9 Tennis coaches & instructors for lessons in Montecito, 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. 🎾🙂

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.

Elevate your tennis game with my 16 years of playing experience. As a former collegiate athlete, I bring unique insights to help you reach your full potential on the court. My passion lies in fostering a fun and challenging learning environment for players of all levels.

"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.

Donatella Biscayart, a passionate tennis player from France, brings over a decade of experience in the sport to her teaching. Having honed her skills since the age of 7, she offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her students. With a patient and encouraging approach, Donatella ensures that her students not only learn the technical aspects of tennis but also find joy and fulfillment in the game.

"She is an amazing instructor! I already played a little tennis but she really helped my technique. I feel way more confident in my tennis skills. She is also so sweet definitely recommend!

I'm a student athlete from Brazil, currently playing college tennis in the USA.I have been playing tennis for over 10 years and have a strong passion for the game.I have experience working at summer camps and giving private lessons to players all ages and levels.I also offer hitting sessions for players who want a consistent and competitive practice partner, I'm very patient, respectful and focused on helping each player improve in a positive and supportive environment.

"very nice man!!! Was super informative and very patient with me

As a former Division 1 athlete with two decades of experience, I bring a unique blend of high-level skill and passionate instruction to the court. My coaching style emphasizes building a strong technical foundation while fostering a love for the game in a fun and supportive environment. Let's work together to elevate your game and unlock your full potential on the court!

"To Whom It May Concern, My name is Ariel Ricasata, a parent and a 26-year Veteran of the United States Navy. I am writing this letter for the purpose of making a personal recommendation for Mr. Jose Arreola, whom I have known as a tennis player and a tennis coach for over four years. Particularly, he coached the boys' and girls' tennis team for Port Hueneme high school. After thoughtful considerations about his technical proficiencies in tennis along with his notable credentials with his tennis coaching job at the high school, I asked him to privately coach my two young children to further develop their tennis skills. I did this because I saw the necessary skill sets in him not only to coach tennis but his interpersonal skills. It is my strong belief that anyone seeking these valuable skills will strongly benefit from what Mr. Arreola has to offer. For almost three decades of my military career, 1 have developed a keen ability in evaluating people's character by their capacity to communicate and how they carry themselves. Mr. Arreola displays those vital elements. I find him passionate as a tennis coach and a mentor to children seeking guidance not only in sports but in life. As a tennis counselor, he knows how to listen and provide effective plans to achieve positive results. I am especially impressed with Mr. Arreola's ability to evaluate and actively attend to the needs of his players and tennis clients. He is naturally resourceful in creating training processes and is a problem solver in matters pertaining to training progression. He has instinctive abilities to harness the mental and physical strengths of students and use those to continue to improve people by providing clear, timely, and achievable results. Consequently, both my children excelled highly in the field of athletics (not only in tennis) but more importantly, my children truly enjoyed the demanding training journey with Mr. Arreola. Based on my experience and personal accounts of his overall expertise that produced outstanding results for my children in a highly demanding athletic program, it is my complete satisfaction to provide the highest endorsement for Mr. Jose Arreola for positions that require judicious guidance, productive training, constructive counseling, high-level coaching, comprehensive evaluating, and top-notch mentoring. I have no doubt that he will uphold any charges given to him and highly excel expectations. Since Dione

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)

Dylan is a dedicated coach focused on building excellence through discipline, consistency, and mindset. He develops both skill and character, blending strong fundamentals with motivation and accountability. Committed to growth, he helps athletes build confidence, sharpen performance, and develop habits that create lasting success on and off the court.

"Dylan was extremely helpful and super kind. Turned me into a beast on the court

I’m a passionate tennis coach who works with both junior and adult players of all levels. Whether you’re a competitive junior aiming to play in college, an adult looking to improve your game, or someone picking up tennis for the first time, I tailor each lesson to your individual goals. My coaching style is energetic, supportive, and focused on long-term improvement while making each lesson enjoyable and productive.