Staff
Owner, Founder, and Director of Tennis
Michael DiRaimondo
Owner, Founder, and Director of Tennis
Owner and founder of McCarren Tennis Center since 2016
Certified Tennis Professional - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR)
Tennis Pro of the Year, 2021 for New York State by PTR
8th Degree Black Belt - Kanzen Gojuryu Karate
I started playing tennis at 27 years old and fell in love with the sport. My dream was to own a tennis facility and teach tennis. I taught karate to over 15,000 students and the skills from teaching karate easily transferred to teaching tennis. The goal of owning and operating McCarren Tennis Center is to teach children and adults tennis so they can play for life. The teaching of children is a priority to McCarren and to develop these juniors not only as good tennis players, but as good people. We teach them tennis skills, how to interact with other players, fitness, discipline, and a skill that will help them in all aspects of their lives. Tennis is fantastic for increasing aerobic capacities; reducing stress; improving metabolic functions; lowering body fat; and improving muscle tone, strength and flexibility. All of these benefits, while having fun on the tennis court. Tennis is a positive addiction.
Michael DiRaimondo
Owner, Founder, and Director of Tennis
Owner and founder of McCarren Tennis Center since 2016
Certified Tennis Professional - Professional Tennis Registry (PTR)
Tennis Pro of the Year, 2021 for New York State by PTR
8th Degree Black Belt - Kanzen Gojuryu Karate
I started playing tennis at 27 years old and fell in love with the sport. My dream was to own a tennis facility and teach tennis. I taught karate to over 15,000 students and the skills from teaching karate easily transferred to teaching tennis. The goal of owning and operating McCarren Tennis Center is to teach children and adults tennis so they can play for life. The teaching of children is a priority to McCarren and to develop these juniors not only as good tennis players, but as good people. We teach them tennis skills, how to interact with other players, fitness, discipline, and a skill that will help them in all aspects of their lives. Tennis is fantastic for increasing aerobic capacities; reducing stress; improving metabolic functions; lowering body fat; and improving muscle tone, strength and flexibility. All of these benefits, while having fun on the tennis court. Tennis is a positive addiction.
Head Pro
Anna E.
Head Pro
Anna Edelman is a tennis professional with 10+ years of experience teaching adults and juniors. She specializes in running high-energy cardio tennis clinics as well as working with tournament players. A native of New York, Anna has been an avid tennis player since childhood, and was a strong competitor as a junior. She played in USTA tournaments in the 12s through the 18s at the regional and national level including Nationals, Super Nationals and ITF tournaments. Anna was recruited to Binghamton University’s NCAA Division 1 Women’s Tennis Team where she competed at #1 singles and doubles. Upon graduation, Anna was hired as the assistant coach for the women’s team. Anna is USPTA and Cardio Tennis Certified and was inducted into Binghamton’s Athletic Hall of Fame this December.
Kevin Erickson
Head Pro
A former juniors and collegiate competitor, Kevin is a lifelong learner who enjoys teaching all levels of tennis athletes. Whether it's teaching the fundamentals to beginners, better consistency to intermediates, or an improved second serve to an advanced player, Kevin sees opportunity for growth at each stage of the tennis journey. With an educational and career background in the psychology field, Kevin possesses insight into the cognitive and emotional aspects of tennis, and encourages a healthy balance between achievement and fun.
Fernando Lista
Head Pro
Fernando has a lifelong history with tennis that has taken him around the world as a player and coach. After a successful ITF junior career competing all over the globe, Fernando participated in Futures, Satellites and Challenger tournaments. Since then, and for over a decade, he has passed on his knowledge and experience, coaching professional players and all levels of tennis enthusiasts. Fernando uses the unique and highly successful Spanish tennis coaching system of the world-renowned, Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy. He has coached in some of the finest tennis academies in Europe, most recently in Spain and Finland, where he received the “Coach of the Year” award. Fernando brings a combination of exciting techniques and stimulating exercises to McCarren, and does so exuding a true passion for the game.
