@ Silicon valley Tennis

Francisco Ruiz

Francisco Ruiz is an (ITF) International Federation High Performance Coach which is the highest ranking certification offered to coaches. A respectable accomplishment and a gratifying journey, Francisco strives to share the knowledge gained to train nationally and world-recognized players.

Francisco has also been the traveling coach for many ATP and WTA professionals, where he picked up the subtle nuance that he takes to the courts, furthering his already accomplished training technique.

He served as the Director of the Mexico City Multicultural Exchange Program and was the first Latino to be on the USTA NorCal Board of Directors in 2006. In 2004, he was awarded the Diversity Leadership award for his outstanding coaching, and in 2010 he was presented with the prestigious Trailblazer award for his lifelong service in the minority tennis community.

Francisco has been playing tennis for over 50 years, competed in USTA tournaments and has made USTA champions and tournaments champions. For over 35 years, he has been a dedicated coach across the Bay Area and has established branch academies in Santa Clara (new branch in Kona Kai)  and Mountain View (we serve the entire South Bay Area – San Jose, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, etc.) the home for some of the top ranked players in Northern California. His interests include his family, teaching his two sons tennis, and attending the US Open every year.

His coaching philosophy embodies the belief that the path to professional-level competition takes 10 years of committed effort and a cumulative 10,000 hours of practice. This framework also applies to the journey of elevating a recreational player to a 3.5 NTRP level, requiring approximately 1,000 hours of dedicated instruction.

In practical terms, if a player dedicates one hour per week to lessons (accounting for 52 weeks per year), achieving the goal would span 20 years. Francisco’s guidance to those he has coached emphasizes consistent engagement in tennis activities, ideally three to four times a week. This approach, he suggests, is a realistic strategy for an individual with average talent to attain a low intermediate level within a timeframe of 5 to 6 years.

Coach Jorge

Coach Jorge Ballesteros possesses a diverse skillset that encompasses various aspects of the field. Throughout his career, he has excelled in both individual and group tennis classes, imparting his knowledge and expertise to players of all levels – from enthusiastic amateurs to highly trained professionals. Moreover, Coach Ballesteros is well-versed in physical preparation and fitness training, ensuring that his students are equipped with the stamina and strength required for optimal performance on the court.

In addition to his coaching abilities, Coach Ballesteros also has a keen understanding of venue security measures. He prioritizes creating safe environments within sports facilities by implementing stringent safety protocols. As an administrator and sales professional, he efficiently manages administrative tasks while driving sales by effectively communicating the value of products and services offered.

Coach Ballesteros’s exceptional time management skills enable him to optimize daily tasks assigned to him while upholding a high degree of responsibility and commitment towards meeting objectives. A testament to his strong communication skills is evident through active listening techniques which allow him to better understand athletes’ needs. His analytical prowess enables him to identify areas for improvement in players’ performance or training plans.

Recognized as an excellent team player with a dynamic and proactive profile, Coach Ballesteros adeptly navigates collaborative efforts within any setting. Furthermore, he places great emphasis on developing positive interpersonal relationships which contribute significantly not only professionally but personally as well.

Coach Andres

“I’m Andres, a dedicated tennis professional with over 20 years of experience in playing and coaching. As a former college tennis player, I’ve also competed in ATP tour tournaments, including Futures and challengers.

Over the past two years, I’ve been an integral part of Silicon Valley tennis, where I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the growth of the sport through coaching, organizing events, and fostering a vibrant tennis community. Passionate about nurturing the next generation of tennis talent, I’m committed to sharing my expertise and love for the game on and off the court.”

Coach Christian Rivera

Coach Christian Rivera is a highly skilled tennis coach with over six years of experience working with children, teenagers, and adults. He has an extensive background as both a coach and a player, having competed in international tournaments. His coaching journey includes working as a private coach at Altos del Retiro in Bogotá, Colombia, and as an assistant and head coach at Gonzalez Tennis Academy in Germany, where he trained beginners to advanced players.
Coach Christian also trained junior players at Gomez Tennis Academy in Naples, Florida, where he worked with some of the Top 100 ITF-ranked juniors, helping them refine their skills for high-level competition. Additionally, he has experience as a private trainer for a high-level Chilean player, accompanying them on the Cosat tour across South America. His coaching career also includes time at Manchester Athletic Club in Boston, USA, where he played against international players and supported the development of new talent.
Coach Christian is known for his disciplined and supportive coaching style, with key skills in high-performance training, fast learning, and effective communication. Fluent in Spanish with proficiency in English and basic German, he brings a global perspective to his coaching approach.