2025 USTA Eastern Family of the Year: The Perez-Lopez Family

Indeed, Manuel himself references his ‘fight’ when reflecting on one his proudest moments in the sport: qualifying for the state tournament his senior year of high school.

“I’d lost in the county quarterfinals two years in a row, one round short of qualifying,” he recalls. “In my senior year, I committed myself mentally and technically and fought through a long match to earn the final spot from my county. The relief and pride I felt made all the hard work worth it.”

More recently, Manuel has begun following in the footsteps of his father, channeling that intensity and his own knowledge of training into a budding instructional career.

“Coaching has given me a completely different perspective on the sport,” says Manuel, who worked at a local country club over the summer. “Seeing kids improve and grow more confident because of something I taught them is incredibly rewarding. It’s become one of the most meaningful parts of my life in tennis.”

“Valentina made the county tournament,” Tito says. “But what Valentina really made during the tennis season was friends! She’s friends with the whole team. She has the ability to make people love her, and I think that is what will make her successful.”

In line with her father’s assessment, Valentina recalls an interaction with her doubles partner—rather than any singular result—as one of her most satisfying experiences in the sport.

“In my first year on the tennis team, my partner was still in the early stages of learning the game,” she explains. “She didn’t have much confidence in herself yet and often struggled to stay calm under pressure. I made it my goal to support her, encourage her and teach her the importance of breathing, slowing down and trusting her shots. Over time, I watched her grow not just as a player, but as a competitor who learned how to handle these kinds of challenging moments. Seeing her confidence shine through…made the whole season unforgettable.”

Over the years Tito has gotten heavily involved with USTA Eastern programs and initiatives, even serving on the organization’s board of directors for two terms. He is particularly passionate about coaching juniors and fielded JTT squads that advanced to the sectional tournament every year—and the national event twice. 

Recently, the Perez-Lopez family created and organized USTA Eastern’s inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Tennis Festival, which was held this past October at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Those who attended the event got to try a little tennis, meet special guest Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and enjoy some Hispanic culture, including food and dance performances. Tito hopes that the festival can serve as an example for other sections; ultimately, he wants to hold these events to help support a Spanish Community Tennis Association that can develop Hispanic coaches and assist Hispanic kids who want to travel for tournaments. But just as importantly, he also wants the experience of putting the day together to serve as an example for his family.

“What I value most about tennis is the profound sense of family it creates,” she says. “On my journey as an immigrant, I found support and affection in people who, over time, became part of our great tennis community. Tennis gave us a family far larger than we ever dreamed of.”

And for Pilar's immediate family specifically, the sport has ultimately helped provide purpose, as well as strengthen their bonds with each other. Tennis is inextricably linked to their identities—for the better.

“Being the wife and mother of tennis players taught me to see my family from a deeper and more loving perspective,” she says. “Sometimes, I confess, I wish I could step onto the court with the same strength and determination they have. Seeing them give their all inspires me every day. This sport not only marked our path, it shaped our story.”