July 18, 2025

Tennis Showcase 2025: Four Days of Tennis Talent in Action

A Powerful Mix of Matchplay, One-to-One Coach Connections, and Expert Insights

Keystone Sports Tennis Showcase 2025 brought together passionate players, supportive families, and dedicated coaches for four unforgettable days in Germany filled with matchplay, building coach connections, and gaining college tennis insights. It was more than just tennis; it was about growth, support, and taking important steps towards getting recruited and playing college tennis in the US! Read the full recap article here.

From 10 to 13 July 2025, the 11th Keystone Sports College Tennis Showcase took place at RTHC Leverkusen in Germany. Nearly 100 tennis players from around the world came to demonstrate their skills in front of coaches on the court. Over 150 US college coaches attended, both in person and online, searching for new talent.

The tennis showcase gave players a valuable opportunity to connect with coaches and increase their chances of being recruited and earning a tennis scholarship in the US.

Prep Day Activities On and Off the Court

Before the showcase officially started, players and families had a full prep day to get ready. On Thursday, the day began with a welcome session, then split into different activities. On the court, players were able to train with US college coaches and play matches. There were also off-court workshops where coaches shared recruiting insights, and the professor and sports psychology expert Dr Darren Treasure held mental performance sessions with the players.

Day One at Tennis Showcase 2025

With the prep day complete, it was time for the main event to begin the following day on Friday. After the players’ registration, Stefan Wirtz, Director of Business Development, welcomed the players and supporting families to the tennis showcase. He wrapped up his remarks with a reminder to stay present and enjoy the showcase experience: “Enjoy the ride. Talk to the coaches and have fun playing!”

Stefan Krämer, Head of Events, followed by also saying that the showcase is about more than just tennis skills. He highlighted the importance of fair play and sportsmanship, as college coaches pay close attention to these when recruiting athletes.

Group picture with participating players and the Keystone Sports team.

Matchplay and Coach Connections

The showcase brought together everything to help prepare tennis players dreaming of getting recruited and playing college tennis: matchplay in front of US coaches, UTR verified matches, match footage, and the chance to speak one-to-one with coaches.

The matchplay provided the perfect stage for the total of 94 female and male players from 18 nations to demonstrate their abilities in front of US college coaches. With 28 coaches participating in person and 129 joining online, the energy was electric.

Across 163 total matches, every move counted as an opportunity to make that crucial first impression on watching coaches. The showcase generated significant interest, with 8,297 match video views throughout the event.

The showcase was also a natural spot for direct conversations between players, families, and coaches. These interactions allowed families to learn about college programmes while coaches got to know players beyond just their tennis. In addition to the in-person conversations in Leverkusen, the virtual showcase platform made it possible for players and coaches to connect online, with 79 meetings taking place digitally. For many, these personal connections marked the first steps towards building recruiting relationships and finding the right coach and college fit.

Panel Talk with Sport Psychology Expert

Day 2 of the tennis showcase had a packed schedule, with not only players showing their skills on the courts, but also presentations and panel talks.

One of Saturday’s panel talks focused on “The Student-Athlete Lifestyle.” Roger Thiele, Commercial Director at Keystone Sports, moderated the discussion, joined by two guests: Linn Gördes and Dr Darren Treasure.

Linn is a second-year student playing Division II tennis at the University of North Georgia. She gave honest insight into what it’s like playing tennis at college. Dr Darren Treasure brought a deeper perspective on what student-athletes deal with mentally. Together, they discussed how to deal with mental pressure and stressful situations as a student-athlete, and how athletes can already start preparing.

The mental side of sports is something every athlete faces, no matter the sport or level. This includes college sports, and as Linn put it:

“You have to be mentally tough and not take it personally. The mental part is quite big in tennis, and in college sports in general.”

So how do you handle that, and what can young athletes do now to get ready? Dr Treasure explained the science behind it in a way that made sense based on research, and gave several hands-on pieces of advice that athletes can actually use. One thing he emphasised: learning how to breathe properly.

