This is the 4th and last article in the 4 part series of articles on the launch of the world renowned Alexander Waske Tennis University in Ahmedabad, India. In collaboration with Altevol Sports Academy, Alexander Waske Tennis University has decided to bring wholesome changes to how Indians approach tennis, and fitness, in general.
The first three articles can be found in the following links –
1) World renowned Alexander Waske Tennis University coming to India – Here’s all you need to know
2) Chirag and Maulik Patel – The Cousins Behind The Altevol-Alexander Waske TU Idea
3) Ahmedabad’s top two coaches join hands for the Altevol-Alexander Waske Tennis University initiative
This article shall focus on highlighting the core group of coaches who are going to be working day in and day out, in their quest to produce great Tennis players from India.
Shrimal Bhatt
Tennis Director
– Coaching since 30 years. One of the most experienced coaches going around in India
– Coached Indian Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup players like Dev Javia and Akanksha Bhan
– Mental Toughness Trainer (Human Performance Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA)
– National Coach for Maldives in 1995
– Certified from Ontario Tennis Association in Canada
– Master of Tennis(Performance) PTR
Jignesh Raval
Vice President Sports
– Coaching since 20 years. Travelled to more than 35 countries as a coach
– Coach to Mann Shah, India’s lone representative in the Juniors Boys Singles at the Australian Open, 2019
– Produced more than 100 National Champions in various categories
– PTR Certified National Tester
– USPTA Professional
– LTA Professional
Dusan Stevic
Strength & Conditioning Director
– Has spent more than 30 years in professional sports, 20 as pro athlete, and 10 years as coach
– Trained with the NBA team Chicago Bulls for three months in 2001
– Forayed into strength and conditioning during his stay in the US
– Worked and won titles as a strength and conditioning coach and athlete in pro soccer, pro basketball, rugby, tennis, ski, swimming
– Conditioning coach of UEFA Champions League teams like PFC Ludogorets, Bulgaria(2011-2013) and AEL Limassol, Cyprus(2013-2014)
– Travelled to clubs like Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, etc for conditioning seminars to learn about their training methods
-Was coached by Al Vermeil (6 times NBA Champion, 1 NFL Super Bowl Winner) and Michael Cohen (U.S.NT Olympic Head Coach, Weightlifting)
– Main interest is in detection of muscle imbalances and asymmetries in athletes, and injury prevention through correctives and training intensity monitoring
– Aims to bring all his learnings to Tennis and Altevol
Pavan Patel
Fitness and Tennis Development Officer
– Went to the US in 1991 to play in the NCAA College Tennis Circuit
– Got into coaching post his college career. Trained a lot of state and national level athletes in Maryland
– Based in New Jersey from 2003-2018, where he started his own tennis academy called Pavan Tennis Academy(PTA)
– Big fitness enthusiast, who firmly believes that Indian adults need to up their fitness game
– He feels that he has not made the big move back to India from the US for nothing. He genuinely feels that the Altevol idea is here to bring a revolution
– He’s brought games like Pickleball from the US to engage Indian adults, especially women, to lead a healthier lifestyle
Cesar Morelos
Senior Coach
– Coaching since 18 years
– National coach for the USTA(United States Tennis Association)
– PTR Certified Coach
– ITPA(International Tennis Performance Association) Certified Fitness Coach
– Firm believer in the Altevol idea, so much so that he’s sacrificed being with his family, his academy, and his players back in the US
– Based in India since November 2017, to oversee the progress of the project
Devender Bhusari
Senior Coach
– First player from Gujarat to hold an ATP Ranking
– Top spot in the Asian Tennis Federation(ATF) U14 Circuit
– First player from India in the World Junior Team
– Eklvavya Junior Award Winner
– Holds an MBA degree in Human Resource and Marketing from Symbiosis University
– One of the most renowned tennis coach from Gujarat and a pioneer in the field of tennis counselling
Sameep Maheta
Senior Coach
– Former India No.1 in U14 category
– Represented India in the Junior Davis Cup
– Winner of the Asian Junior Davis Cup Circuit
– Quit playing Tennis, and got his ITF Level 2 Coaches Certification Badge
– Certified Tennis Performance Specialist and Tennis Performance Trainer from ITPA
– Professional in adult development by USPTR
– Coach to his sister Eetee Maheta, who plays on the ITF Women’s Circuit
– Firmly believes in the vision of Altevol and the ecosystem that it’s trying to build
