Ian Griffin's Tennis Academy IGTA

About Us

William Henry Griffin was a prolific writer, quoted in the Congressional Record; and a classic small businessman (''Hell, I don't have clients, I only have customers ! '') He moved his family from Michigan to Toronto to establish his printing company, The Griffin Agency.
My dad J.W. ran with it, and published the only one of famed Russian hockey coach Anatali Tarasov's books to appear in English (1969).
And my brothers Tony and Andrew ran harder, establishing a clientele of high end law firms and brokerage houses.

I was raised to participate in the family business -- and I didn't.
But I also was raised to get a good education -- and I did: University of Toronto Law School, where I played Varsity tennis and squash.

After a few years competing, getting to practice wth the great Rod Laver, even dabbling as a model (!), I took over as Tennis Director under contract with City of Beaumont Parks.
It's where I've belonged -- as a tennis-teaching professional on a public court.
With time also at wonderful Old Money clubs, not least the Newport Casino est. 1880..

Ian Griffin's Tennis Academy promoted tournaments on the USTA Circuit, starting the very first year 1979, IGTA joined the USTA in 1980.
I attracted enough attention to be appointed Head Scout at the USTA's Center in Houston in 1988, the first year of the USTA's Player Development Program.

These days, I sell equipment by order and coach seasonally overseas.

“Cooler than a fan. Best tennis coach I ever had.” — Eric Dmitrenko Jul..27, 2025

“A constant source of motivation.” — Don Braugh Aug.14. 2024