In describing the relationship with his athletes, basketball coach John Wooden said “I often told my players that, next to my own flesh and blood, they were the closest to me. They were my children. I got wrapped up in them, their lives, and their problems.”
The coach-athlete relationship is another fundamental aspect of excellence in tennis coaching. However, not all coaches agree on how close this relationship should become. Some believe it is a mistake to be friends with the players they are responsible for. Others believe it is because of a friendly relationship with their players that they are successful. Each of the three coaching levels (juniors, college, and professional) will be distinct in the amount of authority necessary to facilitate moving people towards their own excellence. However, what is clear from the coaches’ responses is that common to all successful relationships is a sense of compassion and caring for the person, not just the athlete.
"I think the biggest thing is caring about the person, and not just what the player is accomplishing, caring for them and not just for yourself as the coach. Of course you take pride in your work. But sometimes it can become more important to you that your player wins so that you can look good versus what’s best for him. And there can be a lot of that in coaching…the result is putting undue pressure on the kids. The players sense that, and it doesn’t produce positive results. The key is bringing something from within (them) and getting the person to perform because of what’s inside. It can start because of responding to you because they know you care. You don’t want it to be “Well, he’s going to be angry or upset if I don’t produce.” So instead of pushing it from outside onto them, it’s bringing it out from within them. That’s much more important because they learn what they can accomplish, whereas the other (way) all they’re doing is knuckling under pressure."
Bob Pass has been a tennis coach and a mentor to more than 600 USTA/MAS ranked junior boys and girls, including 45 players ranked #1 and over 200 ranked in the top ten in their age division in the MAS section. Two of his students have won USTA scholarship awards for the Most Improved player in the Nation. Five of his players have achieved top 10 National rankings from the USTA and many more have achieved top 20 rankings.
The Bob Pass 4 Star Tennis Academy started with just 12 girls in 1973. Today it is the largest and most successful junior tennis program in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Bob has served on, and, or chaired the MAS Junior Competition Committee for 12 years, and also served on the USTA Junior Competition and Training Committee for 2 years as well as serving on the Board of the Washington Tennis Foundation for 4 years. Since 2001 Bob has coached the Bullis High School girls tennis team.
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Jeri Ingram born in Washington, DC and attended public schools in Montgomery County, MD where her tennis career began. With a record of 106 -0 Jeri became the first undefeated tennis athlete in high school history during her four years of attendance at Springbrook High School. While training at Four Star Tennis Academy from 1981 – 1988, Jeri accomplished at the age 16 a #6 singles and #1 doubles United States Tennis Association (USTA) national ranking. She won four USTA national titles to achieve this ranking. Following junior competition, she attended the University of Maryland where she played #1 for the tennis team; she was undefeated in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), voted Most Valuable Player (MVP), and an all ACC player. Jeri played on the Women Tennis Association (WTA) Professional Tour beginning in 1989 for a period of eight years and obtained a career low ranking of #130.
While pursuing her career Jeri remained actively involved in other aspects of tennis. She appreciated her opportunities and took the time to give back to the sport by participating in inner city rallies, programs, exhibitions, giving inspirational speeches to juniors, as well as coaching and instruction. While working at Washington Tennis Foundation circa 1993 Jeri and other coaches facilitated a schools program in Southeast Washington, DC. The success of this program helped Jeri to realize that she could effectively changing the lives of children through tennis and has always held close to her heart. In 1997 she retired from the women’s professional tennis tour and became a full time coach to national, collegiate, and professional tennis players. Jeri coached tennis at Georgetown Visitation Tennis Club, Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, Georgetown University as a Professional Instructor and as the Assistant Tennis Team Coach and at Nick Bollettieri Sports Academy as part of Nick Bollettieri’s Elite Program Coaching Staff.
