Former ATP Top 100 player and a former coach of 2017 US Open Champion Sloane Stephens, Roger Smith, has called on coaches to develop players as who they are and not the other way.
He said this in an exclusive interview with Citi Sports on the sidelines of a two day tennis clinic with tennis players between ages seven and 17 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Smith and former US Tennis Association President Katrina Adams headlined the event organized by Africa10 Foundation (A10) and Ghana Tennis Federation.
The clinic also included a seminar with Ghana tennis coaches and Katrina Adams launching her “Own The Arena” book that details Adams’ life as a former professional tennis player and her incredible rise to become the first African-American to serve a President of the US Tennis Association.
After stating that he was impressed with the attitude of the young tennis players’ attitude at the clinic, Roger Smith called on Ghana tennis coaches to develop the young players but to do so as who the players are not as the coaches envisage. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
“It-developing a talent- entails understanding the game style that’s best for each player…so each player is going to gravitate to one of four game styles; the coach has to identify that and develop because each of those game styles need certain things certain weapons to be great.”
“The players tell what they gravitate to…don’t lose that let them keep that. You develop that player with who they are…but you can’t change who they are” 61 year old Smith, who competed at the 1992 Olympic Games, said. Scroll down to watch interview.
Tennis coach, Roger Smith shares what coaches should do to develop young tennis talent#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/Qp3uwubBkD
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) June 25, 2025
