Coaches
Cory Brooks, Director of Premier Tennis Academy
Cory@PremierTennisAcademy.com
Originally from Corpus Christi, Cory Brooks is a product of the HEB Tennis Center junior tennis program. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Cory rose through the ranks of junior tennis in Texas, achieving a top ten ranking at the super championship level. He additionally, competed at the national level of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). After graduating with a degree in finance from The University of Texas, Cory returned to Corpus to begin his coaching career.
In the summer of 2001, Cory left his position as Director of Competitive Junior Tennis at the Corpus Christi Country Club to co-found Premier Tennis Academy with Steve Denton and Carlos Di Laura. Over the last 8 years, Cory has coached several of the area’s top players, many of whom have gone on to play at the collegiate level. In each of the last four summers, Cory was selected by the USTA Texas Section as a boys and girls zonal coach for Team Texas. For the last 4 years Cory has served as Tournament Director for the HEB Collegiate Team Championships and for 2 years served as Tournament Director for the National Small College Championships.
Alex Johansson, Director of Junior Tennis Academy
Alex@PremierTennisAcademy.com
As Director of Junior Academy, Alex is responsible for setting the
technical vision for our coaches and all our athletes. He also oversees
all aspects of the academy’s tennis curriculum and programming, including
the design of team practices.
After a successful junior career in his native Sweden (where he achieved a
junior world ranking), Alex came to the United States to begin an
illustrious collegiate career. Alex was an All-American in 1997 and 1998
and was ranked #1 in the nation in singles and doubles among junior
college players. Alex then transferred to Texas A&M Corpus Christi where
he played #1 and #2 singles and doubles from 1998-2000. Following college,
Alex was hired by clubs in Germany and Portugal to play as a professional.
Alex then served as an assistant men’s tennis coach for Texas A&M Corpus
Christi for 2 seasons. In 2002, Alex left the Corpus Christi Athletic Club
where he served a successful stint as their Junior Development Coach to
join our staff here at the academy.
Alex was appointed by the USTA Texas Section to coach the Zonal’s 16’s
team for Texas 2006. Alex and his team won the tournament. During his time
at the academy Alex has coached many highly ranked players in Texas,
Nationally, and internationally. His players have also moved on to play
college tennis at schools like UT, MIT, TCU, Rice etc
Paul Cass, Director of Adult Tennis
As Director of Adult Programs, Paul is responsible for the organization and
execution of adult lessons, clinics and leagues. Paul runs clinics for
players of all levels and gender.
Jeff Davidson, Coach
Jeff is one of the primary coaches of the new Academy Prep program. Jeff
and Alexandra have the important task of developing a solid technical
foundation, a strong work ethic, and a positive mental attitude in all of
our students He also serves as the strength and conditioning coach for the
academy as well as the primary coach for several of our students.
Originally from Portland, TX, Jeff received his B.S. in Health Education
from Lamar University where he also served as the Assistant Strength and
Conditioning Coach for 1 year. He was also the Head Strength and
Conditioning Coach at the High School level for several years. Jeff has
been coaching tennis for 11 years at the high school and competitive
junior level. Shortly after becoming the coach for Carrol High School he
had produced two State Champions and Jeff was named the All South Texas
Coach of the Year in 2008 by the Corpus Christi Caller Times.
Prior to moving to Corpus Christi Jeff was the Head Pro at Columbia Lakes
Country Club under Sam Chadwell (The Executive Director of the Houston
Professional Tennis Association). Jeff was responsible for running the
High Performance and Strength and Conditioning programs. He has coached
numerous juniors to the super championship level and several have gone
onto play all levels of college tennis.
Alexandra Dyckman
Originally from Stockholm, Sweden, Coach Alexandra Dyckman began playing tennis at the age of 6. Alexandra played for various tennis clubs and teams in Sweden in high-level competition. As a Coach she is very committed to provide each player with the passion and skills to become a better player. “I believe players should have a big heart for tennis, the desire to fight on every point and do whatever it takes to beat the opponent both physically and mentally.”
Her credentials include two State Championships in Sweden (2004 & 2005). She was a player in the top Women’s League in Sweden. She played for Winthrop University Women Tennis Team- Rock Hill, South Carolina, Spring 2006, winning the Big South Conference Championship in Spring 2006 and qualified for the NCAA tournament. She played for Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi, fall 2006 through spring 2009 and ranked as high as #3 and was the conference player of the week in 2008 in addition to having the second most wins durning her last season with the Islanders Tennis Team 13-5 (2009). Alexandra worked as the Assistant Tennis Coach for the Texas A&M University Women Tennis Team in Fall 2009.
Additional Coaches (Bios coming soon)
Joey Farias
Aleca Valarezo
