Settegast Park Tennis Court

Bio: Our tennis director started playing tennis when he was 4 years old in Russia, then the family immigrated to the US when he was just 9, he then quickly became a highly ranked junior. Playing junior tennis in Houston, the Texas section and then nationally he achieved rankings as high as #1 in Texas and top #10 in the nation. Then transitioned to playing professional tennis tournaments, after a number of years, some setbacks and a couple of injuries as his first child was born, thats when he started his coaching career. Never having imagined something would bring him as much joy as training, competing and then winning, coaching players to do the same and even better than himself in some cases did. He has now been teaching for 15+ years and has worked with players of all levels, ages and backgrounds. Having had over 50+ players go and play at the collegiate level and many adults experience success in their competitive careers as well. Tennis and fitness training is our passion, teaching people the game and helping them lead healthy lives is what drives our whole team!

Bio: I am a USPTA Elite certified tennis professional. This is the highest rating awarded by the United State Professional Tennis Association. SAFE PLAY certified & current (yearly FBI background check for coaching youth sports). Currently working exclusively for myself, most recently was the Head Coach for Episcopal High School Tennis Team. Working for City of West U Parks and Recreation since 2018. Also, Lifetime Fitness Galleria Indoor Tennis Club @ the Houston Galleria (4 years). Also, previously, at The Briar Club (4yrs) in the River Oaks District of Houston. Other notable programs I have been involved with- Baton Rouge Country Club (LA), Bocage Racquet Club (LA), Houston Racquet Club, Westheimer Indoor Tennis, LSU Nike Tennis Camps, Rice Tennis Camps, Steve Carter’s Tennis Camps, and The Boulder Country Club in Colorado. I’ve been playing since the age of 4 and coaching since age 19. I teach all levels and ages. Private, semi-private, and group tennis lessons. Body of work includes everything from helping train top 350 world ranked ATP players, working for LSU and Rice University Tennis, Nike Tennis Camps, top country clubs and tennis clubs around the nation, and coached junior players ranked nationally in the top 10. I’ve been Head Counselor at “live-in dorm” tennis camps, in charge of all things on and off court. Undergraduate full academic scholarship all 4 years of studies (B.S. Microbiology) from LSU ’97). Finished graduate school (M.S. in Biology from LSU in ’01) with an “A” gpa. I am the 3rd youngest Eagle Scout in United States history (age 12). Member of Sigma Chi fraternity (@LSU) and member of the LSU Houston Alumni Chapter.