pros
Director of Tennis
Andreas Bubik
Andreas was born in Hamburg, Germany, where he began playing tennis at age 6 and advanced to be in the top 5 juniors by age 10. In 1993, he moved to the United States to attend IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida, where he advanced quickly to be ranked #1 in his division by year's end. Andreas competed through 2002 when an injury sidelined his career.
In 2001, Andreas started coaching at IMG Academies, where he was Nick Bollettieri's assistant coach for 10 months. During his career at IMG, he was in charge of all of IMG's top junior players. He was then offered the opportunity to be Monica Seles' hitting/traveling partner until her unofficial retirement. Andreas was also Tommy Haas' hitting partner at tournaments, until he accepted an offer to coach Jesse Levine full time, a position which he held for 18 months. Andreas has also coached and traveled with Alisa Kleybanova (currently top 25 WTA) and Xavier Mallisse.
He now directs all of his passion and experience to the members of Serendipity.
Tennis Pro
Craig McSmythe
Craig was born in Durban, South Africa and from a very early age excelled at many sports. He captained his soccer team which represented the province of Natal in the under 12's and 14's. However tennis and the vision of living the American dream took a hold at the age of 14.
At the age of 16 Craig became one of South Africa's top junior tennis players and travelled to America to represent South Africa in the Orange Bowl and numerous other tournaments around Florida and New York. Shortly after returning to South Africa, he decided to return to the United States to finish his education and further a tennis career. Craig graduated from Indio High in the Palm Springs, California area. During his year at Indio, he played at the number 1 position and helped the school win the CIF championships and by the end of the year he had achieved a ranking of 11 in the under 18's in Southern California. This enabled Craig to receive a full scholarship to Cal State Fullerton and attended one year there before transferring to Baylor University in Texas for the next three years.
Craig won the most valuable player award for his team during his senior year and gained tremendous experience playing in the South West Conference.
The pro circuit then beckoned and Craig travelled to Europe, playing the pro satellite tournaments in virtually every country in Europe while making his home base in Dusseldorf Germany. After returning to North America to play the Canadian and American summer circuits Craig decided to get married and settle in Florida to begin a tennis career in South West Florida. Craig began at the Oaks Club in Sarasota and became the number 1 team in Florida for doubles under 35's with Don Caprio.
He then went on to become Head Pro at the Plantation Golf and Country Club before becoming a part of the original team that began Serendipity in 2001. Craig takes an intense interest in tennis instruction and coaching and has been affiliated with the USPTA for 20 years. He won speaker of the year in 1998 for his presentation on the correlations of Tai Chi and tennis and how the knowledge of Tai Chi can enhance the tennis stroke.
"It's truly a great joy being back at Serendipity, being a tennis pro means being in a position where the tennis court is the office and the clientele is coming for improvement and enjoyment. It's a wonderful profession to be in, and after being out of it for a while, it's fantastic to feel at home in an industry where I'm most comfortable and happy."
Tennis Pro
Sergiu Victor Pletosu
Sergiu was born in Galati Romania and has been playing tennis since the age of 5. He was a member of the Romanian National Junior Team and at the age of 15 was ranked #2 in the nation for boys 16 and under division. In 1997, Sergiu was invited to Nick Bollettieri's Academy and received a full tennis scholarship to Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. While at the Bollettieri Academy he had the opportunity to practice with Marcelo Rios and Martina Hingis. Sergiu is currently employed at Serendipity as a USPTA professional and is focusing on the junior development program.
Sergiu resides in Sarasota Florida with his wife and two children.