Rob Nita
Head Pro
Rob Nita is a former professional tennis player from Queens, New York. He comes from a Romanian background and moved to Europe at the age of 10 to pursue his tennis career. Soon after, Rob became the Romanian national champion in Boys 12’s, 14’s and 16’s. He played Futures and Challenger tournaments around the world and achieved a career high ATP singles ranking of 1400. Rob always comes to the court with high energy and enthusiasm. He specializes in communicating techniques and strategies for all playing levels, while creating an enjoyable environment that motivates players to succeed. Rob has over 14 years of teaching experience and holds coaching certifications from the USPTA and Professional Tennis Registry.
Head Pro
Anna E.
Head Pro
Anna Edelman is a tennis professional with 10+ years of experience teaching adults and juniors. She specializes in running high-energy cardio tennis clinics as well as working with tournament players. A native of New York, Anna has been an avid tennis player since childhood, and was a strong competitor as a junior. She played in USTA tournaments in the 12s through the 18s at the regional and national level including Nationals, Super Nationals and ITF tournaments. Anna was recruited to Binghamton University’s NCAA Division 1 Women’s Tennis Team where she competed at #1 singles and doubles. Upon graduation, Anna was hired as the assistant coach for the women’s team. Anna is USPTA and Cardio Tennis Certified and was inducted into Binghamton’s Athletic Hall of Fame this December.
Kevin Erickson
Head Pro
A former juniors and collegiate competitor, Kevin is a lifelong learner who enjoys teaching all levels of tennis athletes. Whether it's teaching the fundamentals to beginners, better consistency to intermediates, or an improved second serve to an advanced player, Kevin sees opportunity for growth at each stage of the tennis journey. With an educational and career background in the psychology field, Kevin possesses insight into the cognitive and emotional aspects of tennis, and encourages a healthy balance between achievement and fun.
Fernando Lista
Head Pro
Fernando has a lifelong history with tennis that has taken him around the world as a player and coach. After a successful ITF junior career competing all over the globe, Fernando participated in Futures, Satellites and Challenger tournaments. Since then, and for over a decade, he has passed on his knowledge and experience, coaching professional players and all levels of tennis enthusiasts. Fernando uses the unique and highly successful Spanish tennis coaching system of the world-renowned, Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy. He has coached in some of the finest tennis academies in Europe, most recently in Spain and Finland, where he received the “Coach of the Year” award. Fernando brings a combination of exciting techniques and stimulating exercises to McCarren, and does so exuding a true passion for the game.
Rob Nita
Head Pro
Rob Nita is a former professional tennis player from Queens, New York. He comes from a Romanian background and moved to Europe at the age of 10 to pursue his tennis career. Soon after, Rob became the Romanian national champion in Boys 12’s, 14’s and 16’s. He played Futures and Challenger tournaments around the world and achieved a career high ATP singles ranking of 1400. Rob always comes to the court with high energy and enthusiasm. He specializes in communicating techniques and strategies for all playing levels, while creating an enjoyable environment that motivates players to succeed. Rob has over 14 years of teaching experience and holds coaching certifications from the USPTA and Professional Tennis Registry.
Staff Pro
Mike Armstrong
Staff Pro
Mike C.
Staff Pro
Mike was ranked in the USTA Middle States as a junior. Prior to joining MTC in 2020, he played for a college in New Jersey.
Omar Durrani
Staff Pro
Omar has over 9 years of experience coaching tennis. He has coached at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and has worked as an assistant coach under Division 1 coach Greg Wozniaki. Omar played professionally through college as the #1 singles player for his school and led his team to the city conference title. He has a coaching certification from the ITF and is rated as the #1 coach in the New York area on CoachUp.
Michael Fleming
Staff Pro
Michael is a passionate tennis enthusiast with a dynamic career. He was charted top 25 in the country for juniors' doubles, reached the semi-finals in two super national tournaments, and achieved a number 1 ranking for doubles in the mid-Atlantic section. While playing for UMW, he achieved a top 10 national ranking in D3 doubles. Michael has coached at Roanoke College, taught at the world-renowned Kiawah Island Resort, and honed expertise at a private club in Charleston. Michael is a versatile instructor with experience across all ages and skill levels.
