Play Tennis at Neighbourhood Court

I played competitive junior tennis with a UTR high of 11, earning recognition as a 4-star recruit and ranking in the top 20 in Florida and top 110 nationwide. For three years, I worked with a nonprofit tennis foundation, managing after-school programs and an ambassador program. Additionally, I’ve been coaching privately for the past five years, sharing my passion and expertise with aspiring players.

"Coach Yusef is a very good coach because he knows what he is doing, keeps us in line, friendly, and overall just a good guy to be around

Michael-Ray Pallares, the Director of Coach Training and Education for the UPT, is a former professional tennis player from the Dominican Republic. As a player, he was a two-time USTA national champion as a junior, received a full scholarship to play at the University of Alabama, ranked Top 10 in NCAA Division 1 tennis and held an ATP ranking for more than ten years while representing his country in the Davis Cup and the Central American and Caribbean Games. Michael-Ray has traveled extensively as a professional tour coach and/or sparring partner for several ATP and WTA players ranked top 10 in the world. He also served as Technical Director of the Panamanian Tennis Federation, Turkmenistan Tennis Federation and the Guam National Tennis Federation as an Expert Coach for the International Tennis Federation undertaking the Development of National Sport Structure, creating an action plan to strengthen the tennis program approved by the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity. He is now promoting the game of tennis worldwide through his foundation, One Love Tennis and the UPT coach education platform.

"Michael-Ray has really helped with my footwork, conditioning and overall movement on the court, which has improved my game so many levels!

As a former Division I athlete with a decade of coaching experience, I bring a unique blend of high-level skill and extensive knowledge to every lesson. My passion for tennis is contagious, and I am dedicated to helping players of all ages and abilities reach their full potential. Let's work together to elevate your game in a fun, supportive, and challenging environment.