LOS ANGELES – An acclaimed performance coach for many of the world’s top professional tennis players, Rodney Marshall has been named volunteer assistant coach for UCLA women’s tennis, head coach Stella Sampras Webster announced Friday.
“We are so excited to have ‘Rocket Rod’ join our Bruin coaching staff and work with the players on our team,” said Sampras Webster. “His wealth of experience with some of the best men’s and women’s tennis players on the pro tour, along with his unique knowledge of both the game of tennis and strength and conditioning are unparalleled.”
Marshall joins the Bruins after spending the last five years in Orlando, Fla., where he worked with standout Americans Madison Keys, Caty McNally and Alison Riske-Armitraj. He has overseen strength and conditioning, nutrition and injury prevention for Keys, whose WTA singles ranking recently reached a 2022-best No. 17.
From 2009-2018, Marshall served as lead national strength and conditioning coach for USTA Player Development, spearheading strength and conditioning efforts for top American players out of the National Training Centers in Orlando and Carson, Calif. He also assisted with nutrition, sports medicine and injury prevention.
Marshall’s time at the USTA also afforded him the opportunity to manage strength and conditioning programs for multiple United States Davis Cup teams under captains Patrick McEnroe and Jim Courier. Among the American men who have been guided by Marshall are Mardy Fish, John Isner, Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and current ATP World No. 12 Taylor Fritz. Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis also worked under Marshall’s tutelage.
Marshall has also aided in the development of numerous top-100 American women, including, but not limited to, Claire Liu, Christina McHale and Sloane Stephens.
A graduate of Florida State University in 2001, Marshall has held a consulting role in the Seminoles’ athletic department. He possesses certifications from USA Track & Field and USA Weightlifting, among other governing bodies.
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