I have taught at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and The Central Park Tennis Center among others (full resume below for your perusal). You'll see I have lots of experience.
I have a number of private students, and a good number of reviews from them as well (Some listed below.) I will take you to the level you want to achieve...and at Reasonable Rates.
Professional Experience:
JOHN MCENROE TENNIS ACADEMY AT RANDALLS ISLAND
Worked with GILAD BLOOM (Formerly Ranked #61 in the World, and #1 for Israel and Davis Cup Team), the program coordinator and Tennis Director,
in implementing his instructions and techniques.
Instruct and supervise all participants in a variety of drills and strokes.
Implement fitness exercises to all students.
SUTTON EAST TENNIS, Manhattan
Worked with Program Director, Michael Filipek
Indoors - After School Juniors Program
CENTRAL PARK TENNIS
Worked with Mohammed Yakubu (Former Davis Cup Player)
Juniors and Adults, Groups and Privates
TCR (Tennis Center of Riverdale)
Hired by Juan Rios (Former Davis Cup Player) in the Adults
and Juniors Program
Trinity High School, Manhattan
Assistant to Former Program Director, Pascal Gharamone
Assist in Privates, Group Lessons and the Team Program.
Encourage and promote tennis and the tennis program, and
R.A.M. TENNIS - Private Instruction with ROBERT MITCHELL
Education:
Graduated/Played for the University of Illinois
Graduate Studies at Northwestern University
REVIEWS from Private Students:
5/5 stars Tennis Lessons Verified Review
ANNA J.
I had never swung a tennis racquet when my friend referred me to Robert and now I really look forward to our weekly lesson! He is very patient, thoughtful, and really focuses on foundational skills, which I appreciate as an athlete. (Someone who prevents bad habits is what I really wanted.) I’m excited to see where my skills will be after a year. Good rates for private lessons
May 1, 2026
Brenna B.
My first session went really well - as a true beginner, I was very nervous but Robert was very patient and helpful! I already feel like I learned a lot and I am excited to continue these lessons.
Feb 8, 2025
Verified
Mark A.
He’s consistently punctual, which makes scheduling sessions easy and reliable. He’s very responsive as well—communication is always quick and clear. I especially appreciate the way he breaks down the basics. He explains fundamentals in a way that’s simple, practical, and easy to apply.
Jan 5, 2025
Youngeun C.
I’ve had 9 lessons with Robert so far. I am a beginner , and I can see my skills improved a lot with Robert, and I’m excited for my next lessons! He taught me all the essential basics with patience, and he makes it so fun for me! Robert is highly recommend!
Dec 14, 2025
Wen G.
I’ve taken a few lessons with Robert and already noticed clear improvement. He immediately identified what I needed to adjust to hit more consistent shots and helped refine my form from day one. His teaching method is straightforward and highly effective.
Oct 11, 2025
Xiangchen M.
Private Tennis Instruction
Easy to communicate and the lesson went beyond expectation. The drills and introductions are easy to memorize and stay firm during self practice.
Oct 10, 2025
Antonio O.
Private Tennis Instruction
Robert is a fantastic instructor. I’d taken some group classes prior but didn’t feel like I learned too much. On Robert’s first class, we went through the fundamental strokes and after I already felt my game to be exponentially better than when I first went there. Looking forward to taking more classes with Robert.
Oct 9, 2025
Robert m.
Tennis Lessons
Robert knowledge and experience in tennis is exceptional.
He has a gift for quickly zeroing in on his student's needs and crafting a personalized and productive lesson plan. Highly recommend him as a teacher for students of all skill levels
Sep 8, 2025
Daniel P.
Great instructor!
Sep 2, 2025
Johnathan B.
I've been working with Robert for over half a year now. He got me rallying and serving very quickly with expert instruction and has been very responsive and punctual.
Sep 1, 2025
Grace S.
Starting lessons with Robert was one of the best decisions for getting my form and stroke back. I have been out of practice for many years and Robert was a great teacher and has been crucial in helping me slowly regain my confidence on the court. Highly recommend.
