Tennis Professional Staff
Paulo Barros
Director of Racquet Sports
305-604-2319
pbarros@fisherislandclub.com
Teaches Tennis & Pickleball
“I thrive on the joy of supporting and promoting the lifetime sport of tennis to all people. I can reach so many people by teaching, managing and promoting the sport, that it is impossible not to love the variety of options that the sport brings to everyone.”
After a successful junior career as the #5 highest player nationally in Brazil, Paulo earned a full scholarship to play and study for Hampton University, VA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management with a minor in sports and professional tennis management, and a Master in Business Administration, both from Hampton University. Paul received an All-American Scholars Award, was named a 2001 Conference Player and Freshman of the Year in 1998, appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine that year, and received an Academic Achievement Award.
Paulo has been involved with the USPTA for the past 15 years, through which he has been attending and promoting the industry, and was awarded USPTA Player of the Year and USPTA Florida Pro of the Year on 8 different occasions. Paulo has also been ranked #1 USTA National Men’s 35 in 2014-2016 and is currently ranked #9 nationally in the Men’s 40s.
Paulo’s working experience at Hampton University, Human Performance Institute, Winter Park Racquet Club, Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club, and Bonita National Golf & Country Club assisted him in acquiring extended knowledge and experience within different sectors of the tennis industry for the last 20 years.
Paulo is a USPTA Elite certified and IPTPA Pickleball Certified. He is married to Glaucia Barros, with two daughters – Isabella and Bruna.
Christopher Cozzillio
Head Racquets Professional
305-535-6010
ccozzillio@fisherislandclub.com
Teaches Tennis & Pickleball
Chris comes to Fisher Island from the Aspen Hill Club in Silver Spring, Maryland. Prior to his time at the Aspen Hill Club, Chris served as the Director of Tennis at Cattail Creek Country Club in Glenwood, Maryland. At Cattail Creek, Chris oversaw capital projects such as adding a new Tennis and Fitness Professional Shop and full-time Pickleball facilities to the club. Prior to his time at Cattail Creek, Chris worked for 2010 EPD Club of the Year Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club in Clarks Summit, PA. At Birchwood, Chris taught several District and State Champions and Division 1 college athletes.
Chris is USPTA certified in both Tennis and Pickleball, and a PTR Certified Professional with specialized certifications in 10 and Under, 11-17 years, Junior High Performance, Adult Development, USTA NET Generation, and Match Analysis and Tennis Analytics.
Chris has been working full time in the private racquet club industry for the past 14 years, assisting and overseeing tennis and pickleball operations, teaching private and group tennis and pickleball lessons/clinics, running tournaments, leagues, socials and events. Chris has served as high school assistant coach, college assistant coach, USTA tournament director, and UTR tournament director.
Chris played college tennis for Wilkes University and King’s College, where he received a Bachelor of the Arts in Professional Writing. During his time at King’s College, Chris published articles for Tennis View Magazine.
Chris lives in Miami with his wife, Nora, and their dog, Barry.
Adam Sexton
Assistant Racquets Professional
Teaches Tennis & Pickleball
Adam grew up in Columbus, Georgia where he played competitively and was a nationally ranked junior player. He comes to Fisher Island Club with years of experience in the premier private club industry. Adam comes from New Orleans Country Club located in Louisiana. Prior to his time in New Orleans, Adam worked at Cherokee Town and Country Club in Atlanta, Georgia. He started teaching tennis and pickleball at the Country Club of Columbus while playing in college at Columbus State University. Adam also has spent time volunteering and working with ACEing Autism, giving private and group lessons to children in the program. Adam is a certified USPTA professional and has been teaching lessons and groups of players from beginners to high performance.
James Nabhen
Tennis Professional
“I love to coach tennis and pass along all my knowledge of traveling and coaching on the professional tour to the next amateur or top junior in the years to come.”
James grew up in Miami playing multiple sports, but tennis became his passion at age of 13. In 2014, he started coaching and traveling with Bernard Tomic (Australian Top Professional player). Bernard Tomic and coach James had success early, reaching a career high #17 in the world ranking. James is fluent in English and Spanish.
Stefano Ianni
Tennis Professional
“I love to coach tennis and pass along all my knowledge of traveling and coaching on the professional tour to the next amateur or top junior in the years to come.”
James grew up in Miami playing multiple sports, but tennis became his passion at age of 13. In 2014, he started coaching and traveling with Bernard Tomic (Australian Top Professional player). Bernard Tomic and coach James had success early, reaching a career high #17 in the world ranking. James is fluent in English and Spanish.
Yanquiel Medina
Tennis Professional
Yanquiel Medina was born in Cuba. He won the National Championships three times – at the age of 12 and under, 14 and under and 18 and under. He was recruited as the #3 player in Cuba going into the Davis Cup Team twice.
