Elson De Cantuaria
MPTA Founder and Tennis Director

A native of Brazil, Elson has always been a very high achiever both athletically and academically. Elson enjoyed success very early in his tennis career.  A top State and National player in Brazil since the age of 14, Elson was awarded a full tennis scholarship to Hampton University in 1991.  At Hampton, He was one of the top players, playing most of his college years at the #1 and #2 positions.  In his freshman and sophomore years, Elson was undefeated at the # 2 position.  During that period, he won over 40 straight matches. During his college years, Elson was an All-American and ranked as high as #2 in the NCAA national singles rankings (1991) and #1 doubles (1993).  He played a major role on the Hampton Tennis Team that reached the NCAA finals on 3 consecutive years (1992-1994)

Due to innumerous injuries, Elson was not able to continue his pro career after college.  While playing his senior year through injuries he decided it was time to refocus his career.  He put all the effort and discipline, which helped him so much during his playing years, into his academics.  In December 1995, Elson graduated as the top student in the Hampton University Marketing Department and was one of the nominees for the Presidential Award.  An award granted to the University’s top student.

In 2000, after six years away from major competition, Elson was able to return to competitive tennis.  That very first year he finished #2 in the Southern California Men’s open ranking.  Since then he has continued his success even with limited playing time in the adult and senior divisions.

Highlights

• 2009, 2008, 2007- Ranked as high as #1 in the Men’s 40 in Southern California
• Ranked as high as Top 15 in the Nation
• 2005, 2004, 2003- Ranked as high as #1 in the Men’s 35 in Southern California
• Ranked as high as Top 50 in the Nation
• 2000- Ranked #2 Open player in Southern California
• 1990-1992 Ranked as high as #891 in the ATP (world) ranking
• 1990-1992 ATP Ranking and Top 20 in the Brazilian Professional Rankings
  

Nguyen Than
MPTA Junior Academy Head Coach & USPTA Certified Tennis Pro
Tennis Pro at Match Point Tennis Academy 2002-2006 and 2009-present

Nguyen was born in Saigon, Vietnam and into a racquet sport family.  His father was the National Badminton Champion of Vietnam and his eldest brother and received a full college scholarship and competed in the US Open in table tennis.

Nguyen started playing tennis at the age of 12-years-old and when he was 16, his ranking was in the top 40 in the 18s.  Unfortunately, due to an extensive wrist injury, he was sidelined for nine months.  After attending Loara High School High in Anaheim, CA, he received a tennis scholarship to Cal Poly Pomona.  He graduated in 2003 with a double major in Anthropology and Social Science. 

Highlights
High School & College

• Held best individual tennis record 2 of the 4 years at Cal Poly Pomona
• Was Captain of College team for 2 years
• During college, Nguyen won:
• Cal Poly Pomona Fall Rolex Classic
• Cal State LA NCAA Flight Tournament
• ITA Summer Circuit at Sunny Hills
• Held wins against top ranked Div II, Div III, and ITA players

Coaching and Professional

• Has been coaching professionally since 2001
• Several of his students have gone on to become highly ranked in So Cal and nationally
• Many of his past students went on to play competitive college tennis with scholarships

David Nguyen
MPTA Adult Program Coordinator & USPTA Certified Tennis Pro
At Match Point Tennis Academy since 2006

David was born in Los Angeles and started playing competitive tennis at a late age of 13. After graduating from Beverly Hills High School he attended Cal Poly Pomona on a tennis scholarship.  In 2005, David graduated with a BA Degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Marketing.  

In the academic year 2005/2006, David remained at Cal Poly as the Men and Women’s Assistant Coach.  Shortly after he joined the Match Point Tennis Academy’s team of certified tennis pros. 

In 2009, David became lead pro and coordinator for Match Point’s Adult Tennis Program and Leagues.

Highlights
High School & College

• Played on the Beverly Hills High School Varsity Team all four years
• He contributed to two CIF Championships playing both singles and doubles. 
• In the 18s, ranked in the top 40
• Attended Div II Cal Poly Pomona, ranked #15 in the nation, on a tennis scholarship
• Played #1 Singles and Doubles at Cal Poly Pomona.
• Achieved a ranking of top 30 in the nation in Singles and top 25 in Doubles.
• Awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Sportsmanship and Leadership in the Western Region.

