About Head Coach: Shadisha RobinsonAt the University of Georgia, Shadisha Robinson, was ranked # 1 in doubles and #6 in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). From there, she went on to become one of the rising stars on the professional tennis circuit.
Robinson has now turned her focus on helping youth in the community discover their tennis talent. She runs a year-round tennis program in the Stone Mountain area. Why did you decide to open a tennis academy? Shadisha Robinson: I hope to change [kids'] lives for the better by offering tennis at this level. [Tennis] can open doors of opportunity for [young people] and make a huge impact on them educationally, physically and emotionally. Where is your tennis academy located? Robinson: I live in the Southland community and the tennis academy is located at the Wynbrooke Country Club in Stone Mountain. What’s the most challenging part of running the tennis academy? Robinson: I’m always trying to make sure that the parents' and kids' needs are met. Sometimes expectations can be unrealistic. What’s been the most rewarding part about what you do? Robinson: I like seeing the improvement in the kids and changing their lives [for the better]. What advice would you give an entrepreneur wanting to get into the business? Robinson: I would say that they should have a passion and a game plan. Once you have a passion you’ll be willing to do the work and you will ultimately succeed. |
Biography |
Junior 2005-06 (University of Georgia): ITA preseason ranked #1 in doubles with Caroline Basu and #6 in singles. The recipient of the 2005-06 Vickie Farmer Women’s Tennis Scholarship Endowment. Final fall record of 3-3 in singles and 7-3 in doubles with Caroline Basu. Reached the doubles semifinal at the All-American Championships and the ITA National Indoors.
Sophomore 2004-05 (University of Georgia): Earned All-America honors in singles and doubles and final ITA national ranking of #1 in doubles with Caroline Basu and #13 in singles. First paired together with Basu in January and posted school record 28-4 mark; Made ITA rankings debut at #12 on Feb. 22nd and climbed to #1 on May 2nd. 23-2 in team matches and 12-4 against ranked opponents including a win over then #1 Cohen/Grier of Northwestern at the National Team Indoors. Entered the NCAA Doubles Championships as the top-ranked and top-seeded team but fell in the round of 16 to eventual champion Barnes/Burdette (Stanford). A First-Team All-SEC selection in doubles with Basu, going 10-1 in conference matches. 32-15 in singles and ranked as high as a career-best #4 during year; ITA preseason singles ranking of #23. 13-13 versus ranked foes, beat then top-ranked Audra Cohen (Northwestern) at the National Team Indoors. Entered the NCAA Singles Championships ranked 10th but fell in the first round to Stanford’s Anne Yelsey (#61). Helped lead ninth-ranked Georgia to the NCAA Quarterfinals and a final record of 18-8. In fall action, won the Ole Miss Classic, the UNLV Invitational and was a finalist at the ITA Southern Regionals. Freshman 2003-04 (University of Georgia): Earned All-America honors in doubles with Agata Cioroch as the duo finished the year ranked #9 by the ITA. 34-13 singles record and final ITA national ranking of #31, highest ranking during the year was #9. 33-9 in doubles overall including a 25-8 mark with Cioroch including 11-5 at number one in the lineup. Earned NCAA singles bid and advanced to the round of 32, lost in the first round of NCAA doubles with Cioroch. Won first six matches and posted a 16-4 fall record and 14-2 in doubles including 12-2 with Agata Cioroch. Won three matches to advance to Riviera All-American Championships Qualifying before first loss to #77 Emma Murphy (San Diego); a doubles semifinalist with Cioroch at the Riviera All-American event. Singles finalist at the ITA Southern Regionals to qualify for the ITA National Indoors., Won ITA Southern Regional doubles title with Cioroch and advanced to the semifinals of the ITA National Indoors. Won the consolation title at the ITA National Indoors ; Wins over top 25 opponents including #13 Julie Coin (Clemson), #14 Jackie Carleton (UCLA), #22 Nataly Cahana (Old Dominion) and then #7 Daria Panova (Oregon) ... Preseason ITA doubles ranking of #5 with Cioroch. Juniors/High School: Attended Cambridge High in Ocala, Fla. Trained at the USTA Center in New York, the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Fla., and the Van Der Meer Academy in Hilton Head, S.C.; One of the top American junior players and among the top 100 ranked in the world. Awarded a wild card into the 2003 US Open qualifying draw. Highest International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior ranking has been 45th in singles and 26th in doubles. Ranked among the top 10 U.S. junior players from 1999-2003 including as high as #2 in the USTA Girls 14s in 2000, #4 in the USTA Girls 16s in 2001 and #9 in the USTA Girls 18s in 2002. Career highlights include 2003 Junior Family Circle Cup title (beat Georgia teammate Natalie Frazier in the final) which qualified her for the Family Circle Cup tour event, 2002 doubles finalist at the US Open (Girls 18s) with Tory Zawacki, a semifinalist of the singles at the 2002 Astrid Bowl, an ITF event in Belgium. Won the 2000 USTA National Clay Court doubles with Ally Baker, won the 1999 USTA National Clay Court champion (Girls 14s) and won singles and doubles at the Southern Open. Personal: Born July 12, 1985 in Queens, N.Y.; Daughter of Charles Robinson and Delina Sears. Has a younger brother, Danladhi, and an older sister, Shani. Featured on BET’s MAAD SPORTS Show in May of 2005. Hobbies include cooking, singing and shopping. |