What other club can offer pros with as many accolades as TCT? How many others have ATP World Tour Coaches? None. We are committed to providing the highest level of instruction and quality programs anywhere else in the area. If you are interested in Private Lessons, you can contact the pro directly or call TCT to find time and availability that fits you both. Lessons start at $60 for 30 minutes of one-on-one instruction.
Pros listed in alphabetical order:
Brian Barker Tournament Training Programs
Brian Barker , former U.S. Pro Tour Coach of James Blake, returns to TCT after 10 years on the tour. He brings with him numerous international coaching awards and recognition for James’ incredible comeback after a slew of unfortunate events to rise to a top 5 world ATP ranking. Brian is leading the charge as part of our Tournament Training program to foster young talent once again.
As a player, Brian was ranked number 1 in New England and top 20 in the country in the juniors. He then went on to play for the University of South Carolina where he was Captain and 2 time MVP of the highly ranked Division 1 tennis team. Brian then spent a short time on the pro tour where he achieved a world ranking before leaving to teach tennis full time.
Email: bzbarker@hotmail.com
Ryan Bean
Originally from Marshfield MA Ryan played Division 1 tennis at Quinnipiac University in nearby Hamden CT. Since, Ryan has taught up and down the CT shoreline coaching tennis players of all ages and ability. He is currently the Director of Tennis at the Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club in Branford CT during the outdoor season and is the assistant coach for mens tennis at Quinnipiac University. Ryan brings a great attitude and understanding to the courts which transfers into an enjoyable experience every time you step on the court!
Matt Daly
Matt has been a success in the world of tennis ever since he qualified for the junior nationals every year since age twelve. He went on to play number one singles for Notre Dame and graduated with a degree in finance in 2001. Following college, Matt played the pro tour for two and a half years before returning to New England. A favorite with the juniors, Matt’s incredible footwork and ground strokes put him in a class of his own.
Email: mattdaly7@yahoo.com
Scott Hay
Scott, a native of Connecticut, is a former division 1 college player for the University of Rhode Island. He spent 10 years as the Director of Tennis at the Weston Racquet Club and brings 20 years of experience teaching juniors and adults at the local, district and national level.
Scott is a USPTA certified P-1 professional, with experience as a Junior Program Coordinator, USTA League Coach, Pro Staff Trainer, Match Play Supervisor, Adult Clinic Coordinator and USTA Tournament Referee.
He has played in exhibitions with Ivan Lendl, Murphy Jenson and Tom Gullikson.
Zeljko Knezevic
Known affectionately around TCT as “Z”, Zeljko was born in Bosnia but spent his junior years in Germany training with Niki Pilic, Germany’s former Davis Cup captain. He achieved a top ten ranking in Germany, competing in national and ITF junior tournaments throughout Europe. Zeljko graduated magna cum laude from the University of Vermont with a degree in Political Science while playing first singles and doubles. He was voted America East All-Conference, Most Valuable Player and NCAA Scholar Athlete. Zeljko is a USPTA P1 certified instructor and his experience includes teaching at the Topnotch Resort and Tennis Academy in Stowe, Vermont, the Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, the Shippan Racquet Club in Stamford and the Kings Highway Tennis Club in Darien. Zeljko has excellent ball control which leads to superior drilling techniques. His students love his easy going style and quick smile on and off the court.
Aaron Kusza Director of Junior Development
A resident of Wallingford, Aaron graduated from Villanova University after a winning college tennis team career where he finished as the number one singles player. While earning a Master’s degree in Theology and Religious Studies, Aaron also put in two years as an assistant coach for the Villanova men’s tennis team. For the last several summers Aaron has taught tennis all over southern Connecticut, ranging from beginners to top ranked juniors and college players. Aaron brings a formidable mix of energy, dedication and tennis talent to the TCT tournament training program.
Email: aaron@tcttennis.com
Rome Lillicraf
Rome has been a fixture at TCT since 1985 when he started out as a student in the same class as Brian Barker, James Blake’s long time coach. Rome went on to captain his Fairfield University team from 1982-1986 and was all New England Collegiate Division 1 in 1985. Rome’s friendly personality and teaching style make him a natural on the court.
Beth Norton
A long time pro at TCT since 1996, Beth is a native of Connecticut. Her early years were spent playing junior tennis and she achieved the number five junior world ranking in 1975. Beth went on to become a professional tennis player and enjoyed a stellar career during which she reached the rank of 20th in the world. In 2003 she was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame for her career accomplishments. Beth’s many years of training and experience are evident in her ability to teach strategy and hone her student’s ground strokes.
John Pagano Director of Tennis Programs
John has over 18 years of experience as a tennis professional. He played Division 1 singles and doubles for the University of Connecticut. His experience includes teaching both juniors and adults from beginner to advanced/tournament levels.
John graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelors in Sociology and Spanish. He then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fairfield University with both an M.B.A. and a Masters in Finance in 2004 and 2006, respectively. John is fluent in Spanish.
He grew up at TCT and has returned full time after leaving the financial services industry where he held such positions as Principal and Treasurer of a registered broker dealer. John’s focus is to continue the core values that have made TCT a success for the past 25 years.
Email: john@tcttennis.com
Ben Zuckerberg
Two-time Connecticut state champion and three-time New Haven Register all area MVP. Ben was ranked top 5 in the New England Boys 18′s and top 100 Nationally in the Boys 18s. Ben has taught at Woodbridge country club, Sutton East Tennis Club and is Grassroots Tennis volunteer. Ben uses an energetic and positive approach to teaching and is ready and able to teach all ages and ability levels.
John has over 18 years of experience as a tennis professional. He played Division 1 singles and doubles for the University of Connecticut and his experience includes teaching both juniors and adults, from beginners to advanced levels.
John graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelors in Sociology and Spanish. He then graduated Cum Laude from Fairfield University with both an M.B.A and a Masters in Finance in 2004 and 2006, respectively. John is fluent in Spanish.
John grew up at TCT and has returned full time after leaving the financial services industry where he held the positions as Principal, and Treasurer of a registered broker dealer. John’s focus is to continue the core values that have made the club a success for the past 25 years.