
SPC Profile: https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/riccardo-tavilla/
Instagram: @richi_tav
Are You Looking for a High Performance Tennis Coach?
The SPC network includes experienced coaches from around the world who specialise in club tennis, academy programmes, high performance tennis, travel coaching, private coaching, fitness, mental performance and federation-level roles.
If you are an academy, club, family or player looking for a coach, SportsProsConnect can help you connect with experienced professionals who are actively looking for new opportunities.
If you are a coach, becoming part of the SPC network gives you the chance to promote your experience, showcase your strengths and be seen by employers across the international tennis industry.
To find out more, visit:
Until next week!
