WOTC Leadership

  • Mike Smookler (Coach)

    Club Manager & Tennis Director

    Mike Smookler, the dynamic Manager of WOTC, brings a blend of passion and expertise. With years of experience in sports/tennis management, Mike is dedicated to ensuring that WOTC remains at the forefront of tennis excellence. His leadership style emphasizes both the technical and community aspects of the sport, fostering an environment where players of all levels can thrive and achieve their goals. Under Mike's guidance, WOTC continues to be a beacon for tennis enthusiasts, offering top-tier training and fostering a vibrant tennis community.

    As a USPTA Elite Certified Coach since 1994, Mike's credentials are a testament to his dedication and prowess in the sport. His accolades include being named the 2005 USPTA New England Facility Manager of the Year, 2006 USPTA New England Pro of the Year, 2017 USPTA Eastern High School Coach of the Year, and the 2019 USPTA Eastern Pro of the Year. Mike also was captain of his tennis team at Lyndon State College of Vermont his senior year, integral to his team making it to the NAIA National Tournament for three years in a row. Currently serving the USPTA Board as past President of the USPTA Eastern Section President.

    His rich experience includes training and coaching with tennis legends like Guillermo Villas, Mats Wilander, Stan Smith, Tim Mayotte, Rod Laver, Tom Gullikson, and many more. Hailing from Berkeley Heights, NJ, Mike's journey in tennis is both inspiring and influential, making him a pivotal figure at WOTC and in the broader tennis community.

  • Les Smith (Coach)

    High Performance Director

    Les Smith, the visionary Director of the High-Performance Tennis Program at WOTC, has been molding tennis prodigies since 1994. With his PTR certification and a legacy of coaching champions at state, sectional, and national levels, Les is a beacon for elite juniors transitioning to collegiate play and beyond. Notably, he's the architect behind WOTC's renowned High-Performance Program. This initiative, rooted in Les's philosophy, offers a structured pathway for junior athletes aiming for collegiate tennis. It's not just about physical prowess; Les believes in nurturing players emotionally and psychologically, ensuring they're well-rounded both on and off the court. With a commitment to academics, dedicated weekly play, and active tournament participation, athletes under Les's guidance are primed for success. A former top singles player for Western Michigan University and a native of Flint, Michigan, Les's holistic approach and unmatched expertise make him a cornerstone of WOTC's tennis legacy.

  • Yudy Shivkumar (Coach)

    Junior Development Director

    Yudy Shivkumar is WOTC’s Head of Junior Development. As a father of two stellar competitive players himself—a daughter on D1 scholarship with a son whose eyes are fixed on a bright future as well. Yudy lives and breathes tennis and his mindset is “family first” in consideration of the well-being and the potential of all his tennis students to thrive and win on the court.

    Yudy has competed in the semi-pro circuit himself, and has been an established leader as Director of tennis programs for over 15 years, and he continues to demonstrate his expertise in junior and collegiate player development.

    Yudy is a highly sought-after coach by high-performance juniors, adults, and even kids just starting out. Playing with Yudy is an experience that undoubtedly results in improvement—especially for those dedicated to the challenge to increase their winning record.

  • Shihab Faiyaz (Coach)

    ROGY Youth Progression Senior Manager

    Shihab Faiyaz is a WOTC’s Senior Manager of the ROGY Program. Shihab’s passion is family and tennis—if you know him, you can hear him from few courts over—you know his distinct smile and tenacious belief in the power of positive reinforcement to empower young players to live up to their potential.

    Shihab believes in the power of learning the tennis fundamentals right from the start. He advocates for the families he works with to embrace tennis as an iterative learning process that will result in positive outcomes given the player's positive attitude, discipline, hard work, and natural talent.

    Shihab has been a highly sought-after tennis coach, specializing in junior development for 15+ years and continues to relish in seeing his students thrive on the court, winning National and global championships.

