Former NCAA Division I Head Coach – University of Idaho
Babar Akbar
NCAA Division I Head Coach, Big Sky Coach of the Year, and international tennis development expert with 15+ years building champions at every level.
Tennis Coach · Napa · Tennis
Starting Price
$50.00
Credentials
Highlights
- Led University of Idaho women's tennis to back-to-back Big Sky Conference Championships, posting a 20-2 conference record in two seasons
- Named Big Sky Women's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2018, voted by coaching peers following an NCAA Tournament appearance
- Part of a historic achievement: one of the first siblings to both earn Big Sky Coach of the Year honors in the same sport
- Ranked No. 2 junior player in Pakistan (2001) and reached No. 12 nationally in singles; became Pakistan National Doubles Champion in 2015
- Founded the Total Tennis Center in Pakistan, pioneering grassroots youth tennis development in Islamabad
- Coached on three continents — North America, the Middle East (Dubai), and Asia (Pakistan), including work with Pakistan's Davis Cup players
Teaching Philosophy
My coaching rests on three things: a clear plan, honest feedback, and purposeful repetition. Every player I work with, from a first-time junior to a college recruit, starts with the same question: where are you now, and where do you want to go? From there we build a plan with measurable steps, so you always know what you're working on and why. I give direct feedback, because that's what makes players improve. I set goals that stretch you just enough to grow, and I back them with structured drills that turn good habits into automatic ones. I've coached on three continents, from grassroots programs in Pakistan to an NCAA Division I program. I've seen how players develop in very different environments, and I know what it takes to compete at the college level. I use that perspective to spot what's holding your game back and to build a path that fits you.
About the coach
I'm Babar Akbar, a tennis coach with over 15 years of experience across three continents, working with players at every level — from complete beginners and junior development programs to NCAA Division I collegiate athletes.
My tennis roots run deep. I grew up in Islamabad, Pakistan, where I was ranked the No. 2 junior player in the country. I went on to play collegiately at Charleston Southern University, graduating in 2007, and later became Pakistan's National Doubles Champion in 2015. After college, I began coaching junior players along the U.S. East Coast before taking my expertise internationally to Dubai and back home to Pakistan, where I founded the Total Tennis Center and served as Director of Tennis at the Headstart School — building grassroots programs that introduced a new generation of youth to the sport.
At the University of Idaho, I served as Head Coach of the NCAA Division I women's tennis program, where I led the team to back-to-back Big Sky Conference Championships, compiled a remarkable 20-2 conference record, guided the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, and was honored as the Big Sky Women's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2018 — voted by my peers across the conference.
I also contributed to Pakistan's Davis Cup program, bringing a truly international dimension to my coaching background.
Today, I work with players of all ages and goals. Whether you're just learning the game, developing your junior career, or aiming to compete at the college level, I'll build an individualized plan focused on clear goals, measurable progress, and the kind of high standards that bring lasting results.
Reviews
No reviews yet
Purchase Options
Ready to start
Monthly Coaching with Babar
4 Online Lessons
2 Zoom Lessons- 2 x 30min Zoom Lessons/mo
- • 4 video-review lessons per month, each with a recorded breakdown and personalized drills
- • 2 live 30-minute Zoom session per month
- • Messaging between lessons
- Benefits:
- • A clear monthly focus tailored to your game
- • Steady improvement on your main strokes
- • Accountability and a practice plan between sessions
The Stroke Breakdown Pack, 3 Video Lessons, 3 Zoom sessions
3 Online Lessons3 Zoom Lessons- • 3 video-review lessons, 3 zoom calls
- • A recorded video analysis of each clip you send
- • A personalized drill with every lesson
- • Follow-up questions by message
- Benefits:
- • A clearer plan for your game
- • Cleaner mechanics on your main stroke
- • A practice routine you can run on your own
- Monthly Coaching with Babar (plan, $115/month to students)
Not sure yet? Start free
Try Babar before you buy. No payment, no app to install.
Free 15-Min Kick-off Call
Book a free 15-minute call to discuss your goals and how we can work together. This is a great way for us to get to know each other and see if we're a good fit!
Schedule Consultation