Pascal Collard Brings Mouratoglou Vision to Zephyrhills

May 13, 2025

Pascal Collard, CEO of the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Zephyrhills, helped cut the ribbon this spring on a state-of-the-art facility just north of Tampa. Situated on a sprawling campus, the Zephyrhills-based academy is the first of its kind in the United States under the Mouratoglou name—an expansion of the global brand built by renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

“We joined forces with Patrick and it’s a Patrick Mouratoglou Academy… If you look at the map — Hong Kong, Bali, and now Zephyrhills,” Collard said.

Before construction began, the area was undeveloped. “These were woods. There was nothing here. Not one house,” he recalled. “Everybody thought we were crazy.”

Above: Pascal Collard with his wife Gabriella Collard. Photo credit: Barry Herscovitch.

But the vision was clear: this wouldn't be just another tennis school—it would be a world-class, multi-sport training center with a commitment to quality over quantity. The facility includes 11 high-performance tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts, 5 padel courts, as well as beach tennis and volleyball courts. It also offers athletes access to a fitness center, massage therapy, and cryotherapy recovery services.

Unlike large-scale academies that enroll hundreds of players, Mouratoglou Zephyrhills intentionally limits enrollment to focus on individualized development.

“We don't want to be that big academy with 300 kids,” Collard emphasized. “What we believe is that you can have a lot of good coaches, but can you really have 50 great coaches? Probably not. We talked about it, and Patrick [Mouratoglou] says, hey, quality first.”

He continued: “Once you pass that amount, it’s getting very hard to control the quality.” Collard believes smaller numbers allow for a more tailored and effective training approach for each athlete.

Above: Ripping a backhand at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Zephyrhills. Photo credit: Barry Herscovitch.

The philosophy also challenges the fast-track mentality seen at many high-performance centers. Instead of rushing to win early trophies, the focus is on developing proper technique from the start.

“I think we are overcoaching sometimes technically... In Europe, the focus at a young age is not winning a trophy... it’s technique, technique, technique,” Collard said. “When you have to change a technical problem at 15 or 16, it’s so hard. Muscle memory is ingrained. You have to do 10,000 repetitions instead of 1,000 when you’re 6 years old.”

This long-term mindset isn’t limited to junior players. Collard envisions the academy as a place where competitive and recreational athletes—adults included—can improve together. “Part of the model for the complex is its multi-sport exposure. It helps athletes avoid burnout and become better competitors overall,” he noted.

A hallmark of the Zephyrhills academy is its holistic approach. By incorporating multiple racquet sports, the academy builds well-rounded players who develop adaptability, creativity, and versatility. At the same time, it keeps the training experience enjoyable, which helps sustain motivation and performance.

Above: A look at the entrance at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Zephyrhills. Photo credit: Barry Herscovitch.

While the Mouratoglou name carries global recognition, Collard is intent on shaping a distinct identity for the Florida-based academy. It’s about setting a new standard for tennis training in the U.S., with a philosophy rooted in character as much as technique.

“The first thing that I do is that I don’t watch the forehand. I don’t look at the backhand. I look at the personality of the player or the kid,” Collard said. That mindset is reflected throughout the academy, where athletes receive support not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

With an emphasis on quality coaching, individualized training, and a balanced approach to performance, the academy reflects a broader shift in tennis toward long-term growth over short-term results.

As Collard’s vision continues to take shape, the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Zephyrhills is transforming into a force redefining how tennis is taught and played in the United States.