Aug 26, 2025
Tatiana Z.
Private Tennis Instruction
I used to take group classes, but since switching to private lessons with Robert, my tennis has improved so much. He helped me relearn the basics and now my game feels way stronger. Couldn’t be happier!
Aug 25, 2025
Jay B.
Superb experience with Rob. Contacted him in the am and was hitting with him at 3pm. Very professional and gave excellent technical feedback. Improved my footwork a lot in one lesson which improved my timing and contact. I recommend.
Aug. 9, 2025
Angelo O.
I started playing tennis from zero, and thanks to Robert, it’s become something I look forward to every week. His patience, kindness, and consistent encouragement have made a difference in my progress. He’s not only a great coach but also a truly supportive presence on the court. Highly recommended!
Jul 22, 2025
Johny N.
Robert is an exceptional, skilled, patient, and highly professional tennis instructor. Each lesson is well-structured, with clear goals and personalized feedback that has noticeably improved my technique and confidence on the court. His ability to break down complex movements into simple, actionable steps is impressive. I always leave the sessions feeling motivated and challenged. Highly recommended for players of any level, especially beginners like myself.
Jul 21, 2025
Victoria Z.
Robert is an amazing teacher. I used to try to use YouTube videos to start playing tennis but for some reason couldn’t grasp it. Robert gave me an amazing foundation. His exercises are really good and thorough. He’s also a very kind and patient person and assured me I was doing better each week even when I thought I wasn’t. I would recommended him to anyone trying to learn tennis.
Jul 6, 2025
Ben L.
I was brand new to tennis and Robert was great at explaining the fundamentals and getting me started. Very patient but direct and keeps things moving forward. Every minute of each lesson is well spent!
June 17, 2025
Tal F.
Private Tennis Instruction
Conducted the lessons with lots a patience and a positive attitude.
May 17,2025
Bob M.
Robert is a true professional. He knows what you need and knows what to tell you to get it done!
April 2, 2025
Verified
Tom P.
I have several years of self training via YouTube. Robert has already leveled up my playing via his vast knowledge and consistent teaching. I’m excited to continue lessons with him!
Feb 26, 2025
Kritika S.
Working with Robert has been an incredible experience. His personalized approach makes learning both effective and enjoyable.
From our very first session, I was impressed by his ability to assess my proficiency and tailor his teaching to my specific needs. His expertise and encouragement created a supportive learning environment that made improvement feel natural and effortless.
I highly recommend Robert to anyone looking to learn tennis.
Feb 13, 2025
Verified
Roddy G.
As an adult beginner, Robert made the daunting task of learning tennis extremely comfortable and reassuring. The lessons so far have been both challenging and rewarding. I would recommend anyone thinking of learning tennis to use Robert’s services!
Feb 4, 2025
Verified
John C.
Robert put me at ease. He is friendly, supportive and encouraging and I'm glad that I signed up with him.
Jan. 2, 2024
Ellen M.
Learning tennis with Robert has been super fun. He is patient, encouraging and flexible. Highly recommend to anyone who is interested in starting out in tennis.
Sept. 19, 2024
Ali N.
Private Tennis Instruction
I had a great experience with Robert as my tennis instructor during my first lesson as a beginner. Even though it was only one session, he made me feel comfortable and confident on the court. Robert was patient, explained the basics clearly, and gave me valuable tips that helped me improve my form right from the start. His approachable style made the lesson enjoyable, and I’m excited to keep learning more about tennis thanks to his guidance.
Sep 4, 2024
Karen L.
I highly recommend Robert for players at any level, especially beginners. As someone who started out, I found Robert’s guidance invaluable for solidifying the basics and building a strong foundation. His clear and patient instruction made learning accessible and enjoyable. His versatile coaching approach ensures that both my boyfriend and I receive tailored support to improve our game and fine tune the techniques.
Sep 2, 2024
Alex K.
I am a beginner and have done 4 sessions with Robert. He's very good at isolating what the problem may be with my form, and giving constructive criticism on how to improve. He brings patience and a good attitude to each session. I look forward to working with Robert for the foreseeable future!
