Seay Tennis Center

 

 

 [email protected]

Originally from Fort Wayne, IN, Ryan began playing competitive tennis at the age of 12.  As a high school player, he was named the News Sentinel Prep Sports Player of the Year three years in a row. He has won 10 consecutive Fort Wayne City Singles Championships (record) becoming the youngest male to do so.

 

A nationally ranked junior player in singles and doubles, (top ten in B18s doubles) Ryan graduated from Indiana University in 2005 where he was a four year starter for the Hoosiers. Among his many distinctions at IU, Ryan was named the Big Ten Athlete of the week, received the IU Sportsmanship Award, and was nationally ranked in singles and doubles. Ryan was a captain for the Hoosiers, earned Academic All Big Ten honors, as well as winning the Scholastic Achievement Award for highest team GPA. Ryan holds a degree in Business Management.

 

Following his college career, Ryan traveled the world playing on the ITF and ATP tour where he achieved a world ranking in singles and doubles.  Ryan started teaching tennis (as a USPTA certified Elite Pro) at Wildwood Racquet Club in Fort Wayne. He served as the head coach for the Northern Indiana Jr. Davis Cup before making the move to Dallas in 2011.  Certified coaching for all levels and providing invaluable fitness development are just some key aspects of Ryan’s tenure thus far at Seay.

 

 

Deborah Barnes – Administrative - Membership and Leagues [email protected]

 

 

Nadia Burgess - Director of Elite

[email protected]

 

Nadia Burgess began playing tennis at age six under the guidance of her father, former South African No.1 Alwyn Solomon. As a junior, Nadia ranked among the top three in both singles and doubles nationally. Notably, she had the privilege of representing South Africa in two Junior World Cups, where her traveling teammate was eventual top 10 ATP tour player, Kevin Anderson. Rafael Nadal, representing Spain, also participated in the same Junior World Cups. Nadia earned a junior ITF ranking in the top 300, and then later competed on the WTA circuit, securing a world ranking at the young age of 15.

After an injury occurred on tour, she accepted a full scholarship to play NCAA Division I tennis at Liberty University, where she achieved All-American honors. After graduating cum laude from Liberty with a B.S. in Studio and Digital Arts, Nadia decided to pursue her passion for coaching. She prepared herself with various ITF classes and started work as a pro at several prestigious clubs. Nadia was the 10u Director for three years at Select Academy. Subsequently, Nadia coached at Stonebridge Country Club under renowned coach Philip Farmer for four years, where she helped lead successful junior and ladies’ programs. Next, Nadia led an Elite program at Allen High School, growing it to include 30 top juniors - one of whom currently competes on the WTA circuit.

 

 

 

Petar Danolic - Director of Tournament Training [email protected]

 

Coach Danolic received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Texas Tech where he was the #1 ranked men’s tennis player.  He gained coaching experience at IMG/Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and then moved on to be the assistant women’s coach at the University of Arizona.  His European experience includes being the national coach for Boys 18’s in Bosnia and Herzegovina, President of the Coaches Board for Tennis Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Tennis Europe development coach. On the collegiate level, Petar has coached at Texas Tech, University of Miami, and Lynn University.  He is owner of Danolic Tennis LLC and joined the Seay Center in 2019.  

 

 

 

Blake Edwards – Staff Pro  [email protected]

Coach Edwards delivers a tennis experience on the court that is sure to deliver the desired results. Blake spent six years at T Bar M Racquet Club located in Dallas, Texas teaching all age levels and tennis abilities. Blake has coached at the Seay Tennis Center since 2015.

 

 

 

Joao Fazendeiro – Staff Pro   [email protected]  

 

From Leiria, Portugal, Joao started playing tennis when he was 8 years old, and later represented his country in the U14 category. He played collegiate tennis at Cameron University where he earned his degree in sport and exercise science. While playing college tennis, he was runner-up in the ITA South Central Regional singles bracket, helped the team win four NCAA South Central Region titles, and led the 2015 squad to an Elite Eight appearance, the deepest run in the program's NCAA postseason history.  Joao joined the Seay Tennis Center in 2020.

