CEO of Tennis Central
A team of young visiting tennis players from Washington DC was recently interviewed by The Anguillian. They had come on an annual tennis excursion in collaboration with the Anguilla Tennis Academy, where Mitch Lake is Director, and they were led by their coach, Yann Azoux, the CEO of Tennis Central in Washington.
One of the main missions of the team, while on island, was to visit the grounds of the island’s primary schools in particular and teach the rudiments of tennis to interested youngsters like themselves who are enthused with the valuable sport. The conversation in interview follows:
Siena Azoux – Siena is the daughter of Coach Yann, and this is her third visit to Anguilla. When asked how she got acquainted with Mr. Lake and the Anguilla Tennis Academy, she said: “Sometime ago, my dad, Yann Azoux, met up with Mitch and they became friends. Seeing that both of them are into tennis, they decided to run an Anguilla Tennis Service Trip. That is how we became involved as a team. We come down on this trip each year, and I am really glad I am a part of the team that plays at the Anguilla Tennis Academy.”
Mariana Rahal – This is Mariana’s first trip to the island, when asked how impressed she was, she answered: “I am so glad I was able to come. I love Anguilla, and I appreciate the people here. I love the scenery and I appreciate the people and the children who give us a warm welcome. All the children whom we are teaching are ‘sweet and nice’. They are all so friendly, and I can tell they appreciate us teaching them.”
Cole Piraino – When asked how long he had being playing tennis, he answered: “I am a regular player for Yann’s team back in the U.S., and I have been playing for a few years now. This is my first trip to Anguilla, and I am happy that I was able to come to play out at the Anguilla Tennis Academy.” Asked how he liked his experience here, he replied: I am quite impressed, and I like it here very much.”
He mentioned that tennis can be a very lucrative sport for developing young people: “The main reason why we are here is to expose the kids to the opportunities that tennis offers them. Tennis can help them develop and bring them much profitable opportunities into their lives of growing children.”
Alina Fernandez – This is Alina’s third visit here. Asked what she thought about Anguilla, she said: “It is really pretty, and I love it, really. Upon inquiring what she thought about her visits at the schools, she replied: “The children are great. It is nice to meet them. We went at a school this morning and every morning this week. We will be visiting another school later this afternoon, so we are very busy with the children here, as we introduce them to the game of tennis.”
Asked how receptive the children are to the game, Aliana responded: “I think the children appreciate our teaching, and I can tell that they are having lots of fun. I think that through Tennis Central and the Anguilla Tennis Academy, kids who might not have had the opportunity to play tennis before can be exposed to the sport. I am really grateful for Yann and Mitch who have given us the opportunity to teach the children.”
Olivia Hoffman – It is Olivia’s second visit, and when asked what she thought about the island, she answered: “I love Anguilla. It is so nice and everyone I have met is so friendly. Asked how receptive the children are to her teaching them tennis, she responded: “The children are quite receptive, and they have a love for the sport very much. However, I think we could do more. It would be nice if we could come more often and go to more schools to help them practice more.”
The Anguilian also had a brief conversation with Yann Azoux. In a nut-shell, he told us how he got into contact with Mitch Lake, and he emphasized that tennis is a very profitable sport. He opined that and as such, more young people in Anguilla should get involved in playing the sport.
“How I got in contact with Mitch” he said, “is through one of my students at Tennis Central, by the name of Natalie Kempf. She visited Anguilla a few ago, and played at the Anguilla Tennis Academy. When she returned to the States, she put me in touch with Mitch here, and it was like instant brotherhood.
“Both of us see the sport the same way. We see how young people can get involved in tennis and develop themselves. There are great opportunities for scholarships when youngsters excel in tennis, and if they stick to it they can make lots of money from this sport.”
In reflecting, he said: “Natalie has moved on, and has gone to college now, but I really thank her for introducing me to Mitch and the Anguilla Tennis Academy. We have stuck a great friendship and it is our intention to do something special in the development of Anguilla’s children.”
