Private Lessons & Coaches in University Of California Santa Barbara, CA

COACH AT MERION CRICKET CLUB Driven by a lifelong love of tennis, I bring 18 years of experience to the court, honed from my time as a college player. I'm passionate about fostering a fun, engaging environment where players of all levels can improve their skills and deepen their love for the game.

"I really enjoyed working with Ilias as he was a great coach who made the lesson engaging and fun. The session helped me focus on improving my technique while keeping things enjoyable. If you’re looking for a friendly and effective tennis lesson, I’d recommend giving Ilias a try! You won’t be disappointed. 🎾🙂

I fell in love with pickleball in 2023, and it quickly became my healthy obsession. The game helped me shed over 100 pounds, sharpen my skills through lessons, and inspired me to pursue PCI Certification. Now, I share that passion by teaching beginners and intermediates of all ages—helping them learn the rules, build confidence, and discover just how addictive and fun pickleball can be.

"Thank you Tamara for your great spirit and feedback. Looking forward to today's lesson!

With over a decade on the court, I cultivate skills in players of all levels. My experience as a seasoned player allows me to provide unique insights and personalized coaching strategies. I'm patient and will provide good rallies and strong feedback. Let's elevate your tennis game!

"Hunter is very professional and helpful. On the class he can tell immediately what I need to improve, and he knows what kind of training can solve that problem for me.

As a College tennis player, I have successfully honed my skills on and off the tennis court and I now help students gain that same knowledge and skill by sharing what I’ve learned in my past 4 years of training with former D1 Players, I'm dedicated to enhancing your tennis game through my experience and guidance.

"Great person and great teacher!

I'm passionate about sharing my love for tennis with players of all levels. As an experienced player with 9 years of playing experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a dedication to helping you reach your full potential on the court. Let's work together to refine your game in a fun, supportive environment.

With over three decades of surfing experience (and surf filmmaking), I offer tailored coaching for all skill levels, grounded in a deep understanding of wave dynamics and technique. As a life-long amateur surfer, I blend passion with precision, ensuring a safe, effective, and enjoyable learning journey. I'm an expert longboarder but have also worked with top tier shortboard athletes doing footage capture/analysis for style, power, flow. Whatever your level or goals are, I'm eager to help out and have some fun.

Energetic lessons with quality over quantity approach. Proven track record for recreational or competitive players. Top 10 WTA Hitting Partner Top 100 ATP Hitting Partner Biomechanics specialist to ensure your strokes produce maximum output catered to your body archetype (not one player is the same approach) Learned from Top 10 academy in the world Now bringing Juniors to D1 level and Bringing D1 athletes to Pro level! Currently a traveling coach for 3 Pros in ITF/ ATP circuit

"Darian is patient, helpful, and kind even when I feel uncoordinated and clumsy. He’s strengthened my technique with precision. He’s quite particular about the technique, but it works. One thing I need to work on now is my own stamina, and then i’ll be a noticeably stronger tennis player than I was before I started meeting with Darian.

With over 35 years of coaching experience and a lifelong passion for racquet sports, Dimitar Yazadzhiev has dedicated his career to helping athletes unlock their full potential. His journey includes a decade of coaching at the world-renowned Weil Tennis Academy and more than 16 years leading his own academy in Santa Barbara, working with players of all ages and levels — from beginners discovering the game to elite professionals competing on the world stage. Throughout his career, Dimitar has coached and trained Top 50 ATP and WTA players, including Grigor Dimitrov, Ana Tatishvili, Rebecca Marino, Sesil Karatancheva, and Ksenia Milevskaya, helping them refine their game and reach peak performance. He has also represented Bulgaria as a National Player in the 50+ division, competing twice at the European Pickleball Championships in England and Italy — demonstrating his passion and skill in both tennis and pickleball. What sets Dimitar apart is his unique blend of elite coaching and over 25 years in the luxury hospitality industry, having worked with prestigious resorts such as the Ojai Valley Inn and the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. This combination allows him to deliver not only world-class instruction but also a five-star, service-driven experience where every player feels valued and inspired. At Dimitar Tennis & Pickleball, he focuses on private instruction and customized training programs, blending technical precision, strategy, fitness, and mental focus — all delivered with warmth, professionalism, and personal attention. Mission: To help players of all ages and skill levels train smarter, compete stronger, and enjoy the game more fully — in an atmosphere that feels both welcoming and world-class.

""I have been practicing at Dimitar Tennis Academy from day one, and I am proud to say that I have made the right decision staying there. Dimitar is a very experienced coach who gives each player lots of personal attention, and also pushes them to utilize every second they spend on the court. Dimitar Tennis Academy offers a perfect combination of mental and physical training that prepares a player well for an upcoming tournament. It is also a place where any level of player can practice and rapidly improve. Over my years at DTA, I have felt my game solidify and consistently improve. Also, I have seen many others around me improve at a rate I didn’t think was possible. A great thing about the courts at Hilton Beachfront Resort is that they are a few hundred feet away from the beach. Their location really gives each player a more enjoyable time out on the court. On top of my game improving from training with Dimitar, practicing at DTA has also made me a better person. I believe that anybody who decides to train at Dimitar Tennis Academy will experience the best tennis program in Santa Barbara and will also become a better individual." (Peter Jivkov)

I’m a tennis coach based in Santa Barbara with three summers of coaching experience, including UCSB’s summer tennis camp and my current role at Santa Barbara Tennis Club. I work with players of all ages and levels — from juniors building fundamentals to adults sharpening their game — and I’m currently pursuing my USPTA/PTR certification. I played college tennis and bring that competitive background into every lesson, focusing on technique, strategy, and making the game fun. Whether you’re just starting out or want to take your game to the next level, I’d love to get on court with you. 📍 Santa Barbara | Private lessons & hit sessions available

"Dylan is great, really excellent at building technique and fun to train with.

I've been on a thrilling pickleball journey, transforming into a formidable 4.5 player. My passion for this exciting sport aligns with my commitment to continuous improvement. Beyond the court, I bring my expertise as a fitness trainer to the game, dedicating 15 hours weekly to playing and drilling. This unique combination allows me to not only master the intricacies of pickleball but also to enhance players' skills through fitness-focused strategies. Whether you're looking to improve your game and fitness or simply enjoy the exhilarating world of pickleball, I'm here to guide you on this exciting journey. Let's hit the court and elevate your pickleball experience together!

"Thanks to Marcus guidance, I’ve experienced remarkable improvement in my pickleball game!”"