  • Mary Cosh

    Marketing and Admin Lead

    A native of San Diego, CA and former New Yorker, Mary has a background in Marketing and the Arts. A tennis mom and recreational player herself, Mary is passionate about ensuring a positive experience for all who visit us at WOTC.

  • Thiago Ferreira

    Accounting Operations and Client Liason

    Thiago Ferreira, a dedicated member of the WOTC team, seamlessly handles front desk operations while also overseeing accounts. With a meticulous eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Thiago ensures both guests and financials are managed with precision and care.

  • "Dillon" Dorneal Shiwkumar

    USTA Tournament Director and Client liaison

    Dillon Shiwkumar, a pivotal member of the WOTC team, expertly contributes to the front desk while also serving as the USTA In-House Tournament Director. With a keen understanding of both administrative and competitive aspects of tennis, Dillon ensures smooth operations and top-tier tournament experiences at WOTC.

  • "Pat" Patricia Maginley

    Client Service Front Desk Liaison

    For over 10 years, Pat McGinley has been a welcoming face at WOTC, embodying the spirit of our community as the Client Service Front Desk Liaison. Her role extends beyond warm greetings; she expertly leads the administration of our Tennis Team events, bringing her own passion as a tennis player. Integral to WOTC's culture, Pat's presence is a blend of friendliness and professionalism that makes our facility more than just a tennis club – it's a home.

  • Jackie Howard

    Client Service Front Desk Liasion

    Jackie Howard is our morning spark at WOTC, bringing a unique energy that kick-starts our day. Her presence ensures a smooth start to our operations, adding a lively touch to our community. Jackie's distinct style is an essential part of the WOTC family, helping us all begin each day with a fresh and vibrant outlook.

Clients can connect directly with WOTC coaches for private lessons. See below for more info and call the front desk at 973-731-1740

Meet some more of our Coaches at WOTC 

  • Novak Nash (Coach)

    Hailing originally from Australia, With over 25 years of tennis coaching experience, Novak has mentored national and international players, accompanying them in tournaments across the U.S., Australia and beyond. Not just a coach, Novak held ATP and ITF world rankings in both Singles and Doubles and has clinched 4 USTA National titles, showcasing his prowess in singles, doubles and mixed doubles

  • Sterling White (Coach)

    Sterling White, with over 30 years in the tennis coaching realm, brings unparalleled expertise to WOTC's high-performance program. As a USPTA-certified professional, he's held esteemed roles from Head Pro to Director of Tennis and served as a Summer National Coach for USTA's Eastern and Mid-Atlantic sections. His track record boasts of mentoring a NJ Girls State Champion and a NJ Boys State Doubles Finalist, with proteges advancing to elite institutions like Yale and Georgetown. Notably, Sterling has coached USTA Ladies teams that have gone on to play at Sectionals as well as Nationals from the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic sections. At WOTC, Sterling not only hones technical prowess but also instills core values of resilience, dedication, and community. He emphasizes life lessons, teaching players to navigate success and challenges with grace and integrity.

  • Mahendra Rampersaud (Coach)

    As a USPTA-certified tennis coach with a passion for helping players of all levels improve their game Mahendra specializes in tailoring his coaching to meet the unique needs of each individual. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player seeking to take your game to the next level, he has the expertise and enthusiasm to help you achieve your goals. Additionally, his experience as our Green Ball Director and knowledge of the ROGY progression ensures that he can provide expert guidance for juniors and adults alike.

  • Rafa Zamarripa (Coach)

    Rafa Zamarripa, a distinguished and up-and-coming coach to watch for at WOTC, shines in his ability to connect with kids of all ages. Renowned for his supportive mentoring, he actively engages on the court, playing alongside his students. Rafa consistently offers insightful feedback, emphasizing live ball play, footwork, and the strategy of the game. Rafa is also sought after for players who seek to practice before a tournament—he’s a very active coach! With a blend of structured drills and flexibility, he ensures his students not only learn but truly understand the nuances of tennis.

