About Hit Elite - Local Lessons for everyone
Welcome to Hit Elite, where passion meets proficiency on the court.
At Hit Elite, our mission is to foster a love for the game while nurturing the growth of aspiring tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner looking to master the basics or an advanced player aiming for new heights, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our approach is personalized, focusing on individual progress and enjoyment. We take immense pride in watching our students not only improve their skills but also develop a genuine appreciation for the game.
Join us on the court and embark on a journey where every swing brings you closer to unlocking your true potential. Together, let’s play, learn, and grow!
Our team
Adi Zilberstein - Founder and Head of Tennis & Pickleball
Originally from Israel, my love affair with tennis began at the age of 9. As I honed my skills, I trained in various tennis academies in Israel.
I found myself at the top of my age group from 14 to 18. My quest for excellence led me to the courts of Spain, where I trained at a prestigious tennis academy. During my later teens I clinched the 2nd spot in a national tournament and competed in international tournaments. These experiences not only shaped my game but fueled my deep-rooted passion for the sport.
I crossed continents to the United States, joining a Division 1 tennis team. It was here that I continued to evolve as a player, bringing a wealth of international experience to the team.
During the pandemic, I discovered the sport of pickleball, and my background as a tennis player and coach made the transition seamless. Leveraging my skills and experience from tennis, I quickly adapted to pickleball's unique dynamics, achieving a high level of play at 5.0+ within a short period.
Now, as the driving force behind Hit Elite, my mission is to share my love for the game and nurture the growth of aspiring tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. Whether you're a beginner seeking to master the basics or an advanced player aiming for new heights, I am dedicated to guiding you on your tennis journey at your pace.
I find immense joy in witnessing my students improve, not just in their skills but also in their overall appreciation for the game.
Anand Patel -Tennis
With a passion for tennis ignited later in high school, Coach Anand quickly fell in love with the game and earned a spot as a part of one-doubles on the varsity team. This enthusiasm continued through college where he played for the club team, further honing their skills and deepening their commitment to the sport.
Post-college, Coach Anand transitioned into coaching, starting with pee-wee tennis and gradually working their way up to high school coaching. He helped lead the high school team to a regional title and multiple top-10 state finishes in Michigan. Coach Anand's journey from player to coach reflects a deep understanding of the game and a genuine dedication to developing young talent.
Jason Mañalac - Tennis
Coach Jason grew up in a tennis-centric family and developed in the USTA Junior Team Tennis Penn Leagues. He was a successful junior tennis player in southern California, and is an avid tennis player to this day competing in USTA leagues and tournaments. He has co-captained multiple USTA teams at the 4.0, 4.5, & 5.0 levels to playoffs and Sectionals in the NorCal section. He is a former member of the UC Berkeley tennis club team and is also hitting partners with elite juniors and professional-level players.
Coach Jason obtained his coaching training with PTR and specializes in training young talents at the beginner (Red Ball) to intermediate levels (Orange & Green Balls). Coach Jason's mission is to share his passion for the game and help students unlock a version of themselves that is more evolved than their former selves.
Francesco Avella - Pickleball
I am certified to by the international foundation of players academy and have been teaching the sport for 4 years now. I am also a 5.2 DUPR skill level and compete in PPA Pro Qualifier tournaments.
Before Pickleball, I was working towards becoming a General Manager of a professional sports team. I went to UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and then Columbia University to get my masters in Sports Management.
Sports have always been my main passion. My favorite sports are soccer, pickleball, basketball, and football. One of my dreams is to build a Pickleball Youth training academy in the Bay Area to help grow this beautiful sport!
Damon Turner - Pickleball
I was playing USTA tennis for years when I was introduced to Pickleball early in 2019 from a teammate who was injured and said to give it a try with him.
I entered my 1st tournament only 3 months later, got a silver metal and decided to dedicate all of my recreational time to pickleball. I started out playing in Walnut Creek and Concord 2-3 days a week and casually helped any player around me that was open to advice. I have played in over 30 tournaments and medaled in most of them. I have played at the Nationals the past 3 years for Men’s Doubles and Mixed. I started playing in Napa on a private court in 2020 and now I schedule and give private lessons there. I became a Certified PPR instructor in March of 2024 and shortly after that ran a 20 person advanced beginners and intermediate clinic in Yountville.
Steve Hernandez - Pickleball
Steve Hernandez is a PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) Certified Pickleball Coach. He has over a year of coaching and instructing experience working primarily with early stage and intermediate level players. He has over five years of playing experience and competes at the 4.5 level in tournaments. He is also a college career director and executive coach with 20 years of coaching and guiding professional development.