Whether you’re a tennis player looking to become a tennis coach, or you’re just looking to find the proper tennis instructor to help you on your game, knowing which are some of the most well-recognized tennis coach certifications can be very useful.
So, which are the most renowned tennis coach certifications around the world? Depending on the place you live, the tennis coach certification accepted will vary. Most countries have their own type of certification; however, there are some that are more popular and globally recognized. Three of the most prestige certifying organizations in the Western world are the PTR, the USPTA, and the RPT. Furthermore, many tennis national association work in conjunction with the ITF (International Tennis Federation) to offer their own certifications.
Below is a list of various tennis coach certifying organizations from different parts of the world.
Worldwide & Regionally recognized
- PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) – Worldwide
- USPTA (the United States Professional Tennis Association) – Worldwide
- RPT (Registro Profesional de Tenis) – Worldwide
- ICI (International Coaches Institute) – Worldwide
- PTCA (Professional Tennis Coaches Association) – Worldwide
- LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) – the United Kingdom & Europe
- ITPA (International Tennis Performance Association) – Worldwide
ATP & WTA recognized
- GPTCA (Global Professional Tennis Coach Association) – Worldwide
- WTACP (Women’s Tennis Association Coach Program) – Worldwide
Locally recognized
- AAT (Asociación Argentina de Tenis) – Argentina
- TA (Tennis Australia) – Australia
- ATPCA (Australia Tennis Professional Coaches Association) – Australia
- CBT (Confederacao Brasileira de Tenis) – Brazil
- TPA (Tennis Professionals Associations) – Canada
- CTA – (Chinese Tennis Association) – China
- HKTA – (Hong Kong Tennis Association) – China
- FFT (Federation Française de Tennis) – France
- DTB (Deutscher Tennis Bund) – Germany
- AITA (All India Tennis Association) – India
- TE (Tennis Ireland) – Ireland
- ITA (Israel Tennis Association) – Israel
- STA (Singapur Tennis Association) – Singapur
- JTP (Japan Tennis Association) – Japan
- FMT (Federación Mexicana de Tenis) – Mexico
- TNZ (Tennis New Zealand) – New Zealand
- QTF (Qatar Tennis Federation) – Qatar
- PTL – (Professional Tennis League) – Russia
- TSA (Tennis South Africa) – South Africa
- RFET (Real Federación Espańola de Tennis) – Spain
- TE (Tennis Emirates) – United Arab Emirates
Continue reading to find out more about each tennis coach certifying organization.
WORLDWIDE & REGIONALLY RECOGNIZED
PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) – Worldwide
Established in 1976, the PTR is a recognized global leader in the tennis coach education industry. Their programs provide courses, certifications, workshops and qualifications in all the levels of tennis coaching. It’s one of the few organizations to have targeted and specific tennis coach certifications for different age and group levels.
They have four different types of certifications:
- 10 and Under: Designed for coaches who work with children of red, orange and green doted levels.
- 11 to 17: This workshop is appropriate for coaches who work with teenagers (ages 11-17) at beginner and/ or intermediate level.
- Performance: Developed for coaches that train high-performance junior players, and want to help their players develop their full potential.
- Adult Development: Intended for coaches who work with adult tennis players at a beginner and intermediate level.
Once a coach has completed all the certifications named above, they can continue with the following programs:
- PTR level III program: Is for coaches looking to keep developing their tennis skills and education in addition to the four certifications mentioned above.
- PTR Master of Tennis: For coaches who have completed all the previous certifications successfully, and want to expand their knowledge and expertise of the tennis industry
USPTA (the United States Professional Tennis Association) – Worldwide
The USPTA, founded in 1927, is a well known worldwide association of tennis coach certifications, whose objective is to improve the standards of tennis coaches and instructors across the industry. They are committed to providing tennis professionals with the best courses and workshops to help promote and grow the sport of tennis.
In their efforts to keep growing and promoting the sport of tennis, the USPTA has important international partners and divisions. In 1982, the association entered into a partnership with the JPTA, Japanese Professional tennis Association; and in 2010, they opened a USPTA China division.
The USPTA program has three levels of professional tennis certifications:
- Professional: Certify coaches should be able to teach groups, as well as, private lessons; and direct and/or help with tennis clinics and programs.
- Elite Professional: Coaches are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the different types of tennis coaching businesses and operations. Besides, Elite coaches should be able to conduct a detailed analysis of different tennis strokes.
