MEET THE HOUSTON TENNIS ACADEMY TEAM
NIKOLAY GANTCHEV
Program Director
Koko has been involved in tennis for the last 35 years. A native of Ruse, Bulgaria, Koko began his coaching career at Tennis Club Hard in Austria in 1992, where he later became director of tennis. From 1995 until 2002, Koko was working as a full time coach on the WTA tour. He is the current co-founder of the Houston Tennis Academy and works full time with the junior program.
IVAN IVANOV
Program Director
Ivan is an ATP Tour and USPTR certified member with a Professional rating since 1999. He has been involved in Junior Development since September 2000 and is current co-founder of the Houston Tennis Academy.
In his years working with junior programs, Ivan has sent numerous players into Division I and Division II college tennis programs.
JOSE MARTINEZ
High Performance Program Director
Jose, originally from Querétaro, Mexico, is a former player of the Houston Tennis Academy, who is now a Co Director of the high performance program. Having been a top junior player and collegiate athlete, Jose now aims to apply his playing and coaching experience into helping competitive junior players maximize their potential and take their next step in their tennis career.
RACHEL PIERCE
Assistant Coach
Rachel was one of the top 20 junior players in the USTA Texas section, played D1 college tennis, and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism, minoring in kinesiology and was also named an ITA scholar-athlete by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Rachel has 10+ years of coaching experience, and at Club Westside, Rachel coaches QuickStart, Houston Tennis Academy, Adult ACE classes, private lessons, and more. She loves to work with players of all ages.
PHILLIP BLACK
Assistant Coach
Coming soon
TIM KUO
High Performance Coach
Bio coming son
SARA SABLIC
Quick Start Director
Bio coming soon