 

 

 

Mercedes Fernandez - Director of Junior Green Ball  [email protected]

 

Mercedes started her coaching experience at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Sarasota, FL. She quickly attained her first Director of Tennis role at McAlester Country Club in Oklahoma. Mercedes' first coaching venture into Texas came at Brookhaven Country Club where she coached for 20 years. While at BCC she worked with the Elite Junior Program coaching them at the national level. She also worked as a Senior Tennis Pro with the Adult Tennis Program, and her last year as a Head Tennis Pro. Following Brookhaven, Mercedes became the Director of Tennis and Pickleball in Rockwall, TX. She quickly built the Tennis and Pickleball Programs, which ultimately, she turned the tennis club into the first private Pickleball Club in Texas in 2021. She hosted the most reputable tournament, called "The Texas Open" with 800 players the first year and 1200 the second year. Most recently, Mercedes was the Assistant Tennis Manager at Life Time Tennis in Plano, TX. 

 

Mercedes is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She started playing tennis at the age of 8 years old and quickly became in the Top 3 of the National Mexican Junior Rankings from the ages of 14-18. She represented Mexico in the prestigious ITF Junior Tournaments, the Orange Ball and Sunshine Cup. Mercedes trained her last two years of high school at John Newcombe Academy and graduated from New Braunfels High School. After graduation, Mercedes played on the WTA tour for two years, achieving a ranking of 150 in the world. She then played tennis for Oklahoma State University where her team won the Big 8 Conference, and she obtained the All-American Athletic Award. She undergraduate degree is in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Mercedes has represented Mexico in the World University Games in Buffalo, NY. She won a USTA Nationals 40 Doubles Silver Ball, and Mixed Doubles in 2003-04. She also won the USTA Mixed 5.0 National Team League in 2015.

 

 

 

Hans Hach – Staff Pro   [email protected]   

 

Originally from Mexico, Coach Hach attended high school at Niagara Academy of Tennis in Ontario, Canada.  He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a business management degree.  While at ACU, he became a three-time All-American in singles & doubles. He played line #1 singles & doubles for the Wildcats his entire college career, and still holds the best record in ACU history, 24-4.  After his career as a collegiate player, he decided to give himself a chance on the professional circuit. In the summer of 2013, Hans started out by playing the ITF Futures Circuit, which is the lowest level of tournaments on the pro tour. After a few years, with persistence and hard work, Hans found himself winning 19 doubles titles & 1 singles title on the Futures Tour.

 

That success gave him the opportunity to represent Mexico in Davis Cup play where he won his debut singles match in a long 5 setter that lasted 4 hours & 20 minutes.  Upon deciding to commit 100% to doubles only, Hans took part in ATP Challenger events, ATP 250 and ATP 500 events, and made his first Grand Slam appearance at the 2018 US Open main draw. 

 

 

Mitch Hallum – High School Assistant Coach and HPMS Head Coach

 

Mitch Hallum is an experienced tennis coach with more than 20 years in the field. He has coached players across all skill levels, from beginners to elite athletes. Mitch served as the assistant coach for both men's and women's teams at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for two years, followed by a year as Head Men's Coach and Assistant Director of Tennis at Oral Roberts University. Additionally, he has coached at top-tier high-performance academies like Mac360 and Tucker Tennis Academy, where he refined his skills in developing competitive players.

 

 

 

Dixie Mabe – Staff Pro  [email protected]

 

 

Ron Mercado –Staff Pro  [email protected]

 

Jonathan Renwick – Staff Pro  [email protected]

 

Jonathan Renwick grew up in the DFW area in a tennis family and competed in age divisions since he was 10 years old. Jonathan graduated from the highly regarded Tennis Tech program in Tyler and has enjoyed teaching and competing since returning to DFW. His goal is to make tennis enjoyable while challenging his students to keep getting better.  Jonathan holds an Associates Degree in Professional Tennis Management from Tyler Junior College.  Prior to coming to Seay, he was Junior Development Assistant Pro at Northwood Country Club, Spring Park Tennis Center, and Southlake Tennis Center where he also ran adult drills.