- Master Professional: Candidates must be experts in various aspects of the tennis industry, as well as, have the Elite Professional certification for about 10 years. This certification is the highest recognition the USPTA provides to tennis professionals.
RPT (Registro Profesional de Tenis) – Worldwide
Founded in 1989, the RPT is a word leading Spanish organization committed to providing high-quality educational tennis programs and services to the tennis coaching community, tennis academies, clubs, and as well as, to national tennis associations.
The organization, which is a subsidiary of the International Coaches Institute, counts with international divisions in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. It’s program consist of 4 different categories:
- Level 1 – SBInitiation: Designed for coaches and instructors looking to teach tennis to beginner players in part or full-time basis.
- Level 2 – SBAdvance: Intended for coaches, who have successfully completed Level 1, and work with advanced and competition players.
- Level 3 – SBCompetition: Meant for coaches who want to train high-performance players, and have the Level 2 certification.
- Level 4 – SBDirection: Created for Tennis Directors, Head Pros and Tennis club managers. Candidates must have a Level 3 certification.
ICI (International Coaches Institute) – Worldwide
The ICI is an international corporation, whose objective is to provide tennis coaches and instructors with the appropriate resources to enhance their teaching skills, as well as, service quality. To participate in the program, candidates must have been top ATP & WTA players, or hold certifications from the USPTA, PTR, RPT, PTCA and/or USTA.
The program consists of the following courses:
- CCC Level 1 – Competitive Coaching Course: In this course, coaches will learn the on and off court needed skills to develop tennis players to the next competitive level, from psychological, tactical, technical and physical aspects.
- Pro CC Level 2 – Pro Coaching Course: In this level, coaches will acquire the essential tools to develop and transition players from an ITF junior level to ATP & WTP levels.
PTCA (Professional Tennis Coaches Association) – Worldwide
Located in Luxembourg, the PTCA is an organization founded in 2011 by top WTA and ATP coaches. Its main objectives are to certify and recognize coaches around the world in different areas of tennis like high-performance coaching, physical conditioning, and players health and safety, to name a few.
Its program is divided into three categories:
- PTCA Registered Tennis (or fitness) Coach: This is the PTCA entry level recognition for coaches who have experience with high-performance players but that not meet all the criteria to be certified.
- Junior Member
- PTCA Certified Tennis Coach: For tennis coaches with proper PTCA standards, who have considerable achievements with either ITF, ATP, and/or WTP players.
- Senior Silver Member
- PTCA Certified Master Professional: For tennis specialists and experts with exceptional achievements.
- Senior Gold Member
- Honorary Gold Member
LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) – the United Kingdom & Europe
Founded in 1888, the LTA is the organization responsible for the sport of tennis in the United Kingdom. Their goals are to develop and promote the game, to increase the number of tennis players, and increment the frequency people play with. The LTA coaching pathways have been accredited by the ITF with the highest recognition, the Gold Level.
The program is divided into fives levels:
- Level 1 – Coaching Assistant: This course is aimed for people who want to get started in the tennis coaching industry.
- Level 2 – Coaching Assistant: After completing Level 1, this course allows candidates to improve their teaching abilities further and gain the necessary skills to work with beginner players.
- Level 3 – Coach qualification: This certification is for coaches who are serious about their career and are looking to coach private and groups lessons on a full-time basis.
- Level 4
- Senior club coach qualification: Designed to train coaches who will either work as club assistant tennis directors, head pros or have a managing position at a club.
- Senior performance coach qualification: Intended for coaches who will be working with nationally ranked junior players between the ages of 10 to 14.
- Level 5
- Master club qualification: This certification is for coaches who will be working at the highest coaching positions of a club.
- Master performance coach qualification: Developed for coaches who will be working full time with high-performance players.
ITPA (International Tennis Performance Association) – Worldwide
Their goal is to promote and enhance the development of injury prevention and performance of tennis players around the world. The ITPA offers tennis fitness courses and certification for trainers and coaches. They have three different certification levels:
- Level 1 – Tennis Performance Trainer (TPT): For coaches and trainers entering the tennis conditioning aspect of the sport.
- Level 2 – Certified Master Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS): Is promoted as the Gold standard for Tennis Fitness Certification. It’s intended for tennis conditioning coaches, trainers, physical therapist and other tennis related specialists.
- Level 3 – Master Tennis Performance Specialist (MTPS): It’s described as the highest possible recognition for tennis performance specialist with many years of experience and expertise. Candidates must have the CTPS certification.
