About

Mr. Henry brings a stellar background in all levels of tennis management and teaching to Gainesville. Prior to joining the Palm Coast Tennis Center, he oversaw public tennis center programs and operations in both Washington, D.C. (Southeast Tennis and Learning) and New York (Harlem Armory). He’s served previously as a high-level tennis instructor in Miami and Delray Beach and coached college programs in both Florida and Pennsylvania. He has held a USPTA P-1 Elite Teaching Professional Certification for 30 years and holds a PTR 10 and Under Certification. 

Mr. Henry began his tennis career in high school in Wilmington, NC. He received a tennis scholarship to NCCU in Durham, NC. Upon completion of eligibility and graduation, Mr. Henry competed on the USTA amateur and professional circuits. While competing, he met Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena. He was hired personally by Mr. Williams and was very instrumental in aiding in the assistance of the sisters’ early development – becoming one of Mr. William’s personal advisors. 

Throughout his career, Mr. Henry has been a strong advocate for making tennis more accessible and equitable for all participants. His 2022 thesis, “Increasing African-American Tennis Player Participation at Selected HBCU,” has brought much-need attention to the systemic challenges facing HCBU tennis programs and the changes needed to reinvigorate and save these programs. 

Mr. Henry was recently named a “Champion of Tennis” by USTA Florida for his work on a wide range of programs that promote tennis in his region. 

Playing Experience

• Top 30 Ranked Junior Tennis player in the Florida Section, 2006
• Top 50 Nationally Ranked player, 2006
• Division 1 College Tennis Player

Certifications Achieved

• United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Elite certified
• 2019 USPTA District Pro of the Year
• USPTA Wheelchair Certified
• USTA Adaptive Certified
• USTA/USPTA 10 & Under Certified
• USTA Certified Tournament Director (since 2013)
• USTA High-Performance Coach
• USPTA Under 30 Leadership Team
• Wilson Sponsored Coach

Contact John today to book your lessons!

Meigan is currently a rising Junior at the University of Florida for her Bachelor’s degree for speech language pathology. Though no tennis experience, Meigan has several years of experience working as a tutor and babysitter, with additional experience working with children with both physical and learning disabilities. Outside of school, Meigan enjoys table top RPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons.

A born and raised Floridian, Annabelle has lived in almost every major Florida region from
South to North. She grew up in Broward County where she played soccer, moved to Orlando
when she was 13 where she played competitive volleyball, and now plays tennis in Gainesville
while attending the University of Florida. Annabelle began playing tennis consistently when she
was 16 years old and started competing right before going to the University of Florida where she
studies Kinesiology. Currently, she competes with the UF club tennis team and plays UTR and
USTA tournaments every other weekend. Off the court Annabelle loves visiting local coffee
shops, cooking and baking at home, and going on international travels with her parents, two
sisters, and twin brother.

Originally from the Village of Palmetto Bay within Miami-Dade County in Florida, Tomas moved up north to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida where he is currently double majoring in art history and journalism. Tomas began playing tennis at the age of 12, picking up a sport that both his parents had competed in when they were younger. Tomas competed frequently in USTA tournaments, on the Miami Palmetto Senior High School tennis team, and on the Miami Chihuahuaz tennis team representing Coral Reef Park in USTA Junior Team Tennis. Tomas has volunteered hundreds of hours in teaching tennis to kids in after school clinics at Coral Reef Park. Outside of tennis, Tomas enjoys reading, listening to music, and visiting museums.

Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Nathan developed a passion for tennis at a
young age playing USTA sponsored tennis events. During high school, he would go on
to win the district singles and doubles titles and advance to the Pennsylvania State
Championships three times. He is now the Local Youth Play Coordinator for USTA
Florida and is a tennis coach with Aces in Motion in Gainesville.

Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Joanet moved to Florida to expand his knowledge as a tennis coach, direct high-performance players and manage different programs as well as the management of training sites, with the studies and experience obtained with the management of players from childhood. . up to adults; I have worked with players from their inception, training, development and management, so he was able to train and help ITF, collegiate and professional players.

My beginnings in tennis after being a player led me to direct amateur, ITF and professional tournaments in addition to having experience as a university assistant coach and traveling with players as a coach and assistant at a national and international level. With my experience I created several tennis clinics that I taught internationally. Complete a tennis manual and program for teaching, development and training of amateur players to professionals with the experience acquired with coaches such as Nick Bolletieri, Gabe Jaramillo, Ronni Bernstein, Pat Etcheberry among others, help from psychologists, nutritionists and physical trainers

Noé is a rising senior at the University of Florida in a physical therapy track. He started playing tennis at the age of 9 and has since competed in a lot of USTA tournaments as well as high school tournaments for Coral Reef Senior High School. Outside of Tennis, Noé enjoys hanging out with family and friends as well as going to the gym.

Ken started his tennis journey at the age of 16 in Hopewell Junction, NY. he competed in Junior tournaments and earned a full tennis scholarship to play at Grambling State University in Louisiana. Ken’s talent and dedication led him to be an all-conference player for the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) in both doubles and singles for four consecutive years.

After college, Ken played professional tennis on the satellite circuit for several years. Through a mutual friend and a connection with Arthur Ashe, Ken was offered the prestigious role of Davis Cup Coach for Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. Over the last 20 years, he coached and traveled to over 30 countries, working with WTA and ATP players such as Ahsha Rolle, Arpi Kojan, Clement N’Goran, and many others.

Ken’s impressive career includes managing the United States Tennis Federation Inc. in Parkland, FL, where he helped develop over 10 players ranked in the top 10 of the Florida Section. Most recently, he served as Junior Director at Tri-State Athletic Club in Evansville, Indiana.

Please join me in giving Ken a warm welcome to our team. We are excited to learn from hist vast experience and look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly bring to Play Tennis Gainesville.

Jayden is currently a rising Sophomore at Sante Fe College pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology. Jayden has years of experience working with children via various sports programs and summer camps as well as tested experience in customer service. In his free time, Jayden enjoys video game programming/design and playing soccer.