Pro Staff

Dale has directed the National Tennis Center Tennis Programs since 2022 and is 1 of 8 in the U.S. to hold the distinction of University of Florida Director of Racquets Sports graduate and Certified Racquet Sports Executive. After playing collegiate tennis at Jackson State University (MS), he developed numerous players of national junior and adult prominence, including the foundational development 2020 Les Petites Champion, numerous National Teams representing Northern California, including the 2022 USTA Battle of the Sections Boys 18s National Champions. 

His leadership journey spans 4 terms (8 years) as a USTA Northern California Board Member, over 10 years as an RSPA Northern California Board Member including two as President, and numerous tennis industry sectional and national leadership roles. Additional roles include the production of over 900 events garnering over $3 million in event revenue, speaking at multiple sectional and RSPA World Conferences, multiple national awards, and the 2025 RSPA Eastern Pro of the Year Award.

His certifications include: USTA Coaching, RSPA Elite Professional, PTR Level 3 Professional, Academia De Sanchez-Casal, USTA Coach Developer, and IPTPA. He holds a B.S. in Management and M.S. in Sports Management. Away from the courts, he enjoys family.

Lindsay is an RSPA Elite Certified Professional and experienced tennis leader with over a decade of coaching and program management experience. A former nationally ranked junior, Lindsay earned a full scholarship to NCAA Division II tennis, where she achieved All-Conference First Team honors in doubles and compiled a 42–5 singles record in NE-10 play.

Lindsay has a proven track record in junior development, program management, and event coordination, having led successful initiatives across private clubs, country clubs, and high-performance training environments. She is also a USTA Eastern Certified Tournament Director, with extensive experience running USTA-sanctioned events, managing league play, and building structured pathways for player development.

Her expertise spans both on-court coaching and off-court operations, allowing her to create organized, community-driven programs that support athletes at every stage, from 10 & Under to high-performance competition.

Outside of tennis, Lindsay enjoys painting, exploring new cultures, and spending time outdoors.

Leo Correa is our High Performance Specialist since 2017. With an extensive career in both tennis and beach tennis, he was a nationally ranked junior before moving to NY to study Business and play for St. John’s University. There he helped the team to win the Big East Conference Title. After earning his degree, he moved to France to play club tennis and ITF Futures for six months. He possesses ITF, PTR, RSPA and Emilio Sanchez Certifications. 

As a tour coach, he experienced traveling with ITF junior players to Europe and Africa and helped several of them achieve athletic scholarships in various Colleges. He also served as a hitting partner for both Max Mirnyi and Fernando Verdasco during the 2007 US Open Tennis Championships. Leo speaks Portuguese and Spanish and is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Justyna is our Orange Ball Specialist and has been working at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2012. She received Master's Degree in Education from St. John's University, and served as the Graduate Assistant Coach of their Division I Women's Tennis Team. She studied Education and Journalism at Silesian University in Poland and received her Master's in Polish Philosophy. Justyna was an Elementary and High School teacher for couple of years and also began her career as a Teaching Pro in her hometown. 

Justyna was ranked as one of the top junior players in Poland and is certified in High Performance Training, Cardio and Fitness. She is a PTR, RSPA and  GPTCA Certified Elite Professional, and enjoys teaching 10 and under tennis, as well as juniors and adults of all abilities. Justyna is originally from Katowice, Poland and, in her spare time, she skis, travels, reads books as well as enjoys art and culture. 

Nouri El-Hajjar is our Red Ball Specialist and has been working at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2006. Nouri is originally from Casablanca, Morocco. He is a RSPA and PTR Certified Professional as well as a USTA Net Generation Coach.  Prior to joining the USTA, he coached at the Haworth Country Club in New Jersey and at the Martha’s Vineyard Youth Tennis in Massachusetts. While coaching all ages, Nouri is recognized for his innovative technique with youth development.  His Red Ball program was voted the best Tennis Program in the World by Tennis Whizz in January 2014 and has been highlighted in the New York Metro Parent Magazine.  Nouri’s structured goal-oriented classes provide for the accelerated results in an enjoyable environment, where drills are individually tailored to each student’s personal ability.  Additionally, Nouri creates Play Days so that our young players can start playing matches at an early age. 

