Devashetty Bringing Player Development Experience to Cary Leeds

Last month, Jay Devashetty joined The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning as the facility’s new Director of Player Development, where he will bring his extensive experience in that role to the non-profit in the Bronx. In this new role, Devashetty will oversee player development programming which includes the Intensive Training Program, the Tournament Team and the Premier Group.

For the last decade, Devashetty ran the player development program of the USTA’s East training facility at the National Tennis Center in Queens. There, he was in charge of developing the next batch of American players on the tours and was successful in doing so. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country and New York in particular earlier this year, the USTA stopped the program for safety reasons.

“They asked if I could relocate to the National Campus in Orlando, and offered me a bigger role down there,” said Devashetty. “But I wasn’t too keen on relocating, and so I fielded some offers from clubs and programs in the area here. One of those was Cary Leeds, and I knew this was the place I wanted to come to.

It’s obviously an amazing facility, but it’s also a non-profit and helps underprivileged kids. That was the main reason I chose to come here. There’s a great staff with a lot of very talented coaches, and I’m excited to continue working with them and help build the team.”

Devashetty, a native of India who can recall getting up at 5:30 a.m. to play on the nearby courts so he could hit for a couple of hours before they filled up, knows what it requires to take a tennis player to the next level and hopes to continue doing so at Cary Leeds.

“Every player that comes through here gets the benefit of all of our coaching, when they start all the way through college tennis,” he said. “Building the player from the bottom up is my methodology. Starting with movement, followed by stroke production and then building the tactical side.

I know how difficult it is for tennis players to truly develop without help from the outside, and that helps me when I am on court with these players. Explaining to them what they can do, what they may need to sacrifice in order to become the best tennis player they can be.”

And working with underprivileged players was something especially important to Devashetty, who knows that tennis can be integral in developing many

life skills. “That was of course the main reason I chose to come here. The whole idea is to create good citizens in the end.” Devashetty has already brought a pro-like atmosphere to Cary Leeds, training with Christina McHale and Kristie Ahn, whom he worked with during his time with the USTA. The two prepared for this year’s U.S. Open at Cary Leeds, and are examples of the reputation that he brings to Cary Leeds, and the results of what can be gained with hard work and the right pathway. “For me it is important to instill a mindset in the juniors,” he said. “NYJTL was the perfect fit for me because I hope to build a direct pathway from NYJTL programs to collegiate tennis. With even a few children having the opportunity to play international tennis and maybe even one day a couple turning pro.”

So as Devashetty wraps up his first summer with Cary Leeds and NYJTL, he is excited for what’s to come in the fall and winter months.

“We have a lot of different programming, including a Tournament Team we are continuing to build up and the new Premier Group we just added,” said Devashetty. “These programs have some of the top players in the section. In addition, we have programs for all levels and ages. Ahsha Rolle does a great job with the adult programming, and Cesar Leon is great with the Red, Orange and Green Ball programs. The list goes on and on. The key here is we can accommodate players of any age, level and aspiration.”

Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.