Meet the Darko Byrd Tennis Academy Team
At Darko Byrd Tennis Academy, our coaching staff blends world-class playing experience with decades of proven teaching expertise. Together, they share a passion for developing athletes both on and off the court — guiding players from their first swings to high-level competition.
From the international success of former touring pro Henry Adjei-Darko, to the lifelong coaching legacy of Charles Byrd, to the high-energy, championship-driven approach of Derryck Clay, our team brings a rare combination of technical mastery, competitive insight, and personal mentorship. Each coach is committed to fostering discipline, confidence, and a love for the game in every player who trains with us.
Henry Adjei-Darko
Known as Henry Darko, is a former professional tennis player from Ghana. A right-handed serve-and-volley player from Accra, he competed in junior Grand Slams and reached the doubles quarterfinals at the 2001 US Open. He turned pro at 20 and was based in Atlanta.
Between 2001 and 2012, he represented Ghana in 25 Davis Cup ties, winning 23 matches (17 in singles). Adjei-Darko primarily played on the ITF Futures circuit, earning seven singles and five doubles titles, and achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 275. He was a semifinalist at the 2005 Orlando Challenger and won a Challenger doubles title in Joplin in 2006. He also competed in the qualifying rounds of the 2006 Wimbledon Championships.
Charles Byrd
An Atlanta native, Charles Byrd was a top-10 junior in the South and ranked among the top 50 nationally. He played collegiate tennis at Clark College and Georgia State University and brings over 35 years of coaching experience at the state, sectional, national, and professional levels. A devoted family man, Charles is married to Gladys and is the proud father of three children—Whitney, Justin, and Jason—all of whom were nationally ranked junior players.
Derryck Clay
A Bronx native and Brown University graduate, has over 20 years of coaching experience in junior and adult competitive tennis. A USPTR-certified Professional, he specializes in Junior Development, Adult Development, and High–Performance coaching. Since 2001, he has led numerous ALTA and USTA teams to City Championships. Derryck currently coaches at the Byrd & Darko Tennis Academy, bringing a high-energy, no-nonsense approach that motivates players of all levels. He lives in North Atlanta with his wife of 28 years, Karen, and their three children.
