Steve Hilliard was born and raised in Manhattan. He was focused on academics until age 11, when one of his math teachers suggested that the class do “something different.” He discovered tennis, fell in love, and was playing in the Men’s Open at age 18. He became interested in coaching and attended prestigious “work and play” programs – at John Newcomb’s Tennis Academy and the Chris Evert Tennis Academy — assisting head coaches working with adults and juniors.

Steve also taught himself to string racquets by hand, using his own strength to adjust the tension. He has strung for Pete Samperas, Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Venus and Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic.

After teaching at the Sutton East and Yorkville Tennis Clubs, Steve joined Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club in 2011 as a hitter and the club’s stringer. He continues to provide excellent stringing service to the staff and members, serves as an ideal hitting partner and is a versatile teaching pro, catering to all ages and levels.