August 5, 2024
Michael S.
Private Tennis Instruction
Instruction was excellent! It was clear and responsive.
Jul 7, 2024
Wen Z.
Robert is incredibly easy to work with, making each lesson enjoyable and stress-free. As a total beginner, I have seen significant improvements in my skills, thanks to his patient and methodical teaching style.
Jun 10, 2024
Mayumi S.
I’ve taken 3 lessons with Robert so far and it’s been a great experience and lots of fun. He is a kind and thorough teacher and I am looking forward to continuing lessons. I’m basically a beginner but feel like I’ve already learned a lot from him already, and would highly recommend!
04/26/24
Preston D.
Robert is an excellent tennis teacher. He meets you where you're at and adapts his lesson plan to fit your interests/learning style. His keen attention to detail is very helpful as far as developing proper technique, and helped me improve with a greater sense of purpose. Would highly recommend!
May 1, 2024
Alexandra C.
The classes with Robert are excellent .He designs your personalized class to your needs. Thank you for helping me advance my tennis.
Apr 27, 2024
Ella J.
Robert is fun, he's patient, flexible with time, and I learned a whole lot in a very short time!
Jan. 5, 2024
Mayank M.
Robert has been an excellent coach - I had no background in racket sports and he's been very patient and methodical in teaching me the basics and helping me build confidence. He gives highly personalized advice by carefully observing form and timing, which has been extremely helpful to me. Would 100% recommend.
Aug. 24, 2023
Linda M.
Robert is an excellent communicator, offers a calm and ease to learning a new skill, answers any and all questions, has a dedication and supportive nature. Bravo!
July 15, 2023
Roula S.
Robert is excellent! I had minimal tennis background when I started taking lessons with him and only a few months in already feel confident playing on court. He worked on my hand-eye coordination and gave me some fun drills to learn. He is very patient and provides lots of constructive feedback. Highly recommend!
June 7, 2023
Ellen G.
Robert has been a fantastic teacher, I have felt my skills improving each week. The exercises are fun and tailored to what I’m interested in learning. Cannot recommended highly enough!
Mar 30, 2023
David W.
Private Tennis Instruction
I’ve been working with Robert for a few months now and cannot praise him enough. He does a great job of breaking the learning curve down to manageable, actionable exercises that pay off. I was a tennis novice and have been very impressed by his professionalism, patience, and his genuine excitement to see me improve.
Feb. 15, 2023
Verified
Felix Y.
Rob is a great Tennis teacher. His non-rushed and hands on approach really corrected my bad habits. He taught me how to volley and serve in ways that I never thought of before. Most importantly, he is truly happy when you are improving. Definitely the best teachers that I ever had. Highly recommended.
Jan. 7, 2023
James P.
I’ve been taking lessons with Robert for about 2 months after taking a break for many years. He provides a good balance between technical exercises and enjoyable games. He gives constant constructive feedback and does so in a patient manner. And he also provides additional notes outside of class. His scheduling has been very flexible for me, and is very responsive. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who wants to start learning tennis or wants to improve.
Dec. 15, 2022
Chloe Z.
Great teacher - for beginners too!
Nov 29, 2022
Verified
Joy M.
Was able to recognize and address deficiencies in technique.
Oct 27, 2022
Marco M.
I work with Robert on a weekly basis to improve my tennis skills. He is professional, knowledgeable and has great resources for learning. Robert tailors each session based on the areas where I need improvement.
I highly recommend Robert as a Tennis Instructor.
Oct 25, 2022
Soraya D.
Robert is a great teacher- he is articulate, patient, and very knowledgeable!
September 29, 2022
Perela G.
Robert has been a professional and extremely knowledgeable tennis instructor thus far, my husband and I have truly enjoyed working with him!
Aug. 25, 2022
Wayne G.
Robert is a very professional instructor with good work quality. We meet at handball court to practice basic movement as a beginner, and then change to public tennis course when needed. He also gives recommendations and instructions for those courses such as how to reserve and the peak/off peak hours. Highly recommended.
