Meet The Team

Dan Willman

Coach

Dan has been deeply immersed in every aspect of the tennis world—from grassroots development to elite-level performance. His extensive experience spans sponsorship programs, fundraising, facility development, and collaboration with coaches, national governing bodies, academies, and players at every level.
 

Over the years, Dan has played a pivotal role in shaping both local and national junior tennis structures. He’s managed high-performance facilities, led national training camps, and successfully launched two elite-level academies focused on player development.
 

A former professional player, Dan reached a career-high ATP ranking of No. 285 and was the No. 1 ranked player in New Zealand, representing his country in Davis Cup competition. Transitioning into coaching, Dan has worked with athletes from junior through professional levels across the globe.
 

In 2005–2006, he served as New Zealand’s National Coach and Selector for the U12 and U14 categories, leading the national team to an impressive 4th place finish at the World Junior Davis Cup in the Czech Republic.
 

Dan went on to found and direct Northwest High Performance Tennis in Kirkland, Seattle—one of the most successful junior tennis programs in the United States. Under his leadership, the academy produced six U.S. #1-ranked juniors, as well as a junior world No. 1 and No. 4. His players have won major international junior titles, including the Aegon Junior Championships (England) and Les Petits As (France), along with multiple ITF and NCAA titles and professional tournament victories.
 

In recognition of consistent excellence, the USTA named his program one of just five Certified Regional Training Centers nationwide. Dan was honored as the USTA Development Coach of the Year in 2010 and received a nomination to the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Coaching Awards, competing against all sports. In 2019, his academy earned the title of USTA High Performance Program of the Year.
 

Through his leadership, over 70 of Dan’s students have gone on to compete in the U.S. collegiate tennis system. His legacy is defined by a lifelong commitment to athlete development and a proven track record of excellence at every level of the sport.

Adam Clauson

Coach

Adam Clauson is a high-performance development coach with over 18 years of experience working with top junior players and elite tennis academies across the U.S.

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For 11 years, Adam coached at Northwest High Performance Tennis—a USTA-designated High Performance Training Center—where he helped developed some of the nation’s leading junior talent. During this time, he also served as a coach for USTA High Performance Camps in the Pacific Northwest and led the USTA Zonal Teams for three consecutive years.

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After relocating to California, Adam joined Advantage Tennis Academy as a development coach, further expanding his work with nationally-ranked juniors. He later became part of Tier 1 Performance from its inception, continuing his mission of helping athletes maximize their potential through elite training and mentorship.

Brendan Baar

Coach

Brendan’s passion for tennis was instilled at an early age, growing up in Southern California’s vibrant tennis community. His father was a local legend, and his family ran tennis facilities, immersing Brendan in the sport from childhood. Raised at the renowned Dent Tennis Academy, he developed his skills through hard work, determination, and a fierce love of competition.

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Brendan thrived in team environments, cultivating a culture of growth and appreciation both on and off the court. After a standout junior career, he earned a spot as a collegiate athlete at Weber State University, achieving a 12.6 UTR and competing on the ITF circuit.

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While Brendan still plays at an elite level, he has dedicated the past five years to coaching. He now works with top juniors, collegiate athletes, and touring professionals, helping them reach their highest potential.

Luke FitzSimons

Coach

With an outstanding background as a player and coach, Luke FitzSimons brings both passion and expertise to the court, helping you believe & achieve!

Luke FitzSimons is a former Division 1 collegiate tennis player and certified USPTA PRO 1 with over 25 years of professional teaching experience. He coaches players of all ages and levels, beginners to top level athletes. Luke provides a positive learning experience while emphasizing fun and inspiration along the way. His innovative ideas and methods are grounded in core fundamentals and personalized to each athlete's learning style and level. His success is in his players' smiles and eager pursuit of their tennis potential