Welcome to Season 14 Episode 13 of the ParentingAces Podcast! In this week's episode, we continue our discussion of what it takes to become a great coach and how great coaches bring out the best in their players. Coach Chris Marquez is our guest.

Chris Marquez is a nationally respected tennis coach with a career built on passion, perseverance, and a deep understanding of player development. A self-described late bloomer, Chris didn’t pick up a racquet until age 11—but by 16, he was ranked among Florida’s top 15 juniors, earning wins over top-10 players, all while coming from a modest, middle-class background. With his love for the game, Chris also found success on the national level and competed internationally as well.

He went on to play Division I college tennis at the University of South Florida, where he competed in both singles and doubles and helped lead the team to a conference championship. After college, Chris stepped into coaching, quickly rising through the ranks to become a Director of Player Development and Group Leader at the prestigious Palmer Academy in Tampa Fl. His coaching journey has taken him around the world, working with top U.S. juniors, international prospects, and traveling on the WTA Tour coaching at Grand Slams, Tour Events and Challengers.
Currently, Chris serves as the Head Tennis Professional and High Performance Coach at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. He’s coached players at the junior Grand Slam level, numerous top national and international junior players, and helped countless athletes find success at the NCAA Division I level.

A pioneer in his field, Chris was recognized on-air by Tennis TV personality Dave Kozlowski for reviving clay court tennis at the collegiate level. He founded and directed the Lakewood Ranch Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Championships—widely considered one of the best ITA fall college events in the country, drawing top men’s and women’s programs from all Power 5 conferences and the Ivy League.

With decades of experience nurturing talent from the earliest stages to the professional and collegiate level, Chris brings insight, energy, and a genuine love for the game to everything he does.

If you would like to get in touch with Coach Chris Marquez, you can email him at collegetourn@gmail.com. You can also follow him on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.

CREDITS

Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE

Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone

Welcome to Season 14 Episode 12 of the ParentingAces Podcast! If you've been watching/listening to this podcast for any length of time, you've heard me talk about the importance of mentoring. In this week's episode, Coach Aaron Rusnak of Innovative Tennis Coaching is back with us to discuss his transition from full-time on-court coaching to mentoring those coaches coming up behind him to ensure a better Junior Tennis Experience for coaches, players, and parents.

Aaron has been coaching tennis for 30 years following a stint on the USTA Pro Circuit. Recognized as one of the Top 25 Coaches in the U.S. by Tennis Channel and Top Spin Magazine (2021), Aaron brings a unique combination of high-level playing experience, advanced certifications, and a deep commitment to helping athletes reach their full potential.

Aaron has been a popular staple on tennis social media for several years now. He loves to post videos discussing the various aspects of the game, especially through the lens of an experienced coach. He realized he could help the next generation of coaches be more effective and find more joy through sharing his own philosophy and approach to junior development.

For more information, you can follow Aaron on LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also email him at rushandcrush@prodigy.net.

If you’re so inclined, please share this – and all our episodes! – with your fellow tennis players, parents, and coaches. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app. Please be sure to check out our logo’d merch as well as our a la carte personal consultations in our online shop.

CREDITS

Intro & Outro Music: Morgan Stone aka STØNE

Audio & Video Editing: Lisa Stone