Learn Tennis with Sophia
💰$69 weekly lessons
Hey! As a former pro and Division 1 tennis player, I know firsthand what it takes to develop strong fundamentals, sharpen strategy, and build confidence on the court. With 5+ years of experience coaching at high-performance academies, country clubs, and after-school programs, l've worked with a wide range of students, from beginners picking up a racquet for the first time to competitive athletes striving to take their skills to the next level. My coaching style is a mix of technical precision and high-energy fun—| focus on proper form, footwork, and shot selection while making sure every lesson is engaging and tailored to your goals. Whether you want to refine your strokes, improve match play, or just get a great workout while enjoying the game, l'm here to guide you every step of the way!
Levels taught: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors
🏅Pro Athlete
🎓15 years playing
🔥5 Lessons
⭐️D1 College Tennis
Try Sophia risk free
When you buy with TeachMe.To you're getting access to a network of coaches. If you don't love your lessons with Sophia, we'll switch you to another coach or give you a full refund.
Reviews
Total reviews5
Average rating
5.0
Julia
Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 11
Sophia is an amazing coach! She breaks down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand and always keeps lessons fun. Each session was tailored to my needs, helping me improve my footwork, topspin, and shot placement. Her drills were creative and engaging, making practice enjoyable yet effective. She also helped me build confidence in match play by teaching strategy and mental toughness. Her patience and encouragement made a huge difference in my progress. I saw real improvement in my game after just a few lessons. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and supportive coach, I highly recommend her!
Kim P
Level: Expert•Lessons taken: 10
Before training with Sophia, I struggled with my forehand and consistency. She not only helped me fix my form but also taught me how to stay calm under pressure during matches. Her coaching style is motivating and supportive, and she always pushes me to do my best. I’ve seen real improvements in my game!
Lisa E
Level: Beginner•Lessons taken: 8
Coach Sophia has been absolutely amazing with my kids! She is patient, knowledgeable, and knows exactly how to keep them engaged while still challenging them to improve. My son used to get frustrated easily, but Sophia’s positive approach has helped him build confidence on the court. My daughter has also developed a real love for the game thanks to Sophia’s encouragement. We’ve seen so much progress in both their skills and their attitude toward competition.
Jake Ling
Level: Expert•Lessons taken: 6
Coach Sophia is hands down the best tennis coach I've had! She breaks everything down in a way that makes sense and tailors each lesson to my skill level. My footwork and consistency have improved so much since working with her.
Rachel M.
Lessons taken: 1
Sophia has been an outstanding tennis coach for my two young girls, instilling not only skill but also a love for the game. Her patient and encouraging approach has boosted their confidence and significantly improved their game!
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:14 courts available
Huntington Hills
2626 Duff Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810
819.1 miles awayOutdoors
Hunt Fountain Park
2020 Duff Rd, Lakeland, FL 33810
819.4 miles awayOutdoors
Douglas M. Cook park
232736000000013010
822 miles awayOutdoors
Lake Parker Pickleball Courts
600 E Robson St
822.9 miles awayOutdoors
Lake Parker Park
910 E Granada St, Lakeland, FL 33805
823.2 miles awayOutdoors
Simpson Park
1725 Martin L King Junior Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805
824 miles awayOutdoors
Simpson Park Community Center
1725 Martin L King Jr Ave
824 miles awayOutdoors
Webster Park
1235 N Webster Ave
824.6 miles awayOutdoors
Lakeland Parks & Recreation
702 E Orange St
825.9 miles awayOutdoors
Plant City Tennis Center
120 North Wilder Road, Plant City, FL, USA
826.7 miles awayOutdoors
Beerman Family Tennis Center
1000 E Edgewood, Lakeland, FL 33803
827.9 miles awayOutdoors
Veterans Park
Veterans Park, 1000 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803, USA
828 miles awayOutdoors
Kelly Recreation Complex
404 Imperial Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33803
828.6 miles awayOutdoors
Woodlake Park
3415 New Jersey Rd
828.7 miles awayOutdoors
Want a lesson at your home or a different location? We can help.
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
9 AM - 11 PM
mondays
9 AM - 9:30 PM
tuesdays
9 AM - 11 PM
wednesdays
9 AM - 11 PM
thursdays
9 AM - 11 PM
fridays
2 PM - 11 PM
saturdays
9 AM - 11 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonIntroduction & Fun Basics
Warm-up: Dynamic stretching & mini-tennis rally (short court)
Grip & Stance: Shake hands with the racquet, ready position
Forehand: Shadow swings, then drop-hit forehands
Fun Drill: “Target Time” – hit cones/tape targets for accuracy
Lesson 11+Tactical Play & Mental Toughness
Advanced drills: Directional control, approach shots, patterns
Strategy session: When to attack, defend, or neutralize
Mental training: Focus drills, pressure simulations
Match play with coaching on decision-making
Lesson 4-10Expanding Skills & Strategy
Lesson 4: Serve introduction (toss & motion), “Serving Statue” drill for balance
Lesson 5: Net game (volley technique), “Wall Reflex” drill for quick hands
Lesson 6: Return of serve, reaction drills
Lesson 7: Basic point play, mini-games.
Lesson 8: Movement & footwork, shadow drills & “Split-Step Freeze”
Lesson 9: Shot selection, deep vs. short placement games
Lesson 10: Match play practice, applying all skills in real points
Lesson 2-3Backhand & Rally Building
Quick warm-up: Footwork ladder or side shuffles
Backhand grip & swing: Two-handed or one-handed demo
Drop-hit backhands, then slow feeds
Fun Drill: “Rally Race” – rally for consistency (X hits in a row)
Youth players
Working with kidsMaking it Playful & Engaging: When coaching kids, I prioritize fun and movement-based learning. Instead of technical jargon, I use creative games like "Monster Tennis," where they have to stomp like a monster before hitting, or "Treasure Hunt," where they collect cones after rallying. These activities keep them engaged while reinforcing footwork, hand-eye coordination, and basic strokes in an intuitive way. I also use bright visual aids and simple cues like “high-five the ball” for volleys or “superhero swings” for follow-through.
Building Confidence Through Encouragement: Kids thrive on positive reinforcement, so I make sure to celebrate small wins, whether it’s hitting the ball over the net or making contact consistently. I avoid technical overload and instead focus on one or two key takeaways per lesson.
Working with teenagersBlending Structure with Autonomy
Teens often respond well to a mix of structured drills and the freedom to explore their own style. I introduce more technical details—like spin, footwork efficiency, and tactical awareness—while giving them space to ask questions and problem-solve. I also incorporate match-play scenarios, where they practice decision-making under pressure, and encourage them to set personal goals, whether it's improving consistency or mastering a specific shot.
Fostering a Competitive but Supportive Environment
Since many teens are motivated by competition, I introduce challenges like rally streaks, point-based drills, and mini-tournaments to simulate real match intensity. However, I also emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork, and mental resilience. I help them build confidence by focusing on mindset strategies, teaching them how to reset after mistakes, and showing them that progress isn’t just about winning but improving their overall game.
What you need to bringCould also bring tennis balls if you have, rackets, tennis shoes.
What I can bringTennis balls, cones, jumping rope, anything I need for the lessons planned.
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation Policy
We totally understand that life can be unpredictable and plans might change. That's
why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you
peace of mind when booking private sports lessons with our awesome local instructors!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
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