Tennis Academy Coordinator & Head Coach - High Performance Athlete Development Specialistt

Mr. Igor Schoenefeld was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, and has dedicated his professional career to elite tennis coaching, athlete development, and high-performance training methodologies.

From the age of eight through 24, Mr. Schoenefeld competed extensively on the German National Tennis Circuit, participating at Oberliga and national tournament level within one of Europe’s most competitive player development systems. His long-term exposure to high-performance competition environments provided the foundation for his advanced understanding of athlete preparation, competitive psychology, and elite player development.

He completed the prestigious German DTB/VDT Tennis Coach Education Program, an extensive four-year professional training pathway widely recognized as one of the most rigorous coach education systems in Europe. During this period, he earned three advanced tennis coaching diplomas with distinct specializations, all internationally recognized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

His expertise spans the full spectrum of athlete development, ranging from advanced club-level player progression to the comprehensive preparation of competitive and professional athletes. His areas of specialization include high-performance athlete development, long-term player progression, tournament and seasonal planning (Micro, Meso, and Macro cycle periodization), advanced match preparation, performance optimization, and the integration of sport psychology into elite tennis training environments.

In addition to his formal qualifications, Mr. Schoenefeld has participated in numerous advanced professional development seminars and certifications focusing on:

• Optimal biomechanical movement structures in tennis performance
• Sport psychology and its application in professional tennis
• Mental resilience and performance enhancement for elite athletes
• Zone performance optimization in high-performance competition environments
• Contemporary methodologies in athlete development and competitive coaching systems

He has also successfully completed an Emergency First Response certification course aligned with current international standards and guidelines for emergency patient care.

In 2024, Mr. Schoenefeld attended and received certification from the World Tennis Coach Conference Seminar, further strengthening his expertise in modern international coaching practices and high-performance athlete management.

For the past 22 years, Mr. Schoenefeld serves as Tennis Academy Coordinator and Head Coach of the ACS Athens Tennis Academy. Under his leadership, the program emphasizes technical excellence, professional training standards, athlete-centered development, competitive performance, and the cultivation of a high-performance culture designed to support players at every stage of their athletic journey.

Tennis Coach – High Performance & Young Athlete Development Specialist

Mr. Ioannis Vaxevanakis was born in Thessaloniki and raised in Athens, Greece. He earned his degree in Sport Science with a specialization in Tennis from the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science in 2005.

An active competitor since 1993, Mr. Vaxevanakis has participated extensively in National Union and Panhellenic tennis tournaments. Since 2006, he has been coaching tennis at several distinguished clubs throughout Athens, developing athletes across a wide range of ages and performance levels.

In September 2017, he joined the coaching staff of the ACS Athens Tennis Academy, where he currently serves as a key member of the program’s development team. In 2024, he attended and received certification from the World Tennis Coach Conference Seminar, further strengthening his expertise in modern coaching methodologies and athlete development.

Mr. Vaxevanakis is responsible for athletic progression, and long-term player development. In addition, he has successfully completed an Emergency First Response certification course, aligned with current international standards and guidelines for emergency patient care.

Tennis Coach

Rafail Molandonis is a dedicated tennis coach and competitive athlete with a strong background in high-performance tennis and player development. Having trained and competed within some of Athens’ competitive tennis environments from a young age, he has developed valuable experience in modern training methodologies, match preparation, and athlete progression.

He has worked alongside respected coaches in Greek tennis as both a hitting partner and assistant coach for nationally ranked athletes. Since 2024, he has been actively coaching players of all ages and levels, contributing to individualized training programs and competitive team preparation.

As an active competitor on the Greek tennis circuit and currently in the process of formalizing his coaching qualifications, Rafail brings a modern, athlete-focused approach to coaching, with a strong emphasis on technical development, tactical awareness, and continuous improvement. He is also actively involved in the academy’s Competitive Program, supporting players through performance training and tournament preparation.

Tennis Coach specialized on High Performance & Young Athlete Development

Evelyn Hadjisavva is an experienced tennis coach with more than 10 years of international coaching experience in Greece and Austria. She specializes in junior player development and has extensive experience coaching children, teenagers, and adult players of all levels.

Having worked in leading tennis academies and clubs, Evelyn focuses on modern coaching methodologies, player development, and creating a positive and engaging training environment. She is highly experienced in group and private coaching, tournament organization, and long-term athlete development.

She holds advanced coaching certifications through the Austrian Tennis Federation’s internationally recognized coaching pathway.

Tennis Coach specialized on High Performance & Young Athlete Development

Vasileia – Nika Sklavounou is a professional tennis coach with extensive experience in developing junior and competitive athletes. She has worked with leading tennis clubs and academies in Greece and internationally, including the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy.

Specialized in individualized coaching, sports psychology, and athlete development, she focuses on helping players improve both technically and mentally while building confidence and discipline on court. Vasileia has successfully coached children, teenagers, and tournament players, with experience preparing young athletes for competitive pathways and international scholarship opportunities.

She holds an MSc in Applied Sports Psychology and a degree in Sports Science with a specialization in Tennis.