2023 was a pivotal year for the Coppini Tennis Academy, celebrating its fifth anniversary since its inception by coach Federico Coppini in 2018 in Stellenbosch. This milestone offers a chance to reflect on the achievements so far and to project the academy towards a future full of new ambitions.
The academy's mission has always been clear: to train the players of tomorrow. This goal is realized through daily work, both at the management and operational levels. "2023 was an exceptional year," states Federico Coppini, the founder and inspiration behind the academy. The focus is on young athletes born in 2009 and 2010, already ranked in the top ten in the Tennis South Africa (TSA) categories. The aim is to elevate their level through a well-defined path that includes not only technical development but also physical, mental, and other essential aspects of training.
The Coppini Tennis Academy's working model is particularly innovative: each athlete is not assigned to a single coach but has access to an entire team of professionals. This philosophy has attracted numerous young talents from around the world, eager to join the center.
2023 saw the rise of several prominent players from the academy. Kris Van Wyk achieved his best ATP ranking (365), becoming the fourth-best ITF player in terms of wins. Philip Henning started the year with a significant jump in ranking, reaching his best ATP ranking (750). Dylan Salton and Yasmin Ezzat also stood out with their best ATP (998) and WTA (650) rankings, respectively. Additionally, new players like Indian Pratyush Mohanty joined in December 2023 and January 2024, aiming to further improve their ATP rankings.
A significant addition to the academy in 2023 was new coach Roxanne Clarke, former Fed Cup captain for South Africa. Her experience and expertise will undoubtedly strengthen the team further.
2024 begins with an exciting project: managing the tennis program at High School Bloemhof, one of South Africa's most prestigious schools. The goal is to revive tennis in the school, elevate the levels of various teams, and increase the number of participants.
Federico Coppini emphasizes a crucial aspect of the training process: "It is essential that tennis players learn to love the process and not focus exclusively on the result." Recognizing that frustration is part of the path to excellence is vital. Often, managing this frustration determines success or failure in achieving set goals.
In conclusion, the Coppini Tennis Academy is not just about training talented athletes but is committed to instilling in them a winning, resilient, and process-oriented mindset. This approach, combined with coaching excellence and a stimulating environment, makes the Coppini Tennis Academy a benchmark in the world of tennis, ready to celebrate new successes and embrace future challenges.
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