Interviews

Interview with Phil Vivian,

head coach at Aldersbrook Tennis Club in Wanstead E11

So Phil, what got you into tennis in the first place, and when did you become a coach?

I began having coaching when I was 17 around the time Bjorn Borg came onto the scene.

It was a bright new modern era in professional tennis with great young players emerging, and Borg was my favorite player. Within 1 year I had taken qualifications and became a full time coach at 18. My first pupils as an 18 year old coach were the great Bobby Moore's children!

Can you remember your first ever tournament match? How did it go?

I never really played many tournaments as a junior I was 'old' at 17 this was in under 18 events against experienced players. I lost first round against the number 1 seeds in two tournaments, so not a great start! But my 'love' of the game was in teaching the sport more than playing it.

What brought you to Aldersbrook Tennis Club?

I had just 'sold' a tennis club I ran for 10 years and was taking a sabbatical for a few months when I heard through the grapevine that Aldersbrook needed a new coach. As this was the most local club to where I live I went along there to find them a coach through my tennis coaching agency. It seemed pretty obvious straight away that the job suited me rather than me finding them a coach, so I took the post. I have been there 8 years now.

Your son Jamie is a top 100 British player. Were you a fanatical tennis parent when Jamie was growing up, or was he pretty much self-motivated?

A bit of both, he was under no pressure to play, and did not really start properly until he was around 8. But then as his game improved, the professionalism required grew in both of us, so yes results were important. Motivation and drive were needed and this was fuelled by me as both the parent and coach.  

You also run courses for aspiring tennis coaches. What's that like, and what qualities do you think make a good coach?

I love being part of coach education. I enjoy teaching trainee coaches and inspiring them to make a career in tennis like I have. It is also interesting to see how they learn and then take the exams we set them. It measures our skills as coach tutors I think.

Patience is the most important aspect of being a good teacher, along with knowledge, empathy, personal playing skills and a true love for the game. The latter rubs off on people if they see it in you.                

Your latest project is Tennis Race2Win. How does it work and what are your ambitions for it?

The major plan of Tennis Race 2 Win is to get people from all walks of life playing tennis in either a coaching capacity or a match situation. In Tennis Race 2 Win they get points for both of these categories. Players sign up for just £25 per year for 2 x six month league runs in 3 categories, Mini Tennis, Junior 11-18 years and adult. We provide prizes and regular league table presentations to show where and how players are playing. Are they climbing the league or slipping down it. They have to show motivation along with their coaches to create a strong development plan which includes the phases Learning-Competition-Evaluation.  I have thoroughly researched and planned this as a long term project for me and Jamie to develop. I hope in the next few years to see thousands of players signed up to it from different corners of the world. I will then be able to call it 'A Global Tennis Club' that is my goal.

How would you describe the current state of British tennis, and what do you think we should do to get more world ranked top 100 players?

British tennis is not in a good state. We change methods and goals far too often and players find it hard to achieve the right levels of play. We need to keep one major methodology going throughout the years. Increase the playing base (this is what Tennis Race 2 Win aims to do!) and keep the stages of improvement simple to understand, especially at lower levels. This would attract more players and keep the base of the pyramid large for where top players can be sorted from.

Who would you like me to interview?

Do you have a favourite sports coach in London, who has an interesting story?

Or perhaps the owner of a health food cafe? Or even a personal trainer in London who has helped you lose weight or build muscle?

Maybe you want to hear what a local politician has to say about health & fitness issues in London.

Let me know who you want to see interviewed. Maybe you want to be interviewed! Get in touch.