Weymouth’s Tom Gutteridge has left British shores behind after accepting an exciting new role at a highly renowned tennis academy in the USA.
The 21 year-old is now based at the High Performance Tennis Academy (HPTA) in Philadelphia working under Charles Wheeler, a former coach of seven years to South Africa’s world number 20 Kevin Anderson. The academy is situated just outside of Philadelphia in the Bala Cynwyd community and boasts a wealth of facilities including; 12 indoor courts with access to 12 outdoor courts as well as the use of all parts of the Aquatic and Fitness Centre in which it is based.
Gutteridge will be working with some of the best young players in the country, some of whom are in the national Top 10 for their age groups. He will also accompany some of the players to international and national tournaments, mostly at 14-and-under level.
The HPTA runs performance camps over the summer months and Gutteridge is hoping to use his links in Dorset Tennis to get some local players across the pond to participate in the near future.
Before taking the job stateside, Gutteridge had been coaching at Poole’s Virgin Active centre working alongside a strong team, including the likes of the centre’s strength and conditioning coach Matt Griffiths as well as coaching some of Dorset’s best up and coming players such as; Natalie Carter and Millen Hurrion.
Gutteridge began his coaching career at Christchurch Tennis Facility. During his time at the club he quickly completed his coaching qualifications and became the Britain’s youngest ever level four performance coach at the age of 20.
As well as coaching in the USA, Gutteridge intends to continue his playing career. He is still ranked as the number one player in Dorset and has a national UK ranking of 63, having been inside the top 50 earlier in 2013. The Weymouth-born player is hoping to compete in upcoming futures events and even has his sights set on trying to gain an ATP world ranking.
By Harry Lund