BETHPAGE TENNIS

Simon hails from the United Kingdom where he was ranked as high as #49 in the world ITF junior rankings. He was a standout student-athlete at the University of Louisville, where he reached career-best rankings of #6 in doubles and #49 in singles among all NCAA Division I tennis players. Simon also had success on the ATP Tour, winning multiple ATP and ITF doubles titles, including an ATP title in Mexico. Simon joined Sportime/JMTA in 2013.

Mike is one of the nation’s brightest young stars in junior coaching.After being recruited by SPORTIME’s own Jay Harris to join the Bowling Green State University squad, he led his team to two Mid-American Conference Championships and became the most successful player in the history of the program. Mike had been one of the top ranked juniors in the country prior to his collegiate career, and competed extensively in ITF tournaments around the world. After graduating, Mike quickly became one of the top coaches in the USTA Eastern Section, developing numerous nationally ranked players, while earning a Master’s degree in Education. Mike’s exceptional knowledge of the game, boundless energy, and positive attitude instill confidence in every player in his impressive stable of nationally ranked juniors.

Carolina, originally from Mexico, was recruited to play for Lynn University Women's Tennis Team in Boca Raton, Florida where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Carolina transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University to obtain a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in sport performance. While obtaining her graduate degree, she played her final year of eligibility for the Women's Tennis Team. Carolina completed her college tennis career ranked #10 in the nation, was selected to the first team all-conference in the PacWest Conference, and got the All-American tennis award. Carolina joined our JMTA team the summer of 2018.

Ken is a native of Massapequa, NY, where he was one of the top junior players in all age levels in the Eastern Section and at the National level. Ken played for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln #2-#4 singles positions where he Won Big 8 titles in both #4 singles and #1 doubles. He represented Nebraska in NCAA individual doubles tournament in 1990. Ken earned his Bachelor of Arts in physical education in 1992. After his playing career ended, he went on to be the assistant coach of Nebraska for two years. Ken is also the former head pro and interim tennis director at Shelter Rock Tennis and Country Club in Manhasset, NY. After serving as Vice President in his family business for several years in New Orleans, he relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona where he formed his own academy working with adults, ATP/WTA players and high performance juniors. Ken joined JMTA Long Island as Director of Player Development the summer of 2019.

Airam Castellano Hernández was born in Gran Canaria, Spain. He was nationally ranked top 200 in Spain when he was 16 years old and he was champion in all junior categories in Gran Canaria. Airam earned a full athletic scholarship to play for the University of Missouri-Kansas City, NCAA D1, in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2014. In 2017 he achieved a nationally ranking of #115 in singles after making the Elite 8 in the ITA Central Regional, and in 2018 he was nationally ranked #72 in doubles. Between 2014-2018 he was named ITA Scholar-Athlete and All WAC Academics, All WAC first team in singles and doubles, 2 times All WAC player of the month and 16 times all WAC player of the week. He won the 2016 WAC Player of the Year and helped his teammates to achieve the 2017 WAC Championship. Airam holds his school's all-time record with most wins in singles and doubles. Airam graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double emphasis in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from the Henry W. Bloch School of Management.

Alexey is a native of Minsk, Belarus, where he had a ranking in the top 5 for all junior age categories there. He has won multiple national and international tournaments and reached a top 300 ITF ranking. Alexey moved to the United States in 2011 and attended the University of North Alabama where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a management degree.

Wael Kilani is a native of Tunis, Tunisia, where he was champion in all junior categories and age groups, a Davis Cup player and the Men's Teams African Champion with his partner Malek Jaziri (currently ranked 47 in ATP). Wael has competed in three junior grand slams. He also won the Prince Cup Juniors in Miami Florida and other Juniors ITF tournaments all over the world . Wael played professional for one year before college winning one ITF future’s title in doubles.

Wael was the number 1 player for the University of South Florida where he got his bachelor degree in Business management and helped USF win the Big East conference for the first time in the school history and was chosen as the Big East Freshman of the Year . Wael was ranked NCAA top 50 in the nation in singles and doubles and top 10 in singles in the Southeast region.

