Your Court. Your Game.

Rodrigo Schtscherbyna

Rodrigo was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He originally competed as a swimmer and earned national titles before his father's love of tennis inspired him to shift his athletic focus to the court.

Playing Background

Rodrigo rose to the No. 1 junior ranking in Brazil in the 14-and-under, 16-and-under and 18-and-under divisions. In 1998, he received a full tennis scholarship to Florida International University, an NCAA Division I program.

At FIU, Rodrigo completed a double major in Finance and International Business. After graduating, he committed himself to pursuing professional tennis, training extensively, traveling internationally and earning titles along the way.

Coaching & Professional Background

In 2002, Rodrigo joined Winthrop University in South Carolina, coaching its NCAA Division I women's tennis program while simultaneously completing an MBA.

He relocated to New York in 2003 and has worked in the region ever since, including positions at several prominent racquet clubs throughout Westchester County before joining Club Fit.

Rodrigo is certified through both the USPTA and PPTA. Away from work, he is an avid fan of tennis, platform tennis, soccer and sports in general, and also maintains a strong interest in finance and global socioeconomic issues.

Emily Chang

Biography

Emily is an experienced tennis professional whose background includes coaching, program development, tournaments, camps and club operations. She has worked with both junior and adult players across a wide range of skill levels in private lessons, group instruction, clinics and competitive programs.

She is particularly passionate about creating programs that help players improve their technique and confidence while maintaining an enjoyable and supportive environment. Her junior programming experience includes seasonal programs, summer camps and Red, Orange and Green Ball development.

Playing Background

Emily is originally from São Paulo, Brazil. As a junior, she earned the No. 1 national ranking in the Girls' 14-and-under division and competed in ITF events.

She moved to the United States in 2015 to play collegiate tennis. At Mesa Community College in Arizona, Emily was named Women's Athlete of the Year. After transferring to ASA College, she earned ITA Sophomore Player of the Year honors in 2017.

Emily later transferred to the University of Mobile. In 2018 she was named Newcomer of the Year and earned NAIA First-Team All-American honors. In 2019 she was selected as the SSAC Women's Tennis Player of the Year and reached No. 13 nationally in singles in the ITA rankings.

She graduated with honors in 2020 and competed professionally before transitioning her focus to coaching.

Coaching Background

At Sportime's John McEnroe Tennis Academy, Emily coached juniors ranging from age three through 17 as well as adults. Her responsibilities included private instruction, group lessons, clinics, competitive training and Red, Orange and Green Ball programming.

She also managed summer programming for younger players, coordinating daily schedules, drills, games and match play while emphasizing confidence, teamwork and long-term enjoyment of tennis.

At Brae Burn Country Club, Emily primarily coached adults through lessons and clinics covering technique, strategy, movement, consistency and match play. She also organized internal tournaments and competitive events and managed Tennis Cardio programming.

Emily additionally spent two summers with Future Stars Summer Camp, coaching children ages four through 14 and leading tennis drills, match play, games and group activities.

Nei Dos Santos

Biography

Originally from Florianópolis, Brazil, Nei was consistently ranked among the top 20 junior players nationally throughout his age divisions. He later competed at Cowley County Community College in Kansas before completing his education at Newman University.

Nei earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Newman University in 2014 and later completed his master's degree while working as a Graduate Assistant. He is USPTA and PTR certified and brings more than two decades of coaching experience.

Playing Background

At Cowley College, Nei competed at the top of the lineup and won regional championships during both of his seasons with the program. He earned All-American honors and concluded the season ranked among the nation's top three doubles players.

Coaching Background

• Worked closely with respected coaches including Rafael Westrupp, Marcelo “Cascata” Rebelo, Ricardo Pimentel, Carlos Alves, Carlos Goff and Thomaz Koch.
• Served as a sparring partner for Fernanda Alves, Lorena Valent and Florentina Hanish.
• Worked with Eliot Spizzirri before his collegiate career at the University of Texas and subsequent professional career.
• Served as Director of Tennis at Sooner Tennis Academy in Norman, Oklahoma.
• Coached players through the John McEnroe Tennis Academy.
• Coached Alex Suviniski during a run that culminated in the No. 1 New York ranking in 2025 following 17 consecutive wins.
• Coached Jack Reis, winner of the 2026 New York State Public School Singles Championship.

Mathias Degardin

Playing Background & Highlights

Mathias was born and raised in Lyon, France, where he reached a national junior ranking of No. 10 in the Under-14 division. In 2014, he moved to the United States to attend the University of South Carolina Aiken.

During his collegiate career, USCA reached No. 8 nationally in NCAA Division II. Mathias played both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, climbing as high as No. 40 nationally in singles and No. 15 in doubles.

