Henrik Wagner

It wasn’t until later in life that I realized that tennis is in my family’s blood. At the age of 4 years old, I started to play in Stockholm, Sweden after my father played and completed his whole life. After a dedicated junior career in Sweden, including playing ITF tournaments in Europe, I recall my father saying one day, “If you are good enough, you can go to the U.S. and play college tennis”. During this time, my father was able to work half time to support me training and traveling for tournaments. I was also fortunate to have a tennis mentor who had just come back from playing top College Tennis at University of Arkansas in the late 80’s. In addition to regular training programs, he would play with me at my club on a regular basis which got me to the next level.

In the early 90’s, I played at Foothill College in the SF Bay Area for legendary Tennis Coach Tom Chivington, where we won big titles. I would frequently practice with other top 50 ATP singles and doubles players that Tom also coached on the ATP Tour. Tom and Georgie Chivington were an incredible extended family to me. I still hang out with them and am grateful to have them around as Mentors and life coaches.

I played for University of Arizona in 1995 through 1997 on a full scholarship. The mid 90’s was an incredible experience with a very good NCAA Division I team. I was captain of the team, on the Student Athlete Advisory Board and I played 1 and 2 singles and 1 doubles against the Pac 10 guys who many of them later went on to top 50 ATP singles rankings. Our highlight was beating the Bryan Brothers at Stanford in front of coach Dick Gould and Tom Chivington who came to watch as well as a few singles wins against top 10 NCAA ranked players. Highest NCAA ranking was 65 in singles and 25 in doubles. These days I am a fan of the University of Arizona Tennis program as well as support their program financially and in spirit. I am also getting involved in helping and supporting ASU and other AZ Tennis Programs. Giving back is one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my life. Including getting my 9-year-old son Aston to get a window in time to see and hear about my memories while meeting college and professional tennis players.

After college tennis I played some pro tournaments, German club team and tournaments in France. I decided pretty quickly to pursue a career in business, which at the time it was the right decision. I am very passionate about giving back by playing with juniors, inspiring them to achieve more like my Arkansas pal did with me at a young age. And to help U.S. and global tennis communities to promote the sport and help develop the next generation of top tennis players.
I have spent 20 years in technology business development including the last few years in technology and business consulting running a large consulting practice. I am also leading and inspiring teams, which I still enjoy doing.

My Son Aston is now 9 years old and he has played tennis since he could walk. In the last 9-12 months he has found his passion and plays with a purpose while having a ton of fun. Nothing more rewarding to see your son develop the skills to compete and have the experience I have had learning, making friends, and seeing the world playing a sport getting on the right path in life.

In the last 8 to 9 years, I found a renewed interest to play more tennis, to be in better physical shape and compete with the best on a tennis court. It also helps that tennis technology in my opinion made some serious steps forward during that time. I play tennis or squash almost every day and really enjoy it.

In 2018-2019, a non-playing tennis friend of mine, who is a successful movie/tv/events producer, and I decided to bring tennis fun back to Scottsdale, AZ by creating Scottsdale Tennis Week in April 2019. With 4,000 attendees over a few days of hosting professional exhibitions, celebrity matches, attendee participation, kids’ development sessions and a social music scene with Carvana as our title sponsor. One of the days at the event was dedicated to a UofA vs ASU Alumni shootout raising funds for their programs. NBC sports summary of the event:https://youtu.be/EzXRkSBSrfg
We are working on bringing Scottsdale Tennis Week back in late 2021/early 2022. Making it larger, with more involvement, and with the idea of promoting tennis and charity causes including raising funds for ITA and local AZ Tennis College programs. We are working on collaborating with Gary Niebur of Stan Smith Events as an advisory partner.
My friends from growing up playing are now some of the top tennis professional and junior coaches in Sweden. As well as leaders of top tennis academies and successful tennis business executives including founder of RS tennis brand (Robin Soderling). As a result, I have realized there is an opportunity to give back to the next generation by creating a “bridge” between the U.S. and Swedish tennis. Getting top U.S. junior players to go to Sweden to play on red clay, learn and compete with top Swedish players and coaches. While at the same time getting top Swedish tennis coaches and players over to be hosted in the U.S. to train, compete in U.S. tennis, and also get exposed to college coaches. In September 2021, I will have one of Sweden’s top tennis coaches and organizers, who is a great friend, come visit as a guest coach hosting clinics and seminars in AZ.

I’m recently being advised by USTA CEO and Executive Director Mike Dowse, (former Global CEO of Wilson) who I know and played tennis with for the last 10 years at our local club Camelback Village Racquet Club
“Tennis is in my and my family’s blood”. I am passionate to do more for the AZ, U.S. and global tennis communities including giving back to encourage the next generation to get on the path I was fortunate to be on as a result of tennis.