Baghdatis among those to make ITF Coaching Advanced Players grade
Former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis and Wimbledon quarter-finalist Karolina Sprem were two high-profile names to complete the latest Olympic Solidarity ITF Coaching Advanced Players course in Valencia.
The main goal of the ITF Coaching Advanced Players course is to engage with and provide fast-track coaching opportunities to professional players and coaches involved in tennis, with them subsequently obtaining ITF certification.
The course was initially introduced as part of the 2017-2020 ITF Development strategy and represents a key tool in boosting the number of appropriately qualified coaches – distributed throughout all levels of the game – worldwide.
A further goal of the ITF, through its member nations, is to help former players access education, exposing them to high-level coaching and offering a potentially career-enhancing qualification.
For Baghdatis, a former junior world No. 1 who was named an ITF World Champion in 2003 following a stellar campaign in which he claimed two Grade A titles, it brings his ITF journey full circle.
Having represented the Grand Slam Player Development Programme/ITF Touring Team at the beginning of his playing career, the 37-year-old is now receiving assistance as he switches his focus to coaching, which in turn may well benefit the next generation.
“In life, you need to learn every day and try to improve and that is what I have done with the ITF Coaching Advanced Players course,” Baghdatis, who finished runner-up at the 2006 Australian Open, told itftennis.com.
“My experience of the course is one of fun – I love doing things which are fun in the first instance – but I have also learned so much. It was very important for me to be here to learn, and I have enjoyed every minute. This was a great opportunity for me.”
Croatia’s Sprem, who reached the last eight at The Championships, Wimbledon in 2004 on her way to a career-high ranking of No. 17 in October of the same year, echoed the sentiments of Baghdatis.
"My experience of this course, I don’t know where to start,” Sprem told itftennis.com. “It’s a nice place, great weather, great people and a very nice ambience. It couldn’t be better, and the most important thing is we came here to learn.
“About the learning, I can say that I wish I did this course earlier when I was playing because I am quite sure that it would have opened my picture and knowledge about tennis and I would, for sure, have understood the game more and been a better player.
“It is really important to realise that you don’t have to teach the way you were taught.”
Baghdatis and Sprem were joined by Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU), Dia Nabil Loutfy (EGY), Jerome Ward (TTO), Joel Jones (JAM), Jose Hernandez (DOM), Takanyi Garanganga (ZIM), Zarah Razafimahatratra (MAD) in attending the in-person section of the latest ITF Coaching Advanced Players course, having already taken part in the online class. All nine passed.
“My experience has been awesome,” Hernandez told itftennis.com. “As a player, you know a lot of stuff about tennis but, now, being a coach and being in another position on court, there is so much more I needed to learn.
“I need to keep on learning, but this course has been an unbelievable experience, and I think every tennis player that wants to go down the path of coaching should take this course.”
For further information about ITF certification courses, please visit the ITF Academy here.
For information about the ITF Coaching Advanced Players course specifically, including information on how to apply, please contact your National Association.