Jeremy Martin, owner of Modern Strike

Nov. 25. Jeremy Martin was surrounded by hundreds of local tennis players last month during the grand opening of the Bailey Road Park tennis court complex.

The owner of Modern Strike looked out at a sea of people of all ages and abilities and saw opportunity — a chance to provide a platform for people to enjoy the game, to welcome new participants to tennis, and perhaps to develop a future star of the sport he loves.

“I have two things in tennis,” Martin said. “I like to see players improve – whether it’s going from beginner to advanced, or take that next step to college or pro tennis. But no matter what, everybody has to have fun doing it.”

Modern Strike was selected by the Town of Cornelius to manage the new tennis court complex, which features 12 courts built as part of a $3.4 million parks and recreation project.

Similar to other partnerships between the town and sports organizations, Modern Strike pays the town for access to the facility in exchange for offering programming and events to residents. As part of the arrangement, a portion of the courts must always remain available for open play.

Martin is a certified tennis instructor through the United States Professional Tennis Association and has more than 15 years of teaching experience. He learned the sport from his father and played at the collegiate level alongside his brothers at North Carolina A&T.

After college, Martin spent three years traveling the world as a tennis professional until an elbow injury ended his career. He then spent several years in the corporate world before launching a full-time coaching career with Modern Strike.

Founded in 2014, Modern Strike has built a strong presence at Davis Park through a similar partnership with the town of Belmont. The name “Modern Strike” is a nod to the “strike zone” in tennis — the optimal area where a player makes contact with the ball.

Programming at the new court complex caters to players of all ages and skill levels, including junior development and after-school clinics, adult beginner classes, cardio tennis, summer camps, and competitive match play.

The programs are designed to be both engaging and educational, helping players improve their skills while developing a lasting passion for tennis.

“We want to create a schedule that balances organized play with plenty of open court time so players can practice, play casually, or hit with friends,” Martin said. “We want Bailey Road Park to feel open and welcoming.”

Modern Strike has two full-time teaching professionals at the facility — Taylor Melville and Aidan Palladino — along with several part-time instructors who support clinics, camps, and special events.

One of Martin’s first initiatives in his new role was reaching out to nearby Bailey Middle School about starting a club tennis program. There are 80 middle schoolers participating in the first year.

“The goal is to make Bailey Road Park a true community space where everyone feels like it’s their home court, regardless of their age or experience,” Martin said. “I think this program is going to be recognized nationally for what we’re going to do here.”