Meet the WSC Tennis Pros & Staff
Lori Mills
Tennis Manager
Lori Mills
Tennis Manager
Lori oversees the WSC tennis program and a team of highly qualified tennis professionals. Lori is responsible for all aspects of the tennis area, including programming, staff hiring, training and supervision; maintenance of court areas, Pickleball, and creating the overall vision of WSC tennis. She is active in the Professional Tennis Registry, which is the international professional organization for the tennis industry. Lori was named PTR Illinois State Member of the Year in 2014, serves as a mentor in the PTR Mentorship Program, is a PTR Coach Developer, and is the PTR Midwest Regional Education Center Director. She is PTR certified in both 10 & Under and Adult Development, and is a certified Cardio Tennis Instructor and a USPTA certified professional. She enjoys playing competitive tennis in NITTL and USTA leagues as well as USTA tournaments, and has advanced to the USTA League National Tournament. At the club since: 2012
630-315-5386lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Lisane Swartwood
Director of Tennis Development
Lisane Swartwood
Director of Tennis Development
Lisane joins the WSC team after coaching in Evansville, Indiana for over 30 years and brings a wealth of experience to our tennis program. She competed at the collegiate level for Ferris State University, where she earned a degree in Professional Tennis Management and Marketing. In addition, Lisane is a PTR certified professional in 10 & under and adults, USTA High Performance certified, and Cardio Tennis Level 1 & 2 certified. She is a former National faculty coach for USTA Indiana, USTA Zonals coach, and University of Evansville Women’s Tennis coach. She is a specialist in the Evolution Kids Tennis curriculum. Lisane is enthusiastic about working with all ages and levels and brings never-ending energy to the court! At the club since: 2022
630-315-5326For lessons with Lisane email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Leandro Martins
Head Tennis Professional
Leandro Martins
Head Tennis Professional
Leandro assists in overseeing the private lessons program and WSC’s men’s travel team program. He is a PTR certified 4A Professional as well as certified in Etcheberry Tennis Specific Training and Cardio Tennis. He teaches all levels of students from juniors to adults. Leandro grew up as a top junior player in his home country of Brazil, and continued to compete as an adult in men’s open tournaments in the United States. He has been coaching tennis since 1996 and his expertise is in developing junior players. As a coach he is highly proficient in producing results, which is evident in the achievements of his students who are USTA ranked and compete at the college level. At the club since: 2006
630-315-5326For lessons with Leandro email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Idris Smith
High Performance Director
Idris Smith
High Performance Director
With over 20 years’ experience in the tennis industry, Idris brings a wealth of knowledge to Wheaton Sport Center. As a junior he was coached by French Open doubles champion Victor Amaya, ranked as high as top 10 nationally and competed at the Junior Orange Bowl and Junior Davis Cup in Michigan. He competed for the University of Detroit Mercy (Division I) on tennis scholarship and was named team Captain and MVP, and professionally he played on the Florida Men’s Open circuit and USTA Satellite Circuit in 1996. He has coached three Gold Ball recipients that have won USTA National Championships. His students have gone to play at prestigious Universities such as, Illinois, Michigan, William & Mary, US Naval Academy, West Point, Duke, Princeton, and Georgia. He served as board member of Junior Development USTA North Carolina, is a certified Cardio Tennis instructor, PTR Professional, ITF certified coach, USPTA Elite Professional, and USTA High Performance coach. At the club since: 2017
630-315-5336For lessons with Idris email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Alex Haizel
Evolution Tennis Coordinator
Alex Haizel
Evolution Tennis Coordinator
Alex joins the WSC Tennis Team from Oak Lawn Racquet Club, where he worked for over 4 years. He works with players of all ages and skill levels and enjoys helping them further develop their tennis game. As a junior player, Alex achieved a USTA ranking in the top 10 for the 18’s age division in Chicago. He attended Marist High School in Chicago, where he played Varsity #1 singles all four years, qualifying for the Illinois State Tournament every year and finishing as high as top 16. Alex competed on the University of St. Francis Men’s Tennis Team in Joliet, Illinois. In doubles, in 2014 and 2015 he qualified for the NAIA national championships and finished top 8 nationally among all NAIA teams. Alex is looking forward to sharing his love and expertise of the game with WSC players. Alex is certified by the Professional Tennis Registry and is also a certified Cardio Tennis and Pickleball coach. At the club since: 2021
