Coaching

Expert Tennis Coach Alexandra Stevenson

Master true tennis technique with expert tennis coach Alexandra Stevenson. As a skilled tennis player and coach, Alexandra helps you develop a lifelong method that ensures you reach your full potential on the court. Gain valuable life lessons and critical insights that will enhance your focus and elevate your game.

Let tennis player Alexandra Stevenson guide you through the game’s nuances, offering coaching that goes beyond the surface to transform your play. Contact Alexandra today for more information.

A Message from Alexandra:

Tennis is a unique sport where you’re alone on the court, responsible for mastering everything between the lines. I work with kids aged 6-18, many of whom come straight from school. Our sessions often start with conversations about their day—classroom experiences, friends, teachers, and assignments. My approach is straightforward: I Listen, Teach, React, and Review, which I call LTRR. It may not sound exciting, but it’s effective and ensures we make the most of our time together.

When a student comes to my court, I look at their equipment – their racquets, string, shoes, snacks, water, and electrolytes. What did they bring to the court in their tennis bag? What is in their tennis bag? After we have discussed school and any topics they wish to discuss within the first few minutes, we begin teaching. I react to what they are doing. Usually, there are a lot of corrections. They might be crying or upset over not getting their shots right at that time. I review the proper technique – and we keep working.

I send my kids to Rick at Westwood Sporting Goods in Westwood, near the UCLA campus in west LA. Rick’s shop is old school. Historic actually. He has strung for the greatest in the game, including Sampras Agassi and Me. There are relics everywhere, and a particular stop, for sure.

Every coach has their way – but I believe it is the coach’s responsibility to teach the proper technique. In this format, I will examine strategies and situations with students. I think I’m helping my kids become champions in life – something Career Grand Slam Don Budge shared with me 28 years ago.

Coaching encompasses various forms of education. My journey began at the age of four under the guidance of Angel Lopez at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club. Angel meticulously developed my grips, technique, and movement on his renowned court, which saw many past champions.

As an expert tennis coach, I will be attending the Junior Nationals 12 and Under Girls Clay Court in Greensboro, South Carolina, this July. I’ll provide you with insights and observations from the tournament, showcasing my perspective as both a tennis player and coach.

On August 24, I will be inducted into the San Diego Tennis Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor arranged by my former coach, Angel Lopez, from the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club, in 2024.

My “Serving Aces” podcast co-host Hugues Laverdière and I will watch Wimbledon and analyze plays. Grass is my favorite fun surface. From a coaching standpoint, we will look at all the coaches on the various teams, especially Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz’s coach and mentor.

Wimbledon did end with Juan Carlos Ferrero as my hero for the event. Because he was such a strong player, Fererro brought a truckload of information to the development of Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the Championships winner.

Barbora Krejcikova, the Czech professional tennis player, has been hovering on championship status since winning the French Open in 2021. She was blessed with Jana Novotna’s coaching from 2014 to 2017. Novotna passed away due to ovarian cancer. Krejcikova seems focused on her sport – and grateful for her 2024 Wimbledon victory.

Princess Catherine, Wimbledon Patron, brought her daughter, Charlotte, to the Championships. The Center Court audience gave the Princess a standing ovation. Princess Catherine is still undergoing cancer treatments.

The grass stayed green in the service boxes at Wimbledon. Little or no serve and volley kept the grass green, while the baseline was brown. Quote of the tournament goes to Novak Djokovic, the most eloquent of speakers: “In the face of adversity, normally I rise, and I learn, and I get stronger.” Indeed, words for everyone.

The Girls 12s Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, were scorching, with temperatures starting at 95°F and climbing into the 100s. The girls gave it their all, but I found the level of technique on the courts lacking. As a coach surrounded by parents who also coach, it made for a challenging environment.

As summer transitions into August, here are my tips for the day. If you’re attending camps, focus on the aspects of your game that need improvement during on-court clinics. Request separate serve lessons, and prioritize specific movement drills in your clinics. In camp settings, it’s easy to get lost among other kids or spend too much time waiting for your turn to hit the ball. A good coach will keep everyone moving, but it’s important to communicate with your camp coach about what you want to focus on to enhance your game.

As school starts back up in August, keep these three things in mind before heading to the court:

Equipment: Make sure you have everything you need—water, electrolytes, snacks, racquet, shoes, socks, hat, and tennis clothes.
Focus: Set aside your school day and shift your attention to the ball and the court for the best mental preparation.
Questions for Coach: Come prepared with questions to maximize your lesson.

Focus: What Does It Mean on the Tennis Court?

Focus on the tennis court is more than just a visual concept. I often tell my students to concentrate on the ball, the court, and the racquet while thinking about their technique during the lesson. Achieving freedom on the court is key to learning how to swing through the ball effectively. Remember, nothing comes easy in tennis—grips matter, racquets matter, and strings matter.

Skip Redondo understood this when he put his young son, Ryan, on the court with me. We had many intense battles, often ending in tears during my early years from age six onward. Tennis offers young people a lifetime of sport and can even lead to college scholarships. Playing for the school team is crucial in middle and high school. I played high school tennis from middle school through my junior year, and with my coach, Angela Horacek, we won the state title for the first time in 67 years when I was in ninth grade. Angela ensured we were always prepared and kept practices and matches professional, making that victory unforgettable.

Andrea Bonfiglio, my high school hitting coach, worked tirelessly on my groundstrokes until I competed at Wimbledon in 1999. Eliot Teltscher, who never seeks credit, trained my one-handed backhand and played countless games with me to sharpen my focus on each point.

So, yes—focus on your lessons. Make your time on the court valuable because it will pay off in your matches.