MEET DENNIS AND PAT VAN DER MEER
DENNIS VAN DER MEER
Hall of Famer Dennis was the founder of the Van Der Meer Tennis University and the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). The legendary coach was known worldwide as the “Teacher of teachers,” for his innovative teaching and coaching techniques. He has received numerous awards for teaching and coaching, including being named “Olympic Developmental Coach of the Year” in 1997. He has been inducted into many Halls of Fame and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Greenwich, England. Dennis became one of the first registered coaches of both the ATP and WTA and has coached hundreds of nationally and internationally ranked professional and junior players throughout his career, including World champions in singles and doubles. He served as coach for both Billie Jean King and Margaret Court for the landmark “Battle of the Sexes” in the 70’s. A believer in the concept of tennis for everyone, he developed courses and manuals for teaching wheelchair tennis and adaptive techniques. Dennis always had an uncanny knack for finding the best, most efficient way to help players reach their maximum potential, a trait he imparted to his staff coaches over his long career.
PAT VAN DER MEER
A graduate of American University in DC with a BA in education, Pat is an experienced tennis coach at all levels. Pat has traveled the world with her husband, Dennis, teaching coaches the method Dennis developed with Billie Jean King and others. They have coached players to the finals of Grand Slam Junior and Professional Events. One of the first WTA certified coaches, Pat has been a USTA Area Training Center Head Coach, and was named South Carolina Pro of the Year in 1991. In 1993 Pat earned PTR’s Coach Jim Verdieck Award for top coaches, and received the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Tennis and Education Merit Award in 2002. She has great enthusiasm for upholding Dennis’ tradition of excellence, and understands the importance of positive energy in tennis and life.