Xavier A. Luna
Xavier A. Luna is the Founder and Director of the Metro Tennis Academy and was the Tennis Director of Junior Development at Stadium Racquet Club from 1997-2005. Xavier grew up playing in the Junior Programs at Stadium Tennis Center and has held numerous rankings. His programs at Stadium Racquet Club and Metro Tennis Academy have attracted many of the top juniors and adult players in the New York Metropolitan area. In 2002-, The Daily News described Xavier Luna as one of New York City's "...top teaching pros".

Ajay Kumar
Ajay comes in as a former Assistant Director and Program Coordinator at Stadium Racquet Club. He brings in a wealth of information as both a former Division 1 collegiate player and graduate of Sports Medicine at Manhattan College. As a junior tennis player, Ajay's years spans from playing in the Eastern Tennis Association in the USTA, and briefly in the International Tennis Federation (ITF). He is currently the Head Coach for Women's Tennis at Manhattan College and oversees the development of nationally and internationally ranked juniors in their collegiate years. Ajay was also involved extensively with the Luna Youth Tennis Foundation, a Non- For-Profit organization headed by Xavier Luna, which benefits inner-city children with their tennis and education–few players to name that benefited the LYTF: Scott Davis (U of Miami '04), Stephanie Falconi (Brown '07), and Irina Falconi & Salifu Mohammed (ITF Players). In addition, Ajay has coached in many distinguished programs in and around New York City while collecting a loyal following of people-in which his highlights include being the Girls' Varsity Head Coach at Fieldston School, NY, and many more. Ajay's patience, knowledge of tennis, and warm personality allows him to educate players of all ages and levels.

Eric Faro
Eric Faro is certified by the USPTR and has been involved in tennis most of his life. He played #1 singles for all four years at Horace Mann School. After high school, Eric went on to star at Ohio State University (OSU). While at OSU he helped the Buckeyes to their first Big Ten title in fifty years. After a successful career in which he won over 75 matches, Eric went on to become Program Director at Stadium Racquet Club, where he helped build a top junior program. For the past three summers, he has been the tennis director at Central Park Tennis, a 30-court facility in the heart of New York City. Well respected in the tennis industry, Eric is sought after for his considerable teaching skills, warm personality, and ability to communicate the fundamentals of the game to all levels of tennis players.

Jeff Scott
Founder of ScottScoop Tennis, Jeff prides himself in bringing hundreds of committed players into the lifelong sport of tennis. His adult and junior teams have accumulated 31 USTA Championship titles over the last 6 years. With over 20 years experience, his mission has been to "grow the game and spread the gospel of tennis..." to as many people as possible. Previously teaching at prominent Westchester tennis clubs, Metro Tennis is proud to have Jeff Scott directing our adult leagues and programs.

 

Tamas Ungvari
Tamas is a certified USPTR Professional tennis teacher with 16 years of tennis experience. He started to play tennis with Zsofi Gubacsi (WTA#76). In Hungary , his home country, he was ranked #11 nationally in juniors and reached semifinals on ITF tournaments in surrounding countries. Later on he won the Division II Championships in singles and helped his team to compete in Division I. During his distinguished tennis carreer, Tamas helped many of his students compete on Division 1 varsity tennis teams, such as John Basvel (UPENN), Brandon Weiskopt (EMORY) and Dan Cohen (MICHIGAN). He has coached Jennifer Fiers who played number one for University of Virginia and traveled with her on the European WTA tournaments eventually reaching 612 on the WTA tour. He was practice partner several times for Nirupama Sanjeev (WTA# 135) on the U.S. Open. He looks forward to joining the Metro Tennis Academy team.

 

Cesar Rojas
Assistant Pro Staff
Ceasar is a certified teaching pro, and is registered member of the USPTR. He has instructed in a few clubs around New York City such as the Stadium Racquet Club, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, and has worked for the New York Junior Tennis League. Ceasar has been teaching tennis for 5 years, and he specializes in teaching pee-wee players to advanced beginners.

