Serving Gratitude: Celebrating the Coaches Who Shape Our Game

Every great breakthrough on the court starts with a dedicated coach. Long before the tournament trophies and crisp winning shots, there is a coach feeding basket after basket, teaching resilience and building community.

 

Coaches pour endless time and heart into their players every single day. This Coach Appreciation Month, USTA Coaching is excited to spotlight the remarkable leaders, teaching pros, and mentors across the USTA Sections. From public park initiatives and high school coaching to inclusive wheelchair play and sport psychology, these leaders embody what it means to serve the game.

How You Can Celebrate Coaches This Month:

  1. Say Thank You: Take a moment after your next lesson or match to let your coach know how much they mean to you.

     

  2. Share on Social: Post a favorite memory or message using #ServingGratitude and one of these social graphics to celebrate.

     

  3. Explore Their Stories: Check out our section spotlights below to see how coaches across the country are elevating the sport!

USTA Missouri Valley

Frank Reyes — Wichita, KS

A mainstay at the Riverside Tennis Center and head coach at Maize South High School, Frank Reyes has spent years fostering both competitive excellence and a deep love for the game in Kansas youth. Read Frank’s Story

 

Santiago Munoz — St. Louis, MO

As Director of Junior Development at Forest Lake Tennis Club, Santiago Munoz focuses on building strong technical foundations while nurturing character, confidence and sportsmanship in rising juniors. Read Santiago’s Story

 

Carlos Salazar — Tulsa, OK

Coach Carlos Salazar brings immense passion to the court in Tulsa, utilizing tennis as a vehicle for community building, heritage and expanding opportunities for youth in Oklahoma. Read Carlos’s Story

 

Kaitlin Roselius — Lincoln, NE

A true champion of equality at Woods Tennis Center, Kaitlin Roselius is dedicated to removing barriers to entry, driving community access and empowering the next generation of female leaders in tennis. Read Kaitlin’s Story

USTA Intermountain

High-Five Spotlights

  • Michelle Bates: Honored for her vibrant energy, community engagement and dedicated leadership on the courts of Colorado.

     

  • Jazzy Gillette: Recognized for inspiring young athletes and creating inclusive, positive team environments.

     

  • Jamal Heydari: Celebrated for his commitment to player growth, technical development and passion for grassroots tennis.

     

We are also excited to celebrate Randy Ross and Sharon Walsh as they prepare for their induction into the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame this November – a testament to their lifetime of dedication and legacy in the sport.

USTA Midwest

Sammy Maxwell — Danville, IL

Sammy Maxwell is making tennis accessible for students across Danville schools. By bringing racquets directly into school programs, Sammy is breaking down economic barriers and inspiring a whole new audience to fall in love with tennis. Read Sammy’s Story

More Features on USTA Coaching

Check out continuing feature stories from key leaders across the national tennis landscape:

 

  • Gordon Reid: Making tennis welcoming and expanding opportunities in wheelchair and adaptive play.

     

  • Jim Loehr: Lasting lessons on mental toughness, character development and energy management for tennis coaches.

     

  • Laura Puryear: Strategies for creating welcoming and inclusive environments for players of every background.

     

  • Michael Harper: Essential advice for navigating the dynamic between tennis parents, players and coaches.