CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Alex Leatu has stepped down as Queens University of Charlotte's Director of Tennis, the University announced. After being hired as the head women's tennis coach in 2022, Leatu was promoted to director of tennis after stepping in to lead both programs during the 2025 season.
 
"Alex has done a great job leading our tennis programs through such a pivotal part of our reclassification to Division 1," Queens Director of Athletics Cherie Swarthout said. She is deeply respected by the people who have had the opportunity to witness her throughout her coaching and playing career. While we are certainly going to miss having Alex lead our tennis programs, we are incredibly grateful for the time, energy, and passion she has invested in our student-athletes.  The culture that she has built will be the foundation for our program as it continues to grow. We wish her nothing but the very best in this next chapter."
 
Leatu made an immediate impact on the men's program after filling the void in 2025. Under her leadership, the Royals produced an All-ASUN First Team selection, an ASUN All-Freshman Team honoree, and an Academic All-ASUN recipient.
 
On the women's side, Queens saw its first player in program history to be named ASUN Player of the Week since Queens transitioned to Division I during the 2025 season. Additionally, four Royals earned CSC Academic All-District honors, while one was named to the ASUN All-Academic Team in 2023.
 
"Making the decision to leave Queens and college coaching all together was not easy," Leatu commented. "I've been in this field for 11 years, experiencing some of the best times and the hardest times. I am, and always will be, grateful to Cherie for believing in me and placing her trust in me for not only leading the women's program but taking on the men's program as well. I wish the teams nothing but the best and will be cheering for their success."
 
Leatu came to the Royals after starting the women's tennis program at Weatherford College. In year one, she led the program to a No. 7 national ranking. Before coaching at Weatherford, she was head coach at Georgia State University for three seasons, leading the Panthers to a Sun Belt Tournament appearance in 2019. As an assistant, she helped the Panthers win a Sun Belt Conference Championship. The program also earned Georgia State's and the Sun Belt's Highest GPA Award with her on staff. Leatu began her collegiate coaching career at the University of New Haven.
 
As a student-athlete, Leatu began her career at Vanderbilt, earning Second Team All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament honors while competing at No. 1 singles and doubles and ranking inside the ITA top 75. She later transferred to Baylor, where she won three Big 12 Conference titles and helped the Bears reach top 15 in the national polls.
 
Queens Assistant Tennis Coach Kavir Kumar will serve as interim director of tennis until further notice.