More about Coach Sav

I’m Coach Sav! A Mental Performance, Tennis and Pickleball instructor with a passion for both sports and the mental game behind them. I grew up playing competitive tennis and spent years competing in USTA junior tournaments, including some of my favorite memories playing in National Father-Daughter Doubles events. I went on to play college tennis at UC Santa Cruz, where I was fortunate to have an incredible coach who not only shaped my game but also emphasized mental skills training. Through his personal knowledge, workshops, and the mental performance interns he brought in, I gained invaluable tools that  completely transformed how I approached competition AND life. After graduating, I returned to UC Santa Cruz as an assistant coach for the women’s tennis team. It was an amazing experience to step into a coaching role at the collegiate level, learning from great coaches and supporting the players in practice and during matches. These experiences fueled my passion and ultimately inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology. During my program, I had the chance to dive deep into mental skills like goal-setting, self-talk, visualization, and emotional regulation. 

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I’ve coached players of all ages and levels, from private lessons to high school teams to adult classes. Whether I’m on the court or in a workshop, my focus is on helping athletes strengthen not only their technique and strategy, but also their confidence, resilience, and overall mindset—tools they’ll carry with them long after the game ends. And while I spend most of my time coaching, I still love playing sports myself and learning from other coaches. I’m always eager to grow as both an athlete and a coach!

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At the heart of my coaching philosophy is the belief that athletes should train their minds, play with passion, and grow beyond the game. My goal is to create an environment where players not only improve their performance but also develop lifelong mental skills that empower them in every aspect of life.