Our MTL Instructor Josh. S. moved from Australia to the United States and talks with us about his experiences back home and in the States, on and off the court.
You are originally from Australia. In what way do you think that where you grew up shaped your teaching style and tennis game as a whole?
It gave me a more laid back approach that is focused on pushing people toward their tennis goals in a fun atmosphere. Aussies know how to work hard, but we have a good time doing it. I think someone like Pat Rafter is a perfect example of this. Pat was a role model for me growing up. He helped give me a focus on good sportsmanship and a fighting, ‘beat the odds’ attitude, which I think is very much a part of the Australian attitude.
Was tennis readily accessible to you as a young child in Australia?
Tennis is a massive sport in Australia. It would be close to our national game (Cricket would give it a challenge). Growing up in Melbourne and starting each year with a Slam in your backyard definitely inspired you to get out and hit and there was no shortage of tennis courts around. Tennis is part of our culture back home.
It must have been a big step to move from Australia to the US. What do you miss most, tennis related or not, about home?
I’ll answer tennis related first. The Australian Open obviously. January is the time of year I’m most homesick. I remember heading up to the Open on the train with my Tennis squad as a 13 year old and chasing signatures from my heroes as they hit-up on the back courts. I also miss playing grass-court tennis tournaments in country Victoria over Summer. The weather would be beautiful and me and a group of mates would set up a tent for a weekend and just have a great time. In general life, I guess my pet Kangaroo transporting me around in his pouch – traffic is so bad in LA 😉
In what ways is the tennis scene and tennis culture in the US different than that of Australia? In what ways is it similar?
I can only speak for Los Angeles. For starters there’s a lot more free, public access courts here. Everyone can play and that’s a great thing. In Australia there’s plenty of courts but you need to be a club member or pay hourly court hire which is fine, but I’m a big fan of tennis court hire being available for free. A simliarity would be how social the sport is. It’s a game for life and people out here like to get groups together and hit the ball around and have a laugh doing it. It doesn’t take long for my adult classes to bond and start organising hitting sessions amongst each other in their own time. Back home you’ll see high school friends hire out a bunch of courts and get together to socialise over a hit of tennis. Both countriies play the game with the right attitude.
Did you use being a tennis coach/player as a means to see the world and travel or was it always about teaching and playing no matter where the opportunity was?
Travelling the world has always been a love of mine and a big part of my life. But like Tennis, travel is a passion in and of itself. I’m just fortunate to have Tennis as a skill that I can bring with me wherever I end up. To be able to merge those two defining parts of my life is something I’m always thankful for.
Of all the locations around the world that you have taught or played over the years, which one is the most memorable and why?
Gee that’s a tough one. I met an ex-girlfriend who was also a Tennis coach whilst teaching in Melbourne so that’s memorable, I’m not sure for all the right reasons haha. I was able to represent my College and play at Melbourne Park on Margaret Court Arena so that would definitely be a highlight. Playing my first match on real European clay in Bordeaux would be up there also, if not for the Tennis then for the amazing Cabarnet Sauvignon haha.
For you, what are the pros and cons of being a tennis instructor in the United States?
The biggest pro for me would be the opportunity it gives me to meet and connect with such a wide variety of Americans who I might otherwise not get the chance to meet. I’m always thankful for and excited by the opportunity to cross paths with new people, especially from a culture different to mine. The biggest con would have to be the lack of Kangaroos to help you pick up the balls, those pouches are incredibly useful. Miss you Skippy 😉