In 2001 Jeri turned her attention away from the athletic side of sports and towards the business of sports and entertainment. She earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Prince George’s Community College in 2003 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, from American University in 2005. It was at that time Jeri merged her two passions into a career. Her life experience through her tennis and worldwide events coupled with her business experience in areas including as staff management, marketing, special event planning, fundraising, career navigation, public relations, and marketing have led her to Sports Administration.
After graduating Jeri became involved in tennis at the local level in the Washington, DC Public Schools. Working with CREATE tennis at Walker Jones Education Campus Jeri led a group of coaches to taking students in the 1st – 4th grades from holding a racquet for the first time in September 2009 to winning the JTT Washington DC 10 & under championships in May 2010. Jeri later became the Site Director/Tennis Director at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC). In less than a year she retained over six schools in the After School Program, 11 schools in the “Tennis Play Session” Program, as well as impacted over 1000 children in the community.
Implementing and progressing the mentorship, life skills, tennis, and education programs internally and through local, regional and national competition along with continuing tennis education of tennis staff through the USTA are goals that have impacted the programs and facility.
Jeri then moved into the role as DC DPR Tennis Director for Citywide Tennis. Tennis Director for the city of Washington DC is a commitment to the growth of tennis in Washington, DC which was in perfect alignment with Jeri’s passion for the game. Her duties included tennis instruction, tennis education, staff, event, capitol project, partnership, and volunteer management. Under Jeri’s leadership DC DPR’s tennis program was awarded 2015 USTA Tennis Organization of the Year (National), 2015 Tennis Industry Magazine Parks & Recreation Program of the Year, 2014 USTA Tennis Organization of the Year (Washington DC, Mid Atlantic), 2014 Tennis Tournament of the Year – Washington, DC, 2014 JTT National Junior Team Tennis Coach (4th place), 2011 USTA Tennis Professional of the Year, 2010 USTA Mid Atlantic, Volunteer of the Year and 2011 Honoree of the American Express Fresh Courts.
Jeri’s certifications include, USTA High Performance Coach, PTR Certified Professional – Junior Development, PTR Certified Professional – Adult Development, USTA Community Tennis Association Certified, USTA Recreation Coach Certified
Notable Junior/Amateur/College Accomplishments include 1989 University of Maryland Tennis Team Captain, 1989 ACC Most Valuable Player (undefeated in the ACC), 1984 – 1988 Montgomery County High School All American High School, 1984 – 1988 All Metropolitan (undefeated 4 years, 1st and only in Maryland history), u16 National Singles Ranking #6, u16 National Doubles Ranking #1, u14 and u16 MAS Singles and Doubles Ranking #1
Past Volunteer positions include, 2015 USTA MAS Board of Directors – Vice President, as well as the President of the 2015 Board of Directors, Mid Atlantic Tennis and Education Foundation (MATEF). She is also the 2015 Vice Chair of the Community Tennis (CTA) USTA National Committee. 2013 Chair, USTA Junior Team Tennis Committee, 2013 Mid Atlantic, Member of the USTA Junior Team Tennis National Committee, and 2013 2nd Vice President of USTA/DC Board of Directors, 2011 Vice Chair, USTA Junior Team Tennis Committee
Currently Jeri serves on the 2017 USTA MAS Board of Directors – Vice President, and she is also the 2017 Chair of the Community Tennis (CTA) USTA National Committee.
Bear joined the 4 Star staff in 2000 to help develop top nationally ranked juniors. In 2002 and 2003 he was also the assistant coach of the American University Men’s tennis team. During these 2 years AU reached it’s highest ever ITA ranking at #68 in 2003.
A 1998 graduate of the University of Virginia, with a degree in psychology, Bear was the #1 singles player and part of the #1 doubles team on the Cavalier tennis team. He was a two time All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection and captained the team in his last two seasons. He also was the recipient of the Dan Lehman Doubles Award in 1996.
In his junior tournament career Bear earned the #1 ranking in the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Association (MATA) in Boys 18’s and was ranked as high as #25 nationally. He was also part of the #4 ranked team in the country in 1994.
