Our Staff
KAI HUSEMANN
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Kai Husemann brings over two decades of international coaching experience to Maywood Racquets Club, where he has served as Director of Tennis for the past three years, overseeing all programming and player development.
His coaching journey began in the United Kingdom, where he discovered his passion for developing young players. He went on to spend six years in Asia, coaching in Hong Kong and the Philippines, working with national-level athletes and building one of the region’s most comprehensive junior programs.
Today, Kai leads a talented team of coaches, trains high-performance players, and continues to grow Maywood’s adult and junior programs with an emphasis on long-term player development and community engagement. He is certified by the USPTR, USPTA, and the British Lawn Tennis Association.
JJ GRAMATICA
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Born into a tennis family, JJ grew up immersed in the sport under the guidance of his father, Nestor Gramatica, Thailand’s former No. 1 and Davis Cup player. He developed his skills and love for the game at his family’s tennis academy in Essex County, later becoming a top USTA Eastern junior and NCAA Division I team captain at Saint Peter’s University.
As a Certified RSPA Professional, JJ has been part of the Maywood Racquets Club coaching team since 2014, where he now serves as Assistant Director of Tennis. Known for his fun, energetic, and compassionate approach, JJ combines technical development with mentorship, helping players of all ages build confidence, skill, and lifelong enjoyment of the game.
ALEX FAVROT
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Alex is a tennis professional from Lyon, France. He is an ATP Tour coach for Quentin Halys and tour sparring partner. He is a former Clemson University #1 Singles Player. He is a certified padel coach and one of the top players in NJ.
ERIC UDOFF
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Eric is a private investor and previous Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Marlowe Partners (hedge fund). Prior to Marlowe, he was an analyst at Appaloosa.
DAVID MANDELBAUM
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David is a principal at KAM Management, a commercial real estate investment firm and brokerage shop. Previously, he was a marketing executive in the CPG and entertainment industries (WMG, Omnicom).
MARV BENZING
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Marv is a former nationally ranked player and has earned a “Master Professional” rating, the highest possible certification in the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). Marv served on the USTA National Tennis Center Committee and more recently, has expanded his teaching accreditation to the United States Professional Tennis Registry (USPTR).
In January 2000, Marv Benzing was honored by the USPTA Eastern Division as “1999 Volunteer of the Year.” In 1998, Tennis Industry Magazine voted Marv a “Great American Hero.” In 1997, the Cerebral Palsy Center of Bergen County honored Marv with a “Community Service Award” for his many years of service at the C.P. Center’s Annual Gala.
SULEJMAN ODZA
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Sulejman is committed to making every experience at Maywood Tennis Club smooth, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable. With a focus on teamwork, clear communication, and exceptional customer service, he supports both staff and members so the club runs at its best. Whether he’s assisting at the front desk, helping players navigate programs, or stepping in to keep operations moving, Sulejman brings reliability, patience, and a solutions-first mindset to the team each day.
BOB BEVILACQUA
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With over 15 years of dedicated service at Maywood Racquets Club, Bob is a central figure in our adult programming. As the coordinator for Adult Evening Clinics and Round Robins, he brings steady leadership, strong organization, and a genuine commitment to delivering a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Bob is known for his approachable demeanor, clear communication, and consistent professionalism. His ability to manage schedules, support players, and keep programs running efficiently has made him an invaluable part of the club community.
Whether you’re attending an evening clinic or joining a round robin, Bob ensures every program is well-coordinated and welcoming.
HAROUT DOGHRAMADIJAN
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With over 25 years of coaching experience, Harout has dedicated his career to sharing his passion for tennis with players of all ages and abilities. His teaching philosophy centers on building strong fundamentals while tailoring each lesson to the individual needs and goals of his students.
Known for his patient, yet driven coaching style, Harout blends technical precision with motivation, helping players progress whether their focus is competition, or recreation. His friendly demeanor and contagious energy foster an environment where players feel supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their potential.
HISHAM ABAZA
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An Elite USPTA Certified Professional in Cardio Tennis, 10 & Under Tennis, and Pickleball, Hisham Abaza has been a valued member of Maywood Racquets Club since 2018 and currently serves as Head Coach of the Women’s Tennis Team at William Paterson University.
With over 25 years of teaching experience, Hisham brings a diverse athletic background in tennis, soccer, volleyball, and fitness. He has coached players of all ages and levels, including top American juniors and athletes who have earned ITF professional titles.
