Rebuilding American Tennis: How Yann Auzoux is Cultivating the Next U14 Superstar
I had the pleasure of interviewing Yann Auzoux, a former Davis Cup player, top 100 ATP-tour match winner, elite tennis coach, and the founder of Tennis Central Corporation. With a passion for redefining how tennis is taught, Yann has spent his career transforming the lives of young players through high-performance training, character development, and global exposure. He leads a mission-driven tennis ecosystem that spans training academies, international competition programs, and innovative community outreach — all grounded in the belief that tennis should empower players on and off the court.
Thank you so much for joining us!
What motivated you to launch your startup?
Growing up, I experienced firsthand the power of tennis to change a life. But over the years, I watched American tennis lose some of its edge. The structure, support, and spark that once helped produce global champions started to fade. That realization is what led me to launch the U14 Team USA Tryouts through Tennis Central Corp.
This wasn’t just about putting together a tournament — it was about creating a pathway. A way for young American players to access international platforms like the U14 World Championships in Paris, where they can compete with the best, learn faster, and realize that they belong on the global stage.
This initiative is part of our broader mission to rebuild American tennis from the ground up. We want to identify and elevate talent early — before they fall through the cracks — and offer them a structured environment that combines technical development with tactical mastery, cultural immersion, and long-term mentorship.
What is it that excites you about what you’re building?
Everything. I’m excited about the energy of the kids. The look in their eyes when they realize that a dream they thought was out of reach is now a plane ride away. I’m excited about the parents, who finally see a roadmap for their child. And I’m excited about the ripple effect — when a program like ours raises the standard, it lifts entire communities.
Most of all, I’m excited about proving that the next American superstar isn’t just a matter of luck — it’s a matter of design, access, and belief. We’re building a movement, not just a moment.
What has been your biggest challenge when growing your startup?
Changing mindsets. Many families and even coaches are conditioned to believe that opportunity in tennis is reserved for a select few, or that real development only happens within rigid, outdated systems.
Convincing people to trust a new model — one built on holistic growth, international exposure, and cross-cultural service — takes time. But once they see the results, and feel the energy of our programs, the momentum becomes undeniable.
Another challenge is infrastructure. We’re creating high-performance experiences that require space, coordination, and travel. That means aligning with the right partners and often building the pipeline ourselves.
What are your future plans for your startup?
We’re scaling the Team USA Tryouts nationally, with qualifiers in key U.S. regions to expand access to underserved and untapped talent pools. From there, we’ll continue to create bridges to international competition, and provide scholarships to help athletes who can’t afford the journey but deserve a shot.
We’re also working on building a year-round training ecosystem, complete with indoor facilities, player mentorship programs, and academic pathways that integrate seamlessly with competitive tennis.
Long-term, we envision Tennis Central as a global force — one that brings American tennis back to its “A” game, with a pipeline of fierce, resilient, and purpose-driven young champions.
If you had to share “words of wisdom” with a founder who’s about to start their own startup, what would they be?
Fall in love with the mission, not the model. Models evolve, funding comes and goes, but if your mission is rooted in service and transformation, you’ll always have purpose.
Also, listen to your audience. In our case, the kids, the parents, and the players are always teaching us something new. If you build with them, not just for them, your startup will have a soul — and people will feel that.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
You can follow our journey and programs at:
📸 Instagram: @TennisCentralCo
🌐 Website: www.tenniscentral.net
📺 YouTube: Tennis Central
And for a closer look at our player experiences and international programs, follow:
📸 Instagram: @yann.auzoux
