Tennis Puro Espanol coaches make the sport more accessible at Plaza Tennis Center

The programming at Plaza Tennis Center continues to be a reflection of the diversity within USTA Heart of America. The facility recently kicked off its Tennis Puro Espanol series featuring classes for beginners taught completely in Spanish.

The tennis classes take place every Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and they are open to players of all ages. Tennis Puro Espanol is the brainchild of Diego Schtulmann and Mariana Ochoa Guerra, who are both from Mexico. They are grateful for the experiences tennis has given them, and they wanted to help other Spanish-speaking individuals have the same experience.

“Tennis Puro Espanol is designed to make tennis more accessible to the Spanish-speaking community,” Schtulmann said. “The classes are taught entirely in Spanish, allowing players who are more comfortable speaking Spanish to learn the game in their native language while feeling welcomed and included.”

Added Ochoa Guerra: “This program is yet another great opportunity to bring the Hispanic community together, as we offer lessons in our native language. The Spanish lessons give people the opportunity to get rid of the language barrier and learn as they have fun playing the sport we all love.”

Learn more about the coaches who are helping to bring this new programming to Plaza Tennis Center.

Diego Schtulmann

Schtulmann has played tennis since he was 8 years old. His family introduced him to the sport, and he quickly fell in love with it.

“What began as a hobby became a passion that has shaped my life and opened doors I never imagined,” he said.

He competed professionally on the International Tennis Federation World Tour for several years, reaching a career-high ITF singles ranking of No. 435, and he represented Mexico in Junior Davis Cup competitions.

His youth career allowed him to travel internationally, competing in tournaments and experiencing different cultures, which helped Schtulmann grow as both a player and a person.

Today, he’s a student-athlete at Rockhurst University who loves giving back by helping others.

“Being able to compete, study and help others develop their game has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” he said.

Schtulmann worked part-time as a coach at Plaza Tennis Center over the summer, which allowed him to join Ochoa Guerra in creating the Tennis Puro Espanol program. He is incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity.

Mariana Ochoa Guerra

Tennis wasn’t Ochoa Guerra’s first love. She spent her early years in Mexico playing soccer, practicing capoeira and going swimming before her mom introduced her to the sport. She’s played competitively since she was 10 years old and hasn’t looked back.

Ochoa Guerra played in ITF tournaments throughout her native country. At the age of 16, she moved to the U.S. and played tennis for Shawnee Mission South High School. She went to the Kansas state championships her junior and senior years.

Her successful high school career led to her joining the women’s tennis team at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., where she played all four years. After college, Ochoa Guerra moved back to Kansas City.

She was recruited by Plaza Tennis Center staff to coach at the facility after playing in leagues there. To her, joining the team was an easy decision.

“I like the flexibility they give coaches and their sports culture,” she said. “It’s a very nice community, and they keep the sport inclusive, which is in my opinion the best way to grow our tennis community.”

The freedom to create inclusive programming encouraged Ochoa Guerra and Schtulmann to kick off Tennis Puro Espanol. Ochoa Guerra looks forward to growing the tennis offerings at the facility and bringing people together through tennis.