Testimonials

 

“Mark Dickson was a fine player at all levels - - - junior, college and pros.
He still has a wonderful passion for the game as a coach now. He is a
winner, he is enthusiastic, he knows the game - - - inside and out. Best
of all - - - he is positive and has great people skills.

I love talking tennis with Mark and he gets me fired up and I am going
to visit him in the Tampa/Sarasota area soon to see the great things
he is doing with his junior programs and I'm gonna bring my racket
and jump in and help.”

Wayne Bryan

Coach of World Team Tennis Sacramento Capitals
3-time WTT Coach of the Year
2-time WTT Champion
Father and coach of World #1’s Bob & Mike Bryan

“Throughout my time living in Sarasota, I had the pleasure of training with Mark. Not only is he
an incredible player, both past and present, but he also is an incredible strategist and helped me
greatly with on court tactics and leveraging my strengths. All the while, Mark brought an energy
to the court that made training with him a lot of fun.”

Michael Lang

Former ATP Tour singles & doubles professional
NCAA Division I Team Champion member
#1 singles player, University of Miami
Big East Player of the Year
5-time Gold Ball winner of National Junior Championships
# 1 in the United States, Boy’s 14s & 16s
# 12 in the United States, Boy’s 18s

“Mark had such a wide variety of shots, making him so hard to prepare for. He would utilize his aggressiveness, then finesse you to death with his great touch. Mark was a brilliant talent and had a temperament for competition. My only regret is not being able to coach him now with the experience I have. He was tall, agile and fast and with the racquets of today, he could have easily been a grand slam champion.”

Chuck Kriese, Clemson University

Coach of 46 ATP Tour professionals, former Clemson University Head Men’s Tennis Coach & 4-Time National Coach-of-the-Year at Mark Dickson’s induction into the Clemson University Hall of Fame

 

“He’s big and aggressive (and) daring. I like him.”

Arthur Ashe, International Tennis Hall of Fame

Wimbledon champion
U.S. Open champion
Davis Cup champion
NCAA Intercollegiate champion
Former United States Davis Cup captain

As a professional tennis player, I have had the pleasure of knowing Mark Dickson for quite a while now. He was a tremendous player who had great success on the tennis court having reached high rankings in the world for singles and doubles and now for the past years he has been an outstanding coach for players of all levels.
His experience having played in such high level on the ATP tour is what makes Mark one of the best coaches who ever helped me. It has been a huge benefit for me and all his students in all the aspects of the game including strategy, tactics, but also mental toughness.

Having one of the best serves in the world himself, he showed me what I needed to do to improve my serve and get it to the next level. His ability in going into detail and his professionalism are Mark’s trademarks.

Last but not least, Mark has an outgoing personality and positive attitude that makes everyone around him feel comfortable and confident.
It is for these reasons that I offer high recommendations for Mark without reservation. His drive and abilities will truly be an asset to your success

 

Sincerely,

Vasilis Mazarakis

Professional tennis player on the ATP tour with highest rankings 115 in singles and 101 in doubles

“Working with Mark has been one of the best experiences of my life. Not only does he teach the technical skills that allow players to succeed at the highest of levels, but more importantly helps to develop the mental side of tennis player as well. His unique coaching style is refreshing and fun. Every drill and practice serves a purpose that helps players to further grow and evolve on the court. Mark takes a personal interest in all of his students that allows them to succeed as a player and a person.

William Chen

District High School singles and doubles champion

I have only trained with Mark Dickson for a week, but I feel my game has improved tremendously. He really enjoys being out there, even in the hot Florida sun, teaching the students how to hit a better forehand or improve their serve. Mark takes extra time to help his students by showing them, not just by speaking. Mark works on every aspect of the game, including mental toughness. I love being at his academy because time flies by as everyone is working hard but having fun while doing it. I would recommend Mark Dickson to anyone who is looking to advance their tennis and play a better game.

Christine Guerrazzi

National level tournament player

I had the pleasure to work with Mark Dickson on several accounts.  The first time I met Mark was in a tennis shop.  Something gave me the courage and inspiration to ask this man a question.  Mark then told me that he had competed in many big events and earned his way up to 11 in the world.  When he told me this I was glued to everything he said.  The lady working in the pro shop said that my eyes became huge.  After we met, Mark soon asked me if I wanted to hit with him.  This of course was like a dream come true.  Mark had given me and other guys several free lessons.  Just to be in his presence was a wonderful experience.  I believe I was drawn to Mark because he reminded me of my uncle who is very kind and generous.  You can tell just by being with Mark that there is something special about this man.

I was very grateful to be given ten three hour lessons with Mr. Dickson and several other free hits with his son and a few other Future tennis players.  I cannot explain what happened during each tennis session or just listening to Mark off the court, but I can tell you that Mark helped instill in me a passion so strong that nothing was going to stop me from achieving a dream that grew bigger and bigger.  Mark gave me confidence, belief in myself, unbelievable amounts of information, and a fire to learn and grow on and off the court.  Thank you, Mr. Dickson for all the wonderful moments that you gave me to make me a better person.
 
 
Sincerely,
Chris Minihan

ATP Futures Tour
USPTA Professional Coach

Every once in a while, we are blessed enough to meet exceptional people that leave such an impression in our lives that make them unforgettable. Mark Dickson is one of those people. He coached my son, Chris Minihan, for 8 months and I had the privilege of watching the lessons. I have never seen such professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm for the game of tennis as I saw in Mark. He brought the very best out in my son and helped him, not only in the mechanics of the game, but in other areas such as strategy, and the mental and emotional parts of tennis as well. He genuinely cares about his students and still reaches out to Chris (2 years later), helping him step into the next phase of his life, starting a career in coaching tennis. Marks’ love of the game is contagious and he is a phenomenal coach that I would recommend to anyone!

Sherri Minihan

Mother of professional tour player Chris Minihan

Mark Dickson knows the game of tennis like no one else. When I heard that he was building a tennis academy I was ecstatic, because I knew it was going to be a success. Anybody who knows Mark’s abilities as a teacher would move their child’s training center immediately. Nobody takes a more thorough and serious approach to tennis than Mark while still keeping it exciting and fun. Growing up, I was lucky to have such a wonderful caring person in my life.

He taught me tennis, and with no previous experience, I was good enough to play in the third position in my high school team after only five lessons. I was also able to compete with people that had been playing their whole lives. I am 100% confident that if I had started learning tennis around eight years old I would be one of the top players in the country. Mark’s unique teaching style breaks down the game piece by piece, and makes it incredibly easy to understand. Mark’s vast knowledge of the game will make his academy one of the best in the country. This is a man I believe in; if I had kids that wanted to compete in tennis, Mark’s academy would be the only choice.

Kyle Youngman

Florida Gulf Coast University student
Recipient of the 2006 Sarasota County Most Improved Student Award

I met Mark through his daughter, Kristi, who I went to middle school with. I wanted to try out for the school tennis team with Kristi, but I had no skills whatsoever – I had never even played before.

Kristi suggested working with Mark and after just a few weekends of lessons I improved so significantly I not only made the team but I also ended the season undefeated. Since then, I continue to play regularly and continue to utilize the skills and techniques Mark taught me. He was so patient with me and helped me not only to learn to play but also to understand the rules and scoring of the game.

I would recommend Mark to any tennis player, new or experienced. He really has a great knowledge and love of the game and this shows in his teaching style. He is so enthusiastic and supportive and recognizes the potential in people, even people like me who may be a challenge.

Mark not only taught me how to play tennis, he also passed his passion for the sport on to me and taught me a game I continue to love.

Kate Murphy

Florida State University student