Axis Tennis was founded with a clear mission: to provide a comprehensive platform for aspiring collegiate tennis players to develop their skills, academics, and character. Their unique approach combines world-class tennis coaching with a rigorous academic support system, ensuring their students are equipped for the demands of top-tier universities.

They specialize in student admissions at universities and have developed a niche leveraging their extensive network of coaches, advisors, teachers, and alumni. Their network, combined with a personalized approach of understanding the player’s academic background and career goals, has been instrumental in guiding their students through the complex college admissions process. 

Tennis View Magazine recently spoke to the founders of Axis Tennis.

Tell us a little bit about the owners/founders of Axis Tennis, and what their background is.

Axis Tennis was founded by Shariq Khan and Chris Begg, both of whom bring extensive experience and a deep passion for tennis to the academy. Shariq Khan, a seasoned coach and mentor, has been actively involved in tennis for 20 years, successfully guiding numerous players at both collegiate and professional levels. His expertise lies in understanding how to leverage tennis as a pathway to gain admission to prestigious academic institutions. Over the years, Shariq has helped many student-athletes navigate the complex college admissions process, ensuring they excel both on the court and in the classroom.

Chris Begg, the co-founder, has worked with players of all ages and genders, many of whom have gone on to rank among the top 50 ATP/WTA players. He holds the highest coaching certifications globally and was previously a leading developmental coach at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, where he collaborated with Toni Nadal. Chris’s extensive experience in player development has been instrumental in creating a training environment at Axis Tennis that fosters success at the highest levels of the sport.

 How did the idea of Axis Tennis come about? What led them to create it?

The concept for Axis Tennis was born from Shariq Khan and Chris Begg’s shared vision to create a tennis academy that goes beyond just improving on-court performance. They identified a need for a comprehensive approach to tennis training—one that integrates elite coaching with a strong emphasis on personal growth, education, and long-term career planning. Both founders were driven by their experiences working with young athletes and their desire to create a program that supports players not only as athletes but also as well-rounded individuals prepared to excel in all aspects of life.

What is the philosophy of Axis Tennis?

At Axis Tennis, our philosophy is centered on building a well-rounded and functional support system for each player, ensuring success both on and off the court. While technical skills and physical conditioning are essential, we place equal importance on academic achievement, including schoolwork and SAT/ACT preparation. What sets Axis Tennis apart is our team of highly qualified tutors—many of whom played college tennis at Ivy League or other prestigious universities. They possess a unique understanding of the academic and athletic demands faced by student-athletes and work to harmonize these areas to maximize potential for university recruitment and scholarship opportunities.

The founders are committed to fostering both educational and athletic excellence, embodied in our comprehensive support system. Each player is surrounded by a dedicated team, including a head tennis coach, fitness trainer, physiotherapist, academic tutor, SAT/ACT prep specialist, and college admissions advisor. This collaborative approach ensures alignment and accountability, all working toward the shared goal of the player’s success.

What are some of the challenges players face in the college admissions process?

Navigating the college admissions process can be overwhelming for young tennis players and their families. Common challenges include understanding recruitment timelines, balancing academic and athletic goals, and effectively communicating with college coaches. Many players struggle to determine where to begin and often underestimate the importance of excelling in both academics and tennis. As a result, some student-athletes attend schools that are not recognized by top colleges, take courses that do not align with their long-term goals, or compete in tournaments that offer little value. This is often due to a lack of synergy between the student-athlete's environment and their goals, with tennis coaches sometimes unaware of the player’s academic progress.

How is Axis Tennis able to help in this process?

Axis Tennis offers a comprehensive college recruitment program designed to simplify the complex process of college placement for its athletes. With years of expertise and strong connections to college coaches nationwide, Axis provides personalized guidance to ensure each player finds the right fit for their academic and athletic goals.

The process begins with a detailed, individualized assessment to understand each player's unique objectives. A customized plan is then developed, supported by a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to the player’s success. This team includes a tennis coach, academic tutor, SAT/ACT tutor, physiotherapist, and fitness coach. Each member plays a key role in helping the player achieve their aspirations.

The tennis coach, who works with the player daily, stays in close communication regarding both athletic and academic progress. This all-encompassing approach ensures that while technical skills are honed, equal focus is placed on academic responsibilities. This balance is crucial for those seeking to leverage their tennis abilities to gain admission to top universities.

Can you share some success stories?

Axis Tennis has a long-standing history of helping players succeed both collegiately and professionally. In recent years, several of our players have ranked in the top 20 of the ITF world junior standings, while others have committed to prestigious universities like Harvard, Duke, and Stanford. We have also helped athletes launch their professional careers, with some achieving significant progress, moving up over 1,000  spots in the ATP rankings within a year.

Additionally, for the past four consecutive years, Axis Tennis has had at least one player compete in the U. S. Open. Many of our alumni have gone on to attend top universities such as Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, USC, UCLA, and Dartmouth, reflecting the strength of our college recruitment program. These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of our integrated approach to player development and our commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

What is your college placement success rate?

We are proud to maintain a 100% success rate in placing players into collegiate programs. Our expertise lies in guiding athletes toward acceptance at top academic institutions. This year, we are working with players aiming to gain admission to highly selective schools such as MIT, Johns Hopkins, and the California Institute of Technology. These institutions are known for their rigorous admissions standards, and our program provides the guidance and resources necessary to help students navigate this competitive process.

What are the goals for the future with Axis Tennis?

At Axis Tennis, our future goals focus on expanding our influence in player development and college placement while continuously enhancing the overall experience for our athletes. We aim to strengthen our reputation as a leading academy that not only develops top-tier tennis talent but also excels in guiding students to prestigious academic institutions.

Moving forward, we plan to deepen our partnerships with colleges and universities, expand access to state-of-the-art training facilities, and further innovate our comprehensive approach to player development. Our goal is to provide well-rounded support across all aspects of physical, technical, academic, and mental preparation, ultimately empowering every student-athlete to reach their full potential both on the court and in their academic endeavors.