Bennett Bailey, Head Tennis Professional at Millbrook Tennis Center, has been playing tennis since he was four years old. Growing up in Asheville, Bennett was a competitive and highly-ranked junior player. At 16 years old, he found his passion for teaching tennis while teaching summer camps at Biltmore Forest Country Club and volunteering for the Western North Carolina Tennis Association.
Bennett left Asheville for college at NC State University. It was while at NC State that he started his tenure with the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department. He began teaching as an NJTL coach, then later as an instructor and JTT coach. Several years later, he would be promoted to Head Tennis Professional at Millbrook Tennis Center.
“The city is fortunate to have such a high-level coach as its Head Pro,” said David Bell, Tennis Facilities & Program Director with the City of Raleigh, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department.
As Head Tennis Pro, Bennett is responsible for all of Millbrook’s lesson programming as well as training coaches that come on staff. Bennett, a USPTA-certified professional and Tennis Serve Specialist with the Kovacs Institute, teaches private and group lessons to players of all levels and skills.
Several pros have influenced Bennett’s passion for tennis. Lawson Duncan, former ATP pro, stoked his passion for the game as a teenager and greatly influenced his coaching style. Bennett was also fortunate to play tennis for several years under the tutelage of Buster Brown, NC Tennis Hall Of Fame member, whose teaching style also helped shape his own.
Did you know that Bennett also won this award in 2013? Congratulations to Bennett for winning again in 2020. You’re a great coach and we’re glad you’re serving the Raleigh Tennis community.