Yanquiel has 16 years of professional experience and is also certified by the PTR as a professional coach for children 10 years and under, high performance, and adult players. From 2002 to 2004 he worked in Mexico running a high-performance program for junior players.
Yanquiel has been working for thirteen years as a pro at Fisher Island Club. He also works with professional active players as a hitting partner, such as Caroline Wozniacki – former world #1, Eugenie Bouchard – former world #5, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Today, he enjoys teaching all levels but specializes in technique and strategy at the intermediate to advanced level.
Mariana Sonnervig
Tennis Professional
“I have a passion for tennis, health and wellbeing. My goal is to inspire you to become the best player you can be, and most importantly, have a great time!”
From Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mariana came to the U.S in 2009 to study marketing and play college tennis. She received a scholarship at the University of West Florida and was ranked Top 10 in the nation for the 4 school years. She was also Regional champion, 3-time conference champion, and achieved the freshman of the year award. When she graduated, she decided to follow her passion for the sport and teach tennis. She worked 1 year as the women’s team assistant coach at UWF to gain more college tennis experience, 3 years at the Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy in Naples, Florida, to learn the Spanish training system and coach high performance junior players, as well as 10 & under, and 1 year at the Flamingo Park in Miami Beach to gain more knowledge with adult and group clinics and social tennis. After 5 years of experience with all ages and levels, she joined our prestigious Fisher Island Tennis Professionals at the end of 2018.
Brooke Bailey
Pro Shop Manager
Brooke grew up in a small town outside of Peoria, Ill., right in the middle of the state. Her interests always revolved around sports and fitness, and she dabbled in a little bit of everything. During her college years at Illinois State University, Brooke played Division 1 women’s softball all four years and almost made it to the college championships on ESPN one year! After college graduation, she was ready for warmer weather and a more vibrant atmosphere and was hired at Disney’s Grand Floridian hotel to work on the tennis courts. Brooke’s next stop was Atlanta, where she worked with the tennis program at the stadium built for the 1996 Olympics! She then became certified to teach tennis to young kids at country clubs in the area. Brooke joined Fisher Island Club during the middle of COVID to start a new chapter in the land of sunshine. She loves being on the island and truly enjoy her co-workers, as well as getting to know the Members on a more personal level!
Paulo Barros
Director of Racquet Sports
305-604-2319
fpbarros@fisherislandclub.com
Teaches Tennis & Pickleball
“I thrive on the joy of supporting and promoting the lifetime sport of tennis to all people. I can reach so many people by teaching, managing and promoting the sport, that it is impossible not to love the variety of options that the sport brings to everyone.”
After a successful junior career as the #5 highest player nationally in Brazil, Paulo earned a full scholarship to play and study for Hampton University, VA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management with a minor in sports and professional tennis management, and a Master in Business Administration, both from Hampton University. Paul received an All-American Scholars Award, was named a 2001 Conference Player and Freshman of the Year in 1998, appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine that year, and received an Academic Achievement Award.
Paulo has been involved with the USPTA for the past 15 years, through which he has been attending and promoting the industry, and was awarded USPTA Player of the Year and USPTA Florida Pro of the Year on 8 different occasions. Paulo has also been ranked #1 USTA National Men’s 35 in 2014-2016 and is currently ranked #9 nationally in the Men’s 40s.
Paulo’s working experience at Hampton University, Human Performance Institute, Winter Park Racquet Club, Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club, and Bonita National Golf & Country Club assisted him in acquiring extended knowledge and experience within different sectors of the tennis industry for the last 20 years.
Paulo is a USPTA Elite certified and IPTPA Pickleball Certified. He is married to Glaucia Barros, with two daughters – Isabella and Bruna.
Christopher Cozzillio
Head Racquets Professional
305-535-6010
ccozzillio@fisherislandclub.com
Teaches Tennis & Pickleball
Chris comes to Fisher Island from the Aspen Hill Club in Silver Spring, Maryland. Prior to his time at the Aspen Hill Club, Chris served as the Director of Tennis at Cattail Creek Country Club in Glenwood, Maryland. At Cattail Creek, Chris oversaw capital projects such as adding a new Tennis and Fitness Professional Shop and full-time Pickleball facilities to the club. Prior to his time at Cattail Creek, Chris worked for 2010 EPD Club of the Year Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club in Clarks Summit, PA. At Birchwood, Chris taught several District and State Champions and Division 1 college athletes.
Chris is USPTA certified in both Tennis and Pickleball, and a PTR Certified Professional with specialized certifications in 10 and Under, 11-17 years, Junior High Performance, Adult Development, USTA NET Generation, and Match Analysis and Tennis Analytics.
Chris has been working full time in the private racquet club industry for the past 14 years, assisting and overseeing tennis and pickleball operations, teaching private and group tennis and pickleball lessons/clinics, running tournaments, leagues, socials and events. Chris has served as high school assistant coach, college assistant coach, USTA tournament director, and UTR tournament director.
