The WTA Americas Coach Inclusion Program has been actively engaged throughout the 2025-26 hard-court summer season, covering events in Toronto, Cincinnati, New York, and São Paulo. Participants in this program had the chance to shadow experienced coaches, attend conferences, and graduate with certificates of completion.
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In Toronto, during the National Bank Open, cohort members shadowed coaches Kathy Rinaldi and Mark Gellard. Rinaldi is known for her work with Caty McNally and has been a key figure in the program's development since its inception. She is also creating a tennis academy in Florida following a successful career with the USTA. Gellard coaches Polish player Magda Linette, a three-time WTA Tour title holder.
The group attended a coaches conference featuring Rinaldi, two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Vania King, and Craig Veal, who coaches Desirae Krawczyk and others. In Cincinnati, the cohort continued to shadow coaches, including Nicole Pratt, who trains Australia’s Kimberly Birrell. Their time in South Carolina's Lowcountry earlier in April also enhanced their learning. They participated in the USTA's Midwest Women's Coaching Summit, which fostered networking and advanced coaching strategies, with contributions from speakers like Pratt and Kathleen Stroia, WTA Senior Vice President of Performance Health.
In New York, the cohort attended the inaugural USTA Coaches Open, a three-day conference focused on sports leadership and networking. Certificate presentations were made by WTA founder Billie Jean King, marking the cohort's graduation from the program.
In São Paulo, participants finalized their program by earning certificates at the SP Open WTA 250 event, accompanied by a three-day coaches conference in partnership with the Brazilian Tennis Confederation. Coaches had the opportunity to shadow Emiliano Redondi, Pol Toledo, and Bastien Fanzincani during this event.
The 2026-27 application process for the WTA Americas Coach Inclusion Program is now open, with applications closing on October 9, 2026. The program will include a workshop in Orlando from November 30 to December 3, 2026, followed by virtual coursework from January to May 2027, and on-site mentor shadowing in Charleston and Montreal in April and August 2027, respectively.