Since 2011
TBT has excelled as a fun program for women who seriously want to learn fundamental tennis skills in a positive and supportive environment. TBT is designed to bring women onto the tennis court who would otherwise spend their lives not knowing the thrill, challenge and empowerment that the sport of tennis delivers.
Participants are grouped according to skill levels – novice to advanced intermediate with a max of 4 women per class, participants ‘graduate’ through the skill levels as they build their skills. Under the guidance of TBT’s dedicated team of experienced certified teaching professionals, women find a supportive and encouraging environment as they aspire to their best game.
Meet The Coaches
Juan Miguel Soler
Julio Avila
Rai Medina
Carlos Girola
Aliona Ladutska
Ricardo Cookson
Hermis Aguiar
TBT Pro Hermis Aguiar taught us the fundamentals of tennis for many years and won the hearts of all who studied under him. A true professional, he embodied the courage and respect that the sport is known for. Since his sudden passing in October 2024, we miss his wisdom and infinite patience every day.
ACKNOLEDGEMENTS
Rebecca Boyce
Before she ever held a certificate or stood at the helm of a successful program, Rebecca was an 11-year-old girl swinging a wooden racket with heart and hope. Born before Title IX reshaped the athletic landscape for women, her early years were shaped more by determination than by structured instruction. But that never stopped her. She pieced together her game over time—through the wisdom of local coaches, long days at tennis camps, and spirited league matches that taught her as much about grit as they did about technique.
Rebecca’s journey eventually brought her back to the classroom, where she earned a Master’s degree in Sports Management, focusing her studies on the challenges and opportunities for women in sport. From there, the next step was inevitable: she earned her PTR certification and, in 2011, founded True Beginner Tennis for Women—a program built not just on skill-building, but on empathy, empowerment, and access.
Partnering with the City of Miami Beach, Rebecca’s vision blossomed. What started as a personal mission has now introduced hundreds of women to tennis—many for the first time. From novices to aspiring competitors, her students enter a judgment-free space where instruction is patient, technique is honored, and joy is part of the curriculum.
Tennis gave her confidence. She built TBT to return the favor.
Betsy R. Smith, PhD
It’s essential to recognize the mentor behind the movement—Dr. Betsy Smith, whose quiet strength and steadfast guidance helped shape what is now True Beginner Tennis for Women. Without her encouragement and example, TBT might never have found its footing. Thank you, Betsy.
A PTR-certified professional with over three decades of impact in the tennis world, Betsy’s journey spans junior, collegiate, and professional play. Her career began alongside legendary coach Nick Bollettieri at All-American Sports, and her leadership roles have included Director of Tennis at both public and private clubs across Miami, including Ron Ehmann Tennis Center and Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club.
Betsy’s contributions reach beyond the court. She has served on the USTA’s Florida Appeals and Grievance Committee, acted as a District Head Verifier for the National Tennis Rating Program, and was honored as one of America’s top 200 teaching professionals. In 2012, she was named PTR Member of the Year—a recognition of both her technical mastery and her deep advocacy for women in tennis.
Her pursuit of knowledge led her to earn a doctorate in Sport Management, and today, she continues to serve others as a board member for three nonprofit sport and recreation organizations from her home on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
TBT exists because she believed it could.
Personalized Lessons for Every Skill Level
Our tennis lessons for beginners are tailored to meet the needs of each participant, from novice to advanced intermediate levels. With a maximum of four women per class, each participant gets individual attention and support as they progress through the skill levels. We’re here to support your journey every step of the way.