Academy
Co-Director
Tennis Professional
Phone Number:
770.486.9474 ext. 5329
Email Address:
ismith@tenniscenter.net
Background:
- Born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI.
- Began playing tennis at 6 and playing tournaments at 8.
- Started playing at the National level at 11 years old.
- Attended Grand Rapids Junior College on scholarship.
- Attended Eastern Michigan University on scholarship in tennis, and
also walked onto the Football team.
- Professionally, Idris traveled through South America playing; and on
the USTA satellite circuit.
- Idris and his doubles partner were ranked as high as two in the
Midwest, top 10 nationally.
- Coached by former French Open doubles champion Victor Amaya.
Personal Information:
Idris started teaching professionally full timeat the Sports Club of Novi in
1999. He served as the Head Coach at Grand Valley State University in 2000.
He then taught at Score Tennis Academy in Chicago, IL from 2001-2004. He
taught under legendary coach Jack Sharpe in Chicago where he worked with
over 25 juniors in the top 20 nationally. While in Chicago Idris worked with
the Women’s 4.0 & 4.5 travel teams and with numerous junior players. He
coached for USTA Midwest section at Zonals at Penn State and in Nashville,
TN. In 2005 Idris was a Head Pro at Windward Lake Club and Academy in
Alpharetta, where he taught ALTA women’s and men’s teams and worked with the
junior players. In 2006, He traveled to High Point, North Carolina as a Head
Pro at Oak Hollow Tennis Center and put together a junior tennis league and
ran many different events. Idris served on USTA North Carolina, Junior
Development committee. In 2007 he moved to Weston, FL, and worked at Midtown
Athletic club and had various roles: Director of New Member services, Adult
In-House leagues Director; assistant Director of High Performance. In 2009
Idris moved to Fort Wayne, IN, to serve as the High Performance Director at
Pine Ridge Racquet and Fitness Club; this past summer Idris started his own
Tennis Academy “Smith Tennis” in Fort Wayne, IN.
He has developed numerous #1 ranked national players. Has worked with
players on the ATP Tour, and is currently working with a player from the
University of Illinois that is playing professionally.
I love working with Adults, and kids. I like trying helping people
achieve their next level.
Personal interests: hiking, fishing, music and golfing. Spending time
with his family
Idris is married to Stephanie, they have three sons PJ 10, BJ 7, and VJ
5.