ATP & WTA RECOGNIZED
GPTCA (Global Professional Tennis Coach Association) – Worldwide
The organization offers courses and certifications endorse by the ATP World tour, which is the institution responsible for the men professional tennis. Even so, certifications are also available for coaches looking to work with WTA players.
They offer three levels of designations:
- Level “A”: Available to former Top 100 tennis players and/ or for coaches of Top 100 ATP players.
- Level “B”: For coaches with players competing on Grand Slams, ATP and Challenger tournaments.
- Level “C”: Appropriate for coaches of juniors and Future tournament players.
WTACP (Women’s Tennis Association Coach Program) – Worldwide
The Coach Program, established by the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), is meant to promote, maintain, and improve the standard of coaches in the women’s tour. The program consists of two levels for coaches: Gold-level and Silver level; the first having the most prestige.
- The Gold-level requires coaches to be currently coaching a WTA player and have exceptional results as a WTA coach (Top 10, Grand Slam, Master Series, etc.); also, coaches can qualify if they are a former WTA Top 10 player.
- To become a Silver-level coach, the person has to be at least coaching a potential WTA player. Also, they have to meet various requirements like been either a Davis or Fed cup captain or be a former WTA or ATP player with a year-end ranking of at least 150/200 in singles or 50/100 in doubles.
LOCALLY RECOGNIZED
AAT (Asociación Argentina de Tenis) – Argentina
This organization offers the only tennis courses and certification in Argentina endorsed by the ITF. Their training workshops consist of on-court learning, and online education, which allows coaches to stay informed on the latest teaching techniques.
TA (Tennis Australia) – Australia
Tennis Australia is responsible for promoting and maintaining tennis participation at a national level; including organizing tennis events like the Australian Open. On 2007, the organization started its own coaching and educational tennis program after parting ways with the ATPCA.
Their coaching program includes Foundation Coaching, Community Coaching, Junior Development, Club Professional, Master Club Professional, and High Performance. The TA program has achieved the ITF Gold Standard Recognition.
ATPCA (Australia Tennis Professional Coaches Association) – Australia
Is a non-profit public company, founded in 1967, with the goal of providing accessible tennis courses and certification to Australian coaches. They were supported by Tennis Australia until 2007 when TA began their own coach training and education.
ATPCA currently offers four types of accreditations: Graduate Tennis Pro, Advanced Tennis Pro, Master Tennis Pro, and Performance Tennis Pro.
CBT (Confederacao Brasileira de Tenis) – Brazil
The CTB is the official national organization of tennis in Brazil. They oversee most of the tennis-related events, like junior tournaments and professional tournaments, especially the Brazil Open.
They have implemented the program called the National Professional Graduation System (SNGP in Portuguese), whose goal is to improve the education and training of Brazilian coaches at a national level. The SNGP is recognized with the ITF Gold Standard.
The program consists of 5 levels: (from lower to higher level) Instructor, Coach, National Coach, National Technician, and Master Technician.
TPA (Tennis Professionals Associations) – Canada
This association is endorsed by Tennis Canada, which is the country’s tennis governing body. The TPA’s coaching development system has been accredited with the ITF Gold level. Their coaching certification starts with the level of Instructor and followed by Club Professional 1.
After that, the system splits into two different pathways: club coaching and performance coaching. The club coaching pathway is followed by Club Professional 2 & 3. And, the performance coaching pathway continues with Coach 2, 3, 4 & 5.
CTA – Chinese Tennis Association – China
The CTA is the national governing organization of tennis in China. They offer courses and certification for Chinese tennis coaches who work in areas like professional tennis, college tennis, school tennis, club coaching, to name a few.
HKTA – Hong Kong Tennis Association – China
The association is the governing body of tennis in Hong Kong, China. In 2003, the HKTA, with the assistance of the ITF, began a certification and courses system for local tennis coaches. The program, called the HKTA Coach Certification Scheme, has been recognized with the ITF bronze standard.
Currently, the CCS has four levels of certification: Mini-Tennis, Elementary, Development, and Advanced.
FFT Federation Française de Tennis) – France
Founded in 1920, the FFT is in charge of the promotion, development, and supervision of tennis in France. The federation’s coach education program is endorsed by the ITF with the Gold Level recognition.
Their program includes certifications like Tennis Monitor, Tennis Monitor Assistant and Tennis Professor. A tennis monitor is expected to have the ability to teach at all levels and ages. As it names implies, the TMA is expected to assist the Tennis Monitor and to coach in junior clinics. Then, the Tennis Professor certification prepares candidates to have the skill necessaries to be high-performance coaches, as well as, tennis directors.