630-315-5326For lessons with Alex email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Karl Peterson
Tennis Professional
Karl Peterson
Tennis Professional
Karl is a PTR Certified Tennis Professional and has over 30 years of experience in the Chicagoland area. He also enjoys teaching players of all ages and skills levels, although his focus has been on developing junior performance players and has produced local, Midwest and nationally ranked players. Karl played tennis at the College of St. Francis and was an All-Conference, All-District and National Championship participant. He earned his highest USTA ranking in 1993 when he was ranked #6 in the Midwest in the Mens 25 & under division. He has coached multiple USTA and NITTL teams and he also captained a USTA 9.0 Mixed Doubles Team to the USTA National Championships in 2006. At the club since: 2014
630-315-5326For lessons with Karl email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Mark Exner
Tennis Professional
Mark Exner
Tennis Professional
Mark is a Wheaton native and has been playing at Wheaton Sport Center since 1979. His passion for the game and desire to help others learn led him to becoming a teaching professional. He joined the WSC team of tennis professionals and also became PTR certified in 2014. Mark enjoys working with all ages, from beginner to performance players and he continues to compete in USTA leagues & tournaments. He has been ranked #1 for his age group in the Chicagoland area in both singles and doubles for multiple years. At the club since: 2014
630-315-5326For lessons with Mark email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Tyler Haizel
Tennis Professional
Tyler Haizel
Tennis Professional
Tyler joined the WSC tennis team from the Oak Lawn Tennis Club, where for 2 years he taught a variety of group and private lessons. He enjoys working with all ages, building fun and positive relationships while strengthening their tennis game. Growing up, he played both tennis and baseball, and he competed in USTA tournaments in the Midwest area and ranked in the top 100 in Boys 18’s. He attended North Central College in Naperville, and as a freshman competed on their baseball team. As a sophomore he made the switch to North Central’s tennis team, and played at the top of the lineup for 3 straight years in both doubles and singles, winning nearly 100 matches in Division 3 tennis. He is a certified Cardio Tennis and Pickleball pro. Tyler looks forward to continuing his coaching career at Wheaton while sharing his love and passion for the game. At the club since: 2021
630-315-5326For lessons with Tyler email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Linda Wright
Tennis Professional
Linda Wright
Tennis Professional
Linda grew up in Germany and competed from a young age in statewide tennis leagues, becoming an accomplished junior player. She moved 6 years ago to the USA and fell in love teaching tennis as a coach at Wheaton North High School. As a 4.5 level player, she continues to compete in several USTA leagues, and won the 2019 Illinois State and Midwest Regional women’s doubles combo championships. Linda is certified by the Professional Tennis Registry and enjoys teaching both youth and adults alike. She looks forward to helping WSC players gain the confidence and skills needed to achieve success and enjoy the great lifetime sport of tennis. At the club since: 2021
630-315-5326For lessons with Linda email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com
Bill Eng
Tennis Professional
Bill Eng
Tennis Professional
Bill joins the WSC tennis team after 14 years at the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet and Fitness Club, where he served as the league and lesson coordinator, tournament director and referee. He is an award-winning USTA official, named the CTUC 2015 Roving Official of the Year and the CTUC 2019 Chair Umpire of the Year. A lifelong learner of tennis, Bill earned the 2011 Midwest USPTA Midwest Education of the Year award. At HFR&FC, Bill specialized in teaching youth tennis, which includes 10 and under through high school players. He also teaches adult beginners through intermediates. He is a certified Cardio Tennis Instructor and is IPTPA certified Pickleball instructor. Bill received his USPTA certification in 2008 and holds a PTR Junior 10 and under certification. Bill competes in USTA tournaments and leagues and is a member of the Wilson Advisory staff. At the club since: 2021
630-315-5326For lessons with Bill email lmills@wheatonsportcenter.com