James Collieson, the former Bermuda Davis Cup player, has achieved the International Tennis Association’s Certified Performance Specialist designation.

Collieson had to complete a competency-based educational curriculum, which ensures individuals who become certified have the knowledge and skills to train tennis athletes at all levels of the game.

The CTPS is considered the gold standard in the industry, and focuses on in-depth, evidence-based tennis-specific training research, which builds knowledge and skills when working with tennis players of all ages.

The ITPA is the worldwide education and certification organisation for trainers, coaches and specialists who are passionate about tennis-specific performance enhancement and injury prevention.

It offers three levels of certification: Tennis Performance Trainer, Certified Tennis Performance Specialist and Master Tennis Performance Specialist.

Dr Mark Kovacs, the ITPA executive director, said: “James has taken an important step in his career as a tennis performance specialist and has shown his dedication to tennis-specific knowledge, expertise and continuing education.

“Training tennis players requires specific knowledge about the unique movements and demands of tennis which is different to most other sports. The ITPA has the role of bringing the most credible information, backed by science, to educate and certify individuals who work on improving physical performance and/or preventing injuries.”