Chris Peck

chrispeck.usptapro.com Chris Peck lives in Smyrna, Ga., and is employed as head pro at Glenridge Walk apartments and pro Reflex Tennis in Atlanta. Chris also has worked at Dempsey Communications as a public speaking trainer for three years. He helps students master their fears of speaking to large audiences. He also is an actor working in a variety of industries throughout Atlanta. In addition to being a USPTA pro, he has been a member of the USTA for six years. Chris played tennis at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., for one semester as a freshman. That year, Eckerd was ranked No. 8 in the country for Division II. He then transferred to Oglethorpe University, where he played singles and doubles the remainder of his college years. Chris has recently started competing again. He reached the semifinals of the last two tournaments he entered and is maintaining a ranking around No. 25 in the state for men’s open singles. Chris became a full-time pro in May 2006. “Tennis is what I am passionate about,” he says. “It is a game that has given me so much, and I just want to give back through new students. I love teaching. I take pride in watching a player develop. “I enjoy working one on one with a player, trying to see the problem and then working together on a definite solution. I feel I excel at explanation. I can break down strokes and strategy and clearly explain the correct approach.” In June through August 2006, Chris was tennis director at a camp in New York. The population was 210 children between the ages of 7 and 16. In the beginning, the tennis players were few and far between. By the end, there was a wait out the door to get on a court. “That, for me, was a defining moment,” Chris recalls. “I introduced the game to them for the first time and made it fun for them. They all now have skills and knowledge that they will take with them for the rest of their lives. I showed them that tennis is a fun game that they can play forever. “As far as dreams go, I would like to continue teaching for another five to 10 years while also pursuing my acting career,” Chris says. “After some time in both fields I would like to combine the two and give broadcasting a try. That for me is a great goal to have down the road. “My entire family is hooked on tennis,” he says. “My grandfather is currently ranked No. 5 in Georgia in men’s 70 singles. And my younger cousin is playing No. 1 for his high school team and is ranked No. 40 in Georgia in men’s open singles.