Ron Shields met the two most important people in his life through tennis.
The Longboat Key tennis pro met his wife while she was learning to play, and Shields’ best man was his doubles partner starting in 1998.
As Shields, 62, now enters a new stage of his career, he hopes to bring people together through tennis so it can impact their lives like it did his own.
“Tennis creates an environment where you can develop and maintain long-term friendships,” Shields said.
After retiring from tennis coaching, Shields published his first book, “Smart Doubles,” in August. It covers his philosophy on teaching recreational tennis players how to play doubles tennis.
“The main goal of the book is to generate more interest and enthusiasm for tennis and specifically doubles play,” Shields said. “’Smart Doubles’ is not just a book. It is a program that can be used to create more access to tennis, more enthusiasm for tennis and opportunities for more people to learn, improve, excel and benefit.
“Smart Doubles” is a proven program that Shields developed while working in Atlanta. It’s for new or old recreational tennis players. He uses techniques that force specific shots, positioning and strategies into muscle memory.
“Ron’s Riffs,” memorable phrases that Shields thought of that describe different plays, are what he is best known for. Shields emphasizes that his program will help people think less while they play and enjoy the game more by relying on muscle memory and practice. His book is a guide to discovering his thought process.
Shields’ methods allow people to open up to the social aspect of the sport, especially when participating in doubles. Engaging in a game of doubles gives people the opportunity to bond while prioritizing physical activities.
“My goal with this book is to impact the community because ‘Smart Doubles’ is a program to empower clubs and facilities and grow tennis in the community,” Shields said. “I have specific clinics and specific things to do that will invite people to make it social and make it interesting and fun.”
Ron Shields and Pat Halstead teach at a women’s clinic in Venice, Florida
Shields, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, said tennis was his favorite activity growing up.
In high school, he played varsity tennis and was ranked in the top 10 in boys’ singles matches. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1983 and taught tennis part-time to support himself through college. In 1986, he continued teaching and was certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association in 1992.
Shields moved to Atlanta in 1993, where he taught for 11 years. In the summer of 2004, he moved to the Sarasota area and began working at the Colony Beach and Tennis Resort on Longboat Key. Shields taught on Longboat for 19 years.
Claudiu Retean, Warren Girle, Keith King and Ron Shields at the 2021 Battle of Pros at Longboat Key Tennis Center
Last June, Shield received the USPTA Professional of The Year award in Florida. He has since retired from coaching and teaching to focus on the next step in his career: becoming an author.
“Pickleball has invaded the courts and we have nothing against pickleball, but it’s a bit like tennis has deteriorated a bit because it wasn’t managed properly by the clubs and others,” said Brenda Shields, Ron’s wife. “I think that’s what really drew his heart to the book. He wants to bring the spark back to tennis.
Ron Shields began writing his second book titled “Life Enrichment Begins with Love.” He will explain how he started his journey in tennis and how it made him the person he is today.
Ron and Brenda are also the Sarasota Directors for Tennis for Fun. In partnership with Special Olympics, they host free weekly clinics for children and adults with disabilities.
Ron Shields hands a ball to Bryanna Schmidt during a Tennis for Fun practice in November 2021.
Shields will host book signings for “Smart Doubles” at the Longboat Key Market on December 11, January 15, February 12 and April 15 at the Town Center Green.
“When I started tennis, what motivated me were the people who supported me and allowed me to become a tennis player and a person as well,” Shields said. “Tennis taught me self-love, unconditional love and compassion. My new book will address the theme of love from my perspective and how it came about through tennis and relationships. Tennis is a lifestyle sport that draws on so many different things. I was lucky enough to get involved and succeed in excelling at tennis.