Previously the Director and Head Pro at Deerfield Beach Tennis Complex (FL), Hisham spent over 18 years mentored by renowned USPTA Master Professional Rick Macci, gaining world-class insight into high-performance player development.
EDDIE LATORRE
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Eddie is a well-known figure in the tennis community and has been coaching at the club for over two decades. He has a talent for working with players of all skill levels and ages, from juniors just starting out to seasoned adult players looking to improve their game. With a wealth of experience and a passion for the sport, Eddie is dedicated to helping his students reach their full potential on the court.
LOUIS CRUZ
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Louis grew up in the Bronx, NY, 5 minutes away from 20 tennis courts. He began playing competitive tennis at the age of 10 years old all the way through to college tennis at Hunter’s College (Manhattan, NY). With 10 plus years of coaching experience, 5 of those years at John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randall’s Island, Louis brings a new vision and outlook to Maywood Tennis Club.
TRINITY CHOW
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Trinity Chow is a certified instructor in tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis, with plans to add padel certification soon. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Marketing, Trinity was a standout collegiate player, earning the Peter Cahill MVP Award, Carol Eckman Female Athlete of the Year, and selection to the SUNYAC All-Decade Women’s Tennis Team.She brings a versatile coaching style and passion for racquet sports to Maywood Racquets Club, helping players develop strong fundamentals and a lasting love for the game.
VANESSA CANDA
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A former Division I player at Rider University, Vanessa Canda brings extensive experience in both coaching and tennis program leadership. She has served as Junior and Tennis Director at East Brunswick Racquet Club and Assistant Junior Director at SPORTIME/John McEnroe Tennis Academy, where she designed and managed developmental programs for players of all ages and levels.
Vanessa has successfully built and implemented both recreational and high-performance programs, led 10-and-under and competitive training, and contributed to innovative player development models.
Beyond the court, Vanessa is an active community leader, volunteering across youth, adaptive, and community tennis initiatives. She has worked at major events such as the US Open, spoken at the USTA Eastern Innovation Summit, and was honored as the USTA New Jersey Region Volunteer of the Year.
ALEJANDRO PECHECO
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Alejandro began his tennis journey at age seven at the ATEC Academy in Venezuela, where he built a strong technical foundation and competitive spirit that carried him to the collegiate level. He went on to represent Ramapo College as the No. 1 singles and doubles player, gaining valuable match experience and a deep understanding of the game.
With over three years of coaching experience, Alejandro brings a thoughtful, player-focused approach to every lesson. He believes real progress comes from a balance of hard work, consistency, and mental resilience, and tailors each session to align with every player’s unique goals, strengths, and growth areas.
MARC LERNER
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With over 20 years of coaching experience, Marc Lerner is a dedicated member of the Maywood Racquets Club teaching staff, specializing in adult programs and player development. Marc’s coaching philosophy focuses on combining sound technique with tactical awareness, helping players improve both their consistency and confidence on court. Known for his clear communication, patience, and upbeat coaching style, he creates an environment that’s both motivating and enjoyable for every player. Whether he’s leading group clinics or offering one-on-one instruction, Marc’s goal is to help adults of all levels play smarter, move better, and get the most out of their time on court.
GUSTAVO ORTIZ
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Gus has been a tri-state area tennis teaching professional for the past 33 years. He has taught and trained sectional, regional and national ranked juniors in Ecuador, his native country, and in the United States of America. He is a certified professional by the United States Professional Tennis Registry since 1989. He is a level 2 certified tennis professional, including general tennis, adult development, Ten and Under Tennis, Tennis 11-17, high performance. Certifications in (USTA) Coach Youth tennis, Level 1 sport science, and Argentina Tennis Teachers School (E.A.P.T.).
AMAAN TEZABWALA
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Amaan Tezabwala is a dynamic young coach and former college tennis captain at Northwood University, where he led his team to the GMAC semi-finals and earned multiple All-Conference Academic Awards (2022–2025).
With over three years of racquet sports coaching experience, Amaan has worked with players of all levels and served as a hitting partner for WTA professionals during the Dow Common 125 event.
Recognized with the Coaches Award for leadership and performance, he brings strong technical knowledge, competitive insight, and a player-first approach to Maywood’s high-performance and development programs.
