Tennis
Sly Black
Coached
Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens, Sachia Vickery, Victoria Duval
Sly Black
Sly Black is undeniably one of the greatest developmental coaches in tennis history, having nurtured 12 world junior champions from near-beginner levels, including his three daughters. Four of his protégés have ascended to the top 100 in the world, with two clinching singles Grand Slam titles. His work with prodigies like Coco Gauff from the ages of 6 to 14, Sloane Stephens between 9 and 13, and guiding Victoria Duval and Sachia Vickery from their formative years to championship status, underscores his unparalleled coaching prowess.Sly's coaching philosophy centers on fostering a fun yet disciplined training environment, prioritizing the development of solid technique. He places a continuous emphasis on refining players' range of motion, timing, correct breathing, and transitional play, with a significant focus on doubles to round out young players' skills. Sly shares fascinating insights and stories about developing talents such as Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens, alongside advice on the critical role of private lessons in a junior's development and strategies for managing growth spurts.His content on CoachLife is as comprehensive as it is enlightening, divided into two key areas: one offering profound insights into player development from a psychological perspective and strategies for engaging with parents, and the other featuring a vast array of videos dedicated to instructing complete beginners. Additionally, there is brilliant content on the necessity of adjustment or stutter steps in gameplay. This holistic approach to coaching not only showcases Sly Black's deep understanding of the game but also his commitment to cultivating the next generation of tennis champions.
Players coached
Coco Gauff (WTA 3)
Coached between 6-14 years old
Sloane Stephens (WTA 3)
Coached between 9-13 years old
Sachia Vickery (WTA 73)
Victoria Duval (WTA 87)