JUAN GARCIA, DIRECTOR OF TENNIS
Juan started out as a notable junior player, later competing for an NAIA program after his US Army enlistment. As a player, he has recently been ranked Nationally as high as #1 in USTA, USPTA and FMT in Men’s 35’s. He has also won numerous Men’s Open tournaments as well as Men’s 35’s Nationals events and captained the Mexican National team competing in the 2012 ITF World Championships. Most recently, in 2022 he captained and played for our SDTC Men’s 5.0 team to USTA Nationals in Scottsdale, AZ in the 18 & Over Division bringing home a Top 10 finish. With over 30 years of on-court experience, Juan's tennis teaching and coaching ranges from beginners to nationally ranked players. More importantly, as a coach he understands and connects with each one of his students to make them each a success. He’s focused on providing high quality instruction with a focus on the fundamentals: stroke production, footwork, balance, strategies and mental player development.
To inquire about his availability and pricing, contact him directly at: juangarcia@sandieguitotennis.com.
CERTIFICATIONS
USPTA Elite Professional / P1
USPTA Pickleball Certification
Etcheberry Fitness
AWARDS
2021 SCTA Foundation Pro of the Month (July)
2019 San Diego District Male Pro/Coach of the Year Award
2016 USPTA San Diego Division Pro Of The Year
2014 USPTA Men's Open Doubles Player of the Year
2013 San Diego USPTA Player of the Year
2012 USPTA Men’s 35's Player of the Year
2003 ITA All-American College Player
TOLE MARINKOVIC
Certified by the USPTA, Tole was recently selected by the San Diego District Tennis Association as the Male Pro/Coach of the year 2018. Before moving to San Diego, he was a five-time national doubles champion in his native country, Yugoslavia. He was also a ten-time national singles and doubles champion of Serbia. In addition, he was a two time All American in college and played #1 in singles and doubles for San Diego State University on a full ride scholarship. After graduating from SDSU with a degree in business management, he won the United States National Grass Court Championship and numerous other tournaments.
Tole has over 20 years of teaching experience and currently teaches all levels including many players that have won national championships and are among the best players in the world in their age divisions.
To inquire about his availability and pricing, contact him directly at: tolemarinkovic@gmail.com or call #619-871-6841.
MAJA MURIC
Maja is a former professional tennis player from Croatia. She competed on the Women’s Professional Tennis Tour including all the Grand Slams from 1991 – 1999. She was the 8th junior in the world and represented Croatia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and many other occasions. Winning two medals at the 1993 Mediterranean Games, which was the first time Croatia competed as a country, was one of the most memorable moments of her career.
Maja, in her own words, “Tennis has been more than just a game or a career, it has been a stepping stone to where I am today and I would never be here without it. I owe a lot to this game."
Maja’s certified by the PTR(Professional Tennis Registry) and teaches part time at her favorite tennis club (SDTC). Maja’s aim is to help promote the game of tennis. She coaches men and women of all ages and focuses on three key areas: raising technical and performance level of her students, helping them become healthier and more physically fit while having fun.
To inquire about her availability and pricing, contact her directly at mmuric@aol.com or call #970-948-6220.
MICHELLE OKHREMCHUK
Michelle is a former National Ukrainian Champion and was trained at the best academy in France by Patrick Mouratoglou (Serena Williams’ coach). She came to the states and played for the University of Nevada where she received a top NCAA ranking and achieved an all-time record with the most wins in the university’s history. Previously, she was ranked as #1 in Southern California in the Women’s Open Division.
Michelle started her coaching career at Barnes Tennis Center, teaching a range from younger level to top national players. She has mostly taught high performance clinics and was a hitting partner and a coach for top juniors. After being there for two years, she transitioned to Bay Club. Michelle became a USPTA professional and a 2019 USPTA player of the year. She continues to work with a variety of levels, from juniors to adults.
To inquire about her availability and pricing, contact her directly by her website, at michelle@motennistraining, by email, michelle.okh@hotmail.com, or by TEXT #858-610-6153.
CHRISTIAN GROH
He has coached numerous present-day professional tennis players.
Pros:
Tommy Haas, Grigor Dimitrov, Genie Bouchard, Coco Vandeweghe, Marcos Giron, Bradley Klahn, Michael Berrer.
Transition to Pros:
Taylor Fritz
Coached Taylor from age 14 to 18 years. Developed Taylor to become ITF Junior ranking No.1, and win the US Open Junior championships. Won back-to-back challenger tournaments, and became one of the fastest ranking risers in ATP history.
Brandon Nakashima
Trained Brandon from the age of 14 years to 18 years.
Developed Brandon to reach ITF Junior ranking No.3. Won final eight tournament in China (Junior Masters), won ITF Juniors Roehampton, won Easter Bowl, won US Junior Nationals in Kalamazoo. Won ITF Men’s Future event at the age of 17.
Transition to College (among others):
Keegan Smith (UCLA), Jack Barber (Stanford), Logan Smith (USC), Kalman Boyd (USC)
Katherine Hui - 2023 USTA Billie Jean King Girls' 18 singles National Championship Finalist
Lerner Tien - 2023 Australian Open Junior Boys Singles Finalist, 2023 French Open Semi-Finalist, and 2023 US Open Junior Boys Singles Finalist
Consultant to the United States Tennis Federation
Education
San Diego State University - Master of Business Administration (2011)
San Diego State University - Bachelor of Science International Business (2007)
Dean’s list, Scholar-Athlete Recipient
To inquire about his availability and pricing contact him directly at groh.christian@gmx.de or by cell: 858-228-7003.
ALEX LEVI
Alex grew up in Rancho Santa Fe and graduated from Torrey Pines High School (where he played #1 singles and doubles) in 1980. He then attended Grossmont Junior College for one year where he played #1singles and doubles before transferring to Arizona State University where he played #2 singles and #1 doubles.
Alex was on the Board for Youth Tennis San Diego for four years and was also a Board Member for the San Diego Division of USPTA. He has been USPTA certified at the Professional 1 level for over 30 years and was USPTA Professional of the Year in 2010. His family received the USTA Family of the Year Award in 2006 and in January 2022 he received the USTA Pro of the Year.
Alex is certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED and certified for Independent Study PE (ISPE) through the San Dieguito Union School District.
Alex has coached many USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT) teams over the past 30 years. Most of these teams have been San Diego and Southern California Champions, with one team becoming National Finalists.
“My teaching philosophy is: have fun, work hard and always show good sportsmanship. I believe in teaching an all-court tennis game - all basic skills should be mastered. I enjoy teaching both adults and juniors of all levels, privately and in group settings.”
To inquire about his availability and pricing, contact him directly at: alevie1963@gmail.com or call #760-803-3122.