WTEN: Meet Christopher Williams
3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU women's tennis team is well underway into the 2016 season and there is a new face joining their program this year from the sidelines - volunteer assistant coach Christopher Williams.
Williams, a former collegiate player at Tennessee, is currently coaching and traveling with four top 200 ATP players.
"Christopher has been totally invested from the first day and we are deeply grateful for his involvement with our team this year," head coach Lee Taylor Walker said. "Ben and I have enjoyed getting to know him on and off the court and it's been fun to develop our friendship and also learn from one another during this season. It's invaluable to get feedback from Christopher on all our coaching philosophies and strategies as he's dealing with the best players in the world. It's allowed us to really fine tune what we do.
"He's one of the young up and coming coaches on the pro tour and in college and it is just a privilege for us to have his insight. The most enjoyable part has been the chemistry that's really developed with our coaches, players and support staff with Christopher's involvement. We are having a fun time together and rooting for his players when he's on the road."
GoFrogs.com was able to sit down with Christopher while he was in Fort Worth the last two weeks as he was in a break from the pro tour in between action at Delray and Indian Wells.
GoFrogs: What brought you TCU and the DFW area?
CW: "When I was working with Rhyne Williams (former collegiate player at Tennessee) and based at the USTA, I worked closely with Dustin Taylor. Dustin was a huge mentor for me, and as it turns out, did a lot of his learning and communicating with Lee Taylor Walker. Lee was promoting his idea of the "Pyramid of Success" and when I knew I could base anywhere for my upcoming work, Lee was my first call because I was convinced he would challenge me and expose me to new levels of thinking. He hasn't disappointed yet."
GoFrogs: How has your time been as volunteer assistant for TCU women's tennis so far?
CW: "I love college tennis. I truly believe I have been fortunate enough to find myself in special places. The TCU women's tennis program is one of those places. Every place is made up of a network of people, and from the top down TCU's people have been impressive. Lee, Ben, their families and the team have made me feel welcome and I cherish that. I haven't made a drive home from work yet where my brain isn't racing and thinking critically about ideas I've been challenged on or what I've learned from the girls that day."
GoFrogs: Tell us a little bit about your full-time job and what all that entails.
CW: "Working with my cousin Rhyne for two years and learning about life on the professional tour together has certainly prepared me for the platform on which I operate today, and I am truly grateful for that opportunity. I currently work with Billy Heiser, assisting in the development of his professional players running out of Saddlebrook Sports Performance in Tampa, Fla. Billy is a great friend and coach. We work with Tim Smyczek, Denis Kudla and James McGee. I also am working with John Patrick Smith and my responsibilities predominantly include onsite coaching at ATP events, with training weeks peppered in, as well as providing consistent communication and putting a "finger on the pulse," even when I am not on site."
GoFrogs: What are the major differences in your time spent as a professional tour coach and being a college coach? What are the benefits of each?
CW: "In some cases, there may not be huge differences depending on which college program you are around. TCU women's tennis is a program centered around personal development, top tier education and the WTA if the player desires. There are programs out there producing professional players. I've been fortunate to be around players in both atmospheres and observe them in both stages of their careers. That's one of the main reasons I came to work at TCU because girls can turn pro while they attend. We are serious about that and will forge that pathway for the player if that is her goal. However, when we talk about creating a pathway to professional tennis we can guarantee that we focus on institutional values, education and multidimensional growth mindset in that journey."
GoFrogs: What have you enjoyed most and what have you learned most with your experiences with professional tour coaching?
CW: "Getting to see the world and learn about the game on a global scale is a priceless experience. I've learned to appreciate the small victories when traveling. It can beat you up sometimes bouncing around to different places with minimal sleep and matches on a constant replay in your head. But it is important to appreciate the details that are going well, maintain gratitude, enjoy the good views, food and new places. You have to take it all in or you won't survive. Sometimes it can just be, "Hey, we flew 4000 miles and the plane landed safely, that's pretty cool." My plane reference also reveals my inner nerd since one of the things I most enjoy is how my job connects me to aviation. I'm an aviation geek and very proud of it."
