Mark Bey assists in coaching Team USA at Davis Cup Qualifier USA vs Ukraine

As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re cheering on advocates of tennis who spend countless hours promoting the sport we all love. These game-changers reach deep into our communities, impacting players from every generation. USTA Chicago spoke with Mark Bey, the director of the Championship Training Academy at Glenview Tennis Club, who recently returned from Lithuania where he was an assistant coach for Team USA during the Davis Cup Qualifier USA vs Ukraine. “It was really fun working with the guys,” stated Bey. Read more about Mark Bey—and his advice for Chicago’s newest and next biggest tennis stars!

Multi-Grand Slam titlists and twin brothers, Bob and Mike Bryan, have led the United States Davis Cup team—with Bob Bryan as head coach—since March 2023. “I’ve known the Bryan brothers since they were 12,” said Bey. “Met them at the Copper Bowl.”

“Who knew I was going to be good at coaching? I didn’t know,” said Bey.

Early on in Bey’s life, he—like many other coaches—was on a different career path. “Tennis was not the original plan,” he said. “I grew up on the west side of Chicago. Pretty tough neighborhood to grow up in.” If it weren’t for his aunt who played tennis, Bey might not have picked up a racquet in the first place. He was involved in other pastimes—basketball, baseball, Boy Scouts—and by the time Bey started to play tennis, he was almost done with high school. 

You see, Bey graduated from high school early at the age of 16 and shortly after he attended DePaul University. “I had a very short playing career,” said Bey. “I worked very hard and became nationally ranked. I was able to get a full tennis scholarship to DePaul playing under George Lott. I got to play. Had a great experience and got a great education. I was on pace to go on and become a lawyer.”

Bey had an epiphany, however, at McFetridge Sports Center, when a childhood mentor of his, Scott Suloway, gave him a job as a coach and Bey’s students showed success. “I said no to law, and yes to tennis.” 

Bey sees the positive impact he’s had on juniors over his career. “These kids start at a young age. They go and have these college experiences and become great people. They’re making contributions. Then they chime back to tell you about all the life lessons that they learned through tennis.” 

Bey became a coach in 1991. 33 years later, he has 13 high school seniors in his program. 11 are going to play college tennis; nine of them at D1 schools and two of them at D3 colleges.

“You have to understand the journey.” Bey knows the ever-present role that rankings play inside the minds of young athletes today. But Bey believes in a process-oriented approach to training, not outcome-obsessed. “It’s extremely difficult to do. You have to be willing to do the work each and every day. And it’s supposed to be joyful. You’re supposed to really like the sport and whistle while you work.”

The United States Davis Cup team, Bey said, spent a lot of time enjoying the process and bonding. 

“To adjust the line from a famous television show, ‘Everybody loves Chris!’” Bey said about Davis Cup newbie, Chris Eubanks. “He’s infectious, gregarious, curious. He loves to talk shop and stats and learn and grow. He even sent me a nice note this morning.” Bey had something kind to say about all of the Davis Cup team members.

“Taylor Fritz was an introverted guy but really insightful. Very keen tennis mind. Sebastian Korda was very natural. He learned how to play cards with the team. I was teaching him how to play Hearts and we were competing that way. Rajeev Ram was incredibly focused and driven,” Bey said. Mark Bey has known Rajeev Ram for a long time, since Ram was 12 years old, visiting Midwest training camps Bey coached for. Then there’s Austin Krajicek. “Like a puppy dog. Like a sponge. Just trying to gain as much information and learning as often as he could. I think all of the players had their own unique styles and they all blended together. Bob did a great job captaining the group.”

Another triumph through tennis.

Mark Bey was just 16 years old when he drove to Jackson, Mich. alone, driving a car he proudly paid for with his own money. And he played at a tournament without his parents there; he booked a hotel room and set out to win on his own—Bey even found warm-up partners. Satisfyingly, Bey won the tournament and he made the long drive back playing his favorite music. His trophy in the passenger seat. “I remember that like yesterday,” Bey said reminiscing.

Remember Bey’s aunt who taught him how to play tennis? 

“She is 84 years old now,” said Bey. “She was very happy to watch the Davis Cup and see all of the different things that have been going on in my tennis career.”

As for coaching, Mark Bey is proudest of his induction into the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Midwest Division Hall of Fame.

Bey had loved ones and the Bryan brothers there to support him. In 2022, he won the USTA Chicago Coach of the Year Award, and the following year received the Cap Leighton Teaching Professional Award from USTA Midwest.

For decades, Bey has taught some of the most talented tennis players, giving back to Chicago and promoting tennis, with one family coming to Bey’s mind during Black History Month. 

“I worked very closely with a family of three daughters,” said Bey. “The Minor Family.” Bey explained how each member had a role to play, creating a tennis community in Chicago and beyond, with Dad, Kevin Minor, at the forefront. 

And when Brienne Minor (the youngest daughter) was 11 years old, Bey took her to a tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio. She lost. After the match, Bey said, it was obvious to him: Minor wanted to lose. She hoped to become friends with her opponent who she wanted as a potential doubles partner. She even wanted to get ice cream with the girl after their match.

So Bey did what Bey does best. He taught.

“I had this discussion with her about, ‘You can be a great competitor. You’re allowed to beat people and they’re still going to like you and respect you.’”

After that, Bri Minor went on to win local and national titles. After that, she played DI at the University of Michigan; she became the first African American woman to ever win the NCAA Women’s Singles title. Nationally she represented the United States at the US Open where she played Ons Jabeur in the first round.

It has been an incredible journey for Mark Bey, from playing tennis to becoming one of the country’s greatest coaches. “It’s been rewarding in so many different ways. In coaching you have a lot of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards,” said Bey. “To see the type of impact you have on young people… It’s the daily, ‘Aha!’ moments when you teach someone something new and they learn and they progress. You see them gain confidence and they become successful human beings.”