First Look: 2025 Inaugural Teams Revealed

INTENNSE Tennis

3 MINS | Published on 05/21/25

INTENNSE, the new professional tennis league redefining the sport with a fast-paced format and city-based team rivalries, has officially announced the Captains and full rosters for its inaugural 2025 season.

Set to debut this summer at the all-new INTENNSE Arena in Atlanta, the league brings elite competition closer to the fans — blending high-energy match play with an immersive, team-driven experience.

Three teams will compete in the inaugural season: Team Atlanta, Team Jacksonville, and Team Tampa. Each squad features a dynamic mix of elite college standouts, seasoned pros, and emerging international talent — selected through a highly competitive recruitment process led by INTENNSE Director of Player Relations, JY Aubone.

“This league was built on competition and connection,” said Aubone. “We recruited through personal networks, college programs, and social media — and the response was incredible. Many players committed before ever seeing our format in action. That level of belief speaks to the momentum INTENNSE is creating. Our rosters reflect the future of tennis: fast, fun, and deeply team-oriented.”

Meet the Captains
Team Atlanta will be led by Michaela Gordon, a two-time NCAA® Champion and former No. 1 in both singles and doubles at Stanford. Known for her composure and consistency, Gordon brings elite collegiate experience and championship grit.

She’ll be joined by Trent Bryde, a five-time All-American from the University of Georgia and a former ITF® world No. 8 junior. An Atlanta native, Bryde adds local roots and global experience to Team ATL.

Team Jacksonville will be captained by Martin Gutierrez, a four-time NCAA Champion from Barry University and founder of the Forehand Guy tennis community. Known for his creative playing style and competitive fire, Gutierrez brings both talent and charisma to the court.

Team Tampa will be led by Noureldin “Noori” Adam, a former Florida A&M standout and All-MEAC honoree. Originally from Sudan, Adam earned his first ATP points at 16 and brings global perspective and leadership to Tampa’s deep roster.

“From day one, we set out to create a league that feels different,” said Charles Allen, CEO of INTENNSE. “We’re combining elite-level tennis with a fan-first experience that celebrates every point, every player, and every moment. This isn’t just a new format — it’s a new way of thinking about tennis.”

Full 2025 Team Rosters
Team Atlanta

  • Trent Bryde
  • Raul Garcia
  • Kevin King
  • Michaela Gordon
  • Tanya Sasnouskaya
  • Ava Hrastar

Team Jacksonville

  • Sam Nicholson
  • Maxwell Benson
  • Martin Gutierrez
  • Sofia Johnson
  • Annabelle Thomas
  • Alejandra Cruz
  • Khrystyna Vozniak
  • Jackeline Lopez

Team Tampa

  • Trey Mallory
  • Sam Frizelle
  • Noori Adam
  • Piero Fernandez Moreno
  • Seone Mendez
  • Kate Sharabura
  • Adesuwa Osabuohien
  • Tara Moore
  • Quinn Gleason
  • Alessandra Crump

Meet the Coaches
Team Atlanta will be led by Marcelo Ferreira, High-Performance Tennis Manager at Windy Hill and a two-time ITA® Assistant Coach of the Year. With 15+ years at programs like Pepperdine, Texas Tech, and Georgia College, Ferreira has developed multiple All-Americans and pros.

Team Jacksonville is coached by Claudio Pistolesi, a former ATP® No. 71 and Italian Davis Cup® player who coached Monica Seles, Robin Söderling, and Daniela Hantuchová. His players have earned over 10 pro titles and climbed into the ATP/WTA Top 50.

Team Tampa is coached by Pascal Collard, a Belgium native and INTENNSE Advisory Board Member with more than 25 years of experience. He’s held leadership roles at Saddlebrook, Merion Cricket Club®, and World TeamTennis®, and coached ATP and WTA stars including Younes El Aynaoui and Stephanie Deville.

“We’re proud that so many of our 2025 athletes come from top college programs — Stanford, Texas, Auburn, UGA, Clemson, Notre Dame,” said Todd Wojtkowski, INTENNSE Advisory Board Member and ITA Board Member. “But just as important is the diversity of backgrounds. College tennis across all divisions is an unmatched pipeline for talent and character — and it’s fueling everything INTENNSE is about.”

The Challenge Series: A New Opportunity
Beyond the full-time rosters, INTENNSE will feature a Challenge Series — a weekly competition that allows non-rostered players to compete for prize money and earn their way into future INTENNSE lineups.

Looking Ahead to 2026
With its first season ready to launch, INTENNSE is already looking to expand. The league plans to more than double in size by 2026, with most new players entering through the upcoming INTENNSE Collegiate Draft.

“This is more than just a new league,” said Allen. “It’s a new pathway for athletes. We’re connecting college tennis directly to the pro stage — offering a structure and lifestyle that’s already drawing attention from ATP and WTA players. The future of tennis is fast, team-first, and INTENNSE.”

 

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