GoFrogs: What have you enjoyed most and what have you learned most from your time at TCU thus far?
CW: "I've truly enjoyed how I have been welcomed into the TCU family. I feel like Lee, Ben and the team are a second family for me, even when I can't be around. We are always communicating as a staff and as a unit. There is something special about true comrade, and a credit to Lee for helping the Frogs achieve that.
"It hard to quantify what I have learned from a coaching perspective from Lee and Ben so far because it is so vast. They are truly great tennis minds and wonderful leaders. The TCU coaching philosophy and use of the "Pyramid of Success" has proved hugely beneficial for me. I have learned to challenge my own thinking each day, and I am forced to defend my positions. The pyramid is a brilliant way to funnel information and create a foundation for how we look at the game, and at the TCU program as a whole. We use it, David and Devin from the men's team give us ideas on how to use it better, Virginia Men's Tennis uses it, and I am using it in my coaching on tour. There is no limit to its application.
"I have also sincerely enjoyed being around the team. We have a team from all across the globe, and they are simply awesome. I appreciate the time I get to spend with them on and off the court. They are all incredible individuals who enjoy being a part of the TCU program. When I watch them practice and compete, I am constantly in awe of their effort levels. These are athletes who are taking their schooling seriously, giving back to the community and being great stewards of TCU women's tennis. With all they do and are responsible for they arrive at the tennis courts with a smile and a special energy level, and that is something to truly admire. Their training is very specific and catered to the individual. These girls are practicing specific score counts on a daily basis and learning how to use their tools in situational point play. This is high level stuff they are learning to be responsible for and I have a lot of respect for what they are doing. I am grateful that they allow me to be a part of their journey; it is hard for me to explain how important they are to mine."
GoFrogs: Who are some of the players you are coaching on tour now?
CW: "I work in conjunction with Billy Heiser who is out of Saddlebrook in Tampa, Fla. I assist with travel weeks with Tim Smyczek (USA, ATP No. 117), Denis Kudla (USA, ATP No. 64) and James McGee (IRE, ATP No. 204). I am also doing some work with John Patrick Smith (AUS, No. 129). All tremendous guys who understand hard work and keep good perspective."
GoFrogs: What are some of the upcoming tournaments you are preparing them for and what do your travel plans potentially look like this next month or so?
CW: "Right now we are coming off of the Delray Beach and Acapulco weeks, and all eyes are on Indian Wells. Depending on how Indian Wells goes with some of the guys, we may come here to the Dallas 125k at the Four Seasons before Miami."
GoFrogs: What would you say to a young person who aspires to be a professional tour player one day? What are keys to success?
CW: "I would ask them where their desire is coming from and then do my best to gauge whether their response is genuine. I am never surprised at how a player can say they do not enjoy what they are doing. This is key. Assuming they want to continue to pursue that aspiration, I would help them define the word "balance" and what that means to them. I think balance helps maintain perspective, gratitude and privilege mentality. It's not about the tennis. Anyone who has the business playing professionally has the physical tools. It is more about mental management, mindset and perspective. It is about who you are without a racquet in your hand and how you will respond to difficulty on and off the court."
GoFrogs: What would you say to a young person who wants to be a professional tour coach or collegiate coach one day? What are the keys to success?
CW: "There are so many great coaches in the game. I think it's great if you are a tactician and can explain how to win points; obviously there is a need for that in being a "tennis" coach. However, to me it is rarely about the tennis. It is this way because you are dealing with people. Young coaches should find a mentor that they look up to and find out how that person successfully communicates with people. Whether coaching on the pro tour or collegiately, you will need to recruit and manage people. My advice is to learn about the game of tennis, but put a premium on finding your voice that communicates best with those around you. Become a coach who can coach without talking about tennis."
