Ryan Nuno: A Tennis Journey Fueled
by Hispanic Heritage and Purpose

Ryan Nuno has always wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself—to have a sense of purpose behind everything he does in life. His purpose? Tennis. Whether he’s playing tournaments, learning its intricacies, or coaching others, his love for the sport transcends beyond just hitting a ball. Tennis is a way for him to help others reach their full potential—a calling deeply rooted in his pride for his Hispanic heritage and his drive to uplift those around him. 

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we reflect on Ryan’s journey and how his Hispanic roots helped shape his entrepreneurial spirit by uplifting others and creating opportunity through the sport he loves. 

Giving Back to the Hispanic Community

To Ryan, Hispanic Heritage Month is a moment to honor those who paved the way before him. 

“Without those people who broke the ground—whether that’s athletes, leaders, or everyday people who work tirelessly to set up the next generation—we wouldn’t have the opportunity to dream bigger,” he says. “I carry my heritage with pride. It fuels my own resilience. Growing up, I didn’t always have access to the same resources as other players. My heritage taught me to be determined, resourceful, grounded, and to never make excuses. I carry that into every area of my life. It’s a reminder for me of the responsibility I have to give back to my community and try to uplift others through what I’ve learned as well.”

Learning Fundamental Values

Born in Sylmar, California, Ryan was raised in a close-knit Mexican-American household. His father, originally from Mexico, and his mother, born in the United States, built a home where family and values came first. “I remember hearing stories from my father of how difficult his upbringing was coming to the U.S. at a young age, but how he always relied on family and hard work to do what he needed to do to keep growing,” Ryan recalls. “I apply this to my own tennis because it shows me that no matter how difficult things may get, there are always things I can do to keep moving forward.” 

Ryan comes from a family of athletes—his dad was an elite runner, and his mom also competed in athletics when she was young. His father first introduced him to tennis, a sport that began as a hobby and quickly became a serious pursuit. Ryan grew up playing with his parents, four sisters, and one brother, building not only his skills but also a sense of camaraderie. From a young age, his parents instilled in him values of discipline, humility, and hard work, whether on the tennis court or in life. 

Those same values are the foundation of the Neighborhood Junior Tennis Program (NJTP), a community tennis initiative for kids and adults based at El Cariso Community Regional Park in Sylmar where Ryan learned the sport. “The program is specifically [designed] for underdeveloped areas as well as the Hispanic community to play tennis at a low cost,”says Ryan. “Our family took advantage of the opportunity and I’m grateful that I could learn to play at our local park.”

He also gives credit to PAC Tennis Academy, another Sylmar-based program and the 2023 USTA Southern California Organization of the Year, for its impact. “They’re also doing great work in the Hispanic community. Porfirio Cervantes [who was awarded the USTA SoCal Area Service Award for the San Fernando Valley] owns the company and he’s doing a lot of meaningful work there. I like keeping in touch with them and visiting whenever I can.”

Junior Success On Court

Ryan’s love for tennis grew as he improved through the junior ranks during his formative years. One of his proudest moments came when he won the USTA Southern California Boys’ 12 and Under Junior Sectional Championships in Fountain Valley. “That was a very memorable experience and probably my favorite USTA tournament during my junior years,” he recalls. “All the top juniors were able to meet in one place and the level of play brought out the best in all of us. It was some of the most fun times that I’ve had playing because I pushed myself to play as best as I could.”

Building on his success in USTA tournaments, Ryan continued to elevate his game in high school, playing for Granada Hills Charter School where he served as team captain during his junior and senior years. The experience gave him his first taste of team culture and what it meant to play for something bigger than himself. “I competed with a great group of guys and teammates. I learned a lot about leadership and how that applied to leading a group of guys,” he says. He credits his high school coach, Simon Robertshaw, for being a guiding force in his development as a player and a person. “Having him in my life was very important to me and I look back at those years fondly. It was a pivotal moment in my life having him as a mentor during high school. It also deepened my own desire to play at a college level being a part of a team.”

Athletic and Academic Excellence

That dream was realized when Ryan was offered a spot on the Azusa Pacific University (APU) men’s tennis team in Los Angeles County. As the first person in his family to attend college, Ryan takes a lot of pride in giving himself the opportunity to break barriers, build his future, and set a new standard for himself and those around him. For his family, being a first-generation college graduate “represents the American dream of coming to the US and having someone in the family lead the way. This is what my grandparents envisioned for us when coming to the US,” he says. 

