“If you’re in the past, that’s where anger lives. If you’re in the future, that’s where anxiety lives. In the present is being able to perform at your best no matter what you’re doing, tennis or otherwise,” said John Neal.

It is a mindset he has learned not just through tennis, but through an unexpected journey that reshaped his career in Charlottesville, Virginia.

When his son was a freshman on the boys tennis team at Charlottesville High School, John found himself becoming what he calls the team’s “helper dad” – a role that would quietly change the course of his career.

Just before the season began, about seven years ago, the team’s coach approached John to take over for the year. He did not hesitate, and he never looked back. That one season became the foundation for everything that followed.

Fast forward to 2025, and John was recognized as the 2024-25 National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations Coaches Association. The honor was especially meaningful following his recognition as the 2025 Central Virginia Coach of the Year.

In just seven years at Charlottesville High School, John has helped build one of the top high school tennis programs in Virginia, leading the team to a 39-5 record and back-to-back Virginia High School League state championships over the past two seasons.

But John’s journey in tennis started long before that moment. Introduced to the sport at just six-years-old, he quickly developed a love for the game that would shape his life.

“I got really serious about tennis when I was 10 years old. Of course I played high school tennis, then college, and then I taught professionally for 10 years after that,” Neal said. “I thought that I was going to do that the rest of my career.”

For a tennis lover, it was a dream career, but Neal says nothing has been more fulfilling than working with high school student-athletes.

“High school coaching has given me the opportunity to see the long-term growth of the players that come in,” said Neal. “A lot of the kids are beginners and you water that seed for years, then a tennis player emerges. It’s cool and amazing to watch the growth from kids who come in eighth or ninth grade and then they can actually play really well by senior year.”

In his role as Director of Tennis, Neal oversees both the boys and girls programs at Charlottesville High School, and the culture he’s built makes it clear that his goals extend well beyond the scoreboard.

“I tell them we have one team. Boys and girls are one team. We practice together and then compete separately, but at the end of the day we’re one.”

By creating a shared team environment, Neal not only maximizes limited court space but also builds a stronger, more connected culture among his players. He has also developed a coaching approach that allows every player to grow, no matter their starting point.

“I sort of call it the ‘universal language of tennis,'” said Neal.

This philosophy allows him to teach players of all skill levels using consistent terminology. While each athlete may execute skills differently, they all understand the same foundational concepts.

In Coach John’s eyes, culture is just as important as skill development. “Every year we have a little talk about what our culture is. I’ve always instilled that every time you step on court you’re representing the school, each other, yourself, and the community at large.”

That philosophy carries off the court, too. Neal holds his players to a simple but demanding standard: no whining, no complaining. “The reason we don’t do it is because complaining shifts accountability away from yourself and onto something else,” he said. “You have to practice that discipline, just like any other skill.”

Instead, Neal encourages his players to embrace challenges and take ownership of their growth.

“Tennis is a classroom like anything else. You’re going to lose points, games, matches and you also experience that outside of the tennis court as well, but being able to handle that adversity and still give it your all, that is the ultimate goal,” Neal said.

For Neal, improvement is about showing up each day ready to learn. His advice for coaches looking to make a lasting impact reflects that same mindset: focus on education, be a student of the game, and use strong foundational resources to teach players the basics.

As high school tennis season gets into full swing across the Mid-Atlantic, coaches like John Neal shape the student-athlete experience both on and off the court. May is National Tennis Month — a fitting time to celebrate the coaches, programs, and communities that make the sport accessible and meaningful at every level. From first-time players picking up a racquet to teams competing for championships, the impact of strong coaching can be seen at every level of the game.

Coaches and educators interested in growing their tennis programs can learn more about available resources and opportunities by visiting the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation High School Tennis page.

For Neal, it all comes back to staying present. Whether he is coaching a match, leading a practice, or helping a new player find confidence on the court, his focus remains on the moment in front of him.

Because in the end, that is where growth happens. And for the players he continues to inspire every day, that mindset may be the most important lesson of all.

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.