Jul 20, 2022
Lisa C.
Robert is great! I've learned so much from him, and he's always kind and punctual. Definitely recommend!
Jul 8, 2022
Eric M.
Been doing lessons with Robert for many weeks at this point. Really enjoy the instruction and flexibility.
June 17, 2022
Julia P.
Private Tennis Instruction
Robert made getting started in tennis easy by finding a place for us to do the lessons, bringing me a racquet and being a patient and skilled teacher. I’m enjoying the lessons and my swings are all improving a lot. Defiant recommend him!
June 7, 2022
·
Verified
Kirstin P.
My daughter is enjoying her lessons with Robert and progressing very nicely. She had taken lessons for several years as a young child and then got interrupted, but Robert has gotten her back on track right where she left off. His approach is very efficient, and well balanced between technique and theory. Highly recommended!
May 29, 2022
Jennifer K.
Robert is excellent. He makes learning fun and really builds confidence.
May18, 2022
Rebecca P.
Private Tennis Instruction
Robert is an excellent coach. He is patient and thorough. I've been taking lessons with him for the last 2 months. His inputs have helped me improve my technique. I'd definitely recommend Robert to anyone looking to improve their game.
Apr 26, 2022
Verified
Caroline W.
Robert is a great tennis instructor. His pace for progressing skills/technique over time is perfect, as well as his ability to identify, communicate, and help improve areas where I’ve struggled. I have seen continuous improvement since working with him and can’t recommend him enough!
Apr 25, 2022
Karen W.
I learned how to play tennis from scratch from Robert. He is professional, responsive and provides high value. I recommend learning tennis from Robert!
Apr 23, 2022
Dan F.
Robert is an excellent tennis coach who I am working with to improve all aspects of my game. Robert is able to recognize areas to improve my performance on the court through changes both large and small. Together we have worked on my footwork, movement, and ground strokes. I would highly recommend Robert as a coach to both beginners and experienced players looking to build their game.
Apr 23, 2022
Mark R.
Robert knows his stuff and makes tennis lessons fun!
March 20, 2022
Sara R.
Robert is a dedicated and patient Tennis Instructor. His playing background and skill are evident during the lessons. Highly recommend!
Dec 11, 2021
April Y.
My friend and I started Tennis lessons with Robert as almost beginners. Robert was very effective in breaking down the basic fundamentals in digestible detail and I felt that we were learning technique in a structured manner. We tried several instructors and found Robert to be the most detailed, and we appreciated that Robert advanced us at an appropriate pace so that we did not feel overwhelmed by trying to learn too much at one time. I would highly recommend Robert for any future prospective students.
Dec 5, 2021
Cc P.
Robert has been very patient and encouraging with teaching newbies. He also corrects my mistakes very carefully. Would definitely recommend him!
Dec 1, 2021
Ofir L.
Robb is a fantastic teacher! He is extremely professional, highly skilled and qualified. My playing skills have substantially improved in a short period of time. Communication with Rob is great - he is very responsive and accommodating.
I definitely recommend Rob if you are looking to improve your playing!
Nov 30, 2021
Yi C.
I am a near beginner and Robert has been very patient with me since day one. He is quick at pointing out what my mistakes are and helpful in correcting them. In addition, he is punctual and easy to communicate with. Highly recommend!
Nov 30, 2021
Morgan L.
My girlfriend and I started semi-private lessons with Robert several weeks ago. We are both beginners. Robert is a great teacher, who is able to identify what part of your skills most needs improvement and then makes sure you are correcting that properly. He is patient and makes the lessons enjoyable. We have been having a lot of fun learning and always look forward to the next lesson.
Oct 29, 2021
Alexander B.
We had a very good experience. Robert worked well with students of very different skill levels.
Oct 22, 2021
Saaket P.