Wael is certified by both the PTR and GPTCA. In 2016, Wael joined the Tunisian Federation and became the Tunisian National Coach working with the under 14, under 16 and junior categories. Wael was also selected by the ITF to coach the best junior players in the ITF junior circuit. He was the captain of the Tunisian national Team under 14 which won the African championship and qualified for the World Cup. Wael Kilani was also the 2016 Tunisian Fed Cup Coach along with coaching top ATP and WTA players.

Strate, originally from Macedonia, was a National Champion in all junior age groups (12’s, 14’s, 16’s and 18’s) in his home country and represented Macedonia in many international competitions. He was recruited to play at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he had a winning record in singles and doubles for four years. After earning a degree in Business Administration, Strate worked at the Greenwich Racquet Club as a Tennis Professional, leading and instructing their USTA Junior and Adult teams. He spent a year in Macedonia serving as the Macedonian Tennis Federation Head Coordinator for their 10 And Under Tennis programs and also coached the top three 16-year-old players in his country. Strate joined Sportime/JMTA in 2012.

Luis Ludena was born and raised in Turmero, Venezuela. He started playing tennis when he was 11 and was ranked top 10 in his country in the 16’s and 18’s age divisions. Luis was recruited to play college tennis in the United States at Tiffin University in Ohio. He was captain for two years where he earned his degree in Business Administration. After graduation Luis served as the Men’s and Women’s Assistant Tennis Coach at Tiffin University. Luis is a certified USPTR professional and will be full time at SPORTIME Fall 2019.

Greg, a native of Long Island, attended Hofstra University on an academic scholarship to study physics, and earned a spot on the varsity tennis team as a walk-on. Greg also spent time working under a world-renowned physical therapist from whom he learned about injury prevention, treatment and management, as well as kinesiology and biomechanics. Greg began coaching immediately after graduating from Hofstra, and has extensive experience with players of all ages and levels. He has served as a coach for the USTA at Regional and Competitive Training Centers, and at Zonals, as well as for other organizations. Greg is an expert in slow motion video analysis and has used it successfully in the development of top juniors throughout his coaching career. Greg rejoined SPORTIME in 2015 as Director of Player Development for JMTA Long Island.

Born and raised in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Valentina, started playing tennis at the age of ten years old. She reached a national ranking of top 20 at age of 16 and 18. Valentina studied at Tiffin University where she played tennis for four years. She was team captain during her junior and senior year. Valentina graduated with a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management, before deciding to pursue a Master's degree in Finance and General Management. Valentina served as assistant coach to the women's tennis team at Tiffin University prior to joining JMTA in the summer of 2018. Valentina is a certified USPTR professional.

Hailing from Jamaica, Curtis played Davis-Cup for his country and is one of Long Island’s top coaches and teaching professionals. Curtis is best known for his high energy level and fun-loving personality. For more than a decade, Curtis has been inspiring Sportime players with his passion, helping Long Island players of all levels to become the best they can be. Curtis joined Sportime in 2000, and JMTA in 2012.

Eric, hailing from Long Island, was one of the top junior players in the country, ranking in the top 50 nationally. He attended Penn State University where he majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management and captained the tennis team in his junior and senior years. Post college, Eric turned pro and competed against the likes of Justin Gimelstob, James Blake and Max Mirnyi. In his teaching career, Eric has produced numerous Division I collegiate players. Eric joined Sportime in 2005, and has been with JMTA since 2012.

Ryan has been a Sportime employee since 2012. Ryan was a student athlete at Nassau Community College where he was an All American his Sophomore year. Ryann Transferred to Farmingdale State College where he received all conference accolades his Junior and Senior year Ryan is known for his positive energy and creative teaching techniques with all levels of players.

Hailing from El Salvador, Annette, Achieved #1 national ranking in her country at age 16 and 18. Annette played NCAA Division 1 at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, earning the Southern Conference First Team-All-Conference Honors in singles, and SoCon Honor Roll. While working on her Bachelor’s degree in International Global Studies and Spanish, Annette worked in several summer tennis camps in Florida, California and internationally. Annette also has a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Georgia Southern University, where she worked as the assistant coach for their Division 1 tennis program.

