ATLANTA, GA – January 8, 2026 – INTENNSE today announced the hiring of head coaches for six of its 10 teams as the league continues to build momentum toward its second season and its upcoming March 13 draft.

In December the league announced it will expand to 10 professional teams in 2026 all based in the Atlanta area up from three in 2025.

Today’s coach’s announcement underscores the league’s commitment to elite player development and world-class competition. The new coaching group features leaders with proven experience in elite training environments, professional tennis, and NCAA programs—positioning INTENNSE for significant on-court growth in year two.

The inaugural group of coaches—Marcelo Ferreira, Tim Siegel, Amy O’Connell, Jim Harp, Torrey Hawkins, and Sofia Rachi—brings a combined track record spanning ATP and WTA pathways, high-performance academies, and successful collegiate programs. Each coach has worked extensively with top junior and professional players while also directing or contributing to NCAA and high-level college teams. Their collective background aligns directly with INTENNSE’s model of integrating professional standards into team-based competition.

“It was important for the league to announce our coaches and allow them to get to work evaluating the players who have registered for the upcoming draft,” said INTENNSE Commissioner, Barry Fulcher. “Every one of these coaches has operated at the highest levels of the sport—elite training centers, professional tours, and NCAA programs—and they will bring that standard to our athletes and our league from day one. Their expertise will elevate both the competitive product and the development opportunities for every player in INTENNSE.”

Ferreira, Siegel, O’Connell, Harp, Hawkins, and Rachi each carry reputations as detail-oriented, high-performance coaches who understand how to prepare athletes for the demands of professional and collegiate tennis. Their careers include directing training programs for nationally ranked juniors, coaching at the Division I level, and guiding players into and through professional circuits. That blend of elite training, professional tour exposure, and NCAA experience will be central to shaping INTENNSE’s second-season identity both on and off the court.

With league expansion and a strengthened coaching roster, INTENNSE is positioned to deliver a more competitive, professional, and development-driven product in its second season. Additional announcements, including the remaining head coaches, are expected in the coming weeks as the league prepares for its first-ever draft at RacquetX on March 13.

The application process for the draft remains open, with submissions due by January 31, 2026.

To apply as a player, visit Register to Play.

Coach Bios
Marcelo Ferreira
Marcelo Ferreira is the Director of the High-Performance Tennis Academy at Windy Hill Athletic Club, where he leads one of the region’s most competitive junior development programs. Ferreira previously coached at both Pepperdine University and Texas Tech University, where he worked alongside fellow INTENNSE Head Coach Tim Siegel, helping develop players who went on to compete at the highest levels of professional tennis.

In 2025, Ferreira coached Team Atlanta to victory in INTENNSE league competition and will return in 2026, continuing his commitment to cultivating exceptional talent and fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the court. He has spent years shaping the next generation of athletes within the Atlanta tennis community, and his deep ties to the area—combined with his passion for elite player development—have made him a respected mentor among peers, parents, and players alike.

Tim Siegel
Tim Siegel is a former professional tennis player and highly respected collegiate coach whose career has spanned the highest levels of the sport. A two-time All-American at the University of Arkansas, he was also a three-time All-Southwest Conference singles champion and reached the NCAA doubles semifinals before graduating with a journalism degree in 1986. Siegel went on to compete on the ATP Tour and competed in all four Grand Slams, reaching the 3rd round of the Australian Open and US Open in doubles. He later led the Texas Tech University men’s tennis program for 23 years, guiding the Red Raiders to national prominence and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. He remains active in the sport through coaching and program leadership in Texas, drawing on decades of experience at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Amy O’Connell
Amy O’Connell is a veteran tennis professional, collegiate coach, and tennis executive whose career has impacted players and programs across Georgia. A former collegiate standout at Georgia Southern University, she began teaching tennis while in college and later returned to her alma mater as head women’s tennis coach, guiding the Eagles in Division I competition. O’Connell currently serves as Executive Director of USTA Atlanta, the largest community tennis association in the United States, where she leads strategic growth initiatives, oversees adult and junior programming, and works closely with partners to expand participation across the metro area. In recognition of her leadership and service to the sport, she was honored with the 2023 USTA Georgia President’s Award.

Jim Harp
Jim Harp is a high-performance tennis coach and former collegiate All-American whose work has helped produce college-bound and professional players for more than two decades. A 1994 NJCAA All-American at DeKalb College, he transitioned from a successful playing career into full-time coaching in 2001, quickly establishing himself as a specialist in competitive player development. Harp is the owner and head coach of Harp Performance Tennis Inc. in Cumming, Georgia, where he leads an elite training program that has placed numerous athletes into college programs nationwide and supported players on the ITF Junior Circuit, ITF Futures, and professional tours. Recognized as a PTR Master Coach, USPTA Elite Coach, and USTA High Performance Program graduate, he is widely regarded for his expertise in designing comprehensive development plans for aspiring collegiate and professional competitors.

Torrey Hawkins
Torrey Hawkins is an accomplished tennis professional and program leader with extensive experience in player development. A longtime high-performance coach, he has guided numerous juniors to success in regional and national competition and is known for building comprehensive developmental pathways that emphasize sound fundamentals and competitive excellence. Hawkins serves as Tennis and Pickleball Director at The River Club in Suwanee, Georgia, where he oversees racquet sports programming, coaching, and community engagement for players of all ages and abilities. His career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing the sport through structured coaching, academy-style training environments, and innovative programming across tennis and emerging racquet sports.

Sofia Rachi
Sofia Rachi is a Division I head coach and former collegiate player whose career reflects success on both sides of the net. A native of Buenos Aires who was raised in Miami, she played Division I tennis before completing her collegiate career at Delaware State University, where she earned her degree and developed as a leader on and off the court. Rachi joined the North Carolina Central University women’s tennis staff in 2021 and was elevated to interim head coach during the 2022–23 season, leading the Eagles to their most wins in a decade, a winning MEAC record, and a conference quarterfinal victory. She was promoted to head coach in the summer of 2023 after mentoring conference award winners and all-conference selections. Now guiding NCCU’s program, she combines her international playing background, early exposure to the sport through her family’s academy, and a modern coaching philosophy to build a competitive and disciplined Division I team culture.

INTENNSE’s second season will run from June 1 through Championship Weekend, August 2, 2026. Season ticket deposits available at

For more information or to register, visit: www.intennse.com