Angel Lopez, a United States Professional Tennis Association Master Professional and a top tour coach, is not resting on his laurels as 1995 National USPTA Professional of the Year.

Lopez serves as director of tennis operations at the San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club, where he has taught since December 1979. In March 1997 he began operating the Angel Lopez Tennis Academy at the San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club, where he supervises eight assistant professionals who are all USPTA certified.

Lopez was named to the 2005 and 2006 USA Tennis High Performance Committee and the USTA National Hispanic Participation Task Force Committee. He was also named to the national USTA Player Development Committee, headed by Billie Jean King.

Lopez was appointed to serve on the National USTA Tennis in the Public Parks Committee for the 2007-2008 term. He was appointed by President Jane Brown Grimes, and the committee is chaired by Billie Jean King. For the 2009-2010 term, he was selected to the USTA National Diversity Committee by USTA President Lucy S. Garvin.

He was regional vice president for the USPTA San Diego Division from 1997 to '98 and was president of this division from 1993 to 1996.

Angel has worked special events and clinics personally with such tennis greats as Rod Laver (10 years), Steffi Graf, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, Tom Gullikson, Allen Fox, Roy Emerson, Zina Garrison, Dennis Van der Meer, Vic Braden and Pavel Slozil. He has written articles and tennis tips that have been published Tennis magazine, ADDvantage magazine, Inside Tennis, Tennis Talk, Tennis West, and in the San Diego Union Tribune.

In addition to being honored as USPTA Professional of the Year, Lopez was named the 1994 World TeamTennis Professional Coach of the Year. In 1999, he was the United States Olympic Committee Developmental Coach of the Year and received a Specialist in Competitive Player Development Certification by the USPTA and USTA Tennis Player Development. Lopez also directed the USTA competition training center for San Diego, Calif., from 1996-2007.

In 2004, Lopez was recognized by AeroMexico and The Pacific Life Open during the pro tournament at Indian Wells Garden for service to the Southern California community and specifically to Hispanic youth. In 2003, he was recognized as Player of the Year by the USPTA San Diego Division.

Lopez also received the 2002 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - Ethnic Minority Council Community Service Award at the AAHPERD national convention in San Diego.

In 2001, the USPTA honored Lopez for 10 years of outstanding participation in the continuing-education program with a Decade Education Merit Award. He also ranked among the top 10 USPTA education participants for the year.

In 1994, Lopez was head coach of the Newport Beach Dukes of World TeamTennis, which included players Zina Garrison, Kelly Jones, Larisa Neiland, Trevor Kronemann, Tami Whitlinger-Jones, Ann Grossman and Kerri Pheubus.

Lopez's team was the only team in WTT history to have an undefeated season at that time; they were 14-0. In 1995 he was named tour coach for Garrison. He traveled with her to the French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, Lipton, Birmingham, England (where she was the tournament singles winner), Eastbourne and other events.

Lopez had coached Garrison in 1989 and 1990, when she rose to No. 4 in the world. He traveled with her to the U.S. Open, Australian Open, Virginia Slims of Chicago, Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, Great American Bank Classic in San Diego, Porsche Cup in Germany, Virginia Slims Championships in Madison Square Garden, and exhibition matches.

Another of his students, Alexandra Stevenson, won the junior doubles championship and finished in the final 16 in junior singles at the 1997 U.S. Open. Stevenson also won the USTA National 18 Doubles championship and was a semifinalist in the National 18 Singles. She was a 1998 Wimbledon singles semi-finalist. Angel gave Alexandra her first lesson at 4 years old and coached her at WTA Tour events.

Angel coached Kelly Jones from 14 years of age. He rose to No. 2 nationally in 18-and-under boys singles. He was a two-time NCAA doubles champion and four-time NCAA All-American. Jones had a No. 1 ATP doubles ranking in 1992 and was the 1994 World TeamTennis Player of the Year when Lopez coached the Newport Beach Dukes.

