OUR COACHES

MARINA LAMANDA

MTA Founder &

Head Tennis Coach

With over 35 years of tennis experience, Marina Lamanda was born in Biarritz, France into the game of tennis.

Tennis is a family matter for Marina Lamanda.

Her grandfather met her grandmother around a tennis court while serving his country in the Army. Her parents later met on a tennis court. Both of them being tennis coaches and her father being a former pro player (still number 3 in the world 65+), she could play before she could walk.

After earning her college degrees in business both in France and in the US as a student - semi pro athlete, she later suffered a tennis elbow injury that would prevent her from continuing her tennis career.

After a successful career in real estate, she decided to pursue her passion for tennis as a tennis coach. She was blessed with the opportunities to work under the best mentors in the field in China, the States and Europe and continued on to found her own academies.

With her husband Mickael, they have 2 girls, Mia Joy and Moon Rose, who are already on the courts at MTA playing tennis, and a toy Aussie, named Muxu.

As a player

2023 - National Championships Winner Women Open Singles 35+

2022 - Ranked number 4 in the Nation Team 5.0+ 18 and over

2021 and 2018 - Ranked Number 1 USTA Southern Open Singles in the US

2006 - Valedictorian of Kedge Class MBA

2004 - Finished third in the Nation in NCAA DII with Valdosta State, winning the MVP award that same year

6.0 NTRP

Ranked division 1 in France

As a coach

2018 to 2020 - Founder and Head Coach of the Tennis Academy of Chattanooga

2012 to 2015 - Directed Li Na Academy under 12 in Beijing, China (WTA N3 player in 2012)

Coached in Academies in Europe and Elite Tennis USA, Orlando

Captained National Teams in France (from D4 to D2) as well as in China

Q&A

Favorite tennis shot:

Backhand, down the line!

Favorite tennis player:

Rafael Nadal (the GOAT forever)

What is the best tip someone has given you regarding tennis:

The same than in life, focus on you, on your game, on what you can control and achieve, and do not let the rest get to you. Always leave it all on the court.

To me, tennis is :

Everything! My grandfather was a top tennis player and my parents and grandparents met on a court. My parents are both international tennis players and coaches.

Tennis has given me the opportunity to travel around the world and meet wonderful people along the way. It has given me a balanced lifestyle while during what I love since a young age.

I am very grateful for it and for the opportunity to pass it along myself.

KENNEDY LEWIS

MTA Tennis Coach

Coach Kennedy Lewis recently moved in Madison in July 2022 from Carrollton, GA for work in HR. However, for as long as she can remember she has played and coached tennis, so she is very excited to be able to continue her passion with MTA!

At a very young age, she dedicated her life to tennis as her goal was to play tennis in college at a high level.

She became part of her high school tennis team all four years and won state her senior year. She then continued to play at the University of West Georgia all four years and became captain of the team in 2012 and 2013.

Throughout high school and college, she has coached players of all ages and skill levels. Passing on her passion for tennis quickly became one of her favorite things.

We are so excited to welcome Coach Kennedy to our Team!

Q&A

Favorite tennis shot:

Serve for sure!

Favorite tennis player:

Serena Williams (the GOAT)

Best tip that someone has given me with regards to tennis :

There are a lot of ups and downs in tennis so the best thing you can do for yourself is find the love in it and make it fun even in the hard times when you think you can't do it anymore.

To me, tennis is :

Tennis has always been my happy place! It has brought me friendship, leadership, and a second family. I can't imagine my life without tennis, and it brings me so much joy to pass down my skills.

MICKAEL LAMANDA

MTA Tennis Coach

Coach Mickael Lamanda started playing tennis at age 4 continuing throughout his entire childhood in Morlaix, France.

He played competitively across the north region of France.

As an adult player, he reached division 3 in France and 4.0 USTA level in the US.

He obtained his engineer degree in 2010 and moved to China to work before moving permanently to the USA. Tennis continued to be part of his life.

Working as a medical quality manager during the day, Coach Mickael is passionate about sports and tennis in particular and is eager to pass on his experience and knowledge at MTA.

Married to Coach Marina Lamanda, MTA Owner, they have 2 girls and a toy aussie.

Q&A

Favorite tennis shot:

Serve!

Favorite tennis player:

Roger Federer

What is the best tip someone has given you regarding tennis:

That it is a mental game; always focus on the next point and let go of the previous points.

To me, tennis is :

The greatest sport! It has it all: physical, tactical, mental, social. It is an integrate part of our family and it brings us together to play!

SOPHIA LUNETTA

MTA Assistant Tennis Coach

Sophia Lunetta will start this year her position as Assistant Coach and we are so excited to welcome her in the Team!

She is seventeen years old and the eldest of six children. After finding that soccer wasn't for her, she decided to try tennis a few years ago and have been playing ever since.

Besides tennis, she enjoys reading, drawing and painting, playing video games, writing essays, making music, researching history and playing with her siblings.

Welcome Sophia!

Q&A

Favorite tennis shot:

Forehand volley. Hitting a perfect forehand volley is one of the most exciting parts of the game!

Best tip that someone has given me with regards to tennis :

Do not add any unnecessary steps to my shots. If I keep messing up the same shot in a game, it is usually due to overcomplication and I can correct the problem by going back to the basics.

To me, tennis is :

A fun, beautiful source of mental and physical exercise. I enjoy anticipating the ball's next position, making the swift smooth movements, and the feeling of the ball as it bounces off my racquet. I love watching the ball fly in through the air in a graceful arch. I like the uniforms and the popping sound that issues from the courts. Tennis is a beautiful sport.

CALEB YENIAS

MTA Assistant Tennis Coach

Caleb Yenias will start this year his position as Assistant Coach and we are so excited to welcome him in the Team!

He is also on MTA’s High and Mixed Performance teams.

He moved to Alabama a few years ago when his dad retired from the Navy. Having a dad in the Navy gave their family opportunities to live overseas as well as to live in several different states.

His favorite country that he lived in was Germany. Hiking in the Alps was an amazing experience.

In his free time, he likes to play tennis, run cross country and be active in his church.

Welcome Caleb!

Q&A

Favorite tennis shot:

Backhand

Favorite tennis player:

Carlos Alcaraz

What is the best tip someone has given you regarding tennis:

Keep your eye on the ball as it leaves the opposite player’s racket.

To me, tennis is :

A great way to develop athletic skills, good sportsmanship and sharpen healthy competition.

KARA YENIAS

MTA Assistant Tennis Coach

Kara Yenias will start this year her position as Assistant Coach and we are so excited to welcome her in the Team!

She is so happy to be part of Madison Tennis Academy as an Assistant Coach!!

She is also a member of MTA’s mixed and high-performance teams.

She moved to Madison, Alabama 2 years ago after her dad retired from the Navy. Being part of a military family has allowed her to live all over the world including The Kingdom of Bahrain, Japan, and Germany. Living overseas has introduced her to many different cultures and people, and she was able to see many amazing sites.

Her favorite ways to spend her time are playing tennis with her dad and siblings, playing the piano, and running cross country.

Welcome Kara!

Q&A

Favorite Tennis Shot:

Serve.

Favorite tennis player:

Novak Djokovic

What is the best tip that someone has given you regarding tennis:

Do your best even if you don’t win.

To me, tennis is:

A wonderful way to set goals, work towards them and celebrate improvements. I love

sharpening my skills at Madison Tennis Academy and playing with my family on weekends.