Hargrave Varsity Tennis

Coach Tung joined the Tennis coaching staff in 2006. For nearly two decades, he has developed players at every skill level from novices (complete beginners picking up a racquet for the first time) to those who have earned positions on collegiate tennis teams. Within the last 5 years, four former players competed at the college level and a recent graduate declined an offer to play Division II tennis.  He joined the Hargrave faculty in 1997. His other coaching experience includes soccer, baseball, and swimming.  He has held a variety of positions at Hargrave and currently serves as the Academic Dean. As a recreational (and occasionally competitive) player himself with over four decades on the courts, Coach Tung views tennis as the perfect blend of physical fitness, mental strategy, and social connection, qualities he works to instill in every cadet.

Coaching Philosophy

Coach Tung believes that true success extends far beyond wins and losses. His primary goal is ensuring every player develops the skills and love for tennis that will serve them throughout their lives. “When a player understands and is equipped to play tennis for life, that’s a real victory regardless of the season’s record,” he explains. Said another way, he values effort over perfection, improvement over outcome, and character over talent.

Coach Tung focuses on helping players embrace the improvement process while understanding that mechanics and technique is “just” the foundation. His players learn that winning comes from “crisis control” or the ability to stay composed under pressure rather than playing under ideal conditions. He believes that each player brings unique strengths, goals, and perspectives to the team.  His role is to help each player reach their potential through clear instruction, clear expectations, and a positive team culture. The environment fosters resilience, encourages strong practice habits, and most importantly places ownership of player development on the players.

Within the structure and philosophy of Hargrave, Coach Tung believes that tennis players will find a convergence between the Academy’s expectation and the team environment.  Cadets and tennis players alike grow as men of character while in the roles of competitors and teammates, and members of a greater community. Namely, tennis is an individual sport played within a team structure, and so team members need to understand accountability, communication, and shared purpose.

Player Development

Whether working with novice players or preparing advanced athletes for college recruitment, Coach Tung is committed to meeting each player where they are and helping them reach their potential. He takes particular joy in watching students discover their own capabilities and develop confidence both on and off the court. Hargrave players will play with energy, discipline, confidence, and integrity.

His players will focus on developing in four key areas:

Natural Instinctive play: Training so that movements are natural without overthinking
Performance awareness: Self-monitoring and adjustment during matches
Tactical intelligence: Reading opponents, recognizing patterns, and adapting strategy
Finally, competition is at the heart of growth. They compete to test themselves, to respect the game, and with a sense of pride in representing Hargrave Military Academy.
Once again, the process matters more both on and off the courts.

For more information about the tennis program, please contact Coach Tung through the athletic department.