Q&A with Mat Cloer
Driving Player Development through Data DrivenInsights Across the Entire Pathway
Mat Cloer – Sr. Manager Performance Analytics and Coaching Education USTA Player Development
Mat Cloer’s journey in the world of tennis is a testament to his dedication and expertise across various levels of the sport. An accomplished collegiate player at Florida State University, Mat was a two-time ACC Player of the Year and an All-American. Growing up as the son of a coach with a growth mindset fostered Mat’s eagerness to improve his craft as both a teacher and a coach.
Starting in the private sector, Mat honed his skills in developing players’ character and talent, with several of his athletes going on to win prestigious tournaments such as the Orange Bowl and Kalamazoo. His transition to college coaching saw him make significant contributions at the collegiate level, successfully guiding athletes through the competitive landscape of college tennis.
With USTA Player Development, Mat expanded his knowledge and experience, moving into the professional circuit, where his data-driven approach has set him apart as a distinguished coach.
Q&A WITH MAT CLOER
Q: How did your experience with USTA Player Development prepare you to help collegiate athletes transition to professional tennis, and what were some of the challenges you faced in this role?
My love for tennis, learning, and helping players improve is what drives me. Along my coaching journey, many influential people and coaches have shaped my path, but my time at USTA Player Development has been instrumental in refining my coaching philosophy. Working with young athletes, I learned the importance of building a strong foundational skill set in all areas that can be expanded as they transition to higher levels of play.
One of the challenges was ensuring these athletes stayed adaptable and open to adding more tools to their games—whether it’s developing weapons, defensive skills, or improving technical abilities—as they moved from college to professional tennis. Every athlete is unique, with their own strengths and weaknesses.
I believe the art of coaching lies in truly understanding the player you’re working with—how they learn and process information—then figuring out the best plan to get them from point A to point B. For some players, you need to put them in situations that address their deficiencies without them even realizing it, often by incorporating it into drills focused on their strengths while subtly creating conditions for improvement. Other players can handle a more direct approach to addressing areas of focus without overthinking. It all depends on the individual.
Q: How did you incorporate data and analytics into your coaching strategies to elevate your players’ performance, and what were the key metrics you focused on?
Data and analytics have been crucial in my coaching strategies. Even the basics of just holding the racket generate data—one slight bevel adjustment on the grip can have a significant effect on the ball’s spin and speed, which in turn influences how the opponent moves and reacts, which is ultimately what matters most. Whether I was working with young juniors using video to capture their technique, or with Mackie and other pros where we had access to high-quality Hawkeye data, we used that data to create customized benchmarks, particularly around Mackie’s serve and return +1 patterns.
I like to begin by looking at key performance indicators from a high-level perspective. I typically assess the percentage of service holds and breaks, who won the battle of second serves, return percentage, and how much pressure my player applied by moving forward. From there, I break things down further to identify the specific factors behind any underperformance in a particular area.
This targeted approach allows me to make more informed decisions, ultimately enhancing the athlete’s overall performance.
Q: You’ve been known to use data to structure efficient practices tailored to a player’s game. Can you explain how you utilized data to improve Mackie’s serve and return patterns, and what specific benchmarks you focused on during his training?
For Mackie, we focused on quantifiable benchmarks, such as the percentage of forehands vs. backhands he was hitting with his +1 and the percentage of points he was winning and losing. By consistently tracking these metrics, we could identify patterns and areas for improvement. This also gave Mackie much more clarity and purpose in how he would use his serve to set up his +1 balls. The stats not only provided clarity but also helped him maintain a process-focused mindset, especially during big moments in matches.
Implementing drills that mirrored competitive scenarios allowed Mackie to refine his techniques and build confidence in his serve and return game. When we first started this process, I fed him +1 patterns from the basket so he could get comfortable in a more controlled environment. This gradually gave him the confidence to start executing in live-ball and match-play scenarios.
Q: How did you use data to create accountability as a coach and ensure that your players were held responsible for their development and progress?
Accountability is key in any coaching relationship, but trust must be developed first. The trust between a coach and player is crucial, and using analytics and match data can help a coach reinforce lessons with factual information. When a player sees why something is important or not, it helps build trust and buy-in. Sharing data with players is a great tool for setting clear, measurable goals and tracking progress over time. This transparency ensures that players are aware of their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment to their development. These benchmarks also hold me accountable as a coach, creating a dual accountability structure between player and coach.