Angel Lopez (1955- )

     For a man who didn’t take up tennis until his senior year in high school, Angel Lopez has covered much ground. The native San Diegan quickly showed his prowess as he played on a full scholarship at the University of Arizona from 1976 to 1978.  Lopez went on to play ATP tour events at the Volvo International and Washington Star International and he competed on various satellite circuits.  Angel has made a name for himself in San Diego tennis as the director of tennis operations at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club where he has taught since 1979. He established the Angel Lopez Tennis Academy there in 1997 where he has supervised eight USPTA certified assistants. Angel directed the USTA competition training center for San Diego from 1996 to 2007. His impressive list of students includes Zina Garrison, Angelica Gavaldon, Kelly Jones, Tami Whitlinger-Jones and Lupita Novelo just to name a few.  In 1994, Lopez was the head coach of the Newport Beach Dukes of World Team Tennis, a squad that had the distinction of being the only undefeated team in WTT history, and for this effort, he was the WTT Coach of the Year. The next year, he was named National USPTA Professional of the Year.  In 1999, Lopez was the United States Olympic Committee Developmental Coach of the Year. Lopez’s other honors include:  2001 Decade Education Merit Award from the USPTA, 2005 Professional Tennis Registry International Professional of the Year, 2006 “Serving the Future Award” by Youth Tennis San Diego and the 2007 Southern California Tennis Association Award for his efforts in junior player development.  Lopez has served on the USTA Player Development Committee, USTA Public Parks Committee, the USTA National Diversity Council, the SCTA, the YTSD, the San Diego District Tennis Association and the USPTA National Diversity Committee.  Angel has had much success in singles and doubles nationally and internationally in the 45 and 50 age groups, including being a member of the 2006 world champion USA Fred Perry Cup Team.  He continues to give back to the community as he sponsors tennis programs at Montgomery, Lincoln, Calexico, Clairemont and Hoover high schools. Lopez helps young players by awarding the Angel Lopez Scholarship for $1000 through YTSD to a graduating senior for the college of their choice.