Up For a Match? – Pro Tennis Coach Michael Elguera
by Jennifer Gonzales
Michael Elguera, 24 pro tennis coach, knows what it's like to work for what you want and to never give up. Having a love for tennis, ever since he was four years old, and growing up around those who played professionally, it wasn't until he was sixteen, when he decided that he wanted to be a coach.
Photo by Efrain Kingz Photography
Having the opportunities to assist in coaching for top ATP tour players such as Radu Albot, Marius Copil and many other top ATP players while in their journey in the U.S. circuit and off-season training, was a dream come true for Elguera. However, this year, he was able to assist Radu Albot win his first title ever in Delray Beach, Florida and his
rise-up in the ATP tour rankings from 81-44 in the world.
Aside from coaching, he has also been to many places in his career such as Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. He had even traveled to NYC for a photoshoot for a clothing campaign when he was 22 years old. We got together with Michael Elguera for a one on one interview with High Rise Life, and this is what he had to say.
Q: What has tennis taught you that carries over into other areas of your life?
Tennis has taught me many things; it teaches you hard work and perseverance. It teaches you how to believe in yourself and how to trust your instincts at difficult moments.
Q: What kind of sacrifices did you make to become a pro tennis player-coach?
To be honest, I didn't have to sacrifice a lot because I was in love with the sport. Tennis was everything to me; I didn't come from a wealthy family to travel to many tournaments. I was obsessed. Tennis is a very clean environment, every day right after school I would head to the wall at Shenandoah Park in Miami to hit tennis balls for 6-7 hours a day every day. When I was nine years old, I started taking the Metrobus from little Havana to Brickell to grab another bus to Biscayne to practice. I was allowed to train for free with other good junior players at the Bryan Park, Ocean club, Calusa Park, the courts at the Ritz Carlton, Pablo Arraya Academy, and IMG Academy.
Q: What are you one day hoping to accomplish?
When I was 12 years old one of my dad's friends took me to the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne to watch Roger Federer VS. Gael Monfils from the top afar 400 level. I saw people picking up tennis balls for top players. I was like "I want to be ball boy next year." So, the following year I found myself picking up tennis balls in the same stadium for Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and many more.
After ten years of being ball boy, I ended up sparring for a couple of the top players; I could call them personally to ask them for advice, something I never thought I could do in a million years. However, one thing I had on my wish list was to be a coach for top ATP professional players. In 2018, I ended up helping Radu Albot, Marius Copil, Nikoloz Basilashvilli with their needs while they were in Miami. Who would have thought I'd be surrounded by amazing talented individuals?
Photo by Ivan Brun
Q: Who inspired you to follow your dreams?
Tennis runs in the family. My dad played professional tennis in Peru. My uncle was top 30 in the world in 2007. When I was 14, I met former hitting partner of Serena Williams, Sasha Bajin, whenever he was in Miami he would come down and hit with me, he would surprise me with Wilson tennis rackets and Nike shirts. It inspired me to become a hitting partner. Liam Smith, ATP super coach, my best friend and mentor inspired me and guided me to be an extraordinary coach. He has taught me the tools and fundamentals in the world of tennis.
Q: Working on anything exciting right now?
There have been many things in the talks this year about collaborating with Brazilian partner to create a tennis luxury experience when foreign clients that want to vacation and looking to play tennis in Miami. But as of right now I am focusing on expanding my brand Elguera Tennis, which I started two years ago. I'm working with all types of clients, beginners, intermediate, advanced, top players, etc.
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