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Guy Fritz: The Junior Coach Who Built Champions

Published on 9/11/2025

When it comes to junior tennis development, few names carry the weight of Guy Fritz. A former professional player turned master coach, Fritz has dedicated more than six decades to shaping the games of young athletes. His legacy is unmatched: he developed two top-ten players from the ground up — his son Taylor Fritz, and Coco Vandeweghe.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/taylor-fritz/fb98/overview

Guy Fritz’s Legacy in Junior Tennis Coaching

Developing one top-ten player is rare. Developing two is extraordinary. Guy guided Taylor Fritz from age 2 through 18, molding one of the cleanest ball-strikers in the modern game. He also coached Coco Vandeweghe from 8 to 16, giving her the foundation that would power her into the world’s elite.

This achievement alone places Guy Fritz among the greatest coaches in tennis history. But what makes him truly unique is his coaching philosophy, focused on technical precision, long-term growth, and creating an environment where young players thrive.

https://www.wtatennis.com/players/314464/coco-vandeweghe

Building a Champion’s Foundation: Taylor Fritz’s Development

Taylor’s success wasn’t built on shortcuts or quick wins in junior tournaments. It was built on technical clarity:

  • Elbows out, continuous motion, and absorbing pace on the backhand.
  • Hip snap, shoulder rotation, and disguise on the forehand.
  • Clean, efficient mechanics repeated daily until they became natural.

These lessons gave Taylor Fritz the ability to handle the heaviest shots on the ATP Tour and transition seamlessly from juniors to pros.

https://www.coachlife.com/coaches/guy-frtitz?category=01jz0nt1q247beas9cr484j4vf

Collaboration With the USTA and Diego Moyano

While Guy Fritz was Taylor’s primary coach from age 2 through 18, Taylor also benefited from periods of training with the USTA Player Development program. During that time, he worked closely with Diego Moyano, one of the USTA’s leading coaches — and now one of our featured coaches on CoachLife.

https://www.playerdevelopment.usta.com/?utm_source


Moyano has an incredible track record of his own, having been the junior coach to Tommy Paul, Reilly Opelka, and Frances Tiafoe, all of whom went on to break into the ATP’s top ranks. His influence at the USTA gave Taylor exposure to different perspectives, complementing the foundation his father built.

👉 Learn more about USTA Player Development

Coaching Coco Vandeweghe: Power and Serve Fundamentals

With Coco, Guy emphasized long-term development over junior results. He rebuilt her serve with a focus on rhythm, coil, and explosive uncoiling. At 12 or 13, the changes didn’t guarantee wins. But by 16, she had a serve that could match anyone on the WTA Tour.

It’s a lesson for parents and coaches alike: the courage to make technical changes early leads to lasting success, even if it costs short-term trophies.

https://www.coachlife.com/videos/essential-serving-fundamentals-from-taylor-fritzs-coach

Why Practice Matches Matter More Than Practice Points

One of Guy Fritz’s strongest pieces of tennis parent advice is simple but powerful: juniors should play three to four practice matches per week.

Drills can build technique, but matches build problem-solving, resilience, and the ability to win under pressure. This rhythm of constant match play was a cornerstone of Taylor’s rise, and it remains one of Guy’s most important coaching messages.

Long-Term Growth vs. Short-Term Results

Many juniors win by slicing, pushing, or relying on a single dominant shot. That works at 12 — but not at 22. Guy’s philosophy is to avoid chasing short-term wins and instead focus on skills that will translate to the pro tour.

He insists players and parents accept change, embrace struggle, and keep a long-term mindset. This balance of patience and structure separates his coaching from typical junior programs.

https://www.coachlife.com/videos/dont-push-your-kids-too-hard

Drills That Defined Taylor Fritz’s Game

Guy’s drills are famous for their clarity and purpose:

  • 2-on-1 Drills: Build endurance, consistency, and variety under pressure.
  • 3- and 6-Ball Drills: Develop forehand patterns into true weapons.
  • Net Play Sequences: Reinforce that “volleys are 50% feet,” emphasizing footwork over hand talent.

These drills, combined with structured match play, created players who could not only rally — but also dominate tactically.

https://www.coachlife.com/videos/3-and-6-ball-drills

https://www.coachlife.com/videos/2-on-1-drills

Strategy, Mentality, and the Art of Match Play

Guy doesn’t just teach how to hit shots — he teaches when to hit them. His players learn:

  • Never go down the line when behind the baseline.
  • Use deep crosscourts to pull opponents wide.
  • Approach shots down the line to close off angles.
  • Read tosses and wrist angles to anticipate serves.

Equally important is the mental side. Guy emphasizes acceptance, calmness under pressure, and constant learning through video analysis. His players don’t fear mistakes — they build from them.

https://www.coachlife.com/videos/strategy-and-shot-selection

Lessons for Parents From Guy Fritz

For parents guiding aspiring players, Guy’s advice is invaluable:

  • Keep it fun: joy sustains effort.
  • Don’t push too hard: pressure burns kids out.
  • Nutrition and fitness matter: off-court habits fuel on-court results.
  • Match play is non-negotiable: real growth happens in competition.

https://www.coachlife.com/videos/developing-champions

What Makes Guy Fritz’s Coaching Philosophy Unique

In a world where many camps and academies rely on group drills with average assistants, Guy Fritz stands out for his individualized, structured approach. He prioritizes development that lasts, teaching juniors not just to play points, but to play the game at a world-class level.

Learn From Guy Fritz on CoachLife

Today, Guy shares his methods exclusively on CoachLife.com, the most complete tennis development system ever created. His library includes in-depth technical breakdowns, drills, and philosophies he used with Taylor and Coco — alongside 600+ videos from 33 world-class coaches, including the junior coaches of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Świątek, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Frances Tiafoe, and more.

👉 Start your free trial today and learn directly from Guy Fritz and the coaches who built today’s champions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who coached Taylor Fritz as a junior?
Taylor Fritz was coached by his father, Guy Fritz, from the age of 2 until 18. Guy built Taylor’s game from the ground up, emphasizing clean technique, structured match play, and long-term development.

Who was Coco Vandeweghe’s junior coach?
From ages 8 to 16, Guy Fritz coached Coco Vandeweghe, helping her develop the powerful serve and aggressive style that would define her professional career.

What is Guy Fritz’s coaching philosophy?
Guy emphasizes long-term growth over short-term wins. His philosophy is built on technical clarity, structured match play (3–4 matches per week), and creating the right environment for juniors to thrive.

Is Guy Fritz a former professional player?
Yes, Guy Fritz is a former professional tennis player who has spent over six decades coaching juniors at all levels, including two players who reached the top 10 in the world.