Staff
Meet Gonzalo Garcia-Nieto, Director of Racquets at Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club
Born in Madrid and raised in Barcelona, Gonzalo Garcia-Nieto brings a lifelong dedication to tennis, a high-performance playing background, and a modern coaching philosophy to Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, where he leads the racquets program with a focