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!
Adi Zilberstein - Founder and Head of Tennis & Pickleball
Our team
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 P. - 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 M. - 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.
Elliott N. - Tennis
Coach Elliott is a passionate and dedicated USPTR Certified Tennis Coach with over 10 years of experience working with players of all ages and skill levels, ranging from kids to adults. He has coached through Parks and Recreation Departments through the City of Berkeley and the City of El Cerrito and has also coached both the girls and boys tennis teams at Saint Mary’s College High School for 9+ years. In addition to his coaching, Coach Elliott is an accomplished NTRP rated 4.5 player and actively competes and co-captains USTA-sponsored league teams, bringing a wealth of competitive experience to his coaching approach.
Fred J. - Tennis
Fred has played and taught tennis for most of his adult life. A New York native, he competed for Rockland Community College, Vassar College, and Cornell. He brings extensive training and experience to his classes and private lessons, working with players of all ages and skill levels, from tots to elite competitors. Fred is also an active Afro-Cuban and jazz vocalist/percussionist, and a public school teacher specializing in mathematics.
Emmanuel b. - Tennis
7 years of experience coaching kids of all ages and 4+ years coaching adults. With more than 16 years of playing experience and ITF certifications, I’m focused on the development of players, helping them build strong fundamentals, confidence, and a love for the game. I tailor my coaching to each individual’s needs, because I believe every player is unique. My style combines structure, high energy, and a sense of fun to promote growth at all levels of the game.
Sam s. - Tennis
Sam played four years on the varsity tennis team at J.F.K. High School in Richmond, California, competing as the No. 1 singles player during his senior year. He then spent two years on the varsity team at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, before continuing his collegiate career for three years on the varsity tennis team at California State University, Bakersfield, where he earned All-Conference honors in his senior year. In addition to his competitive background, he has more than 25 years of experience coaching tennis, working with both private and group lessons for players of all ages and skill levels. He also became a certified USPTA Professional Tennis Coach three years ago.
Vik M. - Tennis
Vik was one of the top U14–U16 junior players in Belarus. After taking time away from competitive tennis and moving to the United States, he successfully transitioned to coaching, embracing modern tennis techniques and player development. A strong believer in structured training. He can help highly motivated beginners get off to a fast start and specializes in identifying and improving players’ weakest strokes, as well as strengthening their mental game through an individualized approach. For recreational players and weekend warriors, Vik also offers in-depth off-court video analysis to break down technique and accelerate improvement. Vik is a USPTA Level 1 Certified Tennis Professional and primarily offers private 1-on-1 lessons throughout the Peninsula and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) area.
Damon T. - 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 H. - 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.
Beri C. - Pickleball
Founder of The Special Pickleball Service, and co-host of the podcast and South Bay TV show Who Dinks Wins, Beri (aka Coach Berisford) insists there isn’t anything more fun than a game of Pickleball. And his mission since he took up coaching with Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation two years ago, was to infect as many players as he can with the pickleball virus. Specialising in beginners through advanced beginner and intermediate, Beri believes that if you’re having fun, you’re learning. His sessions are very light on drills and instead designed to learn through play. With a background in multiple sports including soccer, rugby, cricket, badminton and tennis, he can help anyone adapt to pickleball regardless of their perceived abilities. Beri is a PPR certified and plays here in the Albany community as well as The Claremont and Bay Clubs, and plays in tournaments at 3.5/4.0+
Frank S. - Pickleball
Frank is a pickleball competitor and certified coach since 2019. A national qualifier in 2025 and continue to work closely with players to help them increase their level of play. I have extensive experience working with beginner to intermediate players, focusing on building strong fundamentals, confidence, and smart decision-making on the court. My coaching emphasizes clear progression, proper technique, and match-play awareness so players can see measurable improvement. Prior to pickleball, I coached youth soccer for over 30 years, which strongly influences my teaching style - structured, supportive, and development-focused.
Nic B. - Pickleball
Nic Bekaert is an IPTPA Level II certified coach with 4 years' experience coaching locally and internationally. While residing in France he became the 2023 National Singles Champion (50+) and has earned nine medals including in mixed and men's doubles. He most enjoys teaching beginners to establish a solid foundation from which to improve rapidly, as well as getting intermediate players into the next level of performance. But in the end, like you, Nic just loves pickleball and wants students to have fun while improving.
Rj P. - Pickleball
Rj Pansino has dedicated her coaching career to helping adults and youth improve both their technical and tactical game with confidence and finesse. As a former teacher, her classroom techniques translate to her coaching ability and style, especially with beginners and young players. Having played competitively herself, she provides the knowledge and leadership that better align teams as competitive contenders. Prior to becoming a professional pickleball coach, she coached both adults and youth in tennis and softball and has a clear understanding of the mental component required to improve skills, advance levels and enjoy the love of the sport!. She is a PPR certified coach and maintains the philosophy that every player is unique, and should be treated as such, providing practical and realistic solutions to improve one’s game and experience.