What USTA Accreditation Means to Me as a USPTA Professional

Hassan Humayun, USPTA Elite Professional

What does USTA accreditation mean to me? It brings great value and assures my commitment to excellence in my field. Accreditation will help my reputation as a tennis professional that we were provided the best education and training to be the best possible coaches not only in the United States but in the world.  

When I was 20 years old, I got my USPTA certification and if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be where I am today. The USPTA certification led my general manager to make me the director of tennis when I was only 21 years old. I realized that the USPTA was always striving to be the best in providing resources to their members. They helped tennis professionals succeed both on and off the court. I had opportunities to attend special courses, conferences, and a built-in was a natural mentorship with tennis coaches. I knew I had a lot to learn and the programs, courses, and the USPTA professionals that held these events had a huge impact on our industry.

As a young professional, I would have never thought I could have an organization provide so many amazing opportunities.  I attended conferences that made me learn from the best tennis professionals such as Jose Higueras, Emilio Sanchez, Hank Pfister, Feisal Hassan, Ajay Pant, and Dave Porter, just to name a few. After growing my education through the USPTA events I attended over the years, I developed players that achieved tennis scholarships to Division I universities and ran professional tournaments and many social events over the years.

I was able to use the resources from the USPTA website to tackle any challenges I ever faced at my club. If I could not find something specific, I was able to pick up the phone and get help from any one of my fellow USPTA colleagues.  

What does the USTA accreditation mean for the USPTA? First it assures employers that USPTA professionals have gone through rigorous training and background checks. It is important to show general managers that USPTA professionals are the best in the industry and are top candidates for recruitment opportunities. This is important as our industry is in a constantly changing environment.  

What is exciting is that the USTA accreditation is going to support the USPTA uphold its core values not just for tennis-teaching professionals but for the entire industry. By pooling resources and working together, the USPTA and USTA will continue to raise uniform standards that help foster the best environment for coaches and their players to succeed. 

It will also elevate tennis coaching across the United States, which will raise the number of players and level of play. I have been very fortunate through the USPTA education system to be able to make a difference by testing over 150 applicants. It has been amazing to reach out to future coaches to see the difference that tennis makes in everyday life – no matter what their goals are. 

I look forward to the USPTA and the USTA continuing to elevate the game and the industry for years to come!

PHOTO CAPTION: Humayun (left) with USPTA Elite Professionals, Jeff Salzenstein and Andy Zodin at the 2016 USPTA World Conference in Indian Wells.

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