Honesty, Discipline, and Love for the Game: Pavlo Bednarzh, MatchPoint NYC

When he steps onto the court, the atmosphere shifts. Even the most restless kids pause for a moment — it’s as if Pavlo Bednarzh can command attention without saying a word. His voice is firm, his movements confident, and his eyes radiate the energy of a man who has lived and breathed tennis his entire life.

The Beginning: From Lviv to the Love of the Game

“I started when I was six,” Pavlo recalls. “There was a tennis club across from my kindergarten in Lviv. I just walked in one day, sat down, watched — and that was it. I was hooked. From that day, I spent every day on the court.”

His first coach was Vera Ivanovna Yaremkevich — a former Soviet national player, “a real Cossack woman with character,” he smiles. Under her guidance, Pavlo realized tennis was much more than technique — it was about fight, endurance, and character.

From Lviv to New York: The Journey of a Coach

After graduating from the Sports Institute and playing among the top thirty in the Soviet Union, Pavlo discovered early on that his calling was to teach. He began coaching in Lviv at the age of twenty, later moving to Poland, where he worked as a personal coach and a junior national team trainer.

Over twenty years ago, he came to the United States — and soon after, fate led him to MatchPoint NYC, where he’s been coaching for more than a decade.

“I’ve been here since the beginning,” he says. “I saw the club grow — new courts, new kids, new faces. People came and went, but I stayed. And I don’t regret it.”

He laughs, calling himself “old-school tough.”

“Maybe I’m the strictest coach, but I’m also the most honest. I don’t promise miracles — I teach hard work.”

Pavlo Bednarzh’s Philosophy: “Honesty Above All”

What makes you different from other coaches?
“Honesty,” he answers without hesitation. “People appreciate that I tell the truth.”

For Pavlo, sincerity builds trust between a coach and a child. But honesty is only one pillar of his philosophy — the other is discipline.

“Talent is one in a hundred,” he explains. “Discipline and consistency — that’s what brings results. Even if you’re not naturally gifted, but you show up every day, step by step — you’ll grow.”

What’s the right age to start tennis?
“Five,” he says. “Later is possible, but harder. It all depends on the child — and on how flexible the coach is.”
He smiles: “A real coach must be flexible — and love what he does. I’m lucky — I love my job. That’s rare.”

Nika and Thomas: The Kids Who Inspire

Pavlo speaks with special warmth about two of his long-time students — Nika Matulska and Thomas Walsh. Both started training with him at MatchPoint NYC when they were just four years old.

“We started from zero,” he recalls. “Thomas trained with me until he was fourteen — he reached the top 20 in the U.S. for his age group and won several L3 and L4 tournaments. His mom made a smart decision — to think not just about tennis, but about his future and college.

Nika played in the U.S. Nationals under 12 and under 14, and she’s also in the top 20 now. I’m really proud of both of them.”

He pauses for a moment, his voice softening: “They’ve gone from their first steps on court to serious matches. For me, it’s not just about results — it’s proof that consistency and belief in a child truly pay off.”

On Parents, Support, and Real Success

How important is family support in a child’s success?

“Right after the coach — it’s the most important thing,” says Pavlo. “Both emotionally and financially. Tennis isn’t cheap, but without parental support, it doesn’t work.”

For Pavlo, real success isn’t just about trophies — it’s about loving the process.

“Sometimes parents want their child to become a champion right away. I tell them — let the kid try. The key is to keep their interest alive. Encourage them, praise them, give them time.”

MatchPoint NYC: The Perfect Start for Young Players

Today, MatchPoint NYC is more than a sports club. It’s a place where future champions are born — and strong personalities are shaped.

Under the guidance of coaches like Pavlo Bednarzh, children gain not only technical skill but also life lessons — discipline, responsibility, confidence, and belief in themselves. For hundreds of kids in Brooklyn, MatchPoint NYC has become the best possible start — a place where tennis turns into a lifelong passion.

A Message to Parents

What would you say to parents who are still unsure about tennis for their kids?

“Don’t overthink. Just go. Try it,” he says.

It’s a simple phrase, but it captures Pavlo’s essence. He’s a man of few words — and even fewer empty promises. His formula for success is clear: honesty, discipline, and love for what you do.

On court, he’s strict — but behind that firmness lies a big heart. And when his students, once four-year-old beginners, now step confidently onto the court as young athletes, Pavlo just smiles: “That’s why I’m here,” he says quietly.