Nick hails from Syracuse, NY, where he played 4 years of college soccer and tennis for Alfred University. He held tennis records for most doubles wins and most combined singles and doubles wins. Nick graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies and then coached tennis at his alma mater for one season. Nick spent two years coaching at the Centercourt Performance Academy. During his tenure at the academy, he coached top players at Easter bowl, Winter Nationals, ITF's throughout the United States, and many local tournaments in the eastern section.

Samantha, originally from Houston, Texas, was a top junior player, ranked as high as #200 nationally. Samantha attended McKendree University, where she played #1 singles and doubles and was the team captain as a senior. She graduated from MU with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Wellness. Samantha coached at the IMG Academy and the Naval Academy before joining SPORTIME and JMTA in 2015.

Kachinga was born and raised in Mulfulira, Zambia where he started playing tennis at the age of nine. As a junior player, he competed internationally on the ITF circuit and achieved a ranking of number one in Zambia. Kachinga was a member of the Zambia Davis Cup team and played collegiate tennis at Huntington University where he achieved a ranking of 12 in his conference. Prior to joining JMTA, Kachinga was a pro at the Joel Ross Academy and the Port Washington Tennis Academy. Kachinga holds an ITF level 2 coaching certificate as well as the Olympic Coaching workshop certification.

Nadia has a long history with the NY tennis community. She won the Suffolk County championship as a sophomore at the Ross school. She was a top 100 junior player and went on to a successful four-year career at Stony Brook University. There she excelled in both singles and doubles and was honored as the America East Conference Rookie of the Year. She repeatedly earned first-team Conference honors and participated in two NCAA championship tournaments. Nadia graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing and has served as a teaching coach at Hampton Racquet and the South Carolina Yacht Club.

A native of Belgium, Kim was a three-time national champion taking the singles crown at age 12, and the doubles crown twice, at the ages of 10 and 14. She also won the Belux Nike Junior tour for Belgium, at age 12, which qualified her to participate in the World Championships Nike Junior Tour in France. Kim represented Belgium in several other international team tournaments, and competed in many ITF tournaments, achieving a career high ITF ranking of 477. Kim played Division I college tennis for the University of Arizona, participating in the NCAA team tournament 3 times, as well as the All-American tournament, and achieved a career-high national collegiate ranking of #70. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and French before joining SPORTIME and the JMTA in 2015.

Decho, originally from Bulgaria, attended Rockhurst University, where he studied Accounting/Finance, while being involved in a business fraternity, other on campus activities and working part-time within his major Decho was a top ranked junior player in Bulgaria under 12 and 14. He was the captain of the men's tennis team, where his senior year the team reached the NCAA Midwest Regionals. Decho has competed on the pro tour playing Futures tournaments and was part of the Ivan Lendl Tennis Academy pro staff. Decho has 5 years of teaching experience with summer camps, country clubsx and being a sparring partner for top ATP and WTA professionals.

Filip, a native of Belgium, was a top ten player in his home country as a junior. After starting his coaching career there, and after reaching the number one ranking in his native country, he moved to New York on his 23rd birthday to play college tennis for Division II powerhouse New York Institute of Technology, where he majored in business. During the summers, Filip returned to Belgium to be the sparring partner for many ATP players. This past summer, Filip was the Director at Future Stars tennis. Filip is also the assistant coach at NYIT for the Men’s and Women’s programs and was the former Tennis Director at Jericho Westbury. He joined the Sportime/JMTA team in 2014.

Claudio who hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina comes with a wealth of experience as a player and a high performance coach. Claudio was a top ranked junior in Argentina where he competed on the national level. Claudio has worked with highly ranked juniors for the past twenty years before joining the JMTA team at Syosset. With stints as the Director of Tennis at Sportime Kings Park, Head pro at Bethpage Park and Eastern Athletic, Claudio has experience that is vital to our team. Claudio has certifications from the USPTA, USPTR and Pat Etcheberry fitness.

Caio Zampieri, originally from Mogi-Guaçu, Brazil has travelled the world as a top ATP professional. His highest ranking was 182 (2010) in singles and 114 (2017) in doubles on the ATP tour. Caio has won over fifteen singles futures in his career and runner up for two Challenger events. Caio was a champion in over fifteen doubles tournaments between challengers and futures events. He has represented Brazil in Davis Cup three times for Brazil and has competed in all four grand slams multiple times. Caio jointed the JMTA team fall of 2018.