Tennis Coaches & Pros
Frank Salazar
Senior Director of Tennis for the MTTC
Frank is the mastermind of a High-Performance training and mentoring method now being offered at the MAC. This program and philosophy were created to develop world class junior tennis players, high level collegians, and professional tennis players. Since its inception Frank has developed: over 200 nationally ranked players, 30 National Champions, 5 Junior players ranked top 10 in the world.
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements:
2011-2017 coached Frances Tiafoe who has held a ranking as high as 11 in the world and is currently regarded as one of the top United States players on the ATP tour.
2011-2017 coached Usue Arconada who achieved #5 World Ranking for Junior ITF
2010 coached the #3, #5, and #12 junior players in the world (Denis Kudla, Mitchell Frank, Junior Ore) as well as the #5 Girl’s player in the world (Trice Capra).
2002-2004 coached #1 and #5 boys players ranked in the United States (Billy Mertz and Treat Huey)
2008 United States Olympic Developmental Coach of the Year, by the USTA
Playing Career Accomplishments
- 1986 Junior Orange Bowl Champion
- 4 Time National Champion
- Ranked #1 in the world in 1986
Education:
Clemson University: Full Tennis Scholarship playing #1 Singles and Doubles
B.A, Communications
Fun Fact:
Climbed and summited Mount Kilimanjaro in 2008
Tomas Hlavaty
Director of Adult Tennis Programming
Since joining the MAC in 2008, Tomas has been involved in developing all areas of MAC tennis programs from high performance players, Junior tennis and adult programming where he coached many NSL women’s and men’s teams.
“I’m very patient and a good listener. I implement these two qualities to help players achieve their goals and aspirations with tennis, whatever they may be for each person.” My dream ever since I was 12 years old was to work in a year-round, “real tennis club environment” because I didn’t have anything like that when I was growing up in middle school in the Czech Republic. During the winters, my dad practiced with me on a small volleyball court at my middle school.”
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements
- Coached numerous Men’s and Women’s Teams to win their North Shore League Division.
- Takes a highly personalized approach to each player’s needs, desires and aspirations in elevating their tennis game.
- Works with players from where they are now to where they want to go with their game in the future.
- Thrives on helping people to get better and making a positive difference in people’s tennis.
- “I love tennis and helping people achieve and attain their goals whether it’s to move up in a league or simply improve their game.”
Notable Career Highlights
- Top Nationally ranked Junior in his home country of Czech Republic where he won many National Tournaments.
- Early Teaching career was in Great Britain and the Czech Republic before coming to the US in 2005.
- In 2008 Tomas received an award from USPTA for the 2008 Open Players of the Year.
- Tomas is certified by USPTA, USTA high performance coach, USPTR and USRSA tennis racquet stringer.
- Tomas was also the official racquet stringer for professional tennis of Boston Lobsters in 2014.
Education:
- BS, Sport and Movement Science, Salem State University
- MS & MBA, Sport Management, Southern New Hampshire University, Sport Management
Fun Facts about Tomas
- “You can’t be serious!” At the Men’s ATP Tennis Hall of Fame Tournament in Newport, RI 2008, Tomas was a line judge and had his 15 seconds of fame being yelled at by John McEnroe.
- Tomas can hit a ‘tweener’ on demand.
Daniel Quiceno
Junior Development Manager
Daniel maintained a #1 junior ranking from age 8-18 in his native country of Colombia. He worked at the Bollettieri Academy at age of 18 as a hitting partner for such players as Tommy Haas, Xavier Malise and Maria Sharapova. Daniel graduated from Troy University with a degree in finance.Daniel is our Junior Development Program Manager and his ability to work effectively to work with groups of kids and to set up situations for skill acquisition for players is unparalleled. Daniel’s leadership for the JDP program has been critical for its stability and consistency of player development on the entry pathway.
Dan enjoys tranquility and he especially likes to visit family and his home country.
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements
- Daniel worked at the Bollettieri Academy at the age of 18 as a hitting partner for such players as Tommy Haas, Xavier Malise and Maria Sharapova.
