About Us

Staff members

Scott Patrick

GENERAL MANAGER

I got a late start playing tennis at the age of 14. I was offered an opportunity to go to Nick Bollettieri, because my brother was a coach at the academy.

I played college tennis at Eastern Kentucky. Immediately, after I finished playing, I became the Assistant Women’s Coach at University of Kentucky for 5 years.

I went on to become a Tennis Director In Topeka Kansas before settling in at Knoxville Racquet Club for the last 23 years.

I love helping players of all ages and enjoy the game of tennis . Throughout the years, I have really enjoyed getting junior players to the college level. I estimate I have helped over 50 players make it to the college ranks.

Kata Szekely

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL

Kata Szekely was ranked top 2 in Hungary and was part of the national team throughout her junior career.

She played tennis at the University of Tennessee where she received two All-America honors for reaching the semi finals of the NCAA tournament in doubles.

Following her collegiate career she coached at the Depaul University in Chicago for two years.

She has been at the Knoxville Racquet club for six years. Kata works with juniors and adults as well.

Dave Thornton

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL

This is David’s seventh year at the Knoxville Racquet Club and his twenty-eighth year coaching tennis.

David coached collegiately for ten years as the Head Women’s Coach at Middle Tennessee State University and as the Assistant Women’s Coach at Vanderbilt University. In 2014 David was the interim Assistant Coach at Vanderbilt.

David worked at Ridgeland Country Club from 2003-2013.

He has coached and developed many top level junior players and has received multiple Collegiate “Coach of the Year” awards.

David played tennis at Middle Tennessee State University and is a native of Galway, Ireland.

Hala Sufi

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL

Noah Griffin

TENNIS PROFESSIONAL

Noah, a native Minnesotan, grew up playing tennis from the age of 5 and stuck with it all through high school and college. He was a student athlete at the prestigious D2 school in Lakeland, FL, Florida Southern College.

After college, he stayed in Lakeland and became a pro at Galindo Tennis Academy, where he worked his way up to Director of High Performance. He stayed at the academy for 4 years before taking the Director of Tennis position at Bonita National Golf and Country Club in Southwest Florida.

His greatest accomplishments were staying in the top 10 of the junior rankings in Minnesota through high school, as well as his college team making it to #7 in the NCAA D2 college rankings.

Noah is very eager to help you with all of your tennis needs. His goal is to improve all facets of your game by using an efficient and effective coaching style, as well as an enthusiastic attitude. He resides in Maryville with his lovely wife Heather and daughter Arley, as well as a dog and two cats.