Ross School Tennis Center Leaning Into Video Analysis With Help of Specialist Coach

Across all sports, we have seen the ever-increasing use of video analysis to enhance coaches ability to effectively communicate with their players, and that is especially true in tennis.

Helping lead the way in that field for tennis players is Online Tennis Instruction (OTI), one of the world’s leading instructional tennis websites that produce high-quality instructional tennis videos that help players all over the world improve their tennis game.

That list of players includes those at The Ross School Tennis Center, who have had the benefit of working with Athos Antoniou for the better part of a year.

“Athos has helped many players but also coaches here,” Vinicius Carmo, the Director of Tennis at the Ross School. “I have been coaching tennis for almost 30 years and online video analysis has changed the way of coaching tennis. Video analysis breaks down the strokes and helps me show students what they are doing wrong and how to improve. There are things that human eyes just can’t see without the help of video analysis.”

Antoniou has worked alongside the OTI team and assisted with their clinics, learning a lot from the OTI coaches and using their methodology to improve his own approach.

His tennis background differs from a lot of the top tennis coaches that exist in the space. Growing up as a soccer player in his native England, his introduction to tennis came a bit later in life. While he wasn’t a tennis player at the time, he always had a deep appreciation for the requisite skills and discipline required to succeed in other sports, especially tennis.

When he was on a family vacation one summer, he and his cousin played a match together, and the rest they say, is history.

“We are both highly competitive, and after narrowly losing, I couldn’t stop thinking about the unique challenges of tennis,” said Antoniou. “Like football, tennis requires a combination of technical skill, footwork, strategy and timing. However, what stood out to me was how unforgiving the sport was–every shot required precision, and without proper technique, even the most basic rallies felt difficult to sustain. That realization drove me to fully immerse myself in the game, determined to gain a more comprehensive understanding of it.”

From there, he began taking lessons and as he said, immersing himself into tennis. With an athletic background and a desire to learn the ins and outs of the sport, Antoniou was embracing the idea of becoming a better tennis player.

As someone approaching tennis from the outside looking in, he was able to spot some of the portions of coaching he knew from other sports that were being underutilized in the tennis world.

“At the time I noticed a gap in the coaching market–very few coaches offered in-depth technical analysis and breakdowns of stroke mechanics, which was exactly what I was looking for,” he explained. “After extensive research, I discovered a select few who specialized in this approach. One of them was Online Tennis Instruction, which was a hosting course in Germany. I immediately signed up, eager to immerse myself in a more analytic style of coaching.”

It was through OTI that he met his mentor Nadim Naser, who had an approach to coaching that he had never seen before. Through detailed video analysis, Antoniou was able to evaluate and see his own tennis game through a whole new lens, which he called “eye-opening”.

Determined to take what he learned in his own tennis game and help out other players, he began pursuing teaching certifications through the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the governing body of tennis in Britain, and taking a role at his local club, where he eventually progressed to the Head of the Junior Program at that club.

“Over time, I worked closely with Nadim, refining my skills and deepening my understanding of technical coaching,” he said. “What started as a personal challenge evolved into a passion for helping others bridge the same gap I once struggled with–providing players with the tools and knowledge to improve their game in a structured and effective way.”

As he progressed in his coaching experience and expertise, he connected with Carmo and the Ross School Tennis Center, who were always looking for new and innovative ways to help their students improve. While Antoniou and the students and coaches at RSTC were an ocean apart, through the use of video analysis, the coaching process was seamless.

“Working remotely with the Ross School has been an incredibly positive experience. Their openness to integrating cutting-edge technology, like video analysis, to support their students’ development is impressive,” said Antoniou. “The school embraces a forward-thinking mindset, always seeking innovative ways to enhance their educational approach. This aligns perfectly with my coaching philosophy, as it emphasizes the importance of using modern tools to provide tailored feedback and improve student performance.”

Antoniou is of the mindset that all players learn differently and at different rates, so using a personalized approach via video analysis is an invaluable tool, and something that benefits not just high-level junior players, but even adult recreational players, and those who get into tennis later in their lives, such as Antoniou himself.

“Whether working with junior players looking to enhance their technical and tactical skills or adult amateurs seeking an enjoyable and engaging learning experience, I place a strong emphasis on open communication,” he said. “Building trust is essential to ensure that players feel valued and supported throughout their journey. I understand every student learns differently, so patience, collaboration and trust are key to helping each player grow at their own pace. By adapting to each individual’s needs, I aim to bring out their best and help them reach their highest potential.”

Antoniou brings a refreshing perspective to tennis coaching. As someone who played soccer throughout much of their life, he gained a tremendous amount of respect for the sport of tennis, and the discipline, patience and precision needed to succeed. He looks forward to continuing his growth as a coach which in turn will help people become the best tennis players they can be.

“I’m deeply motivated by witnessing players’ growth and understanding the profound impact mentorship has in helping them overcome challenges to excel both on and off the court.”

The Ross School Tennis Center is now excited to try and bring Antoniou here to Long Island this summer so that he can continue to help not only the players there, but also the coaches.

“When the students watch themselves and receive an explanation using video analysis, they are able to correct, or at least understand and visualize what they have to do,” Carmo added. “Another amazing thing is the comparison of strokes where students can see the difference in what they are doing versus someone who is doing right. Athos will bring a lot of knowledge that will help our students, but most importantly, he will help our coaches learn better how to help our students.”