Inside the Life and Philosophy
of Coach Danny Salloum

Anyone can teach a sport, but it takes a special person to be a coach. Coaches guide, motivate, and build character, while helping athletes develop discipline, sportsmanship, and resilience—leaving a legacy measured not just in results, but in the lives of the athletes they mentor. Danny Salloum is no exception.

For nearly two decades, Danny has been a defining presence at Match Point Tennis Academy (MPTA) in Santa Ana, where he serves as Head Professional. Known for his patience, high standards, and genuine care for every player, he’s helped shape the next generation of tennis stars across Southern California. This National Coaches Month, we celebrate leaders like Danny, whose influence extends far beyond the court. 

Early Days: From Beirut to Anaheim

Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Danny grew up in a household where sports were a way of life. Soccer and boxing dominated his early athletic experiences, fueling his first passions. Tennis wasn’t initially part of the picture, but it quietly entered his life through his cousins, who were standout junior players competing at the top of their national rankings. Watching their success left a lasting impression, and by his early teens, Danny picked up a tennis racquet of his own, becoming the first in his immediate family to do so.

When Danny was 12, his family moved to Anaheim. A few years later at Servite High School, he tried competitive tennis for the first time—a journey that immediately came with challenges. As a freshman, he was cut from the team by Coach Richard “Dick” Fumanti, who served the Servite and Rosary tennis communities for over two decades, and even advised Danny to pursue a different sport. 

“I did not take it well,” Danny admitted. “I used the decision as fuel and motivation to train as much as I could so I’d be ready to try out again the following year.”

He returned stronger, made the team as a sophomore, and eventually captained it as a senior. Without access to costly training, he found creative ways to improve—observing high-level teammates’ technique, footwork, and point construction, becoming a student of the game.

Looking back, Danny sees being cut a defining moment in his early tennis journey. Years later, after building his career, Fumanti even invited him back to speak at team banquets, sharing his story to inspire others who might have otherwise given up on the sport—a testament to how a setback became a crucial lesson.

Growing into a Coach

During his junior year, Danny secured his first job as an assistant for city tennis classes at Anaheim Tennis Center (ATC), where he learned from group coach Jamie Blatman and then-ATC Director Ron Metcalf, who guided him not only in tennis, but also as mentors in working with players and teaching the sport.

After high school, Danny played two years at Fullerton College, where he honed his skills while earning his associate degree. “That’s where I made the most progress toward becoming a decent player,” he said. “In my first year, I played No. 1 doubles with Tim Kpulun and competed at No. 2 singles, which pushed me to raise my level. By my second year, I remained at No. 1 doubles and advanced to No. 1 singles.” His growing passion for tennis led him to take another part-time role as a junior coach at Match Point Tennis Academy, founded by Elson De Cantuaria, who was running the academy at ATC when Danny first started working. He began by feeding balls, but over the next few years, progressed to coaching and eventually teaching private lessons when the academy moved to Cabrillo Tennis Center in 2007, where it remains today—a role that laid the foundation for his future coaching career.

Danny credits Elson with inspiring him to grow as both a player and coach. “Over the years, I have had the privilege of listening to his lectures and grasping the wealth of knowledge he has given to not only the players, but to other coaches as well,” Danny stated. “Seeing the influence a great coach can have—not just on juniors as players, but on them as people off the court—motivated me to keep evolving as a coach. He spent extra time working with me outside of regular hours to help my game improve, and I owe him a great deal for giving me the opportunity to become who I am today.”

Looking to further his education, Danny transferred to the University of Southern California (USC), temporarily putting competitive play on hold to focus on his studies and work. He earned a B.S. in Biochemistry with minors in Genetics and Business Management, followed by a master’s degree at UC Irvine (UCI). To help pay for tuition, he frequently coached tennis while balancing academics and other work commitments. 

“I only had a half scholarship, so I worked full-time and coached whenever I could,” Danny explained. “That’s when I realized how much I enjoyed helping others learn the game.” 

Originally on a path to dentistry, Danny scored an impressive 25 on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) exam—placing him in the top percentile and making him a strong candidate for nearly any dental school. Yet before committing to further schooling, he paused to reflect on what truly mattered to him. 