A former 4 Star student, Steve graduated from The Ohio State University in 1991. He played in the top 3 positions on the men’s tennis team for all 4 of his years. In 1988, Steve was chosen for the Big Ten All Conference Team, he was also honored as a member of the “All Century Men’s Tennis Team” at The Ohio State University.
Steve is a certified teaching Professional from both the USPTA and USPTR. For over the past 20 years, Steve has worked with many nationally ranked junior and collegiate players.
Steve is the Tennis Director for 4 Star at Bullis and 4 Star’s Supernational Program. He is also the coach of the Bullis School boys high school tennis team.
Vanja Radunovic was born in Podgorica, Montenegro, where she started playing tennis at the age of 7. She was a Montenegrin champion under 12, 14, 16 and 18 years old and was ranked No. 1 in Montenegro from 2002 through 2007. In 2003 she won the Unofficial World Championship-“Lemon Bowl” tournament and she was also the runner-up at the Winter European Under-16 Championship. As a junior, she was captain of the Yugoslavian National Team 12 and under, and for Serbia & Montenegro for 14-Under and 16-Under. In addition, she was a member of first Montenegro’s 2007 Federation Cup team since country’s independence.
Vanja was a top junior player, being ranked in top 50 of ETA (European Tennis Association) and top 150 of ITF (International Tennis Federation). In 2008, Vanja got a full tennis scholarship from University of Washington, Seattle. While there, UW team was ranked as high as top 10 in NCAA Division I. She also represented Montenegro at the university games in Belgrade, Serbia in 2010.
Vanja graduate from University of Washington in 2011 as International Political Economy major. She was offered a full scholarship to do her MBA as a graduate assistant coach at Saint Francis University, Pennsylvania.
In the summer of 2013, Vanja started working at 4 Star Tennis academy as a financial analyst and business operations manager. Vanja’s extensive tennis background and expertise, along with her financial background were a perfect fit for the needs of the academy. She balances between managing the financial operations at the academy, while coaching academy’s top prospects.
As a junior tennis player growing up in his native Bolivia Raul was the top ranked junior player and junior National Champion. He went on to represent Bolivia in Davis Cup competition and was elected team captain.
Raul first joined 4 Star Tennis Academy’s teaching staff in 1979 to help develop junior tennis players from young tournament players to Nationally ranked players. From 1980-84 he was the Tennis Director at Manor Country Club in Rockville Md. And from 1985-2000 he was the Head Tennis Professional and Tennis Director at Woodmont Country Club also in Rockville. In 2001 He rejoined 4 Star Academy’s and is currently the Director of 4 Star’s Young Tournament Players Development Program working with youngsters from 8-12 years of age.
Raul is proud to have worked with such tennis legends as Arthur Ashe and Andre Agassi. He also was a training partner for Guillermo Vilas, Johan Kriek, Andres Gomez Harold Solomon Mel Purcell and Bjorn Borg.
Steve’s tennis career began in the early 80s as a junior player in the 4 Star Tennis Academy. Steve was ranked top #6 in the Mid Atlantic section throughout his junior tennis career. Steve went on to graduate from Hampton University on a full tennis scholarship.
In 1991, Steve decided to join the 4 Star Tennis Academy as a USPTA full time tennis coach. Steve felt a deep desire to share his experience, enthusiasm, and knowledge in helping junior and adult tennis players take their game to the next level. Steve also spent time as a hitting partner for Stacey Martin while she was on the pro tour.
Since 1991, Steve has trained numerous MATA ranked and nationally ranked junior tennis players who went on to receive tennis scholarships to college.
Graham is a former professional tennis player with wins over players such as Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Vilas, Newcombe, and Fred Stolle. Graham is from England and played for the British Davis Cup from 1963-69. He also won 2 tour-level doubles titles during his career.
