Coach Alfred Kandakai Jr.

Builder of Systems. Architect of Development.

The Foundation

From Liberia to New Jersey — Earned, Not Given

Before the academy, before the results, before recognition — there was discipline.

Coach Alfred Kandakai Jr. was born in Monrovia, Liberia, and introduced to tennis by his father while living in a refugee camp in Ghana after fleeing civil war. In an environment defined by instability, tennis became structure. Discipline. Direction.

A few years later, his father trained him relentlessly at the Mamba Point Hotel tennis courts, emphasizing repetition, fundamentals, and work ethic. That commitment was noticed by Chawki Bsaibes, the hotel's owner, who sponsored Coach Alfred at just 12 years old to train at the Emilio Sánchez Academy in Barcelona, Spain. His progress earned him another opportunity the following year to continue training at the Sánchez Academy in Florida.

Shortly after, Coach Alfred came to the United States through sponsorship and opportunity, settling in Trenton, New Jersey. With no shortcuts and no guarantees, he rebuilt his life through academics, discipline, and tennis. The attention to detail and intentionality that define his coaching today were forged long before trophies or recognition.

Proven Under Pressure

Coach Alfred as a Player

Coach Alfred's authority was earned on court — and continues to be tested through competition.

During his teenage years, Alfred was deeply involved with NJTL of Trenton, where he became one of the faces of the program. Supported by the NJTL staff, he developed as a competitive player while serving as a visible example for younger athletes — showing what disciplined training and commitment could produce. This environment helped shape his understanding of structure, process, and long-term development.

At Mercer County Community College, Alfred reached the peak of his collegiate playing career under the guidance of Coach Andy Stoll, who coached him throughout his college tenure. His accomplishments include:

"NJCAA National Champion — #2 Singles
NJCAA National Champion — #1 Doubles
NJCAA First-Team All-American"

Competing under pressure at every stage shaped how Coach Alfred now develops athletes — with clarity, accountability, and standards.

The Vision

From Competitor to System Builder

Many former players coach. Very few build systems.

While still competing, Coach Alfred was already mentoring younger athletes and studying the process behind elite development. In 2022, he founded AlSaah Tennis Academy with one objective: eliminate randomness in player development and replace it with clarity, progression, and standards.

Coach Alfred is intentional about learning from his mentors — including Coach Andy Stoll and Coach Cha — extracting principles from each and applying them to the system he installs into his players. He does not copy styles. He builds structure.

"The goal was never to run sessions. The goal was to build a system that compounds over time."

Coaching Philosophy

Standards Over Popularity

"Your true character is revealed when pressure is applied."

Coach Alfred does not coach for attention. He coaches to protect standards.

Fundamentals are not a phase — they are identity. Confidence is built through preparation. Every coach at AlSaah Tennis Academy operates within the same system, ensuring consistency across courts and continuity in development.

Philosophy Over Hype

Substance and systems drive results, not marketing or trends.

Development Over Shortcuts

Real growth takes time, discipline, and earned advancement.

Systems Over Personalities

Structure ensures consistency and continuity in development.