 

 

Derek Romer –Staff Pro  [email protected]g 

Derek is a USPTA professional from Kendallville, Indiana. Before coming to Seay, Derek played Division I tennis at IPFW (Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne). At IPFW, he helped them finish as Summit League Tournament Runner-Up to a nationally ranked Denver team in 2014 and 2015. Derek has also coached/instructed for 10 years during which he had juniors who have gone on to become Top 100 in the nation, has had multiple students play in the Orange Bowl, and others who play at the collegiate level. Derek was the Assistant Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech). During his time at Indiana Tech, each team achieved their most wins in a single season and had the highest finish of conference standing in program history. He coached the men’s team to a ranking of #24 in the nation and the women’s team to the most RV’s just outside the top 25 for the first time in history.  He has also coached a total of 18 athletes who were named All-Academic Scholar Athletes.

 

 

Megan Russell – Staff Pro  [email protected]

 

Megan is a Registered & Licensed Dietitian with a strong passion for sport performance and nutrition. During her time as a Division I athlete at the University of Tennessee and Southern Methodist University, she learned first-hand the importance of proper nutrition for performance as well as overall health. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Chemistry from SMU, Megan decided to combine her love of fitness with wellness by completing her Master’s in Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition at the University of Texas in Austin. She then went on to earn a Bachelor’s in Clinical Nutrition from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School as well as her license as a registered dietitian.

 

After graduation, she worked as an academy coach and dietitian as well as the Director of Fitness for the Junior Academy at T Bar M Racquet Club from 2009-2013. She then spent 4 years with Life Time Fitness working as the Director of Nutrition. Prior to joining the Highland Park Tennis Academy staff in 2018, Megan worked at the Lakes Tennis Academy as an academy coach and also directed fitness and nutrition for the High Performance program.

 

Vince Sharp - HPHS Varsity Tennis Coach [email protected].

 

Vince Sharp is the new Head Tennis Coach at HP.  Vince has been coaching 12 years, spending the last 9 at Anna High School, where he led the team to multiple district championships, and a UIL State Championship in Spring of 23.  Vince Has won a number of High School Coaching awards such as 2020 Texas Tennis Coaches 4A State Coach of the year, and the TTCA Leadership Award also in 2020. 

 

 

 

 

Johnny Tallent – Director of Lower School Programming  [email protected]

 

Johnny Tallent has been at the Seay Tennis Center since 2002. He began playing tennis competitively at age 9 in Gladewater, Texas. He finished up his senior year ranked #1 in Texas in the 18's singles and won the High School State Singles Championship. He then went on to Abilene Christian University on a scholarship where he received his degree in accounting and minored in biblical studies.  At ACU, he was the team captain, M.V.P. and an NCAA All-American - as well as an Academic All-American.

 

After playing some professionally, he became the men's tennis head coach at The University of North Texas followed by some time at Brookhaven Country Club where he was both an accountant and a teaching pro. He was named USPTA Texas Pro of the year in 2001, and after coming to Seay Tennis Center, was named the 2003/04 USTA Developmental Coach of the Year.

 

 

Zach Zwerner - [email protected]

 

Zach grew up playing in the Dallas area, starting when he was seven years old. He trained for eight years with current ATP players Mitchell Kruger and Nathaniel Lammons. During his junior career he was ranked top 25 in the state and top 220 ITF in U18’s. He played Division I tennis at Indiana University for one season before suffering a wrist injury and then transferred to the University of Texas to graduate. Most recently, Zach was an instructor for four years at the JCC to players of all ages and levels prior to joining the staff at Seay.