Coach Carlos Salazar's path from Guadalajara to the Tulsa tennis community

For Carlos Salazar, tennis is more than a sport. It is a source of connection, community, challenge and personal growth, and a place where his Hispanic heritage is proudly reflected.

Salazar was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to the United States when he was 12 years old. At the time, he didn’t speak English.

His introduction to tennis came through his father, who worked as a groundskeeper at Tulsa Tennis Club. Salazar helped his dad take care of the facility, and before long, the courts became more than a workplace.

“I started hitting on the backboard, started taking drills and then fell in love with it,” Salazar said. “It gave me a sense of purpose at that age.”

That early experience eventually led Salazar to become both a competitive player and a tennis coach. He has spent the last 15-plus years coaching in Tulsa and the last decade as a tennis pro at Case Tennis Center at LaFortune Park, a USTA Premier Facility.

Player to Teaching Pro

Salazar’s experience as a player continues to shape the way he works with clients today.

“Being a competitive player helped me understand the pressure of being a player and all emotions you go through as a result,” he said. “It also helped me understand the game in general and certainly influences my ability to explain the dynamics of tennis to my clients.”

For Salazar, his Hispanic heritage is inseparable from his identity.

“It represents who I am,” he said. “It represents my heritage, my history and my family background. It forms part of my identity and gives me a sense of connection to my family background.”

Growing up, Salazar found inspiration in one of the sport’s most recognizable Hispanic stars: Rafael Nadal. Watching Nadal compete gave Salazar an example of excellence on the court and a player whose passion and determination transcended the sport.

Today, Salazar hopes young Hispanic players can recognize they have a place in tennis, and that their presence can make a difference.

“I would tell him or her that he or she matters,” Salazar said. “And that, by taking a chance on tennis, he or she might be able to influence people who see them play.”