NICK
WATKINS
High Performance Tennis Academy Head Coach
Hi, I'm Nick Watkins, Head Coach at the High Performance Tennis Academy (HPTA) on the Gold Coast, Australia. I’ve been passionate about tennis since the age of five and have been fortunate to stay involved in the sport throughout my life. With over 30 years of coaching experience, I’m proud to lead the team at HPTA, where we focus not only on developing players’ on-court skills but also on building confidence, resilience, and lifelong personal strengths.
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Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with players of all levels—from beginners to elite athletes competing on the world stage. I’ve always been committed to ongoing learning and development, constantly studying the game to provide the best possible support to our players.
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One of the highlights of my coaching career was working with Samantha Stosur. Sam and her family approached me when she was just ten years old with the dream of playing on the WTA Tour. For the next decade, I coached her five days a week, 48 weeks a year, helping her build the foundation for a successful professional career. By age 19, Sam was competing internationally, eventually reaching a career-high singles ranking of World No. 4 and World No. 1 in doubles. Her accomplishments include 33 combined WTA titles and a Grand Slam singles title at the 2011 US Open, where she defeated Serena Williams in the final, as well as a runner-up finish at the 2010 French Open.
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Currently, I’m coaching Moerani Bouzige, a talented young player we’ve worked with since he was 13. Moerani has already competed in two Junior Australian Open events, showcasing the world’s top 64 juniors, and is now playing on the ATP Challenger circuit as he works toward earning his ATP ranking.
At HPTA, we welcome players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're picking up a racquet for the first time or aiming for the professional tour, we’re here to help you grow your game and enjoy the journey. Most importantly, we believe in creating a supportive and welcoming environment where lifelong friendships are formed.
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I look forward to seeing you on the court soon.
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Nick Watkins
Head Coach – High Performance Tennis Academy
In late 2018, Sam asked me to work with her again in preparation for the 2019 Australian summer. With only four weeks of training before the Brisbane International, she performed strongly in singles across Brisbane, Sydney, and the Australian Open. That summer, she and her doubles partner Shuai Zhang went on to win the Australian Open Ladies’ Doubles title—an incredible result, especially as they were unseeded and defeated the world’s top two teams in the semi-final and final. Working alongside Sam, Shuai, and coach Robert was a truly rewarding experience.