DTB (Deutscher Tennis Bund) – Germany
The DTB, German Tennis Federation (in English), is the official national institution in charge of German tennis. They are one of the largest national tennis federations, in terms of registered members. The DTB has a coach education system that follows the guidelines provided by the German Olympic Sports Confederation, and that is recognized by the ITF with the Gold level standard.
The education program is divided into three categories A, B and C trainers. C-Trainer certification is designed for coaches working with beginners and/ or intermediates players at places like a tennis club. After acquiring the C-trainer certificate and having at least two years of teaching experiences, coaches are allowed to apply for the B-Trainer certification. These two certifications are followed by the A-Trainer certification, which is the highest coaching recognition given by the Federation.
AITA (All India Tennis Association) – India
The association goals are to develop, promote, and improve the game of tennis across India at all levels. As a result, AITA’s short-term objective is to produce more certified tennis coaches through courses and workshops. It’s education’s program, which consists of six different types of certifications, has been recognized by the ITF with the Silver level.
TE (Tennis Ireland) – Ireland
This organization is responsible for the administration and regulation of tennis in Ireland. TE has in place a Coaches Education System that is endorsed by the ITF with the Gold level. This means that their program meets the highest standards set by the ITF.
The coaching and certification program is divided into seven different levels: Play and Stay Assistant, Tennis Assistant 1, Tennis Assistant 2, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Director of Tennis.
ITA (Israel Tennis Association) – Israel
The ITA is the official national institution responsible for tennis in Israel. Their goals are to promote the sport, as well as, to develop the tennis industry across the country. The association conducts tennis courses and training to improve the instruction standards among local coaches. Some tennis workshops are held in the Tennis Center of Ramat Hasharon and Haifa.
STA (Singapur Tennis Association) – Singapore
In Singapore, they have a national sports program called SG-Coach Programme, whose objective is to develop high-quality coaches across all sports. In 2015, this program replaced the NCAP (National Coaching Accreditation Programme).
The STA main objectives are to continue developing and promoting the game of tennis at a national level. Thus, as with every national sports association, the STA follows the SG-Coach pathway for tennis coaches. The program is divided into three different development phases: Foundation, National, and Master.
JPTA (Japan Professional Tennis Association) – Japan
The JPTA goal is to pursue and engage in the development of tennis coaches and leaders across Japan. The organization is supported by the JPT, Japan Tennis Association, which is the national sports federation that oversees and administrates Japanese Tennis. The JPT objectives, which are aligned with the JPTAs, are to promote tennis in three different ways: as a lifelong sport, as a competitive sport, and as a spectator sport.
In 1982, the JPTA partnered with the USTA to work together in promoting tennis, and benefit from each other knowledge. As a result, coaches who become JPTA certified professionals, also become USPTA certified professionals. The equivalent of the programs are as follow: JPTA Professional 2 & 3 are equivalent to USPTA Professional, and JPTA Professional 1 is equivalent to USPTA Elite Professional.
FMT (Federación Mexicana de Tenis) – Mexico
Founded in 1963, the FMT is the organization in charge of Mexican tennis. In 2017, the FMT launched the National Training program in conjunction with the PTR, the Professional Tennis Registry, to provide certifications and courses to local tennis coaches. Also, with the collaboration of the IFT, they offer training and workshops on tennis related topics like physical conditioning, psychology, to name a few.
TNZ (Tennis New Zealand) – New Zealand
TNZ is the national organization responsible for the supervision of tennis in the country. The organization has done a good job promoting the sport, making tennis one of the most popular sport at a national level. To continue with these efforts, the TNZ has implemented the program Tennis Coach Development Pathways, which objective is to assists coaches with courses and certification that deepens their knowledge on the sport.
The program is comprised of four levels: Foundation Coaching, Development Coaching, Performance Coaching, and High-Performance coaching.
QTF (Qatar Tennis Federation) – Qatar
The QTF is the national tennis governing body in the country, which is also in charge of organizing the Qatar Open, an ATP World tour 250 tournaments. One of their goals is to provide the best opportunities for future players, so they are able to compete at the highest level.
Also, they are very committed to keep promoting the sport, as well as, to increase its participation. The Federation hosts tennis conferences, courses, and certifications, with the assistance of the ITF, to raise the quality of their education programs.