  • Ashley Nash (Coach)

    Ashley Nash, a Southern California native, and now a dedicated coach at WOTC, has been immersed in tennis since the age of five. Starting her coaching journey at sixteen, she later showcased her skills on a Division 1 college tennis team in CA.

    As a seasoned player and student-athlete, Ashley embodies the essence of hard work and discipline, adeptly managing diverse tasks and imparting her rich experience to WOTC's budding talents inclusive of high performance.

  • Jose Lara (Coach)

    Jose Lara, a native of Spain with more than 20 years of coaching experience is a stand-out ROGY High-Performance Coach at WOTC. Jose instills a robust competitive spirit in his players by championing the philosophy that tennis is a journey of learning and growth. He often asserts, “If you don’t want to lose, don’t play,” emphasizing the importance of embracing victories and defeats. Jose believes in the power of discipline and a genuine love for the game. As a high-performance coach, he embodies the core values of resilience, dedication, and a balanced perspective on competition, ensuring players are mentally and technically primed for excellence Jose is specialized in stroke production, footwork training, pattern Recognition, and tactics implementation.

  • Anatoli Teterin (Coach)

    Anatoli Teterin, a seasoned coach at WOTC and a native of Ukraine, boasts a rich history of mentoring established international players. Anatoli’s unique set of expertise As a seasoned coach of tennis champions, Anatoli is the renowned former official coach of the USSR’s Women’s National Team in the 80’s, a private coach to Larissa Savchenko-double champion of French Open and Wimbledon in doubles with Natasha Zverev. From 1993 onwards Anatoli continues to build and share his expertise, now in the US with juniors in conjunction with competition at the tournaments inclusive of the US OPEN.

    With a versatile coaching approach, Anatoli excels in both one-on-one sessions and group clinics, catering to adults eager to elevate their tennis prowess

  • Scot Collins (Coach)

    Scot Collins, WOTC's beloved ROGY Orange Ball Manager, brings a remarkable 47 years of coaching expertise to the table. As a USPTA-certified instructor, Scot has honed talents across diverse skill levels, ensuring every player benefits from his vast experience and dedication.

  • Claudio Urra (Coach + Tennis Shop Owner)

    Claudio Urra, a bilingual ROGY High-Performance Tennis Coach at WOTC, seamlessly blends his expertise in English and Spanish to cater to a diverse clientele. Beyond the court, Claudio's entrepreneurial spirit shines as the owner of CS Tennis Shop. His multifaceted approach to tennis as a coach and a business owner sets him apart, offering a a unique blend of technical prowess and industry insight

  • Paul Gross (Coach)

    Paul Gross, a seasoned, distinguished tennis coach at WOTC, excels in mentoring advanced players. With a keen focus on the mental facets of the game, Paul's coaching transcends mere technique, equipping players with the mental edge crucial for tennis excellence.

  • Robert Greer (Coach)

    Robert Greer, a USTA P1 professional with 25 years under his belt, boasts a rich legacy at WOTC. He notably trained Grand Slam champion Anastasia Myskina in 2001, prior to her French Open win. Managing junior and adult programs since 2001, Robert is based out of both Boca Raton, FL, and Roseland, NJ. His coaching acumen shines in part through his talented and dedicated wife, Anna Marie Greer, who holds a distinguished 32nd national rank for women aged 60 and over.

  • Luis de la Vega (Coach)

    Luis de la Vega, with his wealth of coaching experience, is a dynamic force at WOTC. He expertly leads our women's teams and nurtures junior talent, known for his strategic training approach. Specializing in personalized, high-performance programs, Luis is a pivotal figure in both women's tennis and junior development, making him an invaluable asset to our community.

  • Amaurys (Coach)

    Bio to come…

  • Jonathan "Jon" Yu

    Bio to come…

  • Peggy Schick

    Bio to come…

  • Danielle Hall

    Bio to come…

  • Ivan Gonzalez

    Bio to come…

  • Kathy Mueller Rohan

    Bio to come…

  • Jan Johnson

    Bio to come…

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