Tennis Professionals

Barbara has been at Roosevelt since 2005 and serves as the Assistant Adult Program Director and the Director of the Cardio Tennis Program. She teaches in both the Adult and Junior Programs at the Club in addition to giving private lessons. Barbara grew up in Baltimore and received a BS Degree from Johns Hopkins University in Mathematical Sciences. While in college, Barbara was an All-American Field Hockey player. Barbara is a certified USPTA teaching professional and holds Regional and National Rankings in the Women’s Open Singles Division.

Michael, also known as “Coach Murph”, comes to Roosevelt Island Racquet Club with over 15 years of experience in tennis training. Studying Sports Psychology at College of Charleston in South Carolina, his unique program design is very educational including functional movement screening, strength and conditioning, applied nutrition, style, strategy, and more. Coach Murph has a great reputation for always bringing a fun, positive energy to every session. As a National Academy of Sports and Medicine (NASM) certified trainer he has spent his last few years in NYC training, coaching, and instructing all ages, from 4 years and up to collegiate and professional athletes. He had the privilege to work with ATP World #1 Novak Djokovic, train at John McEnroe’s Tennis Academy, and work with NYC’s top teaching pros such as Gilad Bloom, and Advantage Tennis Club’s own Xavier Luna and Ajay Kumar.

David, originally from Philadelphia and a top ranked junior in the Middle States has taught at RIRC since 1997. David is a graduate of the University of Oregon and received his Masters Degree in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute. He was with All-American Sports Tennis Camps for 14 years. Since 1986 as a USPTA certified teaching pro in NYC, he has excelled in the teaching of beginners to top junior players. He has been a USTA Area Training Center head coach at the National Tennis Center. David is also a very skilled professional photographer.

Aston attended Montego Bay Community College, Jamaica. He taught at several All-American Sports five-star resorts and is an instructor at the Nike/Amherst Adult Tennis Camp in Massachusetts. USPTA certified, he has been at RIRC since 1994 and excels in the development of junior players.

Chris is a native of New Jersey and has over twenty years experience teaching tennis. He lived and trained at the Nick Bolleittieri Tennis Academy for four years and has trained with Pat Etcheberry, Nick Saviano, Jim Loehr, and others. Chris played Satellite and Futures Tournaments and attended UC Santa Barbara. Before coming to Roosevelt in 2009, Chris worked at Tennisport, Center Court in Chatham, NJ, and the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Chris specializes in the classical approach to teaching tennis fundamentals.

Raymond is a native of Guyana and has lived in New York City since 1973. He was the number one ranked player in Guyana and was the Captain of the Guyana National Team. Ray has extensive competitive experience and has been teaching tennis for over 30 years. Before coming to Roosevelt in 2009, Ray worked at Tennisport, Long Island City Indoors, Fila Tennis Club, and others. Ray resides in Queens with his family and enjoys many other sports.

Anne Hobbs was one of Britain’s leading tennis players for more than 12 years. Anne reached a WTA world ranking of 33 in singles and 6 in doubles. A keen competitor with a serve and volley game, Anne represented Great Britain in Wightman and Federation Cups from 1978-1989, and had recorded singles victories over Virginia Wade, Rosie Casals, Jo Durie, Carling Bassett, and Zina Garrison. Anne runs her own program at RIRC which includes private lessons, doubles clinics, and adult tournaments. For more information on Anne Hobbs, please click on the link to her website www.AnneHobbsTennis.com.

A Queens native, Bert has worked as a tennis professional at RIRC since 2007. His previous positions have included Head Pro at the Montauk Yacht Club, Head Pro at the Le Havre Tennis & Swim Club, and professional for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Bert has been certified with a Professional rating by the USPTR since 1997. He is a college professor and a musician. Bert primarily works in the Adult Programs at RIRC.

Luis is native of Ecuador and grew up playing tennis at Stadium Tennis Center in the Bronx where he studied with Gordon Kent and Ron Holmberg. Luis worked with the New York Junior Tennis League and was the Assistant Director of the New England Tennis Camp for five years. He has been at Roosevelt since 2001. Luis is an avid dancer and teaches ballroom dancing, Latin dancing, and hopes to start his own dance studio.

Eric is a native of Idaho and moved to New York City in 2003. He was a ranked Junior Player and attended the University of Montana where he was a member of the varsity tennis team for four years. Before coming to Roosevelt in 2008, Eric worked at Tennisport, Columbus Racquet Club, and the Tennis Club at Grand Central. Eric is the Head Men’s Tennis Coach at Hunter College and was named CUNY Coach of the Year in 2009. He a certifed member of the USPTA.