PTL – Professional Tennis League – Russia
This organization in conjunction with the Russian Tennis Federation offers 5 different levels of coach certifications. It goes from the first level, which is for instructors and amateurs who are starting their coaching career, to the last level, which is for high prestige coaches of the USSR and/or Russia, as well as, for coaches of top ATP and WTA players.
TSA (Tennis South Africa) – South Africa
The TSA goals are to improve and grow tennis at a national level and make tennis one of the most popular sports in South Africa. As a result, the TSA has implemented the Tennis South Africa Coaches Education Training Programme, which is endorsed by the ITF with the Silver standard.
The program consists in five different levels, which are: Tennis Volunteer, Play Tennis, National Tennis Instructor (Level 1), Advanced Tennis Instructor (Level 2), and Professional Tennis Coach (Level 3).
RFET (Real Federación Espańola de Tennis) – Spain
The RFET is the national administration responsible for the sport of tennis across Spain. Their coaching certification program has been recognized by the IFT with the highest standard, the Gold Level.
The program consists of three levels: National Monitor (L1), National Trainer (L2) and National Professor (L3). In addition, they offer courses and certifications for tennis conditioning and sports psychology.
TE (Tennis Emirates) – United Arab Emirates
Tennis Emirates is the tennis governing body in the United Arab Emirates. Their main goals are to promote tennis in the country and to continue with the development of junior and adult tennis, as well as, professional tennis. TE has implemented the UAE Coaching Education System, which offers courses, workshops, and seminars for current and future tennis coaches.
ITF (International Tennis Federation)
Do they offer certifications?
In some occasions, I’ve heard coaches referring themselves as ITF certified. However, after doing a little bit of research, I found that the ITF does not offer coach certifications. Instead, the ITF assists national tennis associations with tennis programs and courses, so that each country can have its own certification system.
Coaches that attend and complete these seminars, which follow the ITF program and is, usually, run by an ITF trainer, will obtain a certification from their own National Tennis Association, but not from the ITF. So, if a tennis coach tells you that he has an ITF coach certification, now, you know what it really means.
National System Recognition
Although the ITF does not directly offer certifications, they do recognize National Tennis Associations for their tennis coaching and education programs. Countries who meet certain criteria and standards are allowed to use the ITF name in their coaching programs to indicate that they have reached a certain level of education quality set by the ITF.
There are three levels of recognition a National Tennis Association can get: Gold Level, Silver Level, and Bronze Level.
Courses
ITF courses are offered through countries’ national tennis associations.
- Play Tennis
- This course’s main objectives are to promote tennis and boost tennis participation around the world by making the game more accessible to everyone. This program should assist coaches to teach tennis to beginner players in an easy and fun way.
- Coaching Beginner/Intermediate Players – Level 1
- The goal of this course is to give coaches the knowledge and skills necessary to teach tennis to beginners and intermediate players and to promote the game at a local level.
- Coaching Advanced Players – Level 2
- The objective in this level is to assist coaches with the required expertise to teach intermediate and advance tennis players, who are competing in tournaments. Candidate must have completed the Level 1 course (Beginner & Intermediate).
- Coaching High-Performance Players – Level 3
- Coaches that decide to take this course should be looking to teach advanced and professional players, competing at a high and/or professional level. To be eligible for this course, the person must have completed the Level 2 course (Advanced)
- Specialization courses
- The purpose of these specific courses is to prepare coaches with the latest available information on topics like conditioning, psychology, biomechanics, health, and safety, to name a few.
Are you a Tennis Coach?
If you are a tennis coach seeking to get certified and are looking to work abroad, I’ll suggest considering the USPTA and PTR certifications because they are well recognized in most English speaking countries. Nevertheless, make sure to find out what certifications are accepted in the place you want to work.
Are you a Tennis Player?
If you’ll be on the other side of the court (as a tennis player) and are looking for a tennis instructor, remember to not only focus at coaches certifications. When choosing the appropriate coach for you, it’s important to consider her experience, results, and whether there is good chemistry between you two.
As a tennis coach myself, I’d the opportunity to meet great instructors with and without a coach certification. So, from my experience, I’ll say that there is more to consider when choosing a tennis coach than their certification.
If you would like to find out more on how to choose a tennis coach, please check the following article “What to consider when choosing a tennis coach for you.”
Although this list is far from complete and I understand that it doesn’t include all the tennis coach certifications, I hope you can find it useful. If you know about a tennis coach certification that we should include, please let us know in the comment section!