Oklahoma State University Athletics
Staff Directory
Nehles, Henner
Henner Nehles
- Title:
- Interim Head Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- (405) 744-7343
Henner Nehles returned to Oklahoma State as associate head coach for the Cowgirl tennis program in 2024–25, after previously serving in the same role in 2019. He now leads the program as interim head coach, bringing with him a proven track record of success at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Collegiate Coaching Experience
In his first season back in Stillwater, OSU notched a 22-8 mark and reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 2017 and sixth time overall. Anastasiya Komar and Rose Marie Nijkamp were tabbed as All-Americans for their success as a doubles tandem.
On the conference level, the Cowgirls made an impressive haul with Nijkamp earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 honors. She was joined on the all-conference team by first-team selections Melisa Ercan and Komar as well as second-team pick Gracie Epps.
OSU had a pair of players earn all-league recognition in doubles action, with Komar and Nijkamp picking up first-team honors and Kylie Collins and Marcela Lopez being named to the second team. Additionally, Ercan and Nijkamp were named to the league’s all-freshman team.
In 2019, Nehles helped guide the Cowgirls to a 21-8 season and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Katarina Stresnakova was tabbed as a first-team All-Big 12 pick, while Sofia Blanco and Catherine Gulihur received the all-league nod with first-team doubles honors. Stresnakova would go on to garner All-America status as well.
Earlier in his career, Nehles spent a season in 2006 as an assistant coach for the UNLV women’s tennis team, where he guided standout Elena Gantcheva to All-American honors, helping her achieve career-high rankings of No. 8 in singles and No. 5 in doubles.
Professional Coaching Experience on Tour
Between his stints at Oklahoma State, Nehles served as a USTA National Coach where he developed Ann Li to a career-high ranking of No. 44 in the world, winning both a WTA 250 event in Tenerife and sharing the WTA 500 title at the Grampians Trophy in Australia in 2021.
The following year, he coached Katie Volynets to her career-high ranking of No. 74 in the world, highlighted by a run to the third round at the Australian Open and her first win over a top-10 opponent.
Prior to his first tenure in Stillwater, Nehles served as a USTA National Coach, where he played a key role in developing some of the nation’s top junior talent. He coached Kayla Day and Amanda Anisimova to US Open Junior titles and guided standout players such as Eddie Herr Girls’ 18s champion Kylie McKenzie and Easter Bowl Girls’ 18s champion Alexandra Sanford.
Over the years, Nehles worked with a few established players on both WTA and ATP Tour. In 2020, he worked with Madison Keys through the USTA, supporting her on the WTA Tour during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2015 season, Nehles coached ATP pro Sam Querrey on tour, working with him across the majority of the calendar year. Earlier in his career, in 2012, he coached former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic on the WTA Tour, bringing his developmental expertise to one of the game’s top-ranked veterans.
Recognized as one of the most respected developmental coaches in the world, Nehles has built a reputation for specializing in helping young talent transition to the professional level and break into the WTA Top 100.
Notable appointments during his career include being part of three Team USA Fed Cup teams, where he collaborated and worked with players such as Serena and Venus Williams, Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin, Sloane Stephens, CoCo Vandeweghe, Alison Riske, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
In addition to his USTA and Tour experience, Nehles served as the Director of High Performance Junior Development and Homeschool Academy at the Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas, and held the Director of Coaching position at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
In 2016, Nehles was honored as the USTA Team USA Developmental Coach of the Year. He has also served as a USTA Faculty Coach and previously held leadership roles as Director and Head Coach of a USTA Regional Training Center. He was recognized as Nevada’s Developmental Coach of the Year in 2012 and named Intermountain Section Developmental Coach of the Year in 2013. He is a USPTA Certified Elite Professional.
A former standout player at UNLV, Nehles earned his bachelor’s degree in hotel management in 2006 and completed a master’s degree in hotel administration in 2008. He is married to Elena Nehles and together they have two children—Giselle (13) and Noah (11).
