Matias Marin Named USPTA Missouri Valley 2021 Professional of the Year
Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 is National Hispanic Heritage month and USTA Oklahoma is taking the opportunity to spotlight one of the state’s top tennis professionals. Matias Marin is the Director of Tennis at Tucker Tennis Academy in Tulsa and is a native of Rosario, Argentina. Recognized as one of the best youth instructors in the region, Marin was recently named the Missouri Valley USPTA Professional of the Year for 2021.
The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) was founded in 1927 and is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development and was the first USTA accredited association under the USTA Accreditation Program. With more than 14,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions nationwide, the Association’s mission is to raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and to promote a greater awareness of the sport.
Congratulations to Matias and Tucker Tennis Academy for this recognition. Learn more about Matias Marin with the Q & A below:
When did you start playing tennis? I started playing tennis at the age of 5 yrs old. My childhood house was 2 blocks for a social club in my hometown in Argentina where I played tennis and soccer.
Did you go to college and did you play tennis? I went to play college tennis at Baylor University in 2001. My senior year, I was the team captain, and we won the NCAA Team Championship (1st National Team Title for any sports at Baylor). I got a degree in Business Adm and Human Resources Management.
Do you still play tennis? I do play some during the weeks with the kids at the academy, but I do not play in any tournaments.
How many years have you been coaching? I have been coaching tennis for 15+ years. I started as volunteer assistant coach at Baylor University for one year while I was finishing my degree in 2005. After that, one year at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas. Then I moved back to Argentina to spend two years at Hewlett-Packard as part of a management program where I lived one year in Switzerland and one year in Argentina. Right after that I started a tennis academy with former #3 ATP player Guillermo Coria who is a good friend of mine in Argentina for 3 years until we decided to move back to the US to work at Tucker Tennis Academy in 2012.
How long have you been at RH-91? I have been at Tucker Tennis Academy / RH91 since 2012. I became the Director of Tennis in 2020.
What inspired you to become a tennis coach? I always love the sport of tennis. By teaching and coaching, I want to give back by trying to inspire and mentor young players to achieve their goals and learn life lessons.
Who was your mentor or coach growing up? I was very lucky to be surrounded and exposed to a lot of great coaches when I was growing up, as well as great mentor/coaches when I started my coaching career.
Do you have any key influences on how you coach? It is important to create a connection of trust between the player and the coach by not only focusing on the development of the tennis player, but also as a good human being. Willingness to do extra, positive environment, strong culture, etc. are all key components of a successful program.
How does it feel to be MV Professional of the Year? It is very special and humbling to receive this award. It wouldn't be possible without the support of my family, RH91 club and our amazing team (coaches, players and parents)
What piece of advice would you give to your players coming through your program? Work hard, be humble and respectful at all times. Be coachable. Always problem solve. Never stop learning. Be a good person. Have fun.
What is your favorite tennis memory as a coach? I have so many fun and great memories as a coach that after many years of teaching tennis, it is extremely rewarding to see the journey of many of these players coming to the club at an early age, becoming teenagers and leaving as young adults.
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