Coach Spotlight: Daniel Tannoury

Tennis Coach Spotlight interviews highlight SPC members from around the world and share the real journeys behind their coaching careers. In this Tennis Coach Spotlight, we speak with Daniel Tannoury, an ITF Level 1 qualified tennis coach based in Lebanon, whose pathway into the sport began later than most. From discovering tennis during the pandemic to transitioning into coaching recreational adults and juniors, Daniel’s story reflects passion, persistence, and a clear ambition to coach internationally in 2026 and beyond.

Good morning Daniel, and Happy New Year. It’s great to have you as our Coach Spotlight this week. Please tell our readers a little about you and your career in tennis so far.

My name is Daniel Tannoury, and I am a passionate tennis coach who discovered the sport later than most, but in a very meaningful way. I grew up in Lebanon playing sports such as ping pong and basketball, so being active and competitive was always part of my life. However, tennis was not very accessible or affordable at the time, so it was not something I could pursue growing up.

Over the past few years, I have developed from a recreational player into a qualified tennis coach. I currently hold an ITF Level 1 coaching certification and have spent the last couple of years coaching recreational adults and juniors, with a strong focus on fundamentals, confidence, and enjoyment of the game.

Our conversation last week really resonated with me. I was intrigued by how you truly started your tennis journey. Can you give us a brief synopsis?

I discovered tennis almost by accident during the pandemic. While living in Antalya, I came across a tennis court near the beach. With very limited activities available at the time, I decided to give it a try, and that single decision changed everything.

Tennis quickly became part of my daily routine. The sport gave me structure, focus, and a sense of progress during a very uncertain period in the world. That was when I realised tennis needed to be a long-term part of my life. What started as curiosity quickly turned into obsession.

At the beginning, I did not have access to many formal resources, so I relied heavily on self-study, watching matches, trial and error, and spending as many hours as possible on court. Tennis became more than just a sport for me. It became a way to grow mentally and physically.

So can we call you a self-made tennis player taught on YouTube only, or did you take lessons along the way?

It is true that a large part of my early learning came from online resources such as YouTube, professional match analysis, and coaching platforms. However, I did also take lessons along the way through ITF, RPT, MTM, and PTR pathways to correct technique, understand fundamentals, and avoid developing bad habits.

This combination of self-learning and structured coaching helped me progress faster and gave me a unique perspective, which I now bring into my own coaching style.

After a relatively short time playing, you decided to become a coach. How did that transition happen?

As I progressed, I naturally found myself helping other players on court. I enjoyed explaining movements, simplifying concepts, and seeing others improve. That is when I realised coaching felt just as rewarding as playing.

Because I started tennis later, I clearly understand the struggles beginners face, including frustration, confusion, and lack of confidence. That understanding motivated me to pursue coaching education and eventually turn coaching into a professional path.

Please tell us a little about what you are doing now and where you are currently coaching.

At the moment, I am coaching at one of the leading tennis academies in Beirut, Lebanon. I work with both adults and juniors, focusing on building strong foundations, improving confidence, and helping players enjoy the learning process.

Now that 2026 is underway, what does the future hold for you? Where do you see yourself working next?

My goal for 2026 and beyond is to establish myself full-time as a tennis coach in an international environment. I would particularly like to move to Europe, where I can learn from highly experienced coaches, work within well-structured tennis programs, and be exposed to high coaching standards.

Long-term, I aim to continue advancing my coaching qualifications, work with a wider range of players, and contribute positively to tennis programs wherever I am based.

Finally, we have a round of quick-fire questions for you.

What do you like to do in your time off?
Staying active, watching tennis matches, learning about coaching, and spending time outdoors.

What car do you drive?
Nissan.

Favourite colour?
Yellow.

What sports teams do you support?
Liverpool.

Favourite tennis player?
Novak Djokovic.

Three dinner guests?
Trevor Noah, Esther Perel, Novak Djokovic.

Australian Open winners this year?
Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka.

Favourite food?
Shawarma.

It was a pleasure speaking with you, Daniel, and we are really looking forward to supporting you as you work towards your international coaching goals in 2026.

You can find out more about Daniel and connect with him via his SPC profile:
https://sportsprosconnect.com/profiles/daniel-tannoury-tennis-and-padel-coach/