Chris played college tennis for Wilkes University and King’s College, where he received a Bachelor of the Arts in Professional Writing. During his time at King’s College, Chris published articles for Tennis View Magazine.
Chris lives in Miami with his wife, Nora, and their dog, Barry.
Adam Sexton
Assistant Racquets Professional
Teaches Tennis & Pickleball
Adam grew up in Columbus, Georgia where he played competitively and was a nationally ranked junior player. He comes to Fisher Island Club with years of experience in the premier private club industry. Adam comes from New Orleans Country Club located in Louisiana. Prior to his time in New Orleans, Adam worked at Cherokee Town and Country Club in Atlanta, Georgia. He started teaching tennis and pickleball at the Country Club of Columbus while playing in college at Columbus State University. Adam also has spent time volunteering and working with ACEing Autism, giving private and group lessons to children in the program. Adam is a certified USPTA professional and has been teaching lessons and groups of players from beginners to high performance.
James Nabhen
Tennis Professional
“I love to coach tennis and pass along all my knowledge of traveling and coaching on the professional tour to the next amateur or top junior in the years to come.”
James grew up in Miami playing multiple sports, but tennis became his passion at age of 13. In 2014, he started coaching and traveling with Bernard Tomic (Australian Top Professional player). Bernard Tomic and coach James had success early, reaching a career high #17 in the world ranking. James is fluent in English and Spanish.
Stefano Ianni
Tennis Professional
“I love to coach tennis and pass along all my knowledge of traveling and coaching on the professional tour to the next amateur or top junior in the years to come.”
James grew up in Miami playing multiple sports, but tennis became his passion at age of 13. In 2014, he started coaching and traveling with Bernard Tomic (Australian Top Professional player). Bernard Tomic and coach James had success early, reaching a career high #17 in the world ranking. James is fluent in English and Spanish.
Luiza Sonnervig
Tennis Professional
Luiza was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and started playing tennis competitively at age 12, where she was national champion. She later played collegiate tennis at University of West Florida in Pensacola, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. While in college, Luiza won three Gulf South Conference Championships and one South Region Championship. She was ranked as high as #11 in the nation in Division 2 and was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) South Region Senior Player of the Year and given the ITA South Region Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award.
Her teaching career started in 2012, when she worked as a Tennis Professional at the Meadow Club of Southampton for two summer seasons before accepting the position of Women’s Tennis Assistant Coach at University of West Florida in 2013. After graduation, Luiza joined the Sanchez-Casal team in Naples, Florida as a tennis professional and after-school assistant coordinator. She had the opportunity to learn from Emilio Sanchez Vicario (a former professional tennis player from Spain ranked No. 1 in the world in doubles and No. 7 in singles). As the after-school assistant coordinator, she helped restructure the programs from age 3 to 12, separating them into five different levels and preparing their annual calendar of training and events.
Luiza has been part of the tennis professional team at Fisher Island Club since October 2017. She is an ICI and USPTA-certified tennis coach available to conduct private and group lessons for all ages and levels.
Mariana Sonnervig
Tennis Professional
“I have a passion for tennis, health and wellbeing. My goal is to inspire you to become the best player you can be, and most importantly, have a great time!”
From Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mariana came to the U.S in 2009 to study marketing and play college tennis. She received a scholarship at the University of West Florida and was ranked Top 10 in the nation for the 4 school years. She was also Regional champion, 3-time conference champion, and achieved the freshman of the year award. When she graduated, she decided to follow her passion for the sport and teach tennis. She worked 1 year as the women’s team assistant coach at UWF to gain more college tennis experience, 3 years at the Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy in Naples, Florida, to learn the Spanish training system and coach high performance junior players, as well as 10 & under, and 1 year at the Flamingo Park in Miami Beach to gain more knowledge with adult and group clinics and social tennis. After 5 years of experience with all ages and levels, she joined our prestigious Fisher Island Tennis Professionals at the end of 2018.
Brooke Bailey
Pro Shop Manager
Brooke grew up in a small town outside of Peoria, Ill., right in the middle of the state. Her interests always revolved around sports and fitness, and she dabbled in a little bit of everything. During her college years at Illinois State University, Brooke played Division 1 women’s softball all four years and almost made it to the college championships on ESPN one year! After college graduation, she was ready for warmer weather and a more vibrant atmosphere and was hired at Disney’s Grand Floridian hotel to work on the tennis courts. Brooke’s next stop was Atlanta, where she worked with the tennis program at the stadium built for the 1996 Olympics! She then became certified to teach tennis to young kids at country clubs in the area. Brooke joined Fisher Island Club during the middle of COVID to start a new chapter in the land of sunshine. She loves being on the island and truly enjoy her co-workers, as well as getting to know the Members on a more personal level!
