1. Name
Mark Spann

2. Why did you become a coach
I really like to help people. I was fortunate enough to be influenced by some great coaches/ mentors who showed me the degree to which I could help others to improve on a tennis court through educating and inspiring them.

3. Place of Birth
England

4. College
Graduated Cum Laude from the World Renowned Tennis Technology program in Texas
Certified Professional UNITED STATES TENNIS ACADEMY, USPTR, USPTA, USTA Sports Science, SATCA, NTRP certified,

5. Playing achievements
Competed on the Professional Satellite Circuit from 1982 to 85
Played for Tyler Junior NJCAA Champion team
After rupturing patella tendons in both knees ceased further competition.

6. Coaching achievements and certifications
Selected by the USTA Player Development for 3 years to work with the top National players on the East Coast.  Over 100 of my students have been chosen to play in top Universities ranging from Williams and Amherst to Penn and Brown. Coach on the ATP tour from 1988 through to 2002 with the # 2  ITF Junior in the World Chris Mahoney as well as NCAA # 1 doubles player in the Country Jason Weir Smith to numerous professional events including US Open and Wimbledon. One of my students Oliver Messerli was the coach of Lisa Raymond and Mary Pierce winner of the French Open as well as Sara Schiffman former coach of University of Pennsylvania and current assistant coach of Columbia University.

7. Favorite player and why
Federer – there is nowhere to go against him. He has a complete game. Arguably at 28 the physical part of the game may become more challenging but he embodies both the attitude and game that I hope that every young player will aspire to.

8. What has tennis done for you and why are you still involved with it today
I love playing tennis “hate losing” More than anything I love what the game does for the people that play it. It is like experiencing a good movie yourself firsthand. There is drama, expectation, suspense, surprise. Basically every human emotion is evident somewhere in a tennis match. For young people I feel it teaches them to handle adversity.

9. Best tennis memory
Being a coach at Wimbledon for two weeks as the mixed doubles team I was coaching knocked off the number 2 team in the world while my mother watched. Tennis has allowed me to travel throughout the world (Never knew Croatia was so beautiful) get an education overseas and finally get to work with some great coaches and players in my very own facility with my partner.

10. Favourite quote
“Respect everyone Fear no one” but a close second is “It’s not just how you start, but how you finish”.