His career-high UTR reached 13.5. He was named Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and later served as team captain from 2016 through 2018.

Mathias also served as a hitting partner for ATP- and ITF-ranked players including Noah Rubin, Corentin Denolly and Roy Smith.

Over three seasons at USCA, he set a program record with 42 career singles victories, compiling a 42-12 record. He was also named USC Aiken's Best International Athlete in 2016.

Mathias later attended Queens University of Charlotte while pursuing his MBA. He again served as team captain, and during his season there the program achieved its highest national ranking at No. 15.

Professional Background

Throughout his undergraduate and graduate years, Mathias spent summers working as a tennis professional. His experience included the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in Syosset, the Patterson Club and Tamarack Country Club.

After completing his MBA, he returned to the Patterson Club as Head Pro for two seasons. There he supervised a staff of junior professionals, managed junior programming, scheduled and ran practices and coordinated junior interclub competition.

Mathias also led adult clinics and leagues and grew the club's Point Play tournament into one of its most successful events in both attendance and revenue. He helped create additional social programming including themed events for junior players.

In March 2022, Mathias joined Weston Racquet Club as Junior Director and USTA Supervisor. He oversaw the full junior program, helped triple program revenue and increased junior participation by more than 70% over a three-year period.

His responsibilities included managing eight teaching professionals, developing curriculum and directing multiple USTA women's league teams and men's practice programming.

In 2025, the 3.0 team he coached won its district and ultimately finished fourth nationally. During his tenure at Weston, Mathias created more than 20 in-house junior tournaments involving over 200 players and managed more than 10 USTA Level 6 and Level 7 events.

Coaching Background

Mathias served as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina Aiken during a season in which the program reached No. 5 nationally in NCAA Division II.

He also served as an assistant coach at Queens University of Charlotte, helping the team finish the season inside the national top 20.

His player-development experience includes helping students reach 10.5 UTR ratings and continue their tennis careers at the collegiate level. He is also a USPTA-certified Platform Tennis Professional and holds current CPR certification.

Billy Ray Jackson

Billy has spent more than three decades on the Club Fit staff. He was born and raised in North Central Texas and moved frequently throughout the United States and Europe while growing up in a military family.

His father was an Air Force Major and a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. Billy later attended Shaw University and earned a master's degree in Sports and Fitness Administration.

In October 2003, Billy was inducted into the Shaw University Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments in football, baseball and tennis.

Professional Credentials

Billy is a life member of the Eastern Tennis Association. His professional certifications include PTR P-1, USPTA Elite Professional and MTM Level 3.

His professional honors include PTR Pro of the Year in 1992, Eastern Section Pro of the Year in 1998 and the Eastern Section Presidential Award in 1996.

He previously served as President of the Eastern Section of the Professional Tennis Registry and was Athletic Director of the Abbott School.

Billy has worked with tennis legend Arthur Ashe and studied under internationally known teaching professional Oscar Wegner. His instruction emphasizes efficient technique, smart shot selection and helping players develop a deeper understanding of how to play the game.

Daniel Reisner

Daniel grew up locally in Millwood, New York, and graduated from Horace Greeley High School in 2005. Long before joining Club Fit's staff as a tennis professional, he had already spent more than a decade as a Club Fit member.

Sports were central to Daniel's upbringing. He competed in basketball, baseball, wrestling, football, lacrosse, racquetball and tennis and also developed a strong interest in strength training, cardiovascular conditioning and nutrition.

Daniel's competitive mindset taught him early how much disciplined training could affect athletic performance. Eventually, he had to choose one sport to pursue in college.

College & Tennis Background

After being recruited and receiving an athletic scholarship, Daniel attended Keene State College in New Hampshire, where he played four years of NCAA Division III lacrosse.

Following college, he returned his focus to tennis. His interest in teaching and helping others led him to earn certifications for both 10-and-Under tennis and adult tennis.

Daniel is an active USTA member and has competed in local leagues and tournaments. His coaching style combines energy and patience and is designed to challenge players while keeping the learning process enjoyable.

In addition to private and group instruction, Daniel organizes social tennis events and serves as the club's head racquet stringer.

Member Perspective

One longtime student credits Daniel with helping her progress from a complete beginner who had never played tennis to competing in Club Fit leagues and joining a USTA team.

She described his approach as challenging and demanding while remaining positive and enjoyable, and credited his coaching with helping her build both confidence and a genuine enthusiasm for tennis.

Harry Fowler

Biography & Playing Background

Harry was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He began playing tennis at the age of three. As a junior player, he achieved the No. 1 USTA national ranking in the Boys' 12 & Under division and reached the No. 2 USTA national ranking in the 14 & Under division.

