francisco gonzalez

Eat. Sleep. Play Tennis. Repeat.

Francisco was born in Germany, but he grew up in Puerto Rico. He started playing tennis at age 11 at the Rio Piedras Tennis Club and hasn’t put down his racquet since! Francisco played tennis for Ohio State University from 1974-76 and was awarded All Big Ten Honors, All American Honors and later inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1987. He then went on to play on the ATP Tour from 1977-1990, and consistently ranked in the top 100 in singles and doubles with the highest ranking of #36 in singles and #24 in doubles. During this time, he played Davis Cup for Paraguay (1983-1990) and then he played in Puerto Rico’s Davis Cup (1992).

As an instructor, Francisco not only teaches the fundamentals of the sport, but he also guides his students to become all-around tennis players. His students learn how to play from the backcourt, come to the net and attack, play doubles and mixed doubles and more. He gives students an opportunity to decide which style is best for them. Since 1998, Francisco has served as the Head Tennis Professional at Sierra Sport & Racquet Club. He has been certified by the USPTA since 1992 and the USPTR since 1994.

 

Experience

1998-Present

Head Tennis Professional at Sierra Sport & Racquet Club. Duties include teaching and coaching juniors and adults from beginners to advance levels. Hire and dismiss employees as necessary. Plan employees work schedules. Head coordinator of USTA’s Area Training Center 1998, 1999, 2000.

1990-1997

Head Tennis Professional and Owner of Club Pro Shop, San Francisco Tennis Club, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Duties included teaching tennis to juniors and adults from beginners to advance levels. Organize, plan, promote and run tournaments, leagues and clinics. Hire and dismiss employees as necessary. Plan employees work schedules. Oversee Pro Shop operations. Head of Puerto Rico’s USTA Area Training Center (1990-91)

1989-1990

Director of Junior Development, Bonaventure Racquet Club, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In charge of private and semi-private lessons to beginners, intermediates and advance juniors. In charge of training and coaching junior tournament players.

1988

Head Tennis Instructor, University of Florida, summer camp 1988. I was responsible for instruction of junior tennis players of all levels. In charge of organizing effective strategies for attracting top national junior players for extensive tennis training.

1985-1986

Manager/Part Owner, South Dayton Swim and Racquet Club, Dayton, Ohio. Oversee and manage all aspects of the Tennis Club’s operation.

1984

Tennis Trainer/Coach, South Dayton Swim and Racquet Club, Dayton, Ohio. Duties included teaching and organizing of tennis programs.

 

Professional Playing Career

Encompassed 13 years on the ATP Tour. Consistently ranked in the top 100 with the highest ranking being #36 in singles and #24 in doubles. Ranked number 3 in the world in the team race with Victor Pecci in 1983.

 

Grand Slam History

  • 1975 Pan American Games, Mexico City

  • 1979 Quarter finals US Open doubles w/ Elliot Teltscher

  • 1980 Quarter finals French Open doubles w/ Bob Lutz

  • 1981 Semi-final French Open mixed doubles w/Pam Teeguarden

  • 1981 Final 16’s Wimbledon singles

  • 1981 Final 32’s U.S. Open Singles

  • 1981 Final 32’s Australian Open Singles

  • 1983 Quarter finals French Open doubles w/ Victor Pecci

  • 1984 Quarter finals Australian Open w/ Matt Mitchell

  • 1985 Runner-up French Open mixed doubles w/ Paula Smith

  • 1985 Quarter finals French Open doubles w/ Matt Mitchel

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Singles History

  • 1980 Cincinnati - finals

  • 1984 Brisbane - finals

  • 1979 Sydney Indoors semi finals

  • 1983 Caracas - semi finals

  • 1982 Japan Open - semi finals

    

Masters Doubles Titles

  • 1983 Italian Open (w/Pecci)

  • 1984 Cincinnati (w/Mitchell)

  • Doubles History Wins

  • 1979 Tulsa (w/Teltscher)

  • 1979 Sydney (w/Frawley)

  • 1982 Melbourne Indoor (w/Mitchell)

