Private Lessons & Coaches in Middletown, RI

I fell in love with tennis at age 10 or 11. It quickly became the thing I cared most about for the better part of my life. It is a sport for a lifetime, and it will always be my first love. I started teaching tennis in 2011 after earning my teaching certification with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). It’s always fun to introduce a new player to this game or to work with a player who is passionate about tennis and wants to learn more. I look forward to meeting new students and sharing my passion for tennis with them.

"What really stood out during the lesson was Cate’s patience and excellent teaching style with my son. The session was well-paced and clear, making it easy for him to follow along. I’d recommend Cate’s lessons to anyone looking to improve their tennis skills in a supportive environment. Looking forward to more great sessions ahead! 🎾

With 35 years of love for the beautiful game of soccer, I offer extensive knowledge and understanding to help level-up your game! My coaching utilizes strategy and skill development for a fun, focused path to improvement. Let's reach your goals!

"Hey Eugene, Gavin wanted me to text you to let you know his coach put him in as striker again, and he scored his first GOAL!! He also had a great assist, and his coach named him player of the game. Afterwards Gavin said to me, "The coaching with Eugene has helped me so much!"

I’m a 41-year-old part-time chef with a 6 handicap and over 30 years of golf experience. I play once or twice a week and practice at the range 3-4 times weekly. I’ve been passionate about teaching golf for the last 10 years, focusing on a self-taught approach and a variety of effective drills to keep things simple and less technical. My coaching style is all about helping you improve your ball-striking quickly, whether you’re just learning the basics or looking to elevate your game to the next level. Let’s work together to refine your swing and make golf more enjoyable!

"Michael was very informative. His instruction was easy to receive and a great personality.

My career has afforded me many opportunities to coach students of all ages and abilities in pickleball, tennis and squash. I have enjoyed meeting great people and sharing my passion to improve their skills and enjoy the many fantastic benefits of exercise and competitive fun!

"Wayne is a great coach. He helped me move from reactionary movement to purposful movement!

If you are thinking about learning to play the fastest growing sport in the nation, but are hesitant to begin, read this short bio of our most popular Rhode Island instructor, Coach Phyl. Her experience and coaching style can help to ease your concerns. Hello and welcome! I’m Coach Phyl, and I am so glad you’re here. Let me tell you a little about why I love to work with beginning pickleball players. Pickleball is life, and I mean that literally. I took up the sport just as the Covid pandemic was shifting into high gear. It was the one thing I could do, despite my advanced age, while lockdown was beginning to happen all around me. It got me off the couch and moving, which I believe saved me from losing my mind, my passion for life, and my muscles, such as they are. It was kismet. I quickly recognized how similar the movements and strategies were to a game called Ace King Queen that I had played as a child. I loved and missed that game. Pickleball felt almost like finding it again. I fell in love with it immediately, not only for the game itself, but also for the social void it filled. Pickleball has brought many wonderful people into my life while providing me with a fun way to stay active during my “golden” years. I am filled with gratitude for all that it gives me, and I want to share these benefits with as many people as I can. We will have fun while you learn and practice new drills and skills. Pickleball is a multi-tiered sport that can be played by just about anyone. There is no better way to learn the basics than through in-person coaching. My teaching style is relaxed and non-confrontational. You will learn the rules of the game, proper warm-up techniques, paddle basics, a variety of strokes, serving options, targeting, timing, and the importance of drilling, with a few advanced strategies thrown in for good measure. As I like to say, just do it! There's no time like the present, so join me. See you on the court! Speaking of courts… While I am willing to travel to other courts, I encourage you to choose the courts at the John H. Chafee Sports Complex at 450 Hope Road in Western Cranston. These courts are well maintained and easy to get to. I love playing there, and I think you will, too. That said, if the weather calls for rain or otherwise is not in a cooperative mood (think wind, intense heat, snow, etc.), then a good choice would be the private indoor court at Open Table.

"My son and I had a great introduction to pickleball with Phyllis. Couldn’t recommend her more highly. She knows the sport of pickleball well, loves it, and plays well. Plus she teaches in a good progression, with an encouraging, low-key style.

I started playing tennis in Haiti at the age of two. As a junior player, I participated in and won numerous tournaments. During my four years at Brockton High School, I was frequently featured in the Brockton Enterprise newspaper for my achievements. I continued my tennis career at Salem State University, winning two championships and participating in the NCAA tournaments twice. My accolades include being a 4-time First Team All-Conference honoree, and I am currently among the top 10 players with the most games won in Salem State history. I have been coaching for three years, working with players of all levels.

"Knew exactly what I needed to work on and set up specific drills to work on it.

James Crosson has had the prestigious honor of being selected out of 300 participants to become one of the 60 certified coaches by DUPR’s exclusive coaching program. James is registered as National Professional Pickleball DUPR coach, a National Pickleball Professional with the International Registry of Pickleball Professionals, A National Professional with the International Coaches Institute, A professional with the RPPk Registery of Pickleball Professionals, and has worked with the Tyson McGruff coaching program to deliver excellence in all categories of coaching Pickleball. For over 8+ years James has become an avid Pickleball player, and his love for the game is only exceeded by his passion for teaching others how to improve in all aspects of their Pickleball game! From teaching beginners to excel quickly into the Pickleball world, to teaching advanced techniques and strategies to already established players to improve on their game, there is nothing James won’t be able to show you! James is extremely personable to make you feel comfortable in your learning process, and his methodology is that learning Pickleball should be a fun experience instead of feeling like a chore. James is an all-around athlete and has a strong tennis background from 6 years at the Newport Tennis Hall of fame. He fell in love with Pickleball, and was the founder of the very successful Fall River Pickleball Group. James is very competitive and is constantly playing in Pickleball tournaments against some of the best players in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts area. To ignite your passion in beginning your Pickleball journey, or to overcome the obstacles holding you back from being the best Pickleball player.

"James quickly taught me how to play so I could go out on the courts and start playing in open plays without feeling nervous! He gave me the ground work to start playing and learning on my own so I can continue to play until I need his guidance again! Awesome coach and fast teacher!

Peter embarked on a pickleball journey in July 2023 following a period of personal challenges. Introduced to the sport by a friend, pickleball quickly became a cornerstone of Peter's life, facilitating a remarkable 37-pound weight loss and reigniting a sense of passion and purpose. With a strong foundation in tennis, soccer, and ping pong, Peter seamlessly transitioned to pickleball, now leveraging this experience to help newcomers jumpstart their own love affair with the sport, promoting health, happiness, and community along the way.

"The perfect instructor to go to if you want thorough and robust lessons.

I’m currently the Assistant Coach for Brown University Women’s Tennis Team and a former Division I player at Oklahoma State. I’ve also played professionally on the ATP Tour and represented the Philippines in the Davis Cup. Whether you’re just starting out, getting ready for tournaments, or just want to hit and improve your game, I bring years of experience coaching all levels—from young juniors to high-level college players. My coaching style is positive, focused, and fun. I’ll help you improve your technique, strategy, and mindset so you can feel more confident every time you step on court. Let’s get out there and play some great tennis!