Inspiring Conversations with Patrick Szymczak of Team Hippa – Tennis Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Szymczak.

Hi Patrick, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Originally from Germany with Polish parents, I came to the United States in 2017 to pursue both my academic and athletic passions. As an international student, I balanced my studies while competing in college tennis, and earned my degree before stepping into the professional side of the sport.

After graduation, I gained valuable experience working for a large tennis academy in California, where I learned how to coach, mentor, and inspire athletes of all ages and skill levels. In 2023, I made the move to Phoenix to join Grand Canyon University as the Assistant Coach for the Men’s Tennis team.

After departing GCU, I decided to focus on growing junior tennis in the area, especially high-performance junior tennis. Today, we run classes for adults and juniors of all levels. Toward the end of this summer, we’re excited to expand into Gilbert, where we’ll offer classes for the local community and launch the first true Pickleball Academy in the region.

Throughout this journey, my focus has always been to share the discipline, passion, and lessons learned from tennis, and to help others grow both on and off the court. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and am looking forward to making an even greater impact in the tennis and pickleball communities here in Arizona.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There’s no such thing as a smooth road — and mine certainly hasn’t been one. It started with coming to the United States from a different country and culture, and learning to adapt to a new environment both on and off the court. Later, when I set out to build my own business, especially in a region with well-established competitors, the challenges only grew.

Starting from scratch meant going up against people and organizations that were already deeply rooted in the area. At times, it felt like others were trying to discourage or discredit the effort before it even got off the ground, particularly when others saw themselves endangered by my endeavor. Overcoming that resistance was definitely a large hurdle I’ve faced, and it taught me to stay focused, stay resilient, and to believe in the vision I was building for myself and my students.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our academy is built on a simple but powerful mission: to help athletes of all ages and levels reach their full potential — not just in tennis or pickleball, but in life. We specialize in high‑performance junior tennis training, offering personalized instruction that focuses as much on character and mindset as it does on technique and strategy. At the same time, we’re passionate about making the sport accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from recreational adult players to families trying tennis or pickleball for the first time.

What really sets us apart is our approach. We draw from a strong European tennis heritage — a style long known for producing some of the best players in the sport. European teaching techniques emphasize precision, discipline, and a deep understanding of the game, and we’re proud to bring that same philosophy to Arizona. We understand that every player has a unique path, and we build training plans that respect that individuality, combining hard work, technical excellence, and a genuine love for the sport.

To highlight this belief, we’ve named ourselves Team Hippa — because for us, it’s about more than lessons and drills. Everyone involved is part of our Team, part of our Family. It’s a culture built on respect, belonging, and shared passion, where students, coaches, and families work together to grow and succeed, both on and off the court.

As we continue to expand into Gilbert, we’re especially excited to launch the area’s first true Pickleball Academy — a space for serious training, social play, and community building. Our goal is to build more than athletes. We’re building a team, a family, and a supportive environment that inspires and empowers every person to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to be patient and to trust the process. Nothing worth building happens overnight, and it’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t move as quickly as you hoped. I’ve always been a very impatient person, but I had to learn that in order to do things right, things have to grow in a way that’s healthy. Only then, can one build something sustainable.

Pricing:

• Classes range from $15-60 depending on sport and class type

Contact Info:

• Website: https://teamhippa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamhippa_az/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568839841383