Robert is a wonderful tennis coach to help out students of any skill level. His experience and patience are perfect for those learning the game for the first time. I decided to start learning tennis, recently, and after my first lesson with Robert I knew he was the perfect instructor for me. He is able to diagnose strengths and weaknesses for each student and help them improve their weaknesses while also providing encouragement about strengths to help build confidence in students. I look forward to taking many more lessons with Robert and would highly recommend him to anyone wishing to learn tennis for the first time.
Oct. 20, 2021
Veronica m.
I couldn't be happier with Robert as an instructor! I had previously taken a handful of lessons with other coaches who were not as detailed or reliable. He's also cool so that's a plus. Robert drills the basics and calls out my mistakes, which has helped me tremendously. He also sent a very informative email detailing all court options, permit requirements, and pricing which was SUPER helpful because NYC is a very tricky place to play. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Robert if you're looking for lessons.
Oct 10, 2021
Min Z.
I have had 3 lessons so far with Robert and he is a very good coach. I was a complete beginner in tennis and he approached our weekly lessons with the utmost professionalism and patience. He is always flexible with scheduling and very responsive via text. I highly recommend Robert to anyone who is looking to build a solid foundation in tennis!
Sept. 20, 2021
Becky N.
I personally never tried tennis before and never thought I would enjoy it. However, Robert is so patient and detailed as an instructor, and has such great sense of humor that I got my husband to join as well, now train with him weekly and so look forward to it. He is flexible with scheduling as well. Would recommend to any beginner!
Aug 18, 2021
Steve L.
Best tennis coach ever. He is consistent and passionate and kind and professional!
Aug 8, 2021
Thao N.
Rob has helped me with all of the basics of tennis. He broken down to individual movement which helped me to learn quickly. He is very responsive. Highly recommended!
July 27, 2021
Dominick D.
Robert is a great tennis coach! He is very helpful and patient. He breaks down the mechanics of the swing so you can learn quickly. Highly recommend him!
July 17, 2021
Hannah K.
Robert is a GREAT tennis coach! I'm a beginner and needed a teacher with patience and a strong skillset. Robert is that and much more - he is a wonderful communicator and extremely flexible. I'm so grateful I found him and look forward to my weekly tennis lessons. I highly recommend him as a coach.
July 7, 2021
Charlotte S.
I highly recommend working with Robert to improve your tennis skills. He perfectly adapted the lessons to my level and has helped me get to my goal much faster than I thought was possible. Robert is fun, observant, talented, and an extremely effective teacher!
June 17, 2021
Linh J.
I started taking tennis lessons with Rob since Aug 2020 and loved it so I recommended my other 5 friends to join me. He is caring and professional. Would recommend you to learn with him.
Jun 13, 2021
Verified
Soro S.
About two weeks ago I was in Manhattan visiting family for a little over one week. During that time I met up with Robert three times. I found each session to be productive and fun. He even suggested some slight adjustments to my game which have been very helpful. I’m looking forward to working with Robert again the next time I visit my family in Manhattan.
Jun 4, 2021
John A.
Robert’s been a great instructor in bringing the best out of me! Really appreciate his guidance and communication!
Jun 4, 2021
Karen W.
I learned the foundation of tennis from Robert and it has been a great experience! Highly recommend.
May 31, 2021
Mar M.
May 30, 2021
I trained with Robert since the spring of 2020 and improved my tennis a lot. I’ve played tennis in several phases of my life since I was young, but felt like it finally came all together, the foot work, timing, my grand strokes got better, my volleys sharper and overall much more control and power.
As I thought it would be fun to have a hobby with my boyfriend. I encouraged him to take lessons with Robert in the summer as well. And despite he had no experience, Robert helped him to get a very solid technical base and we are able to have pretty decent rallies.…Read more
Sweta M.
May 29, 2021
I started training with Robert last year with zero experience of playing any sport. I had very poor hand eye coordination and terrible reflexes. But Robert has a knack for teaching tennis and his nuances helped me get better at the game. 6 months later, I’m now able to play on the court as I continue to fine tune my tennis skills. I highly recommend Robert for all levels of players. He is a ranked player of the sport and is a thorough professional. It has been a pleasure learning the nuances of the sport with him.
