901-356-1328

Email:   [email protected]

​

Keita Jones

Tennis Professional 

● USPTR Pro Level Certification
● USTA Regional Training Center Coach - USTA Southern Region
● USTA High Performance Coach - USTA Tennessee
● USTA Southern Cup Team Coach - USTA Tennessee

Certified at the Pro Level by the USPTR, Keita has a deep understanding of the game, honed through both personal experience as a competitive player and a proven ability to coach players of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.

Tennis Playing Career: Keita Jones' tennis journey began at the age of 9, and he quickly rose to prominence as a standout player. He played the #1 singles and doubles positions at Jackson State University, where he earned the title of SWAC singles and doubles champion. Additionally, Keita helped lead his team to a conference team championship, showcasing both individual talent and leadership on the court. Following his college career, Keita transitioned into professional men’s tennis, participating in various segment tournaments.

​His hard work and determination allowed him to secure main draw appearances in several prestigious doubles events, further solidifying his career in competitive tennis.

Tennis Teaching Professional Career: Keita's coaching career began in 1994 when he started teaching junior and adult players in Nashville, TN. In 1996, he moved to Memphis, TN, where he took on his first role as head teaching pro and tennis center facility director. Over the next 30 years, Keita dedicated his career to developing players at all levels, from recreational players to elite juniors. Throughout his career, Keita coached numerous junior players who went on to earn tennis scholarships at Division I universities, helping them develop both their skills on the court and the valuable life lessons that tennis teaches. Notably, Keita had the honor of coaching his two daughters, Kayla and Kenya, who both played #1 singles and doubles for their respective universities. Kenya, a 6-time All-American at Georgia Tech, earned top 10 singles rankings for her last three years, achieving a career-high singles ranking of #3 and doubles ranking of #1. She also played an instrumental role in her team's success, helping them reach the NCAA Final 4. Kayla, who competed at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, also played the #1 spot in both singles and doubles and was ranked in the top 100 during her senior year. In addition to his work with juniors who achieved national success, Keita coached multiple state champions in singles and doubles, particularly in the Memphis and Germantown areas. He also served as Head Tennis Coach at Harding Academy High School, leading the team to the state playoffs. Keita’s players have earned national titles, winning gold balls at prestigious USTA National Hard and Clay Court Championships in Boca Raton, FL, and Palm Springs, CA.

Personal Life & Hobbies: Keita has been happily married to his wife, Sonia, for 31 years, and they have three children—Kayla, Kenya, and D’Sean. Outside of tennis, Keita’s favorite pastime is playing golf, and he enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. He also loves playing games like dominoes and pool with friends, as well as scrabble and corn hole with family. Most of all, Keita cherishes moments with his granddaughter, Kennedy, who has him completely wrapped around her finger. Keita’s extensive experience, passion for tennis, and deep commitment to his players make him a highly respected figure in the tennis community. Whether on the court or in life, Keita strives to inspire others to achieve greatness.