Coaching Spotlight: Arcadi Edelman, MatchPoint NYC

Arcadi Edelman is a coach at MatchPoint NYC, but this isn’t just the story of a coach.

It’s the story of a man who still walks onto the court in New York every day, in sweltering 95-degree heat racket in hand, watching a child’s reaction as attentively as he did half a century ago.

A man who lived through war, survived evacuation and was forged in the Soviet sports system, who has persevered through that to raise a whole generation of champions.

Edelman speaks fast, always with a smile and a joke, but his words carry a solid core of wisdom. He comes from a generation that knew how to endure and work “at 100%.” He doesn’t believe in days off — not even on New Year’s as he has been known to gather his students on the holiday and offer training sessions.

“I live the lives of my students. And as long as I can hold a racket, I’ll step onto the court,” he said. “Because I want to unlock players’ potential and help them realize it.”

A Lifelong Journey: From Hockey to Tennis 

Born in Minsk, Edelman’s first passion was hockey. A tough, skilled player, he once clashed with his coach over tactics. After that conflict, and a serious injury, fate moved him onto a tennis court. At 15, he began training up to 10 hours a day.

“I didn’t want [to do] anything else but play tennis. I realized it was an individual sport, everything depends on you,” Edelman recalls. “I fought with everything I had — body, mind, and heart — to win.”

His coach in Kyiv noticed his natural gift for teaching:

“He trusted me to work with kids because he saw I had a knack for it,” said Edelman. “I didn’t think about money or status, I enjoyed the process and wanted to help children.”

From the USSR National Team to New York: Three Permits and One Dream

Edelman became a coach for the Soviet national junior team, leading five players into the world’s elite. When Americans offered a contract to his student Tatiana Ignatieva, a diplomatic marathon began.

In 1991, Edelman arrived in the U.S. with two students, Ignatieva and a young Max Mirnyi. He was invited under contract with the American company MatchPoint Promotions, a coincidence in name that would become symbolic, as years later he would continue his work at the MatchPoint NYC club.

A System Where the Eyes of a Child Matter Most

At MatchPoint NYC, Edelman trains kids of all, looking not only at their current skill but future potential:

“The best time to bring a child in is at three years old. Not because I want to make them a champion right away, but because that’s when it’s easiest to instill a love for sports, positivity, patience, and respect for others.”

Many of the club’s coaches are his former students. Edelman doesn’t just teach the game; he teaches resilience, leadership, dignity, and how to pass on the joy of training. His graduates thrive both in sports and in life, continuing to coach others using his methods.

“I care about more than technique, tactics, or fitness,” he says. “I care about strong character, mental toughness, and quick thinking. I want my students to become true individuals, not just athletes. I’m proud of how many have gone on to succeed in life!”

From Father to Daughter: Tennis as a Legacy

Edelman passed his love for tennis to the next generation: his daughter Anna. Growing up on the court, she became one of the best college players in the U.S., winning a US Open collegiate final.

Today, Anna coaches at McCarren Tennis Center in Williamsburg. He admits she has become not just his successor but an independent, powerful figure in the tennis world.

“I stayed in America for her, even when they asked me to return to Moscow,” Edelman said. “I couldn’t leave her alone.”

New Kids, New Trends

Tennis is not a cheap sport, but as he emphasizes, it offers huge life advantages — admission to top high schools and colleges, opportunities for prestigious education, and, most importantly, health.

Edelman says today’s kids are unique:

“They pick things up faster. They’re different. Maybe it’s the universe, maybe YouTube. But you can’t teach them like before, you have to adapt.”

He updates training methods, adds new drills, and draws from international experience. Right now, he is coaching many talented players.

“Kids inspire me. I run around the court in 90-degree heat and feel alive. Watching their progress is my fuel.”

For Edelman, it’s not just about teaching — it’s about understanding each child, seeing what excites them, and helping them grow.

At coaches’ meetings, he often speaks about the outstanding mentor Numrud Nino Muhatasov (pictured above), whose record in producing champions remains unmatched at MatchPoint, and who he embraces guidance from to help train the next wave of great players.

His Core Principles — and Advice for Parents

When choosing a coach, ask yourself: “How long have they been coaching? Have they developed top players? Do they love working with children? Do they live for their work?”

Edelman’s not afraid to use the word love. In fact, he believes it’s the key ingredient that passes from coach to student, and shortens the road to success.

He is a very positive person and tries to create an atmosphere of joy among coaches and club employees.

With over 40 years of coaching experience, he is not only a highly respected tennis coach but also a life coach and mentor to his students. His dedication, passion, and ability to inspire have shaped the careers of countless players. Edelman has trained five juniors who reached the #1 ITF ranking, including Tatiana Ignatieva, Anna Smashnova, Tatiana Putchek, Max Mirnyi, and Vladimir Voltchkow. Mirnyi went on to become a multiple Grand Slam champion in doubles, while Voltchkow achieved a semifinal finish at Wimbledon in singles.

Today, Edelman continues to bring his expertise and love for the game to a new generation of players, instilling in them both technical skill and a lifelong passion for tennis.