Ryan chose the school because he wanted to grow as an athlete and a person and felt there were opportunities to excel in both at APU. “I enjoy tennis and love the sport, but I also wanted to grow myself as a person in general outside of the sport.”

A key part of Ryan’s personal growth is his faith and how it played an important role in guiding him through college and life. “I loved the faith-based culture [at APU], which was a big thing growing up for me and my family. As a Christian, I felt like tennis was where my path was being led by God. Coming from that background, I’ve always believed in having a purpose behind what I’m doing,” Ryan says.

Another reason for choosing the university was the Director of Tennis and Head Coach, Mark Bohren, who’s also an APU alum. “I was always around Coach Bohren growing up. He would watch me [play tennis] when I was younger, so being around him, I already had that familiarity with the school. I consider him to be a mentor during a pretty pivotal point for me. Even now, I find myself calling him about everything in general and where my life’s headed,” he says.

At APU, Ryan excelled both athletically and academically. He enjoyed much success on and off the court during his time at APU, achieving All-American singles honors in 2022 and helped lead the Cougars to NCAA Division II National Championships Elite 8 appearances in 2017 and 2022. He capped his college career ranked No. 8 nationally in Division II singles.

In the classroom, Ryan graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and a 3.8 GPA. In 2022, he became the first person in his family to earn a master’s degree, completing his MBA in Finance.

“I wanted to perform well academically so down the line I could run my own business,” he explains. “I tried to apply that same discipline I used in tennis to the classroom. I wanted to learn real financial and strategical tools, and that’s what I saw with getting an MBA. It gave me that knowledge I needed for future ventures that I wanted to do.” 

Creating Impact Through Coaching 

After graduation, that future venture began to take shape. Ryan launched his own tennis business, Ryan Nuno Tennis, a data-driven coaching company based in Arcadia, California built around performance, retention, and operational discipline. What started as a passion evolved into a mission “to help others reach their potential whether physically, mentally, or even emotionally. I always knew I wanted to give back to the tennis community in the best way I could,” he says.

Coaching in the same community where he first picked up a racquet means everything to Ryan. “I remember being that kid with a fire inside, dreaming big, not always knowing how it would happen, but showing up day after day. Now, to be on the other side: guiding, encouraging, and pouring into the next generation feels like coming full circle,” he says. 

Ryan works with a wide range of players, from juniors to adults, both in person and virtually. He’s especially proud to work with Hispanic youth to show them that anything is possible both in tennis and life. “When I work with Hispanic youth, I absolutely see myself in them. I see the quiet determination, the resilience, the hunger to prove yourself. I know what it’s like to chase a dream with limited resources but all heart.”

Another meaningful aspect of his work is coaching individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly those on the autism spectrum. What started with just one player quickly expanded, and Ryan is now known as the go-to tennis coach in the area for players with disabilities. “I’m super proud to be able to work with them. It’s amazing to see the happiness that tennis brings to them to enjoy something outside of their normal routines. It’s so rewarding to be a part of,” he exclaims. 

He also created a YouTube channel where he helps players unlock power, consistency, and confidence with weekly videos on technique breakdowns, serve drills, and strategic insights to improve your game. “It’s been a way for me to give back to the sport and try to run a sustainable business,” he says. 

Finding Form in the Pros

His dedication, both on and off the court, helped pave the way for the next chapter in his playing career: professional tennis. From an excellent college career to honing in on his technique through coaching others, these collective experiences were critical to Ryan’s development as he climbed up the ranks to eventually play at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour level, the official entry level of competition in men’s and women’s professional tennis. In February 2025, Ryan reached a career milestone, winning the ITF pre-qualification at the $25K Cadillac of Calabasas Men’s Pro Tennis Championships. “It was a super special moment and big highlight for me,” says Ryan. “I always dreamt of playing a professional event. My family and close friends were able to come out with the tournament with it being close to home too, so it was really nice to have their support. I’m pretty close with them and I always hear their voices in the back of my head when I’m thinking about my next decision in life.” 

Whatever he does next, Ryan remains committed to using tennis as a vehicle for growth, connection, and impact. “I truly believe my purpose lies with tennis,” he remarks. “I want to maximize every way I can be involved, whether that be through teaching or my YouTube channel. I always want to stay connected [to the sport] and try to contribute in the highest way I can.”