His accomplishments included winning a Gold Ball at the USTA Clay Court Level 1 Super National Championships, a Silver Ball in singles at the 14 & Under Easter Bowl Level 1 Super National, and a Gold Ball in doubles at the Easter Bowl. Before turning 16, Harry won nine national titles and also won the international Eddie Herr 14 & Under Doubles Championship. He was also the only player to take a set from Grigor Dimitrov during the Eddie Herr and Orange Bowl 14 & Under international competitions.

From 2007 to 2010, Harry was a full-scholarship athlete in the prestigious Top Gun program at IMG Academy. During this time, he reached a career-high ITF World Junior ranking of No. 30 and competed in all four Junior Grand Slam tournaments—the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—on two occasions. He also captured the 18 & Under Eddie Herr Doubles Championship. His best Grand Slam result came at Wimbledon, where he advanced to the Round of 16.

As a freshman at Rice University, Harry played No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. He achieved an individual ITA Division I singles ranking of No. 30 and earned First Team All-Conference USA honors in both singles and doubles. He was also awarded Rice University's Sammy Giammalva Team MVP honors. During this period, Harry attained an ATP ranking of No. 1335 and reached the quarterfinals of Futures tournaments in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Rochester, New York.

Coaching Background

As a coach, Harry emphasizes teaching proper technique, helping each player develop their individual playing style, and incorporating strategic and tactical principles that foster a deeper understanding of the game—ensuring players learn not only how to hit the ball, but why, when, and where to hit each shot, as well as how to make intelligent decisions under pressure.

Harry brings more than a decade of teaching experience. He served as Associate Director of High Performance at the Houston Racquet Club. He has also served as a coach for the University of Saint Thomas Men's and Women's teams. He has coached multiple top collegiate recruits and highly ranked junior players.

Harry enjoys working with players of all ages and ability levels, tailoring his instruction to help each individual achieve their goals and maximize their potential.

Richard Krizso

Richard brings more than 30 years of tennis coaching experience to Club Fit.

In his native Slovakia, Richard achieved a Top 5 national ranking in both junior and men's competition. His international tennis background also includes serving as captain of the Hungarian Junior Tennis Travel Team.

Richard has coached several high-level European WTA and ITF players. In 2001, he joined a tennis academy in New York City.

When that academy relocated to the Hardscrabble Club in 2003, Richard continued there as Head Coach and Junior Development Program Coordinator.

He now brings that extensive competitive and instructional background to Club Fit, working with both adult and junior players and helping advance the level of the overall tennis program.

Sandro Pacheco Pérez

Biography

Sandro was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and developed a passion for racquet sports at an early age. He began playing tennis at 14 and eventually moved to Tandil, Argentina, where he trained full-time at an elite tennis academy.

He later moved to the United States and competed in NCAA Division II tennis at Lincoln Memorial University.

As a coach, Sandro brings high energy and positive intensity to the court. Away from tennis, he enjoys sports and wildlife photography and exploring local bakeries and pastry shops.

Playing Background

• Tennis: Began playing at age 14, trained extensively at the Tandil Tennis Academy in Argentina and later competed as an NCAA Division II student-athlete at Lincoln Memorial University.
• Squash: Competed from approximately ages 11 through 13 and earned third place in three South American Championships.
• Racquetball: Competed from approximately ages six through 11, participated in three Junior World Championships and won a junior world championship in his final event at age 11.

Coaching Background

• Served as Tennis Director at The Block Island Club, overseeing seasonal operations, adult clinics and club tournaments.
• Directed summer camps and ROGY junior-development pathways emphasizing athletic fundamentals, match play and enjoyment.
• Brings more than four years of private and group coaching experience with players across ages and ability levels.
• Instructional specialties include stroke mechanics, efficient footwork and live-ball tactics.

Veronica Rodriguez

Biography

Veronica has competed in tennis since age 12. Her playing career eventually took her to Florida A&M University, where she competed near the top of the singles lineup.

She helped lead Florida A&M to two conference championships and an HBCU national doubles title, while also earning All-Academic Honor Roll recognition throughout her collegiate career.

Veronica now works with entry-level and intermediate players of all ages, bringing the lessons from her competitive career into her coaching.

Playing Background

Veronica began playing competitively in Venezuela, where she reached a national ranking of No. 3. She later earned a No. 1 ranking in Minnesota.

At Florida A&M University, she regularly competed at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, contributed to two conference championship teams and captured an HBCU national doubles championship.

Coaching Background

Veronica has spent the past several years coaching children, teenagers and adults. Her work focuses primarily on beginner and intermediate player development.

She emphasizes building a strong technical foundation, translating competitive experience into practical instruction and helping players develop confidence on court.