Mike Vazquez
Pro Staff
Mike Vasquez is one of our more unique staff members, a protégé of Xavier’s tennis training philosophy. This former top ranked junior, who has won numerous sportsmanship awards, brings a level of finesse to the academy. During his junior career he had the privilege to represent New York City as its #1 player at the prestigious Empire State Games. Because of his reputation, he is sought out as a practice partner by many top juniors in the Eastern Section, female ITF players, and top women pros competing at the US OPEN. Having taught from a very young age, Mike has honed in on his instructional skills to teach players of all ages, levels, and occupations. Needless to say, Mike is more than excited to have an opportunity to contribute to Metro Tennis Academy’s program year-round.

Brendan Thomas
Pro Staff
Brendan Thomas has been teaching tennis for the past seven years and has worked for many of New York’s distinguished tennis programs: Wall Street Racquet Club, Columbus Racquet Club, Central Park, and most recently at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, to name a few. This past summer he taught in Minnesota and worked with both juniors and adults. Brendan has also been working at the US Open since 1999. He was a practice partner for WTA player Angela Haynes, who at her peek was ranked no. 96 in the world and made it to the 3rd round of the US Open in 2006. He has also been a practice partner for the current #26 in the world, Lucie Safarova, a 2007 Australian Open quarterfinalist who has beaten many top players this year including Elena Dementieva, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Justine Henin-Hardenne. Brendan is very excited to put this experience to use at Metro Tennis Academy.

David Gilbert
Pro Staff
David is a former nationally ranked player, in both junior tennis as well as college where he played for Tulane University; David was a former Director of Junior Programs at Stadium Racquet Club. David is looking forward to working along side of Xavier Luna once again; He is also going to become a father for the first time towards the end of September.

Kimberly Latif
General Manager
Kimberly Latif has been General Manager of Metro Tennis Academy since its opening in 2004. She has worked in the tennis industry for seven years, starting off as office assistant at the Tennis Club of Riverdale. She worked her way up to the book-keeping position there in 2002 and moved to Metro in 2004. In addition to managing Metro Tennis Academy, she also assists in the daily care and instruction of the campers. As a liaison, Kimberly is available to make a clients? tennis experience an enjoyable one, may they be competitive or leisure,

Mariana Luna
Manager, Sales and Operations
Mariana Luna is the Manager of Sales and Operations for all sites of Metro Tennis Academy. She was the general manager for ten years at Stadium Racquet Club and successfully ran the club to its full potential. She decided to join Metro in April, 2007 and now continues to make our customers? experience at our facility an enjoyable one. She can assist you in finding the right fit for your needs, be they competitive, or of pure enjoyment. Mariana Luna comes from a tennis family, and was a highly ranked junior herself, and has a great deal of experience instructing. She uses this knowledge and experience to assist all parents? concerns and questions about their kids.

Norma Brockman
Site Manager, Riverdale
Norma Brockman was a former ranked collegiate player from Rhode Island College, where she represented the college at the #1 position. Norma has a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, and is currently the Director of the Red Balloon Early Childhood Learning Center in New York City. She has over 35 years of experience in coaching and teaching tennis with a specialty in adult training. Norma currently runs adult clinics, mini-camps and private lessons at our Riverdale Venue.

Sam Fumi
Pro Staff
Sam Fumi is originally from Ghana, and has a accomplished career as both a player and coach. Sam has competed in internationally sanctioned tournaments as both a junior and an adult. To add to his repertoire, Sam has successfully represented his native Ghana in Davis Cup from 1998 to 2003. As a certified USPTR, Sam has coached many juniors who compete nationally and regionally, but is equally skilled in teaching fundamentals to beginners and intermediates as well. Sam is excited and keen to join Metro Tennis Academy?s pro staff.

Zeki Tukel
Pro Staff
Zeki is currently a pro at Metro Tennis Academy. He brings great energy and passion into our adult and junior program. He was formerly a top ranked player in singles and doubles in Turkey. He has also played for the National Team of Turkey. He has played #1 singles in his collegiate career at Marmara University. He is a Certified USPTR teaching pro, and has attended numerous tennis workshops in in both United States and in his native Turkey. Received a Physical Education Diploma and is currently getting his masters in psychology at Mercy College. He plays second singles for Mercy College which in recent polls has achieved a Top-16 ranking in the country.