Prominent Players Coached by Nehles
Jelena Jankovic (WTA #1)
Madison Keys (WTA #5)
Amanda Anisimova (WTA #7)
Sam Querrey (ATP #11)
Ann Li (WTA #44)
Katie Volyents (WTA #56)
Kayla Day (WTA #86)
Collegiate Coaching Experience
In his first season back in Stillwater, OSU notched a 22-8 mark and reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 2017 and sixth time overall. Anastasiya Komar and Rose Marie Nijkamp were tabbed as All-Americans for their success as a doubles tandem.
On the conference level, the Cowgirls made an impressive haul with Nijkamp earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 honors. She was joined on the all-conference team by first-team selections Melisa Ercan and Komar as well as second-team pick Gracie Epps.
OSU had a pair of players earn all-league recognition in doubles action, with Komar and Nijkamp picking up first-team honors and Kylie Collins and Marcela Lopez being named to the second team. Additionally, Ercan and Nijkamp were named to the league’s all-freshman team.
In 2019, Nehles helped guide the Cowgirls to a 21-8 season and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Katarina Stresnakova was tabbed as a first-team All-Big 12 pick, while Sofia Blanco and Catherine Gulihur received the all-league nod with first-team doubles honors. Stresnakova would go on to garner All-America status as well.
Earlier in his career, Nehles spent a season in 2006 as an assistant coach for the UNLV women’s tennis team, where he guided standout Elena Gantcheva to All-American honors, helping her achieve career-high rankings of No. 8 in singles and No. 5 in doubles.
Professional Coaching Experience on Tour
Between his stints at Oklahoma State, Nehles served as a USTA National Coach where he developed Ann Li to a career-high ranking of No. 44 in the world, winning both a WTA 250 event in Tenerife and sharing the WTA 500 title at the Grampians Trophy in Australia in 2021.
The following year, he coached Katie Volynets to her career-high ranking of No. 74 in the world, highlighted by a run to the third round at the Australian Open and her first win over a top-10 opponent.
Prior to his first tenure in Stillwater, Nehles served as a USTA National Coach, where he played a key role in developing some of the nation’s top junior talent. He coached Kayla Day and Amanda Anisimova to US Open Junior titles and guided standout players such as Eddie Herr Girls’ 18s champion Kylie McKenzie and Easter Bowl Girls’ 18s champion Alexandra Sanford.
Over the years, Nehles worked with a few established players on both WTA and ATP Tour. In 2020, he worked with Madison Keys through the USTA, supporting her on the WTA Tour during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2015 season, Nehles coached ATP pro Sam Querrey on tour, working with him across the majority of the calendar year. Earlier in his career, in 2012, he coached former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic on the WTA Tour, bringing his developmental expertise to one of the game’s top-ranked veterans.
Recognized as one of the most respected developmental coaches in the world, Nehles has built a reputation for specializing in helping young talent transition to the professional level and break into the WTA Top 100.
Notable appointments during his career include being part of three Team USA Fed Cup teams, where he collaborated and worked with players such as Serena and Venus Williams, Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin, Sloane Stephens, CoCo Vandeweghe, Alison Riske, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
In addition to his USTA and Tour experience, Nehles served as the Director of High Performance Junior Development and Homeschool Academy at the Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas, and held the Director of Coaching position at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
In 2016, Nehles was honored as the USTA Team USA Developmental Coach of the Year. He has also served as a USTA Faculty Coach and previously held leadership roles as Director and Head Coach of a USTA Regional Training Center. He was recognized as Nevada’s Developmental Coach of the Year in 2012 and named Intermountain Section Developmental Coach of the Year in 2013. He is a USPTA Certified Elite Professional.
A former standout player at UNLV, Nehles earned his bachelor’s degree in hotel management in 2006 and completed a master’s degree in hotel administration in 2008. He is married to Elena Nehles and together they have two children—Giselle (13) and Noah (11).
Prominent Players Coached by Nehles
Jelena Jankovic (WTA #1)
Madison Keys (WTA #5)
Amanda Anisimova (WTA #7)
Sam Querrey (ATP #11)
Ann Li (WTA #44)
Katie Volyents (WTA #56)
Kayla Day (WTA #86)
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