Yes they do but here is something to remember when it comes to getting someone into tennis. Patience and a good demeanor in a beginning tennis coach goes a lot farther than a hard case high demand coaching approach. Leave them with fun as the main memory from tennis classes.
Regarding Tennis Teaching Organizations and Certifications
They have raised training and skills standards over the decades to address any deficiencies in coaching that may exist. Consider the alternative where there is no certification available other than just high end coaching skills from elite organizations and you have no room for expanding the tennis community by offering coaches that can serve the recreational beginning tennis market. I remember as a kid at age 7 or earlier taking my first lessons from a county instructor who was a high school student. It was the only tennis instruction available back in the early 1960's where I lived and the cost was $5 for a series. This instructor got me started with nothing more than hitting with me and some basic advice and yet I remember him as a superb example of what I would like for a coach to get me into the sport. I'd love to thank him for getting me started. He had no certifications that I remember.
My Experience with the PTR
I think that the PTR does care about improvements to tennis teaching and qualifications. I've had many years of interactions with their members, trainers, and staff. I joined them a few years after they began the organization and took the TennisUniversity from Dennis Van Der Meer. To me, it's a superb organization. They have raised training and skills standards over the decades to address any deficiencies in coaching that may exist. Consider the alternative where there is no certification available other than just high end coaching skills from elite organizations and you have no room for expanding the tennis community by offering coaches that can serve the recreational beginning tennis market.
