Former Annandale Tennis Director Opens Tennis Store

A new store in the Pinecrest Plaza Shopping Center just outside of Annandale aims to be a one-stop shop for Northern Virginia tennis players.

Tennis City, which opened in April, is a full-service tennis shop. The store offers same-day racquet stringing, equipment such as racquets, tape, racquet bags apparel and shoes for men, women and children and more. Customers are also allowed to try out tennis racquets for one day at no charge through the store’s demo program.

Owner Kinde Taye said he was nervous at first about opening the store, but has always wanted to own his own business.

“I know tennis, but I was nervous about owning a business,” said Taye.

Taye is the former director of tennis at . He left that position, which he held for five years, to open Tennis City. Born in Ethiopia, Taye lived in Queens, NY prior to making Northern Virginia his home the last seven years.

Tennis has been a passion of Taye’s for most of his life. He's taught the sport for the last 22 years. He played in college at the New Mexico Military Institute for two years and later at Queen’s College in New York.

While he enjoyed his work at Annandale’s Sport & Health Club, Taye said he’s also enjoying his new responsibilities with the store. Since April, Taye said the reception from customers and residents has been positive. He’s done little advertising, preferring to use word of mouth and the store’s Facebook page for the moment.

One advantage Taye believes gives Tennis City an edge over other stores that sell tennis equipment is his experience playing and teaching tennis. With his knowledge, Taye said he can dispense advice to customers of all playing levels regarding which racquet to buy or where to find practice walls or tennis leagues.

“I’ve been playing tennis for a while, so I consider [my experience] an advantage. And I know this area very well,” said Taye.

Tennis City is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The time on Sunday may vary in the coming weeks, so customers are advised to call 703-256-4040 to confirm Sunday hours prior to visiting the store.

Know of a business in town with news to share? Email your information to Annandale Patch Editor Sherell Williams: Sherell@patch.com