Verified
Arseny L.
Robert is a world class instructor. I am a beginner and what I have learned in the first few lessons with Robert has really taken me to the next level. He is professional, always on time and very highly engaged. He is interested in perfecting every single stroke. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to either start or perfect their game! A++ in my book.
May 29, 2021
Catherine S.
We had a lesson with Robert last weekend. I have been playing for years but I definitely feel my backhand technique improved. Robert also places a lot of emphasis on moving, which will come helpful to real gameplay.
May 18, 2021
Verified
Stephanie B.
Robert is fabulous and I would recommend him 100%. I started lessons as a beginner with no experience and Robert has been incredibly patient while teaching me. The way he goes through the details of each tactic is very detailed and he is very knowledgable and has taught me the ways everything works together nicely.
March 1, 2021
Cheryl c.
Robert is amazing! I’ve taken 3 lessons with him so far and I’ve made great progress, so good that I decided to make it a weekly thing. He’s very patient and gives good instruction. Very flexible with scheduling too, highly recommend!
Jan 14, 2021
Erick P.
I thought this was money well spent. Robert gave me some good instruction and he also seemed to care about me improving my technique.
Nov. 14, 2020
Aug 11, 2020
Caroline K.
I'm new to tennis and have only taken a couple of lessons with Robert so far, but I'm already learning so much and seeing an improvement in my skills. Robert is fun, easygoing and thorough with his instructions and makes the technique easy to pick up. Since I'm new to tennis, Robert brings a racquet for me to use (appreciate not having to invest in one for myself yet). He is always there early to ensure we have the space we need and he's a great communicator. I highly recommend Robert for tennis lessons.
Ting Chen
August 2, 2020
My friend asked me if I wanted to join her in taking lessons with Robert. He immediately improved my strokes and did the same for my girlfriend. Both our games have improved quickly!
Donny A.
July 15, 2020
I knew my game needed some improvement and I was immediately impressed how Robert worked within my game to find things to make me play better. Having fun!
Suhil G.
June 7, 2020
Robert is a really good instructor. He explains things really well, has a great eye for what you're doing right or wrong and is able to fix your problem on the spot!
Anita Layritz
May 12, 2020
I hadn't played for many years but Robert reviewed the basics with me, refined my technique a whole lot and added some new shots to my game. I've improved a lot in a really short time!
Bill B.
April 10, 2020
He's patient and fun to work with and knows his stuff!
Steven W.
March 11, 2019
Robert is a wonderful teacher!
Dore L.
January 3, 2019
I hadn't played tennis for several years, but Robert has ignited a resurgence in me, and I'm really enjoying tennis again!
Gerry Franklin
December 15, 2019
My friend and I have been working with Robert for 2 months now and we're really having a good time!
I've been working with Robert for more than a month now, and enjoying and learning a lot!
Sally C.
December 1, 2018
Robert is the best! Personable, patient, fun to work with, and he knows his subject and knows how to teach it!
Frank O.
September, 2018
Robert is a professional & highly responsible teacher. He correctly understands what I need to learn and arranges effective learning drills. He always explains each stroke clearly and makes what is difficult, easy to understand. Also, he has a strong background and can be highly recommended for beginners to advanced learners.
Taylor U.
July 23, 2018
I had no knowledge of tennis at all when my friend suggested we start learning. We then found Robert via Thumbtack and it has been one of the greatest learning experiences! Each week I am so excited to practice tennis with Robert as he is very knowledgeable and most importantly patient with my beginner ability. He kindly corrects my mistakes and I thoroughly enjoy his teaching style! Highly recommend.
Katie O.
April 24, 2018
Vera T.
August 3, 2017
Private Tennis Instruction (for me or my group)
Robert is one of the best coaches! He has extensive knowledge of the sport. He provides you with specific yet simple advise to solidify your technique and improve your game. He takes his time to teach proper technique and is incredibly patient with his students. I have improved considerably and excited to continue these lessons. Robert is very accommodating in scheduling and always a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend!
Howard W.
August 2, 2017