{"id":67,"date":"2019-11-04T12:14:48","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T12:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/btennis.sg\/?page_id=67"},"modified":"2025-12-14T18:19:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T10:19:59","slug":"coach-matthieu","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/btennis.sg\/en\/coach-matthieu\/","title":{"rendered":"Coach Matthieu"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Matthieu Bonnafous – Founder & Director \u2013 A Lifetime in Tennis<\/b><\/p>\n

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Matthieu Bonnafous is a passionate and experienced international tennis coach with more than 25,000 hours of teaching experience, full time, since 2001.<\/p>\n

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He has initiated a high number of first timers from all ages and trained several hundreds of beginners into proper tennis players. He has experience preparing players for competition and has formed many national players. His main specialisation is on developing and running a family based program for both leisure and competitive players, children and adults.<\/p>\n

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Based in Singapore since 2014, he has launched various programmes including weekly group classes, competency exams for kids, intensive holiday camps, friendly tournaments and a tennis initiation at the French School of Singapore.<\/p>\n

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He is the founder of structured coach education programmes and workshops. Through collaborations and practical on-court learning, Matthieu is actively building a sustainable coaching ecosystem in Singapore. He also provides consulting services to coaches and organisations, has created a successful ladder league, and partners closely with several top\u00a0local\u00a0coaches.<\/p>\n

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He holds a professional French Tennis Coach State Degree, which is recognized as the highest tennis certification in the world and has a Master Degree in Earth Sciences.<\/p>\n

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Matthieu is an active member of the Singapore National Registry of Coaches (N.R.O.C.). He holds all related national qualifications and a valid First Aid Certification.<\/p>\n

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To learn more about Matthieu\u2019s background, his approach to tennis and about tennis pedagogy in general, read Matthieu’s interview below.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Book a Private Session <\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

INTERVIEW WITH MATTHIEU<\/h2>

Matthieu, what are your coaching specialties?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Young beginners,<\/strong> from 4 to 8 years old – I am now able to teach them all the fundamentals quite fast. It is the golden age for learning. They have not yet developed any bad habits. At this age there is no distinction between training and having fun.<\/p>\n

Kids entering competition,<\/strong> from 8 to 12 years old \u2013 This stage can be quite difficult, especially for the parents, who may have difficulty finding information about the type of competition to register. With our experience and cooperative network we can advise and help the parents to provide the best support for their children.<\/p>\n

Adult beginners or first timers –<\/strong> Due to my extensive experience in this area, I am able to help my students enter tennis properly and smoothly in a relaxed and fun manner.<\/p>\n

Adult groups –<\/strong> The coach would need to be physically dynamic and know how to organise the space for the players.\u00a0I am able to add value in this area as I have been consistently working with adult groups for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Have you been playing at the professional level?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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No, but I had a good ranking in France, which is equivalent to national top level in Singapore. I have been training and sparring with several top players in France.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Is it necessary for one to be at an advanced level in order to become a good tennis coach?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Yes, except for exceptional cases. As a coach, you need to be able to communicate well, to be pedagogic, to be patient, considerate, and to understand psychology and biology. To be a good coach, you would also need to have practical experience. This is because you would need to understand all the stages a player is going through and as a coach, you would need to exhibit exercises and to deliver quality balls when rallying with your student. It is very important to be able to play well while at the same time focusing on your student.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

How do you handle a competitive player compared to a leisure player?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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With experience, you will understand that the same requirements apply to help both improve. Both competitive players and social players need patience, commitment, lots of support, fun, hard work and mental strength to play well. Both face similar situations on court as well. Basically, leisure and competitive approaches are not to be opposed. They complement each other.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

In that case, what is the difference between a competitive player versus a social player?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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The difference lies mainly in the intensity, details and the quantity of the sessions. With little effort, a beginner will improve a lot, while an advanced player will need more work to achieve little improvements.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Do you have a preferred method of coaching?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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We cannot say that one method is better than another. Some approaches are more modern and take into account the human personality. \u00a0All methods are like different tools and we use a combination of them – repetitions, drills, situations, points play. We always incorporate what we have practised into a real life situation faced in match play.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

What makes a good practice session?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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It lies in the sum of little details. One detail by itself will not change the outcome of a tennis lesson but one coach who cares about his students will pay attention to plenty of details such as: the quality of the balls, the equipment of his students, to start on time, to put his students in the best conditions (like not having the sun in his face), not waste any minute and take the time to answer his questions.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

How does tennis benefit me or my children\u2019s life?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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It is a universal sport which can be played almost anywhere, with anyone without distinction of age, gender, ability, social hierarchy and etc. It develops one\u2019s autonomy and responsibility. It is a great way to socialise and network. It enhances one\u2019s self-esteem and can be used as a tool to manage stress. It is a good sport to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It can also help to get your children a university sponsorship and direct school admission.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Can you give us an important aspect of tennis to understand before anything?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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That would certainly be the notions of \u201cpartner\u201d and \u201copponent\u201d. Regardless of your level, sometimes you cooperate with your partner in a rally and sometimes you challenge each other. These aspects are fundamental.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Can you give some advice to an adult beginner?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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You don\u2019t need to have any experience, just come and try. You can join a group, take a private session, or play with your kids, your husband and friends. If you don\u2019t have a racquet, we will bring one for you. Contact us and let\u2019s play together.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

And to an adult returning to tennis after a long pause?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Your physical condition will probably be your main limitation. Start slowly, resist a bit to the first excitement of being back on the court and don\u2019t overdo in order to prevail from injuries. Be careful with dehydration. Wait a bit before signing-up to official tournaments, train well first, otherwise it can be frustrating. Choose well your equipment, we will help you with that.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Any advice to a parent of a young kid starting tennis?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Choose the right coach, one who is able to teach the technical basics. You will save a lot of time and money and the difference in the child\u2019s performance in a couple of years\u2019 time can be huge.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Any advice to a parent of a competitive player?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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You can monitor the overall attitude of your child during matches and share this feedback with your coach. Help your child to develop his\/her autonomy and try not to give importance to short term results. You will also need to build a network of parents and tennis friends with the same vision and good sportsmanship.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

What is the general path of competitions for kids in Singapore?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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From 6 years old<\/strong> participate in red size courts friendly events (JTT Mini, friendly tournaments)
\nFrom 7 years old<\/strong> participate in similar events on orange size courts
\nFrom 8 years old<\/strong> the better players can participate in the JTT League while the best players can also enrol in SPEX tournaments
\nFrom 9 years old<\/strong> all can play friendly events, JTT League and SPEX
\nFrom 12 years old<\/strong> the best players can participate in competitions overseas
\nFrom 14 years old<\/strong> participate in senior competitions with adults (intermediate and open)<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

What are the key factors for fast improvements?<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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Consistency (your job), strong basics (our job).<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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