Coaches Appreciation Month: How Coach Bianca Reeves Is Making Tennis Accessible and Life-Changing for Youth

I had a young student with autism come to our program. Her parents were deeply worried because she was very withdrawn, and they were simply hoping tennis might help bring her out of her shell. To everyone’s amazement, she picked up the game rapidly—mastering skills in just a couple of months that take most people at least a year. She went on to join her high school tennis team, where her coach was amazed by her ability. She quickly became one of their top players and competed all four years of high school—something her parents had never dreamed she would have the confidence to do.

Watching her step into her abilities, gain self-confidence and break out of her shell was incredible. Best of all, her parents shared that what she learned on the court translated directly into her daily life—her grades went up, she made more friends, became more social and enjoyed a vastly improved quality of life despite her disability or behavioral labels.

USTA Texas: How do you tailor your coaching style when working on singles strategy versus doubles strategy?

Reeves: Singles and doubles are distinct games, but they share fundamental elements. Our program teaches every core stroke—forehands, backhands, volleys, overheads and serves—so that no player is ever closed off to any one style. From there, we guide players to discover their own unique strengths, whether they are natural baseliners or all-court players who want to come in and close out points at the net.

When tailoring strategy for singles, which is a one-on-one discipline, we focus on aggressive tactics, strong serving, assertive rallying and building the mental fortitude required to manage and close out a match on your own.

In doubles, strategy centers more on patience, synergy and partnership. It’s about learning how to play to your partner’s strengths, remaining uplifting through tough moments and working together to bring out the best possible game as a team. Ultimately, our goal is for our programs to help players succeed in both formats while growing their character.

USTA Texas: Every great coach has a starting point. What first drew you to the sport of tennis?

Reeves: My story is very different from most players and coaches, who often grow up in the sport from middle or high school. In high school, I was a competitive cross-country runner. Under a world-class coach, I developed incredible mental strength, perseverance and a drive to give my absolute best every single day. After high school, I earned degrees in psychology and social work, beginning my career as a college counselor.

Tennis entered my life years later through my son. When he entered middle school, he asked if he could join the tennis team. Knowing I was athletic, he asked if I would come out and learn with him so he’d have a practice partner. He laughs now and says he "created a monster" because I completely fell in love with the sport! It combined the high-cardio benefits of running with the rewarding social dynamic of a team sport.

I joined a local USTA league team, took lessons and grew right alongside my son until he graduated as the top player on his high school team. Later, I was asked to help coach a youth summer camp at a local park, and I fell head-over-heels in love with teaching kids. During COVID-19, tennis offered a safe outdoor outlet for our community. I earned my PTR coaching certification, began private instruction and discovered my true calling to mentor youth and give back to my community.

USTA Texas: How do you help players develop the mental toughness needed to reset after a bad point or game?

Reeves: Tennis is one of the most mentally demanding sports in the world, and that is precisely why I love it. It parallels life in so many ways: you can be down and behind, yet still engineer the greatest comeback to win the match—depending entirely on your mindset and how deep you dig.

I help players learn to stay calm in chaotic situations, quiet their minds, stay positive and find inner strength, stamina and patience. Everything that happens on a tennis court can be viewed as a positive or a negative. To become a better player, you must choose to see the positive and learn from every experience to build character for tomorrow.

USTA Texas: Who were the mentors or coaches early in your life who shaped the way you approach coaching today?

Reeves: My high school cross-country coach was the early mentor who helped shape my positive mindset. Growing up in an extremely low-income household with limited transportation, sports felt entirely out of reach for me. A kind friend eliminated those initial barriers by offering to drive me to practices and letting me know that equipment and uniforms were provided by the school.

When I met my cross-country coach, he took me under his wing. Whenever I doubted myself during daunting 6- to 8-mile runs, he would smile and tell me, "There isn’t anything you can’t do. You just do the best you can today, and we’ll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow." He pushed us to our limits with pure encouragement, warmth and a smile on his face—and that is the exact kind of coach I strive to be every day.

USTA Texas: What do you hope is the main thing players remember about their time with Coach Bianca Reeves?

Reeves: My hope isn’t that they remember me for any specific title or accomplishment. My true hope is that their time with me permanently changes the way they view themselves and what they realize they can achieve.

If they carry forward perseverance, patience, self-confidence and humility, and if they go on to touch someone else’s life just as positively, then I have fulfilled my purpose. It isn’t about leaving a memory of myself; it’s about leaving them with a stronger character and a better life.