About Us

What is the Tennis:Europe Difference?

Tennis: Europe combines the best aspects of tennis camps, exchange programs and teen tours. As a serious minded tennis tournament circuit, we aim to improve match play by developing a sense of confidence and by improving the mental aspects of your tennis game.

At the same time Tennis: Europe, however, is also about something more than just tennis. It's about believing in the power of a team. Beginning as a bunch of individuals in an individual sport, the teams commonly develop into close-knit families. As a participant on Tennis: Europe, you get to compete as part of a USA Junior Team at tournaments in foreign locations - expanding your athletic, academic, and social horizons. Furthermore, you learn life lessons through new experiences, and you get to pursue the dream of living like a touring pro.

Meet the Team

Founder, Director

Dr. Martin Vinokur

Martin started TENNIS:EUROPE in 1973. He spent 10 years as the New York State School Tennis Coordinator and coached both boys’ and girls’ high school teams for 22 years. His Rye, New York, girls’ team won four consecutive league titles and 29 straight matches, earning him “Coach of the Year” awards. He was awarded the U.S. Professional Tennis Association’s outstanding service award for his many years of accomplishments in tennis. Martin played his college tennis for Clark University (MA), received his Master’s in history from Columbia and his PhD in political science from The American University. Before Tennis:Europe, he taught high school social studies, including European/American history and psychology. He served as faculty advisor to the school's Model United Nations club which had over 100 student members..

Consultant

Moritz König

Moritz, who speaks four languages, has participated in TENNIS: EUROPE since 2004 as a player, coach and, more recently, Associate Director. He received his degree from Amherst College (MA) and his MSC from Oxford University. At Amherst, Moritz was senior captain of the men’s tennis team that won the 2011 Division III National Championship. He was a two-time All-American, three-time All-NESCAC and an ITA and NESCAC All Academic. He played tennis for Oxford and on the ATP Futures circuit, gaining an ATP ranking.

Summer 2024 Coaching Staff

Carlos Carrero, Quito Ecuador

Carlos coached our 2023 National Team and 2024 50th Anniversary Team with great successes. He played his college tennis at #1 singles for St. Peter’s in New Jersey where he also served as Captain and Volunteer Assistant Coach. Most recently, he was the Assistant Women’s Coach at Columbia University where he completed his Master’s degree in Sports Management. Head Women’s Coach at Columbia, Ilene Weintraub, said: ”He is a great coach, mentor and leader. ..good role model for teenagers. ..one of best young coaches I have seen in a long time.” Fluent in Spanish, certified as a youth coach by the USTA and USPTR, he launched a sports marketing agency in his home country.

Summer 2024 Coaching Staff

Raphaela Jann, Hamburg, Germany

Raphaela completed her third summer with Tennis: Europe in summer 2024. She is fluent in 5 languages, received both her BA and Master’s in the USA while playing college tennis and coached both NCAA Division II and III college tennis teams. She was born and raised in Germany and spent her junior year of high school at St. Stephens tennis academy in Austin, Texas. She played her college tennis at #1 singles and doubles for Division I Lipscomb in Nashville, TN. After receiving two college degrees in sports journalism, she worked as a TV sports journalist for EuroSport (the ESPN of Europe). Most recently, she was the Head Mens and Womens coach at Division 3 Rochester Institute of Technology, where she revitalized their program. She returned to Hamburg two years ago to work in staff development and IT and where she also tutors and lectures at a university and coaches tennis.

Summer 2024 Coaching Staff

Kate Burton, Wellesley, MA, USA

Kate was a past participant on Tennis: Europe who gained her tennis coaching experience with USPTA Master Pro Phil Parrish of the New England Tennis Academy at Longfellow Club in Mass during her college summers. Phil told us: “She relates to teens…runs all my tournaments during the summers, where she creates an immediate rapport…hard worker, very conscientious and very engaged…since she has gone on Tennis: Europe, she knows you from a player and coaching perspective.” Kate certainly exceeded Phil’s expectations!

Kate was a four year player and Captain her senior year for Carleton College in Minn., a top 35 Division 3 school. During her high school days, she played for Mass. powerhouse, Wellesley High School, whose Coach Rob Miller was on the Tennis: Europe staff for 5 summers. Her future plans are to intern for 2 years at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, then attend medical school to pursue a career in sports medicine.

Our Story

History of Tennis: Europe

In 1973, Dr. Martin Vinokur took his high school tennis players to compete at a USTA Eastern section tournament. After one of his players suggested he organize a tennis trip to European tournaments as a way of improving the team’s match play, Dr. Vinokur organized and led the first Tennis: Europe trip of just five players that summer. Over 50 years, Tennis: Europe grew into an organization that today has taken over 5,730 players from all over the United States to 26 different countries.

Accomplishments Over The Years

1973

First team of 5 players and Martin Vinokur traveled to European tournaments in Rotterdam, Holland, Hamburg and Munich, Germany. Bob Stein, whose idea launched Tennis: Europe, was one of the original 5.

1977

Tennis: Europe sent the first junior tennis team to travel behind the Iron-Curtain to Romania.

1980’s

Two past players gained ATP Top-20 rankings: ‘ Mel Purcell of Kentucky at #20 and Chip Hooper of Northern California at #11 in the world. Meanwhile, two-time participant Larry Scott later became CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

1986

Tennis: Europe conducted its first North America team to California, followed by a team that in 2009 traveled ‘Down Under’ to Australia.

1992

Tennis: Europe attended the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The visit included a number of Olympic events, highlighted by a game of the American ‘Dream Team’ in the basketball tournament. The same year the State Department selected Tennis: Europe to present a tennis demonstration at Spain’s World Fair in Seville.

1997

Tennis: Europe celebrated its 25th Anniversary Year with Reunion Banquet in Manhattan.

2012

Tennis: Europe attended the London Olympics with tickets to tennis at Wimbledon, beach volleyball, swimming and badminton.

2024-2025

Tennis: Europe now has taken a total of 5,730 teenagers to 1776 tournaments in Europe, North America and Australia improving their tennis match results but more importantly making a difference in their personal, cultural and educational development.