Breathing techniques might sound simple, but they can be a real game-changer when things get stressful. But it needs to be practised. Dr Treasure explained:

“It’s one of those things that doesn’t just happen. The reality is that you have to learn how to do it – you’ve got to learn how to breathe.”

Real Insights From Students Living in the US

College in the US can be very different from what international students are used to. From academic expectations to campus culture, and managing to balance sports practice and school, there’s a lot to adjust to! Who better to share what it’s really like than two student-athletes currently studying and playing sports in the US?

Saturday’s presentation schedule included the “College Kickoff” session to give players a better idea of what college life is really like. Two current student-athletes, Linn Gördes (tennis player) and Coco Pelz (field hockey), were invited to share their experiences and best tips for new students moving to the US.

The workshop covered many of the questions young and upcoming international students often have: student visas, being part of a college team, what to pack, orientation days, and everything in between!

Coco shared some truly valuable advice based on her own journey adapting to college life in the US:

“What helped me most in the beginning was being open to everything and everyone. Even if it feels like a lot at first, this is the best way to get used to the new college life. Luckily, home is always just a phone call away!”

Q&A with College Tennis Coaches

After a successful showcase day, Saturday wrapped up with a Q&A session with college coaches. Five coaches attended and shared their insights on college tennis and recruiting.

Roger Thiele moderated the session and kicked things off with some of the most common questions about the college recruiting process. After that, the floor was opened up for questions from both players and parents.

One question was about how much individual practice you can expect in college – a key topic for many players looking at the US college tennis system. Since college tennis is more team-oriented and coaches work with several players, it’s not always clear how much individual training time is available.

Many of the coaches said their programmes include one-to-one practices about once a week. But it’s still important to remember that college tennis is more team-focused than what some players might be used to.

That’s why it’s important for players to learn how to advocate for themselves. Whether it’s asking for extra support or saying they want to improve a certain skill. Coaches often appreciate when a player takes initiative, and it can even lead to the whole team working on that skill together.

Keystone Sports Ambassador Reward 2025

Before Showcase Day 2 wrapped up with a big BBQ party for all participants, it was time to present the Engagement Reward from the Keystone Sports Ambassador Programme. This year, the award went to Linn Gördes in recognition of her incredible commitment, positivity, and support as a Keystone Sports ambassador.

Malin Büchner, Marketing Project Manager at Keystone Sports, shared more about the ambassador programme and why Linn was chosen for the award:

“The ambassador programme is all about raising awareness about college sports in the US and inspiring other athletes to start their own journey. At the same time, it helps us stay connected with our athletes and showcase real, personal experiences. Linn has done exactly that, she shares her story with honesty, motivates others, and truly embodies what Keystone Sports is all about. That’s why she was the perfect choice for this year’s Engagement Reward.”

Wrapping Up Four Days of Showcase Magic

As the tennis showcase came to a close, we at Keystone Sports extend our warmest thanks to everyone who made this event possible. To the players who brought their passion and talent to the courts, the families who supported them throughout the entire event, and the college coaches who shared their time and expertise – your participation created an unforgettable showcase!

Stefan Krämer, Head of Events at Keystone Sports, commented:

“We’ve experienced an incredible four-day event at our amazing site at RTHC Leverkusen. It fills us with pride to see almost 100 players from 18 different nations coming together, showcasing their skills, networking, and gaining valuable insight into US college tennis. More than 150 coaches from all conferences followed the distinguished matchplay either in-person or online, creating countless direct contacts between players and coaches. These numbers highlight the huge impact of the Keystone Sports Tennis Showcase in Germany on international recruiting.”

A huge thanks also go to our partners and the entire Keystone Sports team who worked behind the scenes to bring the 11th edition of the Keystone Sports College Tennis Showcase to life. The energy, connections, and opportunities created over these four days remind us why we do what we do.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s tennis showcase and helping even more athletes take their next step towards college tennis in the US!

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About the author

Paulina Romo

Paulina Romo, SEO Manager at Keystone Sports, holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and has a background in equestrian sports, specializing in dressage. Shaped by international experience gained from work and studies in Sweden, South Korea, Germany, and Spain, Paulina brings a diverse blend of marketing skills and perspectives to her role.