Carlos Di Laura Named Touring Coach of the Year by the U.S. Professional Tennis Association

8/27/2018

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School is pleased to announce that Tennis Academy Director Carlos Di Laura has been named the Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year by the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA).

Di Laura received the Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year Award at the USPTA general membership meeting on Aug. 24 during the 2018 Tennis Teachers Conference in New York City. The Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year Award is given to those coaches who currently work with a playing professional on the ATP World Tour, WTA or a touring junior.

Originally from Peru, Di Laura has an impressive record of international coaching and tournament experience. Di Laura began competing internationally at age 13, and he won multiple Peruvian and South American championships, as well as tournament victories in Europe and North America. He was a member of the Pepperdine University team, where he was a four-time NCAA All-American, also winning an NCAA Division I title.

Di Laura has competed at Wimbledon, as well as the French and U.S. Open Tournaments. In addition, Di Laura attained an ATP Top 40 ranking in singles and a Top 20 ranking in doubles. In addition to representing Peru in the Los Angeles Olympic Games, he represented Peru in 13 years of Davis Cup play and served as team captain for more than four years.

Di Laura, who joined the St. Stephen’s Tennis Academy in 2003, holds certifications by USPTR, USTA and the RPT. Under his direction, the St. Stephen’s Tennis Academy has developed more than 50 players to NCAA DI and top D3 programs. Di Laura worked for six years with Nevin Arimilli, who was ranked No.1 in Texas in the B16 and B18 divisions and has committed to playing at The University of Texas at Austin in the fall. He also has worked with Fernanda Contreras, who represents Vanderbilt University and is ranked in the top five in the nation, along with Jake Hansen who reached a high of No. 1 in the B16s and B18s nationwide. Along with coaching some of the top collegiate athletes, he also has worked with ATP World Tour players such as Luis Horna, Ivan Miranda and Rodolfo Rake.

“I am grateful to St. Stephen’s Episcopal School for giving me the opportunity to develop successful young athletes in a competitive environment, academically and athletically,” said Di Laura. “I would also like to thank the USPTA for being chosen as the Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year.”

About the St. Stephen’s Tennis Academy

The St. Stephen’s Tennis Academy is a boarding school program that stresses rigorous college preparatory academics while providing individualized and team-based professional tennis training. The program is designed to help student players live up to their maximum potential, both athletically and academically, while developing critical life skills and having positive experiences that will stay with them forever.

About the USPTA

Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development. With more than 14,000 members worldwide, the association raises the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and promotes a greater awareness of the sport.

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