Derek J. Pride, Founder/CEO
PTR Certified Instructor

As an instructor and competitor, Derek Pride offers over 20 years experience to the tennis community. His journey began at the renowned Norman Wilkerson Junior Tennis Academy where he mastered the fundamentals of the game. Throughout his competitive tournament play in the Southeastern Region, Derek was able to obtain a number one position on his high school Varsity Tennis Team. After graduating, he went on to play at the collegiate level while attending Alabama A&M University. Today Derek can still be found playing competitively at the top levels of the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) and United States Tennis Association (USTA) leagues.

Derek’s personal love for tennis is only surpassed by his desire to share the game with others. In an attempt to do so, he began instructing private lessons to close friends and family members. In 2002, Derek successfully completed his teaching certification with one of the world’s largest tennis organization, Professional Tennis Registry. As a PTR Certified Tennis Instructor, Derek has expanded his clientele to include children, as well as men and women of all ages and skill levels. In addition, he now serves as the official, on site instructor for several apartment communities throughout the Metro Atlanta area, and head coach for several playoff bound ALTA and USTA teams. Derek has also lead the boys’ Stockbridge High school tennis team to the state playoffs 3 consecutive years finishing high as 5th in the state of Georgia.

Derek considers himself to be more than just a tennis coach, but a coach for life. He adds compassion, optimism, integrity, and patience to instruction just as he exhibits them everywhere he goes. The secret to his success really is no secret at all. It’s embodied within his own words “I now do what I truly love.”