In this episode, we cover…
(0:00): Crystal introduces her background growing up in Nigeria and explains how she first started playing tennis at a young age.
(1:00): She discusses competing for the Nigerian junior team, training internationally, and eventually moving between Nigeria, Houston, and France.
(2:30): Crystal shares how tennis gave her opportunities to travel the world and eventually play Division I college tennis at Longwood University.
(4:00): She talks about her parents’ support growing up and how they encouraged her to pursue tennis to the best of her ability without forcing professional expectations.
(5:00): Crystal explains how she realized she could realistically play college tennis and why work ethic mattered more than comparing herself to other players.
(7:15): The conversation shifts to college tennis and why the sport becomes much more team-oriented at the collegiate level.
(9:30): Crystal discusses common mistakes young tennis players and parents make, including putting too much pressure on performance.
(11:00): She explains why finding the right coach and team environment is so important for long-term athletic development.
(13:00): Crystal shares how coaching helped her realize she wants to mentor athletes beyond just technical tennis instruction.
(15:00): She talks about building trust with athletes and why personal connection matters just as much as skills training.
(16:30): Crystal explains how tennis players can mentally stay composed during long, high-pressure matches.
(18:00): She discusses focusing on one point at a time, trusting training, and avoiding mental spirals during matches.
(20:00): The conversation closes with Crystal sharing why coaching has become so rewarding and how helping younger athletes grow gives her a new perspective on tennis.
Crystal Nzewi on Coaching Tennis
Tennis has taken Crystal Nzewi all over the world.
From growing up in Nigeria and competing internationally as a junior player to playing Division I college tennis in the United States and later studying sports management in Italy, Crystal’s journey through sports has shaped nearly every part of her life. Today, she combines those experiences into coaching, mentorship, and helping young athletes navigate both tennis and life beyond the court.
Recently named one of Athletes Untapped’s Top 40 Coaches of the Year, Crystal brings a unique perspective to coaching because she has experienced nearly every level of the game firsthand — from junior international competition to college athletics and player development.
From Nigeria to International Tennis
Crystal originally began playing tennis at a very young age in Nigeria before eventually competing with the Nigerian junior team in ITF tournaments.
Her family later moved to Houston, Texas, where she continued training and competing in tournaments before eventually returning to Nigeria. Afterward, Crystal completed part of her tennis development at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, where she trained alongside players from all over the world.
According to Crystal, that experience completely changed her perspective on tennis. It became the first time she truly chose the sport for herself instead of simply following a path created by others.
She later earned the opportunity to play Division I college tennis at Longwood University in Virginia before pursuing a master’s degree in sports management in Rome, Italy.
The Reality of Playing College Tennis
Although tennis is often viewed as an individual sport, Crystal explained that college tennis feels far more team-oriented than many people realize.
College matches begin with doubles competition before shifting into singles play, meaning every athlete contributes directly to the team’s overall success. Beyond competition itself, teammates spend nearly every day together through training, conditioning, classes, travel, and practices.
Crystal emphasized that team culture and coaching environments heavily influence an athlete’s overall college experience. While her own college journey included challenges, she believes those difficult moments ultimately helped prepare her for life outside sports.
She also shared an important perspective for younger athletes pursuing college sports: being realistic about your goals and understanding which level truly fits you best.
According to Crystal, many athletes focus entirely on playing Division I sports without fully considering factors like environment, education, coaching fit, and long-term happiness.
Coaching Beyond Tennis Skills
One of Crystal’s biggest coaching philosophies is that great coaching extends far beyond simply feeding balls on a tennis court.
Instead, she believes coaching should include:
- Technical tennis development
- Mental performance training
- Fitness and movement work
- Confidence building
- Mentorship and personal support
Crystal explained that she wants athletes to trust her not only as a tennis coach, but also as someone genuinely invested in their development as people.
That relationship-building aspect is especially important for younger athletes dealing with pressure from school, social media, parents, and competition. Crystal believes athletes perform best when they feel comfortable, supported, and understood by their coach.
Advice for Young Tennis Players and Parents
Throughout the conversation, Crystal discussed several common mistakes she sees from young athletes and parents in tennis today.
For athletes, she believes one of the biggest mistakes is assuming they already know everything. Crystal encourages younger players to remain coachable, stay open-minded, and trust the development process instead of resisting feedback.
For parents, she strongly believes excessive pressure can negatively impact a child’s relationship with sports. Crystal emphasized how important it is for parents to support their athlete without turning tennis into a constant source of stress.
She also stressed that finding the right coach matters just as much as finding the right school or team. According to Crystal, every athlete connects differently with coaching styles, personalities, and environments, so finding the right fit is essential for long-term growth.
The Mental Side of Tennis
As a former Division I player, Crystal understands how mentally exhausting tennis can become during long matches and high-pressure moments.
One of the biggest lessons she teaches athletes is learning how to rely on their training instead of panicking under pressure. During college, Crystal’s team intentionally trained in physically demanding situations to simulate difficult match conditions.
Now, she recreates similar pressure situations in her own coaching sessions by placing athletes into realistic match scenarios during practice.
At the same time, Crystal also reminds athletes to enjoy competing and avoid letting sports consume their entire identity. She explained that many athletes become mentally overwhelmed when they believe every point or match defines their future.
Her advice is simple: focus on one point at a time, trust your preparation, and remember why you started playing in the first place.
Why Coaching Matters So Much
Although Crystal originally did not plan to pursue coaching heavily, she eventually realized how rewarding it could be to help younger athletes using the lessons she learned throughout her own career.
She explained that coaching allows former athletes to stay connected to the sport while also helping others avoid mistakes, build confidence, and develop healthier relationships with competition.
For Crystal, the most meaningful part of coaching is seeing athletes grow not only as tennis players, but also as people.
That mentorship aspect — helping athletes navigate pressure, confidence, adversity, and long-term development — is ultimately what drives her passion for coaching today.
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