Noah Deegan, a sophomore at North St. Paul High School, plays at no. 3 singles on the Boys Varsity Tennis Team and has been part of the Tenicity program for several years. His tennis journey began in Tenicity’s beginner programs and has evolved through our Junior Development and High Performance levels. Under the coaching of Harsh Mankad and our dedicated team, Noah has shown commitment, steady progress, and a joy for the game.
We’re proud of Noah’s development and his achievement in reaching the Varsity level—a reflection of his effort, mindset, and the consistency he brings to training. Tenicity looks forward to continuing to support Noah as he builds towards his goals in the sport and beyond.
Q&A With Noah
What do you enjoy about tennis?
I enjoy playing with other players and making new friends through the sport. I also enjoy finding ways to improve my game each time I play.
Who inspired you to play tennis?
My parents inspired me to begin my tennis journey. They had mentioned it before I started playing. Soon after I began playing, the interest in the game grew within me.
What has been a highlight from your experience training with Tenicity?
Seeing major improvements in my game has been a highlight. I have been training in the Tenicity programs from a young age, starting out in the beginner program. I have noticed an immense amount of growth throughout my participation with Tenicity. Through documenting my progress yearly with videos, I have seen how far I’ve come from when I first began my journey.
How has Tenicity impacted your tennis journey?
Tenicity has helped me to not only improve my tennis physicality skills, but also to strengthen my mental game. I have learnt to be in the moment when playing, to strategize, and to display good sportsmanship to others regardless of the outcome from the game. Additionally, goal setting has helped motivate me to continue giving my all to this sport.
You’ve earned a spot on your Varsity team⎼what helped you reach that level?
Being as consistent as I can be and having a strong mental game are the two most important factors that Tenicity’s training has helped me with to achieve this accomplishment. Training my mind to stay positive gives me constant motivation to always give my full effort, regardless of the outcome.
What coaching tip has helped you the most?
Knowing that I can control the amount of effort I put into improving and being kind to others has not only been an impactful coaching tip from Tenicity, but has become an important overall life goal. I now strive to always give 100% effort and show good sportsmanship to others.
How have you felt supported by Tenicity throughout your journey?
Tenicity has created a supportive environment for me to grow and develop from day one. The coaching, lessons structure, and smooth transitions between program levels have made my development enjoyable and rewarding.
What are your goals in tennis?
I have both short term and long term goals I hope to achieve throughout my tennis career. During high school, I hope to play first or second singles to ultimately represent North St. Paul in the MSHSL Class A Sections Individual Tournament. After high school, I hope to join a college tennis team to continue playing this lifelong sport.
What areas of your game are you working on right now?
I am currently working on improving my serves. I also want to work on my net game, specifically to get more power and accuracy in my volleys.
What’s your favorite tennis stroke and why?
The backhand is my favorite tennis stroke because I feel more in control of the tennis ball. I tend to hit my targets more consistently with my backhand, whether I am aiming to go crosscourt or down the middle of the court.
Favorite Tournament?
Roland Garros (French Open) because it is played on clay courts which is a different type of surface.
What advice would you share with other youth players?
Don’t let yourself down if you have a bad day or a bad start in a match. Reset and remember that tomorrow is a new fresh start to practice and to improve your game.
Coach Harsh Mankad's Note
Noah is one of the most well behaved and well-mannered boys that I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. He’s a shining example of our program culture, values, and development pathway. In addition, he’s a great role model for the younger players. We are very happy to see Noah’s development in the game and are proud of the person that he is. We are excited for his bright future ahead!
Closing Note
Noah Deegan’s story reflects what Tenicity is all about—steady growth, strong values, and a love for learning through tennis. His journey from beginner to Varsity player highlights how commitment and the right environment can bring out a player’s best.
Contribution to the article from Tenicity Intern, Sonali Bhaskar