Meet Dave Alzate, your coach
From a Colombian kid who could barely breathe to taking his first steps as a pro and becoming a full-time coach — for Dave, tennis isn't just a sport. It's the game that saved his life.
The game that gave me my life back
I'm Dave Alzate, born and raised in Colombia. I came into the world with asthma, and I had my first attack when I was just two months old. As a kid, pneumonia nearly took my life twice — once at eight, and again at ten.
When the doctors finally stabilised me, they were blunt: I had to start exercising, or I wouldn't get better. That's the exact moment tennis found me. I picked up a racket, and everything changed. Since that day my health turned around — I've been strong and asthma-free ever since.
Tennis didn't just become my passion; it quite literally saved my life. That's why I coach. Everything I do on court is about giving back to the game that gave me a future — and helping the next person discover what it can do for them.
"Tennis saved my life. Now I get to spend mine giving that gift back — one player at a time."
— Dave Alzate
I took my first steps as a pro in Colombia
From the moment I started at ten years old, I was hooked. I trained relentlessly and climbed through Colombia's junior ranks, competing against the best players of my generation.
From there I took my first steps onto the professional pathway in Colombia — starting from the bottom and earning my way up rung by rung.
At nineteen I made the move that defined the rest of my life — I became a coach. I've lived this game from both sides of the net, and I know how to turn hard-won experience into something that works for you.
- Picked up a racket
- Age 10
- First steps in Colombia
- Pro path
- Coaching career
- Since 19
"The best coaches never stop being players at heart."
— Dave Alzate
My university years
Some of my proudest moments on court came while competing for my university — and they still shape how I coach today.
Mixed doubles champions
Teaming up for mixed doubles, my partner and I clicked from the first point and took home the gold. Doubles taught me communication, court positioning, and how to lift a teammate under pressure.
Winning it all as a team
With my university squad we went all the way and won the entire zone championship. Standing on that clay court holding the trophy with my teammates is a feeling I'll never forget.
The principles behind every lesson
Make it enjoyable
People improve fastest when they're having fun. Every session is designed to be positive and rewarding.
Coach the individual
No two players are the same. I adapt drills, pacing, and goals to suit you, not a one-size-fits-all script.
Build lasting skills
Technique that holds up under pressure. I focus on fundamentals that keep paying off for years.
From fighting to breathe to giving back
- Age 10
Tennis finds me
After surviving childhood asthma and pneumonia, doctors said I had to exercise. A racket changed everything.
- Juniors
Competing nationally
Trained relentlessly and rose through Colombia's junior ranks against the best of my generation.
- Pro path
First steps as a pro
Took my first steps onto Colombia's professional pathway, working up from the very bottom.
- Age 19
Becoming a coach
Turned to coaching to give back the gift tennis gave me — a mission that's led all the way to Regina.
Let's find your starting point
Book a trial lesson and we'll talk through your goals before you ever pick up a racket.