Touring Coach Craig Kardon Announced as Convention Keynote Speaker

 

Craig Kardon, a Grand Slam winning touring professional coach, will be the keynote speaker at the TTCA Convention.   Craig Kardon has a lifetime experience over the past five decades of coaching touring professionals and juniors/ high school tennis players.  

Kardon played high school tennis in Dallas at RL Turner High School and then went to play collegiately at the University of Texas Austin from 1979-1983.  Kardon achieved a career high ATP ranking of 283 before beginning his coaching career with Martina Navratilova.

Craig Kardon, a motivational and strategical speaker, will address the convention on Friday and Saturday of this year’s convention, at Horseshoe Bay Resort, the opening of the three-day event.  His appearance is sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods. 

Career coaching highlights for Kardon include: 

-          Over 35 years coaching experience across 5 decades on the ATP and WTA Tours

-          Coached two players inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (Martina Navratilova and Mary Pierce)

-          Coached over 15 players ranked in the 50 in the world

-          Coach of Wimbledon Champion and three players reaching the quarterfinals or better at Wimbledon

-          WTT (World Team Tennis) Coach 18 years, won four WTT titles (Atlanta Thunder 1992, New Jersey Stars­1994 & 1995, Philadelphia Freedom­ 2006, 2018 Finals)  -  Received 2018 WTT Coach of the Year honors

Outside of his tennis coaching career, Kardon unparalleled involvement in developing, building and maintaining relationships with top players, coaches, and tennis communities all over the world. He works cross functionally with management companies and tennis organizations to enhance player development also is involved and has significant experience with commentating and consulting.

2017-present
The WTA Coach Program is designed to professionalize, standardize, and recognize the important role of coaching on the WTA, signifying that coaches are a key element of the WTA business.

Dallas, Texas -- 1988-present
Provide elite scouting, coaching, education and developmental guidance to world class athletes to reach their greatest potential.

Accomplishments

  • Led Coco Vandeweghe to Semi finals of 2017 Australian Open,Quarterfinals of Wimbledon, and top20 WTA ranking
     
  • Guided the Jiangsu Province Team to their 5th straight Team Gold Medal title at the Chinese National Games in 2013
     
  • Developed Ze Zhang to become highest ranked male Chinese player in the history of the ATP World Tour in 2013
     
  • Led Shahar Peer to reach a career high #11 on the WTA singles rankings in 2011
     
  • Guided Xavier Malisse to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2002 to become the first Belgian to reach the Top 20 on the ATP World Tour
     
  • Drove Alexandra Stevenson to become the only player in history to win 8 matches to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1999
     
  • Drove Mary Pierce from #15 to #5 on the WTA rankings in 1997
     
  • Assisted Lisa Raymond to reach Top 20 in WTA singles rankings for the first time in her career in 1996
     
  • Led Lindsay Davenport to reach Top 10 for the first time in her career in 1995
     
  • Coached Martina Navratilova to 1990 Wimbledon title
     
  • Coached four teams to the World Team Tennis title: Atlanta Thunder 1992, New Jersey Stars­1994 & 1995, Philadelphia Freedom­ 2006, 2018 Finals, Received 2018 WTT Coach of the Year honors
     
  • Also coached ATP World Tour & WTA players: Jennifer Capriati, Ana Ivanovic, Zina Garrison, Vince Spadea, and Alex Bogomolov

National Coach, USTA

Dallas, Texas -- 1998-2001
Provided supplemental coaching, scouting, education and developmental guidance for US national elite juniors and their families within the Texas and Central Region

Accomplishments

  • Speaker at coaching seminars to share an international perspective on coaching and development trends
     
  • Managed budgets of over half million dollars
     
  • Supplemental coaching for young touring pros such as Alexandra Stevenson and James Blake

"I am very excited and looking forward to sharing my experiences. Also to be on the court with you guys to share ideas and help our High School players".