Coaching and Professional

• Cal Poly Men's and Women's Tennis Assistant Coach in 2005/2006
• Lead Pro and Coordinator of Match Point’s Adult Tennis Program and USTA Leagues
  

Jony Chai
Assistant Tennis Pro at Match Point Tennis Academy since 2007
Began teaching tennis in 2002

Jony was born in Guang Zhou, China and began playing tennis at 10-years-old.  His athletic ability clearly came from his parents because his mother played on the Chinese National Basketball Team and his father played on the Chinese National Soccer Team.  Jony moved to California at a young age and played varsity tennis for Cerritos High School.  He then attended the University of California Riverside (UCR) where he held the best record for doubles and singles on their tennis team.  Graduating from UCR in December 2009, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  Jony has been an Assistant Coach at MPTA since 2007 and his signature trademarks are being on court at all times with his straw hat and playing his guitar at MPTA.

Highlights
High School & College

• Was ranked in the top 25 in So Cal 16s
• Was ranked in the top 40 in So Cal 18s
• Played all four years on Cerritos High School team (Freshman year as #2 and remaining three years as #1).
• Played to round of 16s for CIF individuals and in the semi-finals for CIF team playoffs
• At UCR, won the walk-on tournament, dropping only one game
• Played college #1 and #2 doubles and #6 singles and held the best record for doubles and singles

Coaching and Professional

• Assistant Coach at MPTA since 2007
• Began teaching tennis in 2002

Luciano Rodriguez
Assistant Tennis Pro at Match Point Tennis Academy since 2008 & USPTA Certified Tennis Pro

Luciano was born in Santa Ana, CA and began playing tennis when he was 4-years-old, He attended Santa Ana High School and played varsity tennis all four years. After graduation, Luciano attended and played college tennis at Fullerton College where he was #1 singles and doubles in his sophomore year. Luciano then transferred to Chapman University, in Orange, CA, on an academic scholarship. He also plays on Chapman’s tennis team and in the fall of 2009, he made it to the finals, in doubles, at the Wilson 2009 ITA Div III West Regionals.

It is interesting that Luciano began his tennis career by joining the Cabrillo Tennis Center’s NJTL (National Junior Tennis League), at age 4 and since 2003 he has been successfully coaching in that same National Junior Tennis League program.

Highlights
High School & College

• Played varsity tennis at Santa Ana High School all four years and played #1 Singles sophomore through senior year
• Qualified for CIF freshman year
• Tennis Team Captain in senior year
• Doubles Golden West League Champion senior year
• Fullerton College freshman year, played #2 Singles and #1 Doubles
• Fullerton College sophomore year, was captain of the team and played #1 singles and doubles

Coaching and Professional

• Assistant Coach at Match Point Tennis Academy since 2008
• Coach for NJTL from 2003 to present
• Coach for the City of Santa Ana community programs 2004 - 2007
• 2009 Team Tennis Spring Coach
• Participated in Vic Braden's Junior Tennis Ambassador Program

Robert Chu
Assistant Tennis Pro at Match Point Tennis Academy since 2009
Began teaching tennis in 1996

Robert was born in Long Beach, CA and began playing tennis at the age of 7-years-old.  He played tennis for La Quinta High School and was undefeated in league play going 108-0 and winning two league singles championships.  Robert attended Chapman University and in 2007 he received a B.A. in Psychology with a 3.6 GPA.  Robert has been coaching tennis since 1996.

Highlights
High School & College

• Ranked in top 10 in So Cal in each USTA Junior age divisions (Boys 10s to Boys 18s)
• Ranked in top 30 in the nation in Boys 14s and Boys 16s
• Competed at USTA Kalamazoo National Hard Courts, Fiesta Bowl, Copper Bowl, Maze Cup, and Youth vs. Experience
• USTA Junior Player Development Program Member
• Team Captain of the Chapman University Men’s Tennis Team
• Two-time NCAA All-American in singles
• Competed in the NCAA National Championships
• Ranked in the NCAA top 25 for singles
• Named to ESPN Magazine Academic All-District Team
• Played #1 singles and doubles for Chapman
• Best record for doubles and singles

Coaching and Professional

• Assistant Teaching Pro at MPTA since 2009
• Began teaching tennis in1996