Munich resident Bruce Charity, enjoys the luxury of coaching both here in mUnich and in his US home.
Walt Whitman wrote, “the art of art, the glory of expression is simplicity.” Whitman’s descendant, Bruce Charity, seems to have inherited that philosophy. A tennis instructor of more than 20 years, Charity’s greatest aspiration is simply to teach – becoming the next Nick Bollitieri is not a priority. The legendary Harry Hopman (Australian-born tennis trainer, who coached the likes of John Newcomb, Rod Laver and John McEnroe) hired Charity to teach at his International Club in Clearwater, Florida back in 1980, but it is “teaching good technique, watching the progress of the player at any level, promoting fitness, and having fun,” that is of greater interest than fame to the mentor of the courts. Long Island native like his famous poet forefather, Charity landed in Europe via the Pro Tennis organization in 1981, teaching juniors and adults in Austria. A Florida transplant, Charity abhorred Walchsee’s February climate, and had himself transferred to Spain, then Italy. This led to a gig as a junior-league trainer in Munich, where he has hung his hat for seventeen years. “The weather thing didn’t work out for too long,” smiles the eternally tennis-togged ex-pat. “I was only in Bardolino for a few months when I fell for Gaby, a Münchnerin. We married, and I ended up back in the cold. This is no Florida!” But don’t pity the USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) Pro-1-level certified trainer. In addition to his position as a Senior Professional Trainer at the Tennis Club in Unterföhring, Charity runs tennis training seminars in balmy Florida, too. “In fall, my wife and I offer a package tour to my students from Munich. For the fee they get a certain number of lessons – but it’s not all tennis – we show them around, help them with the language, and when I start feeling mischievous,” laughs Charity, “I take everyone out on my favorite canoe trip through the state park, complete with ten-foot alligators. The frightened look on their faces is worse than if Becker aimed a 120 mile-an-hour serve at them!” Charity coaches individuals, as well as junior and adult sport clubs. At the high school level, sport clubs (Vereine) are Germany’s answer to the scholastic programs of the U.S. “There was a time when schools offered some sports, but that has all but died out. The kids go to school in the morning and in the afternoon they come to me,” explains the man described as “incredibly patient” by his students. When asked if he would prefer to be teaching future stars, Charity offers statistics. “If you stop to think that there are only one thousand professional tennis players in the world – 500 men and 500 women – you’d know that the chances of discovering a great new talent are small. I love what I do, and I don’t need to be flying all over the world with a player to feel involved with my sport.” And involved he is. In addition to the many hours spent imparting his tennis wisdom to his pupils, the coach – who speaks perfect German spiced with a Long Island accent – strings rackets, watches televised matches and travels to tournaments. What does he like about Munich? “Beer gardens.” Will he return to Florida someday? “It’s no secret that I want to go back to the sun and surf,” confesses the trainer sheepishly, not wanting this article to worry his clients, “but not any time soon. Think of it,” Charity beams, “tennis is one of the few sports you can play until you’re seventy – so I have a lot of time left!”