This Hispanic Heritage Month and Coach Appreciation Month, few stories capture the intersection of culture, coaching, and passion as powerfully as David Santos. Raised in Southeast San Diego and currently living in Chula Vista, David is on a mission to transform how tennis is perceived and accessed in his community. From an unexpected introduction to tennis in tenth grade to becoming a head high school coach, David’s journey exemplifies how taking a leap of faith can positively impact underrepresented communities in the sport.

A Spark in the Classroom

David’s connection to tennis was complete happenstance; it started in his math class at Lincoln High School. His teacher, Coach Davis—who also doubled as the school’s head tennis coach—saw potential in a young student to step into the world of tennis.

“At the time, I wasn’t someone who thought of myself as an athlete or someone who was even looking for a sport to play,” David recalls. “But my teacher encouraged me to give tennis a chance. He planted a seed in me—not just to try something new, but to enjoy the experience and have fun with it. I decided to take that chance, not knowing that something as simple as picking up a racquet would eventually become such a meaningful part of my life.” 

That initial invitation grew into a lifelong passion. What began as a high school extracurricular activity quickly evolved into a full immersion into the sport that would redefine his purpose and professional path.

Taking a Chance

After starting his career in higher education, David made the decision to take a chance and become a full-time tennis coach and advocate. His initial entry into coaching came through a part-time role with Teens Rise Foundation, an NJTL (National Junior Tennis and Learning) organization, as an undergraduate college student and throughout his master’s program. During his schooling, David stumbled upon a LinkedIn post from Teens Rise looking for part-time tennis coaches. While he had never imagined becoming a coach, he was open to trying something new. That decision ignited a spark that ultimately reshaped his career.

“Teens Rise had a meaningful impact on my career because it was my first introduction to the idea of becoming a coach,” he shares. “It gave me the opportunity to discover that coaching was something I genuinely enjoyed and, more importantly, something I could see myself continuing to grow in. Looking back, I’m grateful that I was willing to take a chance on something I had never considered before.”

From there, his dedication to the sport expanded exponentially. Today, David balances several coaching roles within the Southern California tennis ecosystem. He works with the Barnes Tennis Center through their Youth Tennis San Diego program to coach elementary, middle, and high school students at a local park in the South Bay, and serves as the head tennis coach at Montgomery High School, where he leads both the boys’ and girls’ varsity programs. Additionally, he supports Club Raquetas—a non-profit cross-border social and athletic club focused on growing Mexican American representation in tennis—as well as offers private coaching lessons specifically tailored to families with limited financial resources.

The Importance Behind a Coach’s Role

For David, coaching is far more than teaching fundamentals and technique. As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, he understands the quiet anxiety of navigating academics, personal hurdles, and future aspirations without the means to do so. That lived experience is what fuels his passion for mentorship, driving him to be the supportive guide he once needed.

“What I enjoy most about tennis is having the privilege and opportunity to become the mentor I didn’t necessarily have growing up,” he says. “With my high school students, some of our most meaningful conversations have nothing to do with tennis. We talk about scholarships, college applications, plans after graduation, leadership, and the goals they have for themselves. Sometimes, it’s simply about listening and helping them work through something they’re facing. Being a good coach is not just about knowing the sport; it’s also about understanding your students, meeting them where they are, and creating an environment where they feel comfortable learning, growing, and having fun.” 

He continues, emphasizing that his role as a coach allows him to create meaningful impact both on and off the court.

“That’s what makes tennis so meaningful to me. I get to coach a sport that I love, but more importantly, I get to pour into young people. I get to be the person I once needed and hopefully help my students see possibilities for their lives that they may not have seen before. At the same time, I want to continue creating a high-quality tennis experience and making the sport more accessible in the South Bay community that I care deeply about.”   

Expanding Access and Resources

Driven by a desire to represent his community and broaden access for the next generation, David actively seeks out resources to expand his impact. Through his relationship with USTA Southern California, he secured racquet donations for his high school team and unlocked valuable learning opportunities for his players at no cost. Recently, he brought his athletes to an Intro to Coaching workshop at Barnes Tennis Center, exposing them to potential career pathways and coaching fundamentals. Supporting his team in this way creates the exact opportunities he strives for—helping his students grow, learn, and experience everything tennis has to offer. David has also participated in several USTA Coaching Fundamentals workshops and aims to pursue a professional certification to further sharpen his skill set.

“USTA SoCal has played an important role in my tennis journey by supporting my continued learning and growth as a coach,” David says. “Through the free coaching education content they provide, I’ve been able to continue developing my knowledge and find new ways to improve the experience I create for my players. USTA SoCal has also helped strengthen my vision for enhancing the tennis experience in the South Bay, a community that I’m deeply invested in serving. Support like this means a lot to me because it creates opportunities for my students to grow, learn, and experience more of what tennis has to offer.”

His proactive approach has not gone unnoticed by leadership in the region. “David is very passionate about his work,” notes Kevin Finkelberg, Director of USTA Southern California Coaching. “He’s so dedicated to his students and continuously looks for ways to deliver tennis to his community.”

Breaking Down Barriers

David’s work highlights the critical importance of representation in sports. Historically, tennis has carried a reputation as an exclusive and expensive sport. David is actively reshaping those perceived barriers. Through his involvement in coaching and working alongside organizations like Club Raquetas, David works to increase representation in the sport, providing an inclusive environment for anyone looking to pick up a racquet and play.

“It is important for me to give back to my community because I am a product of this community, and I still live here today,” David emphasizes. “I want kids to be able to fall in love with tennis, develop their game, and have someone believe in them without their family’s financial situation being the reason they have to stop. Tennis should be accessible, welcoming, and for everyone—not something that is only available to certain communities or families.”

Ultimate Vision

David’s ambitions extend far beyond results on the court. His ultimate goal is to build a lasting infrastructure for tennis across the South Bay, including establishing a local tennis academy dedicated to high-quality, accessible coaching for low-income families. His mission and continued purpose is to create a supportive culture where his student-athletes feel an overwhelming sense of belonging, pride, and personal growth.

“I want my athletes to know that being part of a team is about more than winning matches,” he notes. “It’s about developing confidence, leadership, discipline, and relationships that carry with them long after they graduate.”

Advice to the Next Generation

When asked what advice he would offer to aspiring Latino entrepreneurs, coaches, and tennis players, David emphasizes the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and embracing the unexpected.

“My advice would be to remain open to new possibilities, even if they come in ways you didn’t expect,” he shares. “Don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new, even if it feels unfamiliar at first.” 

Rooted in his own journey as a high school student picking up a racquet for the first time to leading full-scale coaching programs, David encourages the next generation to trust their purpose and belief in themselves.

“Stay true to who you are, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to create your own path,” he says. “There may be others doing something similar to you, but there will never be another you. Lean on your community, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or support when you need it. And if you ever need anything, I’m here.”

Looking Ahead

Through his work as a coach, educator, and community advocate, David demonstrates how embracing an unexpected passion can create a powerful ripple effect—transforming lives and opening new doors through tennis.

“What started as an invitation to try a sport became a journey that shaped me, gave me community, and ultimately led me to where I am today as a coach,” he reflects. “My hope is that, over time, the work I’m doing can help create a stronger, more accessible, and more representative tennis community throughout the South Bay.”

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Interested in becoming a coach? Start your journey with USTA Coaching and discover a community of passionate individuals dedicated to the sport.

For more information about USTA Coaching, contact Kevin Finkelberg, Director of USTA Southern California Coaching, at finkelberg@scta.usta.com or (310) 824-2970.

Connect with David at santosdavid619@gmail.com to learn more and get started.