To promote passion for the game, Nouri regularly participates in the community outreach programs of the USTA foundation.  He truly enjoys contributing to the Arthur Ashe Kids Day, AMEX Fan Zone, and the Queens Day during the U.S. Open; inspiring thousands of children to play and to develop a love of the game. When not teaching, Nouri is passionate about strengthening his industry knowledge by attending workshops and training sessions with top Coaches and bringing that information back to the court.  

In 2025 Nouri was awarded one of the country's highest honors: the 2025 Racquet Sports Industry Junior Tennis Champion of the Year.

John has been a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2021. He learned the game under Arthur Carrington on his way to becoming a RSPA Elite Tennis Professional, and has also been a student of Althea Gibson. During his more than twenty-five year career in tennis, John has been an NCAA Division I coach, and has worked with several ATP and WTA players. As a player, he is a former NCAA member of the Hampton University Men’s Tennis Team. John is a native of Teaneck, New Jersey, where he was a Varsity Tennis Team captain in high school. 

Steven Forte has served as a Tennis Professional at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since 2019. A lifelong athlete, he began playing tennis at the age of five. Originally from Lagrangeville, NY, Steven moved to the Bronx prior to high school, where he began his coaching journey by teaching tennis at a local neighborhood park. Steven has both sectional and national tournament experience, along with an NCAA career where he won his opening matches before Covid. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a specialization in Exercise and Movement from Lehman College.

Steven holds certifications from the RSPA (Elite Professional), PTR, GPTCA, ITPA and Fit-U. His coaching philosophy emphasizes technical development, physical conditioning, and fostering a passion for the sport. Outside of tennis, Steven enjoys spending time with his dog, Rocky and exploring the world. 

Danny has been a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2023. He started playing tennis at the age of twelve and trained under the late Claude England and would go on to play competitively in the Mid-Atlantic region. Danny is a PTR Professional and brings experience teaching from Junior Tennis Champion Center (JTCC) and Columbia Association in Maryland. Danny was originally born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to Maryland at the age of eight. He is a graduate of Binghamton University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs. In his spare time, Danny likes cooking, trying out new restaurants, and going to museums. 

David has been a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2022. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, David relocated to Naples, Florida at the age of 12, where he developed his passion for tennis. He competed on his high school varsity tennis team for all four years, demonstrating both dedication and consistency as a student-athlete. David went on to attend Full Sail University, where he earned a degree in Computer Animation.

After graduating in 2015, he began his professional coaching career. His experience includes working with PBI at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, serving as a high school tennis coach, and coaching at various tennis clubs. David is a Level 2 certified coach through RSPA, PTR, and USTA Coaching, and also holds a TPT Certification. He is committed to delivering high-quality instruction while fostering a positive and engaging learning environment.

David believes that an effective coach is someone who sees beyond perceived limits and helps players unlock their full potential while enjoying the process. Outside of tennis, David enjoys exploring new restaurants, watching anime, editing videos, and spending time on the court with friends.

Ziryab has been a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2024. Ziryab has been both a Sudan national team player and head coach, started playing tennis at the age of 4. His first appearance representing his country’s flag was in 2005 at the 12-and-Under East African Championship. He went on to represent Sudan across all junior national team categories, eventually advancing to the senior national team, and later serving as the Head Coach of the Sudan National Team.

Fueled by a lifelong passion for tennis, John began coaching early in his career and went on to earn professional certifications from the ITF, PTR, and RSPA. Ziryab holds a bachelor degree with honors in economics and international relations from the University of Khartoum.

In 2025, Ziryab represented Sudan in the Davis Cup competition, continuing a lifelong journey in tennis inspired by following in his father’s footsteps.

