Our coaching team

Samir "Sam" Iftikhar draws from a deep well of experience that spans the international junior circuit, a decorated collegiate career, and the professional circuit, where he maintains a current ATP world ranking. Sam has competed in the Davis Cup, won two Gold Balls at the U.S. Over 30s National Clay and Hard Court Championships, and is a two-time Pacific Northwest Men's Open Singles Champion and the 2018 Washington State Open Champion. While a team captain at the University of New Mexico, Sam’s discipline extended into his academics, earning him the title of Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2015 while he completed both a degree in Philosophy and an MBA.  For over 10 years, he has worked with junior and adult players of all levels, developing a coaching style that is both high-performance and personally attentive, and his extensive background as a competitor directly informs his coaching. This unique combination of athletic and academic dedication shapes his entire coaching philosophy. Drawing from his experiences as a Division I coach, director of a high-performance junior program, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Sam offers well-rounded mentorship and guidance to his players. He takes pride in his ability to communicate clearly and connect with each player, providing comprehensive guidance that goes beyond technique to help them achieve their goals. See Sam's private lesson openings.

 Nikola Plavsic is currently a Division I Men's Tennis Player at the University of Washington, where he competes at one of the highest levels of college tennis. Born and raised in Redmond, Washington, he's developed a pride for PNW tennis and is excited to bring his experience to Bellevue Tennis. Passionate about playing and competing in his sport, he enjoys helping tennis players of all ages improve their game while building mental strength in the realm of competition. Nikola brings a positive, optimistic, and disciplined approach to each lesson, fostering an environment that encourages players of all levels to become the best versions of themselves.

 Jamie Fisher has a depth of experience spanning the junior and collegiate levels. Raised in Oregon playing junior tennis in the PNW section, Jamie has a wide range of success playing at high levels: winning the 18 and under junior sectionals doubles tournament and consistently being a highly ranked junior in the PNW. He went on to play college tennis at the University of Portland while earning a degree in computer science. Drawing from his technical background, Jamie enjoys bringing an analytical approach to training and matchplay and especially appreciates the strategy of doubles play.

Lauren Levy is a strength and conditioning coach and certified performance specialist with 8 years of experience supporting high-performance tennis players at the collegiate and professional levels. A former competitive sprinter, she brings a deep understanding of speed, power, and movement efficiency to her work with athletes on court. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based sports performance, shaped by her education through EXOS and continued mentorship within the field. Lauren designs precise, individualized training systems that prioritize efficiency, durability, and direct transfer to the demands of tennis competition. She works closely with athletes and coaches to integrate performance training into competitive schedules, ensuring each program is purposeful and aligned with the physical and tactical demands of the sport. Lauren is committed to helping athletes build the capacity and resilience required to perform at a high level and sustain it over time. See Lauren's private fitness session openings.