Private Lessons & Instructors

Instructors

Billy Knight, Director of Tennis/Head Teaching Professional

Billy begins his 7th season with IVGID as Head Teaching Professional and 6th year as Director of Tennis. A Chicago native, Billy attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and earned a degree in physical education. He played college baseball and later professional hockey, many years ago. Billy is USPTA certified Pro 1 and has coached North Tahoe boys varsity tennis and many of the areas top players and juniors. During the past few seasons Billy has worked with ATP touring pros, Paul Goldstein, Michael Russell, Sam Querrey & John Isner. He is currently the personal racquet stringer for many top touring pros, at selected tour events, including James Blake, Sam Querrey, Michael Russell, John Isner & Mikhail Youznhny. Billy offers a devoted, technical, strategic and personal teaching approach to all skill levels and abilities. He is available for private, semi-private, group lessons and clinics.  Billy has been an Incline Village resident for 28 years. Billy is married to LeAnn and has a son Tyler (8).

Nick Saadi, Teaching Pro

Nick begins his 6th season at the Tennis Center as Senior Tennis Host and Teaching Pro. He is a USPTA and USPTR certified instructor who brings both a high level of energy and excitement with his lesson plans and activities. Nick was previously the Director of Tennis for the Hayward Area Parks and Recreation Department and brings more than 20 years of competitive playing knowledge, which he picked up playing varsity tennis for Mission College.

Jonathan Cooper, Teaching Pro

Jonathan is Lake Tahoe School’s Athletic Director and full-time physical education teacher. He is a New Englander to the core: he grew up in Concord, NH and did his undergraduate work at the University of Vermont at Burlington, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in education and completed his teacher-licensing program with a specialty in physical education. At UVM Jon was captain of the men’s tennis team, its Most Valuable Player, its representative at the 2002 NCAA leadership conference, and he also was a 2003 America East All-Conference player. Jon is a USPTA Certified Tennis Pro, and has worked the past 12 summers teaching tennis in New Hampshire, Vermont and Northstar at Tahoe before joining the IVGID tennis staff.

Jim Giancola, Teaching Pro

Jim joined the professional staff at Incline Village Tennis Center 4 years ago after retiring, for the second time, from a business career. Jim was a collegiate athlete earning varsity letters in football and lacrosse at Harvard University. He is currently the coach of the Incline Village Girls Varsity Tennis Team. Jim has previously taught with Billy Knight at the Cal Neva Resort. They also coached the North Lake Tahoe High School Boys Tennis team together. Jim also coached the Bosse High School Team tennis in Evansville, Indiana. Jim has been a ranked player in the 35’s, 45’s and 55’s. He will be working primarily with young players in the junior development programs.

Serena Quarelli, Teaching Pro 

Serena lives in Tucson, AZ but is a Southern Cali girl. Born and raised in Santa Monica, Serena played junior tennis and graduated from UC Santa Barbara playing there on a tennis scholarship. She also attended University of Texas in the Permian Basin, also on a tennis scholarship.  Both schools were top 10 in the nation at the time. Serena has worked in her home town as the coach of Santa Monica College where her women's team won the state title; the Riviera Tennis Club; Pierpont Tennis Club in Ventura Ca; was the director of tennis in Tucson, AZ at The Lodge at Ventana; and is currently an assistant pro at the Tucson Racquets Club and Executive Director of the Tucson Community Tennis Program, a non profit organization that teaches low income youth the great game of tennis. Still competing in the women's 55 and over, she is one of the top doubles players in the country.  She has held a top 20 national ranking in women's doubles and singles for the last 15 years and has played on many USTA league 5.0 teams going to nationals on several occasions. Serena loves to teach students of all ages.  Back in Tucson she runs the quick start classes for  the TRC pee wee's, Cardio tennis for adults, works with men's and ladies league teams and works with tournament quality junior players.
 

2011 Lesson Rates

Private, semi-private, group and clinic lessons are available on a daily basis, seven days a week. All teaching professionals are USPTA certified. Please call the Tennis Center at (775) 832-1235 for appointments and pricing information.