Dhafir J.
Gorham, ME (7 locations)
- Years Teaching: 22
- Years Playing: 30
- Levels Taught: Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner
- Teaches: Seniors, Adults, Juniors, Kids
Schedule Lessons
About Me
Hi, my name is Dhafir. I come from a strong family of 2nd generation tennis lovers who pioneered many paths in the New England area. My career as a tennis instructor began at the age of 16, coaching players of all ages in the Western Massachusetts area. An article about me teaching was featured in a Local News Paper for being one of the youngest tennis coaches and inspiring tennis players in the New England area. I am one of four siblings who grew up in the New England tennis community.
Every Summer I would be either walking, or biking to a summer teaching gig making $10 to $20 per hour. At a young age being able to earn some money while playing and teaching tennis was amazing!
I earned my tennis education from master tennis players & instructors with proven methods of success. My coaches were Art & Lex Carrington, Nick Bollettieri, Tim Mayott, Zina Garrison, and VP of New England Tennis Association, Lester McDonald just to name a few.
I played #1 singles throughout my high-school education. While attending a DIII Jr College, I played #1 singles, and received an MVP award for playing a premium role for taking the team to national finals. During this time I was ranked #1 in New England for DIII colleges.
Teaching Style
My goal is to teach my clients tennis simply and effectively. Each lesson will begin with stretching and light fitness exercises. Before playing, it is always instrumental to warm your body up for training.
Lessons will target hitting movements, technique, and strategy. Developing these allows your game of tennis to improve at a faster rate. Polished techniques will also help limit or prevent common tennis injuries.
The next stage is match play. Match play will help you gain confidence while playing different opponents no matter the level they are!
Teaching Locations
- Deering High School
- 370 Stevens Ave
- Portland, ME 04103
- Yarmouth High School
- 286 W Elm St.
- Yarmouth, ME 04096
- Gorham High School Tennis
- 41 Morrill Ave
- Gorham, ME 04038
- University Of Southern Maine
- University Way
- Gorham, ME 04038
- Little Falls Recreation Area
- 644 Gray Rd
- Little Falls South Windham, ME 04038
- Windham Middle School
- 422 Gray Rd
- Windham, ME 04062
- Westbrook High School
- 117 Stroudwater St
- Westbrook, ME 04092
Latest Reviews
Very knowledgeable and patient. Easy to feel comfortable with
Coach DJ has helped me improve immensely with just a few lessons. My form is SO much better. He is a really great player and coach and I highly recommend him!
Coach DJ is an excellent Tennis Coach! He made the classes fun and engaging for our 6 yo daughter. She was new to the sport and she enjoyed learning the basics and drills that helped her continually improve. She always looked forward to classes and is excited to play tennis again next summer with Coach DJ. He was very kind, professional with great communication!
Dhafir (aka DJ) is the complete package- very knowledgeable, an excellent teacher, has an easy going approach that keeps it very light and fun, is communicative, and is improving my game. Highly recommend him.
Coach DJ is fantastic. He is incredibly patient (I am getting back into tennis after a long time away from it) and he figures out quickly where you are in skill and fitness and builds his lesson plan accordingly. I recommend Coach DJ without hesitation.
There are probably many excellent tennis players, however there are not always excellent teachers. Dhafir can teach! Through modeling, verbal repetition, explanation of correction and patience, this man is a talented teacher. It's a gift that compliments his tennis skills immensely. I am sure you would find him an asset to your tennis game.
Great first lesson and looking forward to more. Very knowledgeable coach!