Tennis coach Sebastian Eguez Paz chatted about his respected career in the sport of tennis.
He has been actively involved in tennis since 2005, starting in Bolivia, Santa Cruz. He played at Michigan Northwood University and transferred to Northern Arizona University’s Division 1. His highest ATP ranking was 1172 playing most tournaments internationally.
Thanks to his connections abroad and years of training, he was able to play with Coco Gauff, Victoria Azarenka, and Elizabeth Mandlik, among others. In 2021, he qualified with one of his players to the US Open meeting Djokovic, Humbert, Monfils, and coaching with Hana Mandlikova. He lives with his wife and their mix dog in Florida, Delray Beach.
“I have been playing tennis since I am 10 years old,” he said. “I grew up in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I started coaching while I was playing professional in 2019. I did coaching because I needed money for my travels. As you know, tennis is a very expensive sport especially if you pursue the dream to be in the Top 100 one day.”
He is drawn to the sport for several reasons. “I really love that doesn’t matter what the score is, the match can turn around at any moment. The game is so tactical and sometimes I feel that is like playing chess but much better,” he said.
On his plans for the future, he shared, “Going to the next three slams of the year with Elizabeth “Elli” Mandlik as her Coach. I have not yet been to the French Open and Wimbledon, so I am extremely excited for those slams.”
Regarding his daily motivations as a tennis coach, he remarked, “The fact that I can change the life of my player; mentally, financially, and emotionally. I really enjoy giving confidence and see progress very fast. I am very competitive so I work as hard as I can because I want that my player perform as best as possible.”
When asked about his proudest professional moments in the sport, he responded, “I would say as a coach when I brought Elli from 695 WTA to 119 WTA in a year and on top of that, having match point against the former number 2 Paula Badosa”.
For young and aspiring tennis players, he said, “Everyone can do it as long as they train with intensity and they give their 100 percent every day.”
On his definition of the word success, he said, “Success means achieving goals that take you closer to your dream. Having success in life would be able to do what you love and live out of it.”
“Tennis is a very hard sport that many people do not understand,” he admitted. “There are so many sacrifices that no one really see them unless they are also very deep in the professionalism. All these athletes deserve the best and only the best because they lost so many things to able to be where they are. It is something admirable that the world should see it.”
To learn more about Sebastian Eguez Paz, follow him on Instagram.
