Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
Bernstein Competing In College Coaches Dual At INTENNSE Arena Saturday
July 25, 2025 | Women's Tennis
ATHENS-----University of Georgia national champion Drake Bernstein returns to the tennis courts Saturday in the inaugural College Coaches Dual at the INTENNSE Arena near Atlanta.
Bernstein, who has won a national championship as a player and head coach for the Bulldogs, is one of 12 college coaches (six men and six women) competing this weekend. They will experience a professional tennis league titled "INTENNSE." Former Georgia men's coach Manuel Diaz recently served as a guest coach at an INTENNSE match.
It features a fast-paced, team-based format designed to elevate both player performance and fan engagement. Each match is time-boxed, high-energy, and hosted at the INTENNSE Arena located at 3963 Redan Road in Decatur. With simplified scoring, nonstop action, and an immersive environment, INTENNSE aims to bring new energy, and a new narrative to the sport of tennis. Currently, the league features four teams based in Atlanta, Chicago, Jacksonville and Tampa.
"I'm excited to play in the new INTENNSE league to see what the hype is all about," said Bernstein. "It has been fantastic to see many former collegiate players getting the opportunity to remain sharp competitively and use the league as a way to continue their tennis journey."
The College Coaches Dual aims to spotlight INTENNSE's player-first vision, which includes salaries, coaching, training, and travel expenses, health benefits for full-time players, a structured competitive season with weekend-only play—all designed to provide a sustainable pathway from NCAA tennis to the professional ranks. INTENNSE aims to expand in 2026 with a college draft and realizes college coaches play a pivotal role in identifying the next generation of professional talent.
"We want the college tennis community to see, feel, and get involved in INTENNSE, and we're excited to engage directly with the coaches," said INTENNSE Director of Competition Barry Fulcher.
Bernstein will be joined on the men's team by Axel Damiens (Florida associate head coach), David Fox (Arizona State assistant), Maciek Sykut (Elon head coach), Juan Lugo Cirkovic (Rice assistant) and Juan Calero Alonso (Harvard assistant). The women's team will consist of Courtney Broadstone (Oregon head coach), Natalie Pluskota (Gonzaga head coach), Courtney Vernon (Florida Gulf Coast head coach), Tayo Bailey-Duvall (Middle Tennessee State head coach), Ruth Seaborne (Maryland associate head coach) and Irina Cantos Siemers (Ohio State assistant).
This weekend's action will be streamed live Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on Cracked Racquets YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CrackedRacquets
To learn more about the tennis league, visit www.intennse.com
Bernstein, who has won a national championship as a player and head coach for the Bulldogs, is one of 12 college coaches (six men and six women) competing this weekend. They will experience a professional tennis league titled "INTENNSE." Former Georgia men's coach Manuel Diaz recently served as a guest coach at an INTENNSE match.
It features a fast-paced, team-based format designed to elevate both player performance and fan engagement. Each match is time-boxed, high-energy, and hosted at the INTENNSE Arena located at 3963 Redan Road in Decatur. With simplified scoring, nonstop action, and an immersive environment, INTENNSE aims to bring new energy, and a new narrative to the sport of tennis. Currently, the league features four teams based in Atlanta, Chicago, Jacksonville and Tampa.
"I'm excited to play in the new INTENNSE league to see what the hype is all about," said Bernstein. "It has been fantastic to see many former collegiate players getting the opportunity to remain sharp competitively and use the league as a way to continue their tennis journey."
The College Coaches Dual aims to spotlight INTENNSE's player-first vision, which includes salaries, coaching, training, and travel expenses, health benefits for full-time players, a structured competitive season with weekend-only play—all designed to provide a sustainable pathway from NCAA tennis to the professional ranks. INTENNSE aims to expand in 2026 with a college draft and realizes college coaches play a pivotal role in identifying the next generation of professional talent.
"We want the college tennis community to see, feel, and get involved in INTENNSE, and we're excited to engage directly with the coaches," said INTENNSE Director of Competition Barry Fulcher.
Bernstein will be joined on the men's team by Axel Damiens (Florida associate head coach), David Fox (Arizona State assistant), Maciek Sykut (Elon head coach), Juan Lugo Cirkovic (Rice assistant) and Juan Calero Alonso (Harvard assistant). The women's team will consist of Courtney Broadstone (Oregon head coach), Natalie Pluskota (Gonzaga head coach), Courtney Vernon (Florida Gulf Coast head coach), Tayo Bailey-Duvall (Middle Tennessee State head coach), Ruth Seaborne (Maryland associate head coach) and Irina Cantos Siemers (Ohio State assistant).
This weekend's action will be streamed live Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on Cracked Racquets YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CrackedRacquets
To learn more about the tennis league, visit www.intennse.com
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