“I realized that becoming a dentist was my parents’ dream—not mine,” Danny said. “I needed to take charge of my own path and do what truly brought me joy.”

Danny chose to stay at Match Point Tennis Academy full-time, gradually taking on more responsibility and eventually overseeing multiple programs, including the Junior Tennis Academy, Junior Team Tennis (JTT), and fitness training—discovering along the way his ability to manage a thriving program.

All in a Day’s Work

Today, Danny’s days start before sunrise and often stretch late into the evening as he balances academy responsibilities with work as a certified insurance agent and investments in the automotive industry. Careful planning and patience allow him to tackle challenges methodically—approaching problems the same way he approaches tennis: with focus, not panic.

He oversees pre-college and junior programs, where students train 2.5-3 hours daily. Clinics run from 4-7 p.m, and after more than 20 years, Danny has refined the academy’s structure so lessons run smoothly, energy stays high, and everyone stays engaged. 

While primarily working with youth, Danny teaches a wide range of players, from five-year-olds to 88-year-olds, delivering roughly 25 private lessons and over 20 hours of junior academy sessions weekly. For him, coaching goes beyond teaching fundamentals. 

“What I love about working at MPTA is being able to have a positive influence on kids—from pre-novice players all the way through to college—as well as on adults,” Danny said. “I’ve built many personal relationships and feel like a second father or a cool uncle they can turn to for help or guidance.” 

The Core of His Coaching

Danny’s coaching philosophy is rooted in honesty, hard work, patience, respect, and discipline. “The types of players we want to send out into the real world are great human beings,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate not just to have talented tennis players, but extraordinary people—whether they become doctors, lawyers, politicians, parents, spouses, or coaches.” These principles, he believes, drive success on the court and shape the kind of people his players become off it.

Sportsmanship is non-negotiable, and at the academy, so are cheating and quitting. “We make sure the kids understand that what you do on the court—and off the court—matters,” Danny explained. “Whether it’s making calls, treating others with respect, or showing good character, your behavior reflects on our academy. We do not tolerate racquet throwing, striking balls against fences, negative attitudes, profanity, or similar behavior. These standards are emphasized every day, no matter how talented a player is.”

Over the years, Danny has learned that coaching extends beyond teaching tennis—its foundation lies in relationships and trust.

“Students and parents should always be able to trust that you have the player’s best interests in mind,” Danny emphasized. “Creating a safe environment so everyone can develop, including parents, is equally as significant. From day one, you must establish the coach’s role, the students’ role, and especially the parents’ role in the player’s development.”

While on-court success is important to Danny, he places equal emphasis on achievement beyond tennis. His players often carry the lessons they learn on the court into other areas of life, preparing them for future challenges. “Many of our students excel academically, manage their time effectively, volunteer, and bring these habits into college and beyond,” Danny noted. “We have one of the highest average GPAs around, and when they transition to college, they often find it surprisingly smooth because of the routines and discipline they’ve developed here.”

One of his favorite parts of coaching is witnessing his students’ long-term journeys—from learning the basics of a racquet to graduating, starting families, and passing on their love of tennis. Many of his players return to share their experiences with younger students and offer guidance along the way. For Danny, the most rewarding moments come from seeing his students flourish not just as athletes, but as people.

Leading by Example 

Danny lives the discipline he teaches. His weekday mornings start at 5 a.m. walking his dog before a 90-minute gym session. He teaches private lessons, returns home for errands, and supports his parents with appointments and daily needs. He spends weekends competing in high-level USTA-NTRP singles and doubles tournaments—reaching as high as No. 1 in Southern California and No. 4 nationally in Men’s 18+ 5.0 singles, as well as No. 1 in Southern California and No. 2 nationally in Men’s 18+ 4.5 doubles. 

Outside tennis, he enjoys drag racing, collecting watches and shoes, and spending time with family, close friends, and his dog, Enzo—creating balance he brings back to coaching.

Like tennis, fitness has long been a cornerstone of his life. Training daily at Ark Fit in Santa Ana, he integrates health and wellness into both his personal routine and the academy’s programs. By holding himself to high standards he shows his students what consistency looks like. Through it all, Danny’s routine, energy, and engagement serve as a living example. 

