About Us

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Matthew Simons has served as the head coach of the University of Puget Sound men’s and women’s tennis teams since 2018. Under his guidance, the program has seen remarkable transformation, with multiple players earning All-Northwest Conference honors, reflecting the high level of talent and competitiveness fostered within the team. 

Simons’ coaching journey is rooted in a strong foundation of personal success. Ranked and competing in USTA sectionals and zonal competitions since the age of 11…At North Thurston High School he finished 5th in state 2 years in a row…He played collegiate tennis at Pacific Lutheran University under the legendary coach Mike Benson, where he contributed to winning multiple conference championships. Individually, he made his mark by reaching the second round in both singles and doubles at the NAIA National Championships.

A strong advocate for mental toughness, Simons emphasizes the importance of mental performance in his coaching philosophy. He authored several books, including "The Mentally Tough Tennis Player” and "The Field Guide for Balance in a World of Chaos" which provide valuable insights and strategies for athletes striving to improve their performance by creating customized personal mental toughness plans. 

Still actively competing, Simons holds a world ranking on the ITF Masters Tour and in 2024 was a finalist at the Level 2 Oregon State Open. 

His extensive experience includes working with ATP Tour Sense Arena, collaborating with professional players, academies, and universities to improve mental performance. In addition, he has served as a head pro and worked with Nike, Dunlop, Tourna, Mizuno, and Wilson while running numerous tennis camps around the country. 

With a focus on both athletic and personal development, Coach Matthew Simons is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence within the University of Puget Sound tennis program, equipping his athletes with the skills and mindset necessary for success both on and off the court. 

Work directly with NCAA head coach and author Matthew Simons to create your customized mental toughness plan based on the Balance Blueprint from his book, "The Mentally Tough Tennis Player." 

Tennis is a mental game—once you master your strokes, the challenge lies in optimizing your mindset. Many athletes struggle to take that next step, but with my proven system, you can reprogram your mindset like a computer…empowering you to maximize your potential both on and off the court.

When you book your first 30 minute or longer session with me, you will receive a copy of "The Mentally Tough Tennis Player," an on-court strategy guide and journal designed to transform your mental toughness. This resource includes journal prompts to track your mental progress throughout the season and a template to develop your personal mental toughness plan, covering self-talk, point-reset techniques, mindfulness, and visualization.

The journey to becoming a mentally tough tennis player involves embracing balance and understanding the crucial connection to self-worth. My BALANCE blueprint provides a roadmap for your mental toughness plan:

B - Break out of your negative mindset

A - Adjust your reactions

L - Live in the moment

A - Acceptance 

N - Newton’s 3rd Law 

C - Create your new mindset

E - Envision the mentally tough version of yourself

Having competed since the age of 9, I bring a wealth of experience to my coaching: I am currently ranked on the ITF Masters Tour with a career high of 271 in the world. I finished 5th in state twice at North Thurston High School and played at Pacific Lutheran University, contributing to multiple conference championships while reaching the second round at the NAIA National Championships in both singles and doubles. 

As a strong advocate for mental performance, I emphasize that true mental toughness requires a personal connection to self-worth and a conscious shift in mindset. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together and elevate your game—starting today!

The World Might Be in Chaos, But You Don't Need to Be.

If you have everything you want, but you still feel unhappy, the problem lies within your mindset. Stop blaming your circumstances - your family, job, partner, or the world around you. The truth is, you are in complete control of how you experience your life.

The issue is that you weren't given the tools to tackle the daily grind of modern life and create balance in your world. Your mindset is the steering wheel for your emotions, reactions, health, and even your success or failure. Until you inject balance into your mindset, you'll continue to feel like you're running on a hamster wheel, no matter the chaos in the world.

This field guide was created just for you if you believe you're capable of more than what today is providing, but you don't know where to start. Discover how to take back inner control and master your mental performance, no matter what challenges you face. It's time to break free from the cycle of unhappiness and start living the life you truly desire.