Brandon Wai is another longtime Lopez student, since 9 years of age. In 2006 and 2007 he played No. 1 at Yale University. He was a two-time Ivy League Player of the Year. He reached No. 2 nationally in USTA boys 16-and-under singles, and he was the only high school player in San Diego to win high school singles championships in three separate years.

Lopez has taught many San Diego high school players to San Diego High School Championships. Winners in CIFSD singles include boys Kelly Jones (1981), Frank Grannis (1982 and 1984), Derek Miller (1998) and Brandon Wai (2001, 2002 and 2003). Girls include Sara Pappelbaum (1980), Alexandra Stevenson (1995, 1996 and1997), Emma Taylor (2002) and Gabrielle DeSimone (2007 and 2008). Lopez also worked with Ashley Backus (1999) and Rebecca Kwan (2005).

Lopez also has traveled to Grand Slam Tournaments (U.S. Open, Wimbledon, Australian and French Open) with Kelly Jones, Angelica Gavaldon, Lupita Novelo and Tami Whitlinger-Jones.

Other players Lopez has coached include:
• Michael Chang
• Carl Chang
• Katrina Adams
• Alejandro Hernandez Jr. (top 5 lnternational Tennis Federation junior in the world - 1995)
• Jami Yonekura
• Lisa Seemann
• Ditta Huber
• Frank Grannis
• Kerry Safdie
• Chris Numbers
• Linda Allred
• Alexandra Stevenson
• Leslie Harvey
• Rebecca Harvey
• Tu Dong
• Otis Allman
• Casey Merickel
• Vince Horcasitas
• George Spiska
• Kelly Perry
• Jose Ruelas Jr.
• Jim Ault
• Scott Morse
• Chris Henderson
• Brandon Wai
• Yuichi Uda
• Todd and Kim Khoury
• David Smith
• Emma Taylor
• Tongle Yu
• Zachary Wolfe
• Woody Yocom
• Alberto Ramos
• Antonio Ramos
• Bobby Hrdina
• Paul Jeffries
• Sara Pappelbaum
• Cari Hagey
• Collette Kavanagh
• Pelon Olivas
• Rebecca Kwan
• Troy Collins
• Ashley Backus
• Gabi DeSimonie
• Shane Thornton
• Dorian Geba
• Amanda Mang
• Page Bartelt
• Alex O'Brien
• Trevor Kronneman
• Larisa Savchencko Neiland
• Ann Grossman
• Tami Whitlinger
• Jamie Smith
• Corey Smith
• Dominique Cetale
• Rene Musquiz
• Rafael Musquiz
• Ted Bell
• Jefferey Adams
• Luis Humberto Lopez
• German Aragon
• Melinda Ainsle
• Francesco D'Arcangelo
• Chris Swortwood
• Veena Prabaaker
• Tami Byrd
• Flavio Borquez
• Victor Fimbres
• Eugenio Casta
• Daniel Corona
• Steven Gottlieb
• Carlos Escalante
• Dominic Gareri
• Wendy Caragher
• Andrew Whatnall

Lopez serves on advisory staffs at Nike and Wilson. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Tennis Association, Southern California Junior Tennis Council and the San Diego Tennis Patrons (Youth Tennis San Diego) Foundation Board.

Lopez's honors include: 1985 San Diego District Tennis Writer of the Year (column in Tennis West Magazine); 1988 and 1994 Professional of the Year, USPTA San Diego Division; 1989 Coach of the Year, USPTA San Diego Division; and 1990 and 1994 Coach of the Year by the USTA, San Diego District. In 1985 he was Coach of the San Diego National Junior Boys Team. In 1999, he won the USPTA San Diego Community Service Award. Also in 1999, he was USTA/San Diego District Sponsor of the year. Angel was named one of the top tennis coaches in southern California for 5 years by Southern California Tennis and Golf magazine.

In addition, Lopez was chosen as one of the Top 100 Role Models by Mexican Heritage Foundation in 1994. In 1995 he was chosen by USTA Player Development as one of 24 coaches selected nationally for USTA High Performance Coaching Seminars.