Karla has always had a deep passion for tennis. Her journey with the sport began at the age of 13 in the Dominican Republic. During her high school career, she achieved an impressive 80% winning record at 1st singles, captained the Varsity team throughout high school, and led her team to state conference appearances. She has continued competing in USTA events since 2016. Karla worked with Parsippany Knoll Club and USA Sports Group since 2020, teaching players of all ages and skill levels. Through these roles, she has developed experience working with a wide range of players, from Tiny Tennis and Red Ball programs to adult clinics. In 2022, Karla became a Lead Coach in Essex County, New Jersey, where she guides players from Tiny Tennis through Yellow Ball levels while also mentoring and training new coaches. 

Her coaching style is creative and energetic, bringing a touch of Spanish flair to the court. She especially enjoys teaching Tiny Tennis and Red Ball programs, helping young players build confidence while developing strong fundamentals. Karla thrives on hard courts and holds RSPA and CPR certifications while currently pursuing a degree in Human Resources. She is also a USTA Level 2 Certified Coach specializing in Red Ball tennis. She enjoys creating a positive and high-energy learning environment by incorporating music to support rhythm, timing, and focus. Karla also brings creativity to the tennis community by designing seasonal tennis-themed displays that make the sport exciting and memorable for players.

Karla believes tennis should be fun, creative, and something players look forward to every week. Through engaging and age-appropriate instruction, she focuses on building strong fundamentals, coordination, and confidence in every player she works with.

Akins is a USTA certified, RSPA Elite Tennis Professional serving at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since 2023. Akins began playing tennis at age ten. He competed during his junior years and earned a tennis scholarship while attending Texas Southern University in his hometown, Houston, Texas. Akins brings a wealth of experience to the court. Before moving to New York, he worked with former professional tennis player Sammy Giammalva Jr. He has also served at top-tier programs, including the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and several other elite sports clubs. As a dedicated USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Coach, Akins has led teams to multiple championship titles, including the USTA Eastern JTT Sectional Championships in both 2023 and 2025, and the prestigious USTA Level 4 Division Team Intersectional Showdown Championship in 2025. 

Known for his emphasis on discipline and focus, Akins is passionate about developing well-rounded players both on and off the court. Outside of tennis, he enjoys family time, flying, good food, music, and binge-worthy TV shows. Akins studied Bachelor of Science in Electronics Eng. Technology. 

USTA Coaching Certified.

Zack began playing tennis at age 6 and was a nationally ranked junior until he earned a tennis scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana, where he was a prominent member of the collegiate tennis team. During his time there, the team won three consecutive Red River conference championships and competed in national tournaments.

He taught with Youth Tennis Advantage, working with under-resourced communities throughout the Bay Area, and later completed a coaching development program at the USTA National Campus to further develop his skills and knowledge of athlete-centered coaching and earn his level 2 PTR coaching certification. He has coached nationally ranked players, been a hitting partner for ITF juniors, and worked USTA tournaments. In his spare time, he enjoys theater films and musical performances.

Orlando is a tennis professional at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since 2024. He trained in elite tournament programs and competed internationally in ITF (International Tennis Federation) and COSAT (Confederación Sudamericana de Tenis) events, achieving a top-five national ranking in Paraguay. He holds a degree in Economics from Universidad Americana, as well as a degree in Business Management and Technical Analysis earned in Los Angeles, California. Orlando began his coaching career at the Rolando Franco Tennis Academy, working with ambitious athletes of all levels, including high-performance junior players. In 2019, he relocated to New Jersey and went on to coach at Maywood Tennis Club and in after-school tennis programs across New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. He is passionate about developing competitive junior players while also helping new players build a lifelong love for the game. Outside of tennis, Orlando enjoys making music and is a devoted Brooklyn Nets fan.

Gustavo “Gus” Alcayaga is a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2021. He was born in San Juan, Argentina and later raised in Freeport, New York. As a junior, Gus was coached by Daniel Burgess and then professionally by Carlos “Picha” Lando who introduced him to Alberto Mancini and Gabriel Markus as a sparring partner. Gus continued his tennis career as Director of Player Development with the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL). He received the RSPA/Eastern Club Service Award and the Member Organization of the Year Award as Director of Tennis at Bronx International. Gus served on the USTA/Eastern Junior Competition Committee as well as the USTA/Eastern/Metro Board and was the USTA/Eastern Junior Team Tennis Coordinator. He has coached both juniors and adults through all levels of the game and was fortunate enough to win the USTA National Championships in both categories as a Coach. He also was Junior Program Director, Tournament Training Director at The West Side Tennis Club and New York Tennis at Great Neck, respectively.

