Coaches at MatchTough Tennis Academy

At Match Tough Tennis Academy, our coaching team is the heartbeat of our commitment to tennis excellence. Led by the visionary Head Coach, Tim Schnaible, our coaches are more than instructors; they are mentors, champions, and passionate advocates for the sport. With a collective wealth of experience both as players and educators, our coaching staff brings a dynamic blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of the mental aspects of the game. Each coach is dedicated to nurturing the unique potential of every player, fostering an environment that not only develops tennis skills but also instills values of discipline, sportsmanship, and a genuine love for the sport. From beginners taking their first swing to advanced players fine-tuning their game, our coaching team at Match Tough Tennis Academy is committed to guiding every player on their journey to success on the tennis court.

Tim Schnaible
Owner and Founder, Match Tough Tennis Academy

Tim Schnaible is the Owner and Founder of Match Tough Tennis Academy, bringing over 25 years of professional coaching experience to the court. He has been named USPTA Pro of Year as well as a graduate of the USTA High Performance Coaching Program. Tim's innovative training techniques and profound understanding of the game have helped develop numerous nationally ranked junior, college, and professional players. His students have gone on to play college tennis at USC, Stanford, Georgia, and Princeton just to name a few. One of his most notable success stories is coaching Sam Querrey, former ATP World #11, through his formative years. Tim's commitment to excellence and personalized coaching approach have earned Match Tough Tennis Academy a reputation for producing top-tier tennis talent. His passion for tennis and dedication to his students ensure that each player achieves their highest potential both on and off the court. 

Ivan Santamaria
Director - Junior Player Development, Match Tough Tennis Academy

Ivan Santamaria stands out as a highly esteemed tennis coach with over twenty years of expertise, boasting an impressive coaching career that spans across junior, collegiate, and professional levels. His wealth of experience has been instrumental in guiding numerous top juniors and professionals to success, playing a pivotal role in shaping the career of Sabrina Santamaria. Sabrina, a 2013 NCAA champion and a two-time WTA doubles champion, currently thrives on the WTA Pro Tour with a career-high ranking of #53 in the WTA doubles rankings. Among the other notable players that Ivan has coached are Zoe Katz (USC), Brynn Boren (Tennessee/USC), Kaitlyn Christian (USC), Yuki Chiang (Pepperdine), and Shintaro Okano (NYU).

Danny Barrera - USPTA Certified Pro
Tennis Director, Match Tough Tennis Academy

Danny Barrera brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role as Tennis Director at Match Tough Tennis Academy. With over 15 years of coaching expertise, Danny has proven his ability to connect with players of all ages and skill levels, fostering a positive and motivating learning environment. An accomplished tennis player himself, Danny competed at the collegiate level for Pierce College, known for his strategic play and exceptional doubles skills. He also served as the head coach of the Birmingham High School tennis team, where he further honed his coaching abilities. Dedicated to continuous improvement and well-regarded for creating a fun and engaging atmosphere, Danny's deep understanding of the game from both a player and coaching perspective makes him a valuable asset to Match Tough Tennis Academy. His expertise, passion, and dedication to the sport make him an ideal coach for players looking to elevate their game.

Ulysses "U.J." Neri
Head Tennis Pro, Match Tough Tennis Academy

Ulysses “U.J.” Neri is a USPTA Tennis Professional with over 10 years of coaching experience with a 5.0 player rating. He specializes in juniors & beginner/intermediate adults to develop players’ on court strategy and stroke development. He has personally coached hundreds of sectional and nationally ranked juniors. He has extensive knowledge of the Quick Start program, “Live Ball”, and enjoys putting together Tennis Club events. Great knowledge in hosting Team and Social Tournaments.

U.J. has the passion as a player and coach to provide his clients with high quality tennis programming and instruction. His coaching philosophy is first and foremost to engage his clients and make sure they are having fun while learning tennis skills for a purpose.  He also enjoys coaching players to gain the ability to execute drills, tactics and strategy learned in lessons successfully through to a competition setting. As a result of his motivation and commitment to the sport, U.J. was named USPTA District 3 PRO of the Year in 2013. Formerly the Asst. Tennis Director at La Canada Flintridge Country Club and the current Asst. Coach for Glendale Comm. College Women’s Tennis Team. Also just finished the USTA Player Development – 2019 High Performance Coaching Program held in Carson, CA. Many years of great experience in a High-end Luxury Country Club & Tennis Club setting. He believes in being a diplomatic Team player able to foster relationships with members, employee partners and guests.