- His ability to work effectively with groups of kids and to set up situations for skill acquisition for players is unparalleled.
Playing Career Accomplishments
- Daniel maintained a #1 junior ranking from ages 8-18 in his native country of Colombia.
- Represented Colombia in numerous International tournaments.
- Competed in Men’s Futures Circuit from age 16 to 25.
Education
Troy University, Alabama, Full Tennis Scholarship
B.S., Finance
Todd Carpenter
Tennis Professional, Pickle & Paddle Coordinator
Over the two decades Todd has been at th eMAC, he served as Director of Tennis or Adult Tennis Director for 16 of the years and now adds Pickle & Paddle Coordinator to his area of influence and zone of genius.
Todd is most proud of his three remarkable daughters with whom he resides in Manchester, MA.
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements
- Todd began his career at MAC as a tennis professional in 2001.
- Todd and his MAC colleagues assembled a very talented staff that in turn created one of the best and highly recognized tennis programs in New England.
- This program was selected by the USTA to be one of only 8 USTA Certified Regional Training Centers in the country.
- Todd is instrumental in working with the adult program and adult teams. He has coached and participated on dozens of teams that have won league, district, and sectional championships.
- Recognized for establishing MAC Paddle in 2019.
Playing Career Accomplishments
- Todd grew up playing and training at the MAC. One of his first coaches was our own Hall of Fame coach, Avis Murray.
- He was a New England ranked junior who went on to play collegiate tennis at Merrimack College before transferring to Boston College.
Education
Bachelor’s – Major, Boston College
Master’s – Major
Avis Murray
Master Pro, Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee
Avis has been a member of the tennis staff in many capacities since the club opened in 1973. She is the club’s traveling coach for the North Shore Women’s Teams. Avis has attained the highest rating of Master Professional in the United States Professional Tennis Association and has been inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame and has received an abundance of awards both in New England and Nationally. Avis is truly in a league of her own in Tennis world, her her entire life has been devoted to the game. We are extremely fortunate to have her wisdom passed on to our coaches and to receive the benefit of her tireless writing feedback for the women’s teams that she watches every week. Avis also has a very popular mental conditioning course that she has developed and runs annually. Our indoor courts have been named in her honor, “Avis Murray Tennis Courts”.
Career Highlights
- Avis has been a member of the tennis staff in many capacities since the club opened in 1973.
- She is the club’s traveling coach for the North Shore Women’s Teams.
- Avis has attained the highest rating of Master Professional in the United States Professional Tennis Association and has been inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame
- She has received an abundance of awards both in New England and Nationally.
- Avis is truly in a “league of her own” in the tennis world, as her entire life has been devoted to the game.
- Our indoor courts are named in her honor, “Avis Murray Tennis Courts”.
Other Notable Highlights
- We are extremely fortunate to have her wisdom passed on to our coaches and to receive the benefit of her tireless writing feedback for the women’s teams that she watches every week.
- Avis also has a very popular mental conditioning course that she has developed and runs annually. Born and raised playing on the public courts on Gloucester Harbor.
Playing Career Accomplishments
Born and raised playing on the public courts on Gloucester Harbor.
Education
US Army Veteran
Fun Facts About Avis
Avis was a contender for All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Claudine Watson
Director-USTA Tournaments, Tennis & Pickleball Pro
For almost thirty years, Claudine Watson has had many leadership roles at the MAC including many years of working with all of our North Shore league teams. She has been instrumental in developing and launching many of the programs that we are still running today. Claudine currently is responsible for all USTA tournaments throughout the calendar year and under her leadership we have attained several National Junior Tournaments. Currently she teaches tennis as well as organizing a robust Pickleball program at the club.
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements
- Started the first USTA League at the MAC and personally traveled to many USTA Districts, sectional and National Championships
- Played competitive Doubles and loves coaching doubles strategy both in pickle and tennis.
- Claudine was instrumental in our ability to host Level 3 and National Junior Level tournaments at the MAC
- Claudine grew up in Belgium and learned to walk on a clay tennis court at home.
