The Team

Who We Are

Hiromi Sasano

Founder & CEO of HJK Ventures

PTR Certified High Performance.
RSPA Certified Professional.
2024 ITF World Tennis Masters Tour Champion (USA Team& Mixed Doubles)
Held All Japan Mixed Doubles and competed Professionally on the WTA tour.
In 2015 “Women’s Sportsmanship of the year” award from the USTA.
In 2016 Player of the year Award from SDTA and USTA.
National 40s Singles Champion 2016-2021.
Over 10 National Gold Balls.
Co owner of Kokage restaurant.
My passion is not only to play, but also to teach others the fundamentals necessary in order to move to the next level. I am dedicated to helping people of all ages succeed, in both sports and their personal lives. I recognizes how many people helped me growing up to get to where I am. I want to give back to the community as so many people did for me.

hjkventure@gmail.com

Matt Previdi

General Manager of HJK Ventures

2024 San Diego RSPA Star Award Winner
2024 SDDTA Coach of the Year
2025 SCTA Adult Tennis Service Award Winner
Popular public speaker, host and presenter to coaches and tennis clubs nationwide about building community, enhancing your club’s atmosphere and growing your facility and programs

Matt is thrilled to lead the adult tennis programs at UCRC. Tennis runs in his blood, and his passion for the sport is apparent within minutes of meeting him. The 250+ adults who play weekly in Balboa’s programs form the largest community for adult tennis players of any club in San Diego.

In 2019, Matt and his father Billy co-authored their first book, “The Previdi System 90 Day Doubles Diet,” which brought their systematic approach to coaching adult doubles players to the masses. Matt is also a well-known racket customizer and equipment consultant. He leads the stringing team annually at the Kalamazoo boy’s nationals, has strung Rafael Nadal’s rackets at Indian Wells, and is a racket consultant and customizer for several ATP top 50 players. Every day, Matt aims to help tennis players reduce their risk of injury and improve their performance and enjoyment of the game through targeted equipment curation. He is also the founder and administrator of “Unstrung Heroes,” the largest Facebook group for racket stringers, customizers, and tennis equipment gurus online.

mattucrctennis@gmail.com

Taylor Dupre

Assistant General Manager of HJK Ventures & Teaching Pro

Grew up in Westhampton Beach, NY, competing in the USTA Eastern Section
Represented the section in Interzonal competitions (2002–2003)
Traveled nationwide as a junior to compete in national tournaments
Earned a Division I tennis scholarship at Stetson University (Singles & Doubles, 2004–2007)
Began coaching in 2003 at Westhampton Tennis & Sport (5 summers)
Joined the John McEnroe Tennis Academy elite coaching team, working with players such as:
- Alexander Kovacevic
- Noah Rubin
- Jamie Loeb
Coaching experience in San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, and Portland Tennis Center (Oregon)
15 summers of private coaching on eastern Long Island with a longstanding global clientele
Enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with his wife and two sons
Passionate athlete: 5× marathon finisher; comes from a family of professional athletes
Wife, Caroline, played D1 tennis at the University of Kentucky; father was a pro tennis player and mother a professional skier

Vincent Michaud

Head of Junior Development

Tennis professional with 25+ years of coaching experience
Certified by the French Tennis Federation and the USPTA
Specialist in elite junior development and high-performance training
Former High Performance Head Coach, ACTA (San Diego)
Coaching experience at prestigious academies, including Saddlebrook Tennis Academy
Founder and Director, Michaud Tennis Academy (Lake Cane, Orlando, Florida)
Guided numerous players to NCAA Division I college scholarships
Mentored his daughter, a former NCAA No. 4–ranked player
Experience with the Dr. Jim Loehr Human Performance Institute, integrating mental and physical performance strategies
Coaching philosophy emphasizes long-term athlete development, mental toughness, and sustainable results
Dedicated, experienced, and results-driven professional shaping the next generation of high-performance tennis players

Greg Maier

Junior Coordinator & Teaching Pro

12 years of experience playing competitive tennis
9 years of coaching experience with Canyon Springs High School Girls’ and Boys’ Tennis teams
Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning from the University of Redlands
12 years of racquet stringing experience
Passionate about helping players of all ages and skill levels grow and develop in the sport of tennis
Dedicated to supporting players in achieving their goals while fostering a positive, inclusive, and equitable learning environment
Uses extensive on- and off-court experience to empower players to build confidence, develop skills, and learn the game through their own strengths

gregucrctennis@gmail.com

Ryan Phillips

Teaching Pro & Stringer

USTA-Certified Coach
Nearly 20 years of playing experience
Achieved top regional rankings in Southern California across multiple age divisions
10+ years of competitive match play
11 years of racquet-stringing experience
Specializes in technical development and point-play strategy
4 years of coaching, offering a thoughtful, personalized teaching approach
Adapts communication to fit each student’s learning style
Multi-sport background, using cross-sport concepts to make tennis more accessible
Enjoys photography, rock climbing, and camping in his free time

Gabbi Chernak

Teaching Pro

Former Executive Director & 10U Program Director at a leading youth tennis academy in San Diego
Specializes in fitness, yoga, and youth sports, creating inclusive and healing spaces through movement
Focused on fostering environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow
Believes movement is a catalyst for connection, transformation, and community
B.S. in Exercise Physiology, Northern Arizona University
500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (U.S. & India)
NASM Youth Exercise Specialist
Bilingual: English / Spanish
Instructor Trainer with barre3, supporting studio owners and instructors internationally
Yoga and group fitness instructor teaching Vinyasa, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, Strength, and Mindful Flow
Founder of Free To Be Yoga Retreats, hosting domestic and international retreats

gabbichernakbalboa@gmail.com

Ronald Kao

Teaching Pro

Tennis professional with 15+ years of coaching experience across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego
Works with players of all ages and levels, from first-time beginners to high-performance juniors and competitive adults
Focused on building strong fundamentals, identifying areas for improvement, and fostering long-term enjoyment of the game

Celia Durkin

Teaching Pro

Former nationally ranked junior and NCAA Division I collegiate tennis player at Stanford University
Doubles specialist with a strong competitive and tactical background
Gold Ball winner at USTA SuperNationals
Two-time All-American at Stanford
Coaching experience across private instruction, collegiate programs, club environments, and seasonal clubs
Instructor for both club programs and private households
Coaching philosophy combines elite technical expertise with clear, approachable communication
Works effectively with adults and juniors at all levels, prioritizing both development and enjoyment
PhD in Psychology with a strong emphasis on the mental and strategic aspects of tennis