  • 1983 Venice (w/Pecci)

  • 1983 Florence (w/Pecci)

  • 1984 Cleveland (w/Mitchell)

  • 1984 Brisbane (w/Mitchell)

  • 1984 Johannesburg (w/Delatte)

  • 1983 Vina del Mar, Chile (w/ Victor Pecci)

 

Doubles Runner-up History

  • 1979 Tokyo Outdoor (w/Frawley)

  • 1979 Maui (w/Frawley)

  • 1979 Cleveland (w/McNair)

  • 1980 Tulsa (w/Winitsky)

  • 1982 Dortmund (w/Cahill)

  • 1982 Maui (w/Mitton)

  • 1983 Cleveland (w/Mitchell)

  • 1986 Newport (w/Edwards)

  • 1986 Chicago (w/Edwards)

  • 1986 Metz (w/Schapers)

 

Davis Cup & Teams

  • 1995 Captain of Puerto Rico’s Davis Cup Team

  • 1993 Co/Captain of Puerto Rico’s Davis Cup Team

  • 1992 Member of Puerto Rico’s first Davis Cup Team

  • 1982-90 Member of Paraguay’s Davis Cup Team (World Group)

  • 1975-76 Member of U.S. Junior Davis Cup Team

  • 1975-76 NCAA All American Team

 

Outstanding Career Wins

  • Singles: Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, Andres Gomez, Victor Pecci, Vitas Gerulaitis, Yannick Noah, Elliot Teltscher, Johan Kriek, Henri Leconte.

  • Doubles: Flach-Seguso, Annacone-Van Rensburg, Edberg-Jarryd, Noah Leconte, Davis-Pate, Edmonson-McNamee, Warder-Graham, Gottfried-Ramirez, Gullikson-Gullikson

 

Awards

  • 1987 Awarded Ohio State University Hall of Fame

  • 1974,75,76 Awarded All Big Ten Honors

  • 1975,76 Awarded All American Honors

  • 1974 Awarded Most Outstanding Tennis Athlete, Puerto Rico Olympic Committee

 

Education

  • 1995-1997 Inter-American University-Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a major in Management and a minor in Human Resources

  • 1973-1976 Ohio State University- Social Studies 3 1/2 years

 

Tennis Education

  • 1998 USPTA National Convention, Palm Springs, California

  • 1994 USPTR Certification (Professional)

  • 1994 USPTA National Convention, Boca Raton, Florida

  • 1992 USPTA National Convention, Tucson, Arizona

 

Coaching Experience

  • 1998, 1999, 2000 Fresno’s Area Training Center Coordinator and Tennis Coach

  • 1992 Puerto Rico’s Junior Davis Cup Team Captain (World Youth Cup 4th Place)

  • 1990, 1991 & 1992 Puerto Rico’s Junior Team Coach

  • 1990 & 1991 Puerto Rico’s Head Coach for USTA Area Training Center

 

Top players coached

  • Sloane Stephens, WTA highest ranking #3, US Open Winner 2017, French Open runner-up 2018, Miami Open Winner 2018

  • Rafa Jordan, Top ten National ranking, University of Georgia

  • Brian Wright, Top twenty National ranking, Pepperdine University and USC and 3X Singles Valley Champion

  • Nicky Jaramissian, Doubles Valley Champion 2014

  • Dustin Ilic, Top ten NorCal ranking, Fresno State #1 Doubles Valley Champion

  • Matt Fortune, Top ten NorCal, LMU, Singles Valley Champion

  • Eric Grotemeyer, Top ten NorCal ranking, Fresno City #1 player, Singles Valley Champion

  • Daly Meinert, National ranking, 2014 & 2015 Singles Valley Champion

  • Lincoln Hoppe, Doubles Valley Champion 2014

  • Alexis “Pookie” Gonzalez, 2010 & 2012 Doubles Valley Champion

  • Allison Gobel, 2009 Doubles Valley Champion

  • Edna Vasquez, Iowa State University, Puerto Rico Doubles Champion.

  • Claire Jaramissian, Doubles Valley winner 2012