Peter Wang is a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2022. Originally from Hong Kong, he was an I.T. Manager in financial systems and has always been a tennis enthusiast. Peter is a certified RSPA and PTR level 1 tennis coach who strives to help people of all ages get into tennis. He believes that success in coaching comes from bringing fun to people in the games of tennis, and motivating them to play tennis for life; because of this, the daily teaching has become unique and interesting. In his spare time, Peter likes to go cycling, bowling and golfing with friends.

Niklas is originally from Thomasville, Georgia and is currently a graduate student at New York University pursuing a Master’s in Financial Planning. He competes on the NYU Men’s Tennis team, playing #1 singles and #1 doubles. Niklas played four years of Division I tennis at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Finance. He spent one year playing at the University of Georgia before transferring to Belmont.

For over 20 years, Niklas has competed in USTA, UTR, and ITF tournaments. He has trained under respected coaches including Grant Doyle and Lleyton Hewitt at the Albany Tennis Academy in Nassau, Bahamas. 

As an outgoing coach and player, Niklas enjoys working with all ages, from juniors to adults. He has coaching experience through youth summer camps and private instruction, along with experience hitting with many different levels of adult players. His previous experience includes multiple summers running junior and adult programs in the Hamptons. Niklas is dedicated to providing a high-quality experience both on and off the court.

Lewis, a native of New Rochelle, NY, began playing tennis at age 18 and reached a USTA 5.0 rating within five years. His rapid development reflects a strong technical foundation, disciplined training, and early competitive experience in USTA leagues and tournaments, which led to participation in pro-level events. While earning his BA in Economics from Baruch College, he contributed to the men’s tennis team’s 2018 CUNYAC Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Lewis has experience working at premier indoor facilities and country clubs across Westchester County and New York City, and is known for his structured coaching approach and commitment to player development. RSPA-certified tennis professional.

Suraj is a highly experienced coach with a strong passion for developing players and helping them reach their full potential. His coaching career spans both the United States and India, where he has worked with ATP-ranked players and elite junior competitors. His background includes traveling internationally for ITF tournaments and serving in leadership roles, such as Director of Junior Programs and Head Coach at multiple academies. As a former ATP-ranked player with a peak UTR of 12.89, Suraj combines firsthand competitive experience with advanced coaching education, including USTA Coaching, Elite RSPA, ITF, RPT, PTP, AITA certifications. 

Franco began playing tennis at age three, training under his father throughout his early development. During high school, he trained at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as part of the FTF Competition Team, while also competing for his school team. A two-year team captain, two-time MVP, and CHSAA champion, Franco demonstrated strong leadership and competitive success early on.

He began his coaching career at the Binghamton University Lane-Starke Tennis Center in 2024, where he developed players across multiple levels. Franco holds both an MBA and a BA in Economics from Binghamton University. In 2026, he returned to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as a coach, bringing a well-rounded perspective shaped by his playing, academic, and coaching experience.

Jinny Welch has been a Tennis Professional at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center since 2023. She grew up near Rochester, NY, and began playing tennis when she was 14. She is a former NCAA Division I player who earned a scholarship to play at Cleveland State University but later transferred to Temple University, where she earned her BA Cum Laude in Management Information Systems. Jinny teaches ROG, teens, and adults of various levels at NTC. She brings a positive and fun energy to her teachings and tries to find the best way to connect with her students. In her spare time, she enjoys her time with her family, traveling, camping, as well as playing tennis and pickleball with friends.

Valeria has been sharing her passion for tennis with children at the NTC since 2016. The sport has been a big part of her life since she first joined her high school tennis team as a freshman, eventually rising through the ranks to be named Team Captain. Valeria believes in striking the right balance between serious moments and fun, to ensure that kids in her classes not only enjoy themselves but are able to benefit from tennis as much as she has.