Building Champions On and Off the Court

Danny’s impact is reflected in the players he’s helped shape at Match Point. He credits the academy’s collaborative environment for its success. “It’s always been a team effort,” he said. “We celebrate not just great players, but extraordinary people.”

Among those who have trained under him are West Covina’s Ernesto Escobedo, a former top 70 ATP player, who remembers starting at Match Point as a seven-year-old: “Danny is one of the best coaches out there in the area. He’s always made it very fun to work with him. I was always looking forward to the days I was going to Match Point and he was there. He really introduces the game very well, making you want to practice more and get better.”

Orange native Solymar Colling, now a professional player, learned balance through Danny’s guidance. “Danny has helped me so much throughout my junior career. He always reminded me to have fun and enjoy life too because I was always way too serious and overthought so much. And I’m really grateful for that because he is someone that is always living in the present and that’s something I try to implement in my own life,” said the four-time All-WCC Singles honoree and three-time All-WCC Doubles selection at the University of San Diego. “I also really valued his honesty! That’s my number value and Danny and the other coaches at Match Point always always held honesty and integrity as the most important values to have. He also has amazing discipline and showed up fully -day in day out- to us juniors and that made it easy for the player to want to do the same. So I’m forever grateful to Danny and so grateful also to still have a good relationship with him to this day. He is an amazing coach, mentor, and friend.”

Former top 30 WTA player and USC Trojan Kaitlyn Christian highlighted the lessons she carried beyond tennis: “Working with Danny taught me the importance of discipline, consistency, and showing up with intent every single day, she said. “That work ethic shaped how I approach both tennis and life.” 

Danny also points to Advik Mareedu, who grew up training at Match Point and now ranks No. 1 nationally in NCAA Division III for Claremont McKenna College, as a reflection of the academy’s continued excellence in player development. Match Point Tennis Academy has produced a No. 1 national player in every collegiate division, with Advik being the latest example.

Serving His Community

For Danny, his impact extends beyond the court. Over the past 15 years, he has dedicated time to volunteering at children’s hospitals and charitable organizations, raising more than $140,000 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) alone. 

“Volunteering started as a requirement in high school, but it became a 15-year journey that brought meaning and perspective to my life,” he said. “I was going through a rough patch in my life, and being at CHOC made the missing part in my life complete. Seeing children face challenges with positivity and resilience reminds me—and my students—that setbacks on the court are small compared to life’s bigger struggles. I try to bring those lessons to the academy, helping students navigate rough days and appreciate the opportunities they have.”

Those lessons now guide how he mentors his players. “I try to bring those feelings to the academy,” he added. “When students have rough days and think it’s all falling apart, I remind them how life could be different, like those kids at the hospital who battle every day. It’s meaningful for me to share that perspective with my players and anyone who feels life isn’t going their way.”

He has also supported smaller charities in Lebanon, earning recognition for his efforts before the pandemic. On top of that, he has sought ways to create opportunities for young people who might not otherwise have access to organized sports, including launching a team for students at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), which has run every fall and spring for a decade. 

Advice and Reflections

For aspiring coaches Danny emphasizes staying relatable to students and connected to the sport—whether through playing, competing, or staying active. He encourages teaching strong foundations rather than replicating one’s personal style to allow each student to develop a game built on solid fundamentals. Discipline, he adds, is the ultimate difference-maker. 

“The failures and the successes will shape you not just as a player or coach, but as a person,” he says. “It develops character traits that are tremendously valuable in life. The key to life, in general, is discipline. Many people rely on motivation, but that is often temporary and doesn’t deliver the long-term results or goals you want. Discipline keeps you on track, both physically and mentally.” 

Reflecting on his journey, Danny takes special pride in the lasting impact he has had on the students and families he has worked with over the years, watching them grow. Life, for him, is about helping others, building meaningful relationships, and giving back to the community. He feels that his role is not to just teach tennis, but to guide people in becoming disciplined, resilient, and compassionate—on the court and beyond.

Danny Salloum’s career demonstrates how coaching, when combined with empathy, integrity, and dedication, can inspire growth far beyond trophies and rankings. Through his leadership at Match Point Tennis Academy, he continues to shape athletes into skilled players and extraordinary human beings.