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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 3 girls, Mia Joy, born in 2018, Moon Rose, born in 2020, who are already on the courts at MTA playing tennis, Maddie Lou, born in 2025 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!
ZACHARY ABOOD
ZACHARY ABOOD
MTA Tennis Coach
Zachary Abood was introduced to tennis by his father in middle school and was immediately drawn to the sport. Zach played tennis through all four years at Eaton Rapids Highschool. He earned the number one singles position on the varsity team as a Junior and competed at the Division Championship.
He went on to play tennis while studying at Central Michigan University, joining the school's intramural tennis league. Zach has continued to stay active in tennis through USTA leagues and tournaments over the last 15 years.
Q&A
Favorite shot: One handed backhand
Favorite player: Roger Federer (M) & Justine Henin (W)
Best Tennis Tip: Build your tennis game on a solid foundation of mobility, physical conditioning and mental focus. Relentlessly pursue every ball and put in your maximum effort to make your opponent hit another shot.
CALEB YENIAS
CALEB YENIAS
MTA Assistant Tennis Coach
Caleb Yenias is an Assistant Coach at Madison Tennis Academy, and a member of MTA’s Elite performance team. Since being with MTA, he has played on all three of MTA’s performance teams. He participated in the 2025 MTA Performance Players League and the 2025 MTA Performance Tournament.
As a coach, he really enjoys watching his players improve their skills and seeing their faces when they master a shot they have been practicing. He says: "The students at MTA are dedicated to learning and growing their tennis skills, and it is a privilege to coach these players."
His family moved to Alabama in 2022 after his dad retired from the Navy. Being a Navy kid, he has lived in three foreign countries and has moved 13 times in his life! In his spare time, he enjoys practicing his tennis skills – especially serving, running cross country, and being active in his church.
Q&A
Favorite tennis shot:
The Serve
Favorite tennis player:
Carlos Alcaraz
What is the best tip someone has given you regarding tennis:
Your most difficult opponent that you will ever play in a tennis match is yourself.
To me, tennis is :
Tennis is a sport which is as mental as it is physical, as you hone your skills, the mental and physical discipline you gain can be applied to other areas of your life. Tennis is a sport in which you as a player gain discipline, good sportsmanship, and is a sport which can be played for a lifetime.
KARA YENIAS
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.
ABIGAIL WEN
ABIGAIL WEN
MTA Assistant Tennis Coach
Abigail (or Abby) was born in Michigan, where she grew up playing tennis. She moved to Alabama in 2020 and joined the James Clemens Tennis Team a year after. She has been a part of the girls’ varsity since late 2021 and made it to state twice! Currently, she is the number one on the team. During the summer, she enters local tournaments along with her younger brother, accompanied by their dad.
When she’s at home, she’s (hopefully) studying, but would much prefer to write, draw, or watch TV with her family. Outside of home and the courts, she enjoys shopping, exploring different foods, and finding new collectibles to join her expanding stash!
Q&A
Favorite tennis shot:
Backhand drive volley!!
Favorite tennis player:
Carlos Alcaraz and Zheng Qiwen
Best Tip:
Tennis is a mental game. There are times when you can tell who will win the second they step onto the court.
To me, tennis is:
A form of art! Regardless of whether you win or lose, there is always a beauty behind good form, sound strategy, and a strong mindset--sometimes, it's important to remember that. Tennis is also a way to connect with others and a fantastic sport that allows you to focus on improving yourself.
SOPHIA LUNETTA
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.
VIRAAJ EDULAKANTI
VIRAAJ EDULAKANTI
Assistant Tennis Coach & Sparring Partner
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