Beginning Tennis Builds Skills On and Off the Court
The College of Charleston offers beginning tennis classes that build skills both on the court and in the workforce.
Through its Physical Activity and Lifetime Movement (PALM) Program, the College of Charleston offers a beginning tennis class for students who want to delve into the world of tennis.
The class is perfect for students with a little bit of tennis experience who want to elevate their skills. The classes are very popular, so the waiting list is always full.
Their popularity is thanks in large part to Cougars women’s tennis coach Angelo Anastopoulo, who has taught beginner’s tennis for 35 years. Anastopoulo creates fun events for the classes – like the Valentines Mixed Doubles Mixer, a doubles-style tournament where students wear pink and red and a spring break invitational where students wear beach attire.
To acknowledge their hard work, Anastopoulo rewards his students with a pancake breakfast during finals.
“Fortunately, we now have a spacious kitchen, a lounge area and a space for an athletic trainer in the main building” of the Turner Tennis Center at the Patriots Point Athletics Complex, where the classes are held. The center officially opened in September 2024, thanks to Robb and Lydia Turner, who saw how important being on the tennis team was to their daughter, Ava Turner ’21.
“I actually coached Ava Turner while she played for the women’s tennis team at CofC,” says Anastopoulo. “I am very appreciative of the Turner family for the renovation.”
The Turner Tennis Center includes nine courts, including the six Billy Silcox Courts, the vibrant green singles courts where the 30-something beginning students play.
“It’s important that we have multiple courts so that absolute beginners can practice with one another and our students with tennis experience can practice together, as well,” says Anastopoulo. “I like to make sure that students are challenged regardless of their tennis abilities.”
Off the Courts
When poor weather prohibits time out on the courts, Anastopoulo moves the class into the lounge area, where he discusses tennis fundamentals and the students watch real tennis matches in order to grasp the key elements of tennis.
“Knowing the fundamentals is important because tennis is a social sport. Many business deals have been made on tennis courts,” says Anastopoulo. “I want my students to know how to interact with people they are not familiar with in a relaxed setting, outside of a traditional classroom.”
This means that, upon completion of the class, students should be able to have an intelligent conversation using the proper terminology for points systems, the correct strokes, hand placement, different court surfaces and the history of tennis.
But students gain more than tennis knowledge. They leave with skills that will help them in their professional and personal lives: teamwork, accountability and just showing up.
Promoting accountability and limiting excuses is important to Anastopoulo, who wants the words “toughen up” on his tombstone. He stresses to his students that pressure is a privilege: When you’re under pressure, it means you have the potential to succeed.
RELATED: Read more about Angelo Anastopoulo in College of Charleston Magazine.
The best part of the class for Anastopoulo is seeing his students gain tennis skills and, perhaps more importantly, confidence.
Indeed, the College’s beginning tennis class is a great way for students to develop their tennis skills, their confidence and the soft skills for success in the workforce. All while taking a break from the traditional classroom setting.
A psychology major who will graduate from the College in May 2026, Ugochi Mercy Udochu is currently taking Coach Anastopoulo’s beginning tennis class, which she says she enjoys because “you can feel the sun on your skin and enjoy the beautiful scenery.”
