#1 TENNIS MARKET

From 1993 to 2004, Ron coached many adult ALTA and USTA teams per season at all levels including nationally and regionally ranked juniors. Also, in Atlanta Ron was involved as a coach in the Norman Wilkerson Academy and the Ralston-Gorman Academies. Ron’s first ALTA team city champion as a coach came from Tucker Racquet Club in 1994 in his first year while serving as Director of Tennis. This is where his passion for Smart Doubles® began!

TEACHING PRO

Since 2004 Ron has been teaching/coaching on Longboat Key, Florida. From 2004-2008 he worked as a staff professional at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort which was the #1 tennis resort in the world for six consecutive years. From 2010-2018 he taught at the Longboat Key Club & Resort which became a top 10 tennis resort. In 2018 Ron began working independently in the Longboat Key, Sarasota and Venice area. During the Covid 19 Pandemic he committed to writing his first book. In July of 2023 his book Smart Doubles® was published.

Currently, Ron is fully engaged in promoting his Smart Doubles® book and program.

RON SHIELDS

Ron Shields, USPTA

Ron is very passionate about teaching doubles strategy,
positioning, and coaching Smart Doubles®

COLLEGE & JUNIORS

Ron was a tennis scholarship recipient to Texas Southern Southern University and a walk-on at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he graduated with a BBA in Marketing. Although he loves doubles he won a USTA Southern Section Singles Championship in 2002 as an unseeded player. He began playing tennis in Little Rock, Arkansas, and became a top-ranked junior in Boys 18’s in Arkansas.

USPTA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

Ron was initially certified as a Tennis Professional by the U.S.P.T.A in 1992. From 1993 to 2004 he worked as a head tennis pro/director in both the public and private sectors in Atlanta, Georgia. His passion for teaching began in 1983 while attending college at UALR and working as assistant teaching pro at the Little Rock Racquet Club. Ron was inspired by the late Arthur Ashe and Steve Christian.

In June of 2023, Ron was awarded the USPTA Regional Professional of the Year award at Florida’s USPTA Division Conference in Orlando. He was recognized for his local involvement and dedication to Tennis For Fun in partnership with Special Olympics. TFF (tennisforfun.org) provides free tennis clinics in six states to athletes with special needs.

RON’S MISSION

My mission is to make it easier for this large group of recreational players to learn, play, improve or excel at doubles with more purpose, confidence, strategy, success and fun. In addition, I am seeking to create more access to tennis, more Spark and Excitement about tennis through specific doubles- oriented clinics and events. I believe the best way to create more Fun and Excitement about tennis is through the game of doubles.

If you enjoy winning more than losing, maximizing your skills and fun you must play more Smart Doubles® than Dumb Doubles. In the meantime, “commit” mentally to where you want the ball to go based on your situation/location, and “commit” your eyes to the ball you are hitting instead of looking at the intended target! Use Ron’s Riffs to enable more doing than thinking. Simply, I would like to see more recreational players enjoy and benefit from the sport of tennis and the game of doubles.

Ron Shields
Smart Doubles, LLC

All books purchased through this website will signed by the author upon your request. 

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