In 2006, Angel was honored at the 2006 WTA Acura Classic after the feature match on July 31. He received the "Serving the Future Award" in recognition of outstanding contributions on court and service to the community. The award was presented by Youth Tennis San Diego.

In 2007 Angel received the Southern California Tennis Association Service Award for his efforts in the junior player development department. The SCTA wrote to Angel, "The example you have set by virtue of your exemplary conduct, leadership and expertise, while assisting programs conducted by the Southern California Tennis Association has earned you this substantial honor. Your favorable example has enhanced the level of sportsmanship in the program and has provided today's junior players with an environment in which they can compete and excel."

Angel was awarded the Olive R. Pierce Award by Youth Tennis San Diego at the YTSD Annual Junior Tennis Banquet in April 2009. The award is for Outstanding Contribution to the Welfare and Development of Tennis in San Diego County.

As a player, Lopez was the 1988 USPTA National Open Mixed Doubles champion and 1995 USPTA national men's 40 doubles champion. He was the National ATA doubles and mixed doubles champion in 1982 and OJAI Junior College Doubles Champion in 1976. In 2003, Lopez was ranked No. 1 in men's 45 doubles by the USTA Southern California Section. Also in 2003, he was ranked No. 5 nationally in men's 45 singles and No. 2 nationally in men's 45 doubles. In 2005, he was ranked No. 4 nationally by the USTA in men's 50 singles, No. 45 in the world by the ITF in men's 50 singles, No. 6 individually by the USTA in men's 50 doubles and No. 4 by the USTA in men's 45 doubles with partner Robert Delgado. He is ranked No. 2 by the USPTA in men's 50 singles and No. 1 in men's 50 doubles with Tommy Connell. He was ranked No. 2 by USPTA in men's 50 doubles in 2007. Lopez was named 2006 men's player of the year by the USTA San Diego District and the 2006 USPTA San Diego Division player of the year. In 2008, Angel attended the USPTA Player Development Conference, "The Spanish Way to Develop Players," held at the Academia Sanchez-Casal in Naples, Fla. He also completed coaches courses at LGE and Vic Braden Tennis College in the 1990s. In 2009, Angel began the year winning men's 50 doubles with partner Robert Delgado at the Babolat World Tennis Classic ITF and USTA National Tournament. Angel was the USPTA San Diego Division Player of the Year in 1982, 1991, 2003 and 2005.

Also in 2006, Angel was part of the World Championship USA International Fred Perry Cup team that won the gold medal and the cup in Durban, South Africa. The all-USPTA team consisted of Angel, Fred Robinson, Sal Castillo and Wendell Pierce. Team USA defeated France in the final, 3-0. They posted wins over Spain, Italy, Austria and Slovenia. Angel was undefeated in match play. This was the first time in five years the U.S. team won the cup.

Lopez played on a full tennis scholarship for the University of Arizona from 1976 to 1978, and he also played for San Diego City College from 1975-1976. He competed professionally on the American Express Eastern and Western circuits, USTA Southern Circuit, and the USTA Missouri Valley Satellite Circuit. He also played the Volvo International and Washington Star International, both ATP tour events. Lopez was coached and mentored by the legendary Pancho Segura, who is in the International Tennis Hall of Fame and a USPTA honorary member. While playing at the University of Arizona, his team won the Western Athletic Conference Championship in 1978. He also was a conference singles finalist and Las Vegas Intercollegiate singles champion, both in 1977. At San Diego City College, his team won the 1977 Southern California Junior College Championship and was No. 2 in the state of California.

Lopez helps young players today by awarding the Angel Lopez Scholarship for $1,000, through Youth Tennis San Diego, to a graduating senior for the college of his or her choice. He sponsors sanctioned tournaments and satellite junior tournaments, as well as a national open at the Barnes Tennis Center. Angel also sponsors an after-school program in his old childhood neighborhood for underprivileged children, the USTA/San Diego District Adult Championships, and the USTA national girls 16 &18 championships at Barnes Tennis Center.