Greg Fukushima
Staff Pro
Greg was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He started playing tennis his freshman year of high school and fell in love with the sport. He quickly improved over the course of 4 years and accomplished his goal of playing number one doubles for his high school. He competed in multiple tournaments throughout his senior year, including the city playoffs and the prestigious Ojai Tennis Tournament, and finished the season ranked top 8 in the Los Angeles school district. Prior to joining McCarren Tennis Center in 2023, Greg taught for several years at a tennis club in Los Angeles. Through positive reinforcement and communication, Greg does everything he can to help his students balance hard work with fun on the court so they can rapidly achieve their tennis goals.
Akilah James
Staff Pro
Akilah James is a professional tennis player of Caribbean descent from Brooklyn, New York. Akilah has been in tennis her entire life and has been ranked both collegiately and professionally. During her junior years she obtained a full scholarship to the world famous IMG Academy, where she trained personally with Nick Bollettieri. After years of rigorous training, Akilah played Division 1 tennis for the University of Arizona on a full scholarship. After graduating, she competed on the WTA Tour where she reached a career high singles ranking of 678 in the world. Akilah has represented Grenada at the Pan American Olympic Games and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of her High School.
Kyle Patrick
Staff Pro
Kyle comes from a family of tennis players and pros and he has been playing tennis since he was 5 years old. Prior to joining MTC in 2023, Kyle taught at the Davidson Tennis Academy in Virginia Beach where he coached an elite junior program that produces collegiate players every year. He also has extensive experience coaching adults of all ages and skill levels.
Ivi Selenica
Staff Pro
Staff Pro
Mike Armstrong
Staff Pro
Mike C.
Staff Pro
Mike was ranked in the USTA Middle States as a junior. Prior to joining MTC in 2020, he played for a college in New Jersey.
Omar Durrani
Staff Pro
Omar has over 9 years of experience coaching tennis. He has coached at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and has worked as an assistant coach under Division 1 coach Greg Wozniaki. Omar played professionally through college as the #1 singles player for his school and led his team to the city conference title. He has a coaching certification from the ITF and is rated as the #1 coach in the New York area on CoachUp.
Michael Fleming
Staff Pro
Michael is a passionate tennis enthusiast with a dynamic career. He was charted top 25 in the country for juniors' doubles, reached the semi-finals in two super national tournaments, and achieved a number 1 ranking for doubles in the mid-Atlantic section. While playing for UMW, he achieved a top 10 national ranking in D3 doubles. Michael has coached at Roanoke College, taught at the world-renowned Kiawah Island Resort, and honed expertise at a private club in Charleston. Michael is a versatile instructor with experience across all ages and skill levels.
Greg Fukushima
Staff Pro
Greg was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He started playing tennis his freshman year of high school and fell in love with the sport. He quickly improved over the course of 4 years and accomplished his goal of playing number one doubles for his high school. He competed in multiple tournaments throughout his senior year, including the city playoffs and the prestigious Ojai Tennis Tournament, and finished the season ranked top 8 in the Los Angeles school district. Prior to joining McCarren Tennis Center in 2023, Greg taught for several years at a tennis club in Los Angeles. Through positive reinforcement and communication, Greg does everything he can to help his students balance hard work with fun on the court so they can rapidly achieve their tennis goals.
Akilah James
Staff Pro
Akilah James is a professional tennis player of Caribbean descent from Brooklyn, New York. Akilah has been in tennis her entire life and has been ranked both collegiately and professionally. During her junior years she obtained a full scholarship to the world famous IMG Academy, where she trained personally with Nick Bollettieri. After years of rigorous training, Akilah played Division 1 tennis for the University of Arizona on a full scholarship. After graduating, she competed on the WTA Tour where she reached a career high singles ranking of 678 in the world. Akilah has represented Grenada at the Pan American Olympic Games and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of her High School.
Kyle Patrick
Staff Pro
Kyle comes from a family of tennis players and pros and he has been playing tennis since he was 5 years old. Prior to joining MTC in 2023, Kyle taught at the Davidson Tennis Academy in Virginia Beach where he coached an elite junior program that produces collegiate players every year. He also has extensive experience coaching adults of all ages and skill levels.