Khamp is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he received his B.S. in Sports Medicine. He was two-time Academic All-American at WVU. Khamp came to 4 Star Tennis Academy in 1993. Khamp has coached numerous Nationally and Sectionally ranked juniors who have gone on to play college tennis. Khamp is a member of both the USPTA and USPTR, he has passed the USTA Sports Science Competency Tests 1 and 2.
Khamp served as a member of the USTA/MATA Executive Committee. He was founder and Co-Chairmen of USTA/MATA Junior Team Tennis. Khamp was Co-Chairman of the Play Tennis America program and was one of the coaches for the USTA Player Development Program in 1992-93.
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Tatsiana started to play professional tennis at the age of 15 and reached her career highest WTA ranking of #222 in singles and #201 in doubles. She was one of the top juniors in Belarus and played for the Fed Cup team for 3 years.
In 2006 Tatsiana played for Virginia Commonwealth University and the same year reached the NCAA semifinals. She received an All- American award in both 2006 and 2007.
Prior to working for 4 Star Tennis Academy, Tatsiana worked at Raintree Swim and Racquet Club in Virginia for 5 years
At 4 Star, Tatsiana works with the top nationally ranked juniors (Supernats). Tatsiana has been certified with USPTR since 2012.
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As a junior tennis player growing up in his native Bolivia Raul was the top ranked junior player and junior National Champion. He went on to represent Bolivia in Davis Cup competition and was elected team captain.
Raul first joined 4 Star Tennis Academy’s teaching staff in 1979 to help develop junior tennis players from young tournament players to Nationally ranked players. From 1980-84 he was the Tennis Director at Manor Country Club in Rockville Md. And from 1985-2000 he was the Head Tennis Professional and Tennis Director at Woodmont Country Club also in Rockville. In 2001 He rejoined 4 Star Academy’s and is currently the Director of 4 Star’s Young Tournament Players Development Program working with youngsters from 8-12 years of age.
Raul is proud to have worked with such tennis legends as Arthur Ashe and Andre Agassi. He also was a training partner for Guillermo Vilas, Johan Kriek, Andres Gomez Harold Solomon Mel Purcell and Bjorn Borg.
Kwame is from Accra, Ghana.
Lee got his start playing tennis at Bullis at age 12. While attending Sandy Spring Friends School, he played the first doubles position and all singles positions on his varsity tennis team. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. At Colorado, he was a member of the club tennis team three out of his four years there.
Lee’s coaching career also started at Bullis, where in the summer of 2003 he started working as a summer camp counselor. After graduating from college, he returned to the area to start coaching full time. Lee is a member of the USPTA(P1) and the USTA.
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Your child should bring court appropriate shoes (not running shoes), water/liquids, tennis racquet(s), sunscreen, hat/visor, snack (camps only), jump rope (class specific) and a positive attitude!
If class is cancelled due to weather, a message will be recorded and left on the office telephone line and/or someone will be in the office taking calls.
Each student is allowed 2 make-ups per session. Make-ups must be redeemed within the session when the class/classes are missed and may not be rolled over into the next session.
4 Star Tennis Academy does NOT give refunds. We may give out credits on a case by case basis.
You will be given a credit for the missed class that can be put towards any 4 Star clinics for your child once they recover or towards a class for another family member.
If you aren’t sure where your child fits in we encourage scheduling an evaluation with one of our tennis professionals. Call either office and we will be happy to set that up for you and your family.
Evaluations are usually scheduled for the first 5-10 minutes of a given class. Your child will come and hit with a coach and at that time the coach will be able to tell you what classes to enroll in.
All of our tennis professionals offer private lessons. It is up to you and your child to choose which coach you would like to work with and then at any time you may speak with them directly to set up lessons.
You may also call our office and we can suggest a pro for you.
Each class is a little bit different but in general 4 Star Tennis Academy strives to keep the pro-student ratio under 5 kids to each pro.
We strongly encourage family to stay off the courts and watch from designated viewing areas. However, for some of our younger students we realize that sometimes parents may need to be on the court for a short time until the little ones are more comfortable.
