Kovacs to Lead PTR Sport Science Committee
April 2, 2012
Hilton Head Island, SC — Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) announced that Dr. Mark Kovacs has been chosen by PTR President, Jorge Andrew, to chair the organization’s new Sport Science Committee. For five years, Dr. Kovacs has been a presenter at the PTR International Tennis Symposium, and in 2012, was the highest rated speaker with his Teaching the Serve — An 8 Stage Model to Improve Power, Spin, and Placement.
Dr. Kovacs has committed his career to improving tennis for coaches, players and administrators, through evidence based educational initiatives focused on improving performance and health, and preventing injuries. He was a collegiate All-American tennis player and NCAA doubles champion at Auburn University. After playing professionally, Dr. Kovacs earned a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alabama.
Dr. Kovacs is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a certified specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and a tennis coach. He is the Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the Strength and Conditioning Journal and site on the editorial board of several scientific journals. He has published five books, including Dynamic Stretching, Tennis Anatomy and Tennis Training: Enhancing On-Court Performance.
Kovacs continues to work on court training top junior and professional tennis players. He is also leading the effort to educate coaches, trainers and specialists through a new organization called the International Tennis Performance Association (ITPA), which is aimed at individuals passionate about tennis specific performance enhancement and injury prevention.
Last month, Dr. Kovacs was presented the Educational Merit Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He also received the PTR Stanley Plagenhoef Award for achievement in sports science, and the Editorial Excellence Award from Strength and Conditioning Journal.
PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 14,000 members in 117 countries. It has the greatest percentage of multicultural and women members of any such organization. PTR is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game.