Education
Education Brussels University, School of Journalism
Wheaton College, course in economics and business
Fun Facts about Claudine
Claudine married a US citizen and moved to the States at age 19, had three children by the time she was 28 and currently balances her life between her love for teaching tennis and pickleball with her love of her 6 grandchildren!
Nic Sabbatini
Staff professional, Men’s League Coordinator
Propelled by his passion for the game, Nic started playing tennis at the age of 3 and experienced significant success in Juniors in his home country of Argentina.
Nic has spent 18+ years honing his skills in leadership and teaching tennis. He’s been directing and managing at academies and country clubs since 2004, including the Evert Academy. The most important things to Nic are family, friends, his Argentinian heritage and soccer.
“Nic is a consummate professional and one of the most prolific teachers and coaches of the game of tennis today”
Joe Brandi, former coach of Pete Sampras
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements
- Traveled with numerous Junior and Professional players and coached Alexandra Panova (World #71).
- PTR certified coach as well as certified as a strength, speed, power, and endurance coach.
- Following his decorated college career, Nic received numerous honors with regards to teaching and coaching tennis including:
- Best Instruction Business Award for the town of Rye, NY.
- Tester of the Year by the Professional Tennis Registry.
Playing Career Accomplishments
- Started playing tennis at the age of 3.
- #3 in Singles and #1 in Doubles Junior rankings in Argentina.
- Played in multiple ITF junior tournaments in Europe and the U.S., and reaching the semi-finals of The Milano Open.
- For three consecutive years, reached the finals of the NAIA Collegiate National Championship while representing Auburn University.
- His success at the collegiate level was recognized in both 2000 and 2001 as he was nominated as an All-American in both singles and doubles.
Education
Auburn University, Full Tennis Scholarship
B.S., Economics
MBA with concentration in Finance
Wil Daly
Staff Professional
Wil’s philosophy is that, first of all, to be effective, learning has to be fun.
In Adult Start he focuses on the basics of the swing. We want to create a swing that is both correct and repeatable, because when you start playing we want you to focus on where you are going to hit it, not how you are going to hit it.
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements
Wil spent 35 years in banking holding senior positions in two of America’s top banks before assuming his dream job here at the MAC. “It can’t be work if I’m having this much fun.”
Playing Career Accomplishments
Wil played competitively and was a ranked Junior player in Southern California.
Education
Hobart College , Geneva, New York, B.A. American History
Fun Fact about Wil
Was a Pilot, United States Marine Corps…….seemed like a good idea at the time!
Pavle Drobnjakovic
Staff Professional
Pavle loves to finish everyday knowing his students learned something and that they took one more step toward their tennis and life goals while having fun. His students are competitive with themselves, willing to learn and get something out of every lesson.
Pavle excels in communicating with his students – seeing their energy that day; asking them a lot of different questions.
He loves to incorporate Incorporates humor into his work – even though students think he looks serious at first.
Notable Coaching + Mentoring Achievements
- Coaching teaching across the US since 2017
- Coached in his home town and country of Belgrade, Serbia, until age 18.
- Coaches all levels from beginners, young children, adults.
- Excels working with Juniors 10-18 before they go to college to develop them as much as possible as people and players, who grow on and off the court.
Playing Career Accomplishments
- Ranked in Top 3 in Serbia 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s.
- Won Team National Champion 14, 16, 18 and Seniors (All ages)
- Played Junior tournaments in many countries across his homeland region: Croatia, Hungry, Slovenia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Albania
- ITA Scholar Athlete every year at undergraduate college (for academic achievement)
Education
Scholar College athlete at Nicholls State University, 1st Team All-Conference Player, 2022
BS – Finance, Nicholls State University, Louisiana
MBA – Finance, Lindenwood University, St. Louis, MO
Fun Fact about Pavle
If I had to travel every week, pack and unpack my bags every week, I’d be very willing to do that. I love traveling and seeing new places. Thailand is high on my list to visit.