Celebrating a Master of Tennis Graduate
Meet Heather Ann Diegan, a dedicated tennis professional whose journey in the sport began at age 12, hitting balls against the wall while her mom played with her ladies’ tennis team. Growing up in Lakeland, Florida, Heather trained at the local city courts under the guidance of Dave Beerman and Ray Schick, gaining her first taste of coaching as a junior in high school.
Heather’s early experience coaching youth tennis sparked a passion that would shape her future. After taking a break to focus on raising her two children, she returned to tennis in her mid-30s and became PTR-certified in 2008. Heather recalls the incredible impact of learning from legends like Dennis Van Der Meer and Dr. Louie Cap, who introduced her to the “Student of Tennis” philosophy. This approach not only improved her own game but also transformed her teaching style, helping her simplify techniques and create a fun learning environment for her students.
In 2009, Heather founded Saint Johns Tennis Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Starting with just 54 students, the academy has grown into a thriving community hub, now serving 120 juniors and multiple adult teams across the county. Heather and her husband, fellow PTR professional Patrick Diegan, run the academy together, blending over 40 years of combined teaching experience. Their focus on developing recreational players has made the academy a pillar of the local tennis community.
A hallmark of Heather’s program is her commitment to mentoring young players. She hosts annual PTR Level 1 certification courses for juniors and adults, creating a pathway for her students to become coaches themselves. Many of her former students have gone on to teach in summer camps or even start their own coaching careers in college.
Heather’s drive for continuous improvement led her to pursue the Master of Tennis (MOT) certification in Junior Development. Completing this rigorous program in 2024 was no easy feat, especially while managing her academy and maintaining a full teaching schedule. Guided by the esteemed Dr. Anne Pankhurst, Heather pushed herself to new heights, mastering long-term player development strategies and refining her approach to coaching.
Today, Heather continues to build on her knowledge, aspiring to grow her academy and share her love of tennis with even more players. With the support of the PTR community, she’s excited to take her career to the next level and inspire the next generation of tennis enthusiasts.
Congratulations, Heather, on your incredible journey and recent Master of Tennis achievement! Your passion, dedication, and love for the game are truly inspiring.
