Tennis Information

Mani Barajas-Alexander will be returning as our our Director of Tennis. Mani is a native of Arlington, Virginia (Bishop O'Connell High School) and a United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) certified teaching professional. He has been coaching tennis in the Northern Virginia area for the past 9 years at some of the areas premiere tennis facilities.

Mani’s coaching focuses on developing a player’s stroke production, technique, mental and physical toughness, and court strategy. He enjoys teaching people of all ages and skill levels. Mani believes that personal goals can be achieved with the combination of hard work, focus, commitment, and self-discipline. He further believes that tennis is a vehicle in life that can help drive people in the right direction because of all the developmental aspects the game has to offer.

Mani played Division 1 collegiate tennis at Longwood University in Virginia where he was a 4-year starter. During his time at Longwood he earned both singles and doubles Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and was the team captain his senior year. During his junior playing career he was a nationally ranked player and attained top 10 sectional rankings and also an assistant coach working with the boys tennis team at Mclean High School.

Nebyu Retta will also be returning as Assistant Director of Tennis. Nebyu is a native of Annandale, Virginia (Bishop O’Connell High School) and will bring forth a wealth of experience and versatility.

He is currently a Professional at Fairfax Racquet Club and the Assistant Coach for both the boy’s/girls at Langley High School (Mclean, VA). He is on the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Multicultural and Diversity Committee and the United States Tennis Association (USTA), Mid-Atlantic Volunteer Committee. He also travels to several regional and national junior tournaments representing several tournament players.

Nebyu’s coaching style focuses on both development and enjoyment. “I like to gear my lessons to the specific goals/needs of the player.” His goal is to improve players through stroke production, cooperative/competitive drills, match play and private lessons.

Nebyu played Division 1 tennis at nationally ranked Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA), where he reached an ITA team ranking of #45. At Bishop O’Connell High School he and Mani combined to hold the school record for all-time doubles wins. As a junior player he held state, regional, and national rankings. He has gone on to compete in several men’s opens and futures level tournaments in the past 4 years.


Contact Information

Mani Barajas-Alexander (USPTA/USPTR) Director of Tennis

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