Leadership
The Team Behind the Academy
Founder & Owner
Mandy Grunfeld Rosenfield
A former professional and leading British tennis player, Mandy was ranked as high as No. 3 in Great Britain and in the low 100s in the world. She played for her country in the Federation Cup and Wightman Cup, competed at Grand Slams around the world, and faced legends including Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon. When injury ended her playing career, she earned a First Class Honors degree in Physical Therapy from Manchester University. Her extraordinary competitive experience and deep understanding of the game's physical demands shape everything we do at OTA.
Director of Operations
David Pace
David has been with Orlando Tennis Academy for over 10 years, bringing extensive experience and dedication to every part of the program. Prior to OTA, he served as an instructor at the Ocoee Tennis Academy. He has a strong foundation in creative marketing and an Eagle Scout background. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Communications and a minor in Business Administration, David oversees the day-to-day operations of the academy across both locations.
Director of Tennis Designate
Angela Vargas
Angela competed at the 6A level in high school, winning the district championship four consecutive years. She went on to a standout collegiate career at St. Mary's University, earning Freshman of the Year, All-Conference First Team, and Tournament MVP honors. After graduating, she served as assistant coach for both the men's and women's teams, earning South Central Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year. She brings coaching expertise, organizational skill, and a bilingual background to support families and players throughout their journey. Angela is especially passionate about player development and international athletes.
Director of Curriculum & Head of Player Development
Howard Jones
Originally from Great Britain, Howard brings over 25 years of tennis coaching experience. He has personally developed numerous players from age 10 up, many of whom have won junior titles at national and international levels, with others going on to achieve rankings on the ATP and WTA tours or earning NCAA Division I scholarships. He has worked as a traveling coach for Great Britain junior teams and served as Director of Performance at the National Training Centre in the UK. A PTR Certified Professional and LTA Master Professional, Howard spearheads our instruction, curriculum, and training to ensure best practices for every athlete.
Academy Coaches
On-Court Expertise
Academy Coach
Francesco Bonacia
Originally from Rome, Italy, Francesco began playing tennis at seven and competed at a high level on the Italian junior circuit. He continued at both the NCAA DI and DII levels in the US, becoming a Division II team captain with a national singles ranking of #32. With over 5 years of coaching experience at country clubs and his own academy, Francesco focuses on technical fundamentals, tactical awareness, physical development, and mental strength. Off court, he enjoys spending time with his wife, walking their two dogs, and sharing a bit of Italian culture.
Academy Coach
Chris Grossi
Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Chris has been teaching tennis for 9 years. He graduated with a B.S. in Sports Management from Niagara University in 2018, where he competed on the Division I Men's Tennis team. Chris has taught players of all ages and levels and genuinely enjoys the variety of coaching. When not on court, he loves spending time with his wife and children.
Academy Coach
Stella Peisakhova
Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Stella has been teaching tennis for 8 years. She graduated with a B.S. in Sports Management from Niagara University in 2018, where she competed on the Division I Women's Tennis team at #1 singles and #1 doubles. Stella has taught players of all ages and truly loves being on the court. When not coaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son Leo.
Head of High Performance
Caio Ravagnani
Caio is a dedicated tennis coach with a strong competitive and developmental background. He grew up competing throughout Brazil and South America in ITF and COSAT events, earning a top 10 national junior ranking. After four years competing at the highest collegiate level, he transitioned into coaching and has spent over six years developing junior players in academies and clubs. In 2019, he served as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Saint Mary's University in Texas, helping the team achieve its highest national ranking in program history. He later coached at JTCC, working with top juniors and rising professionals. Caio emphasizes strong fundamentals, focusing on efficient footwork and sound mechanics for players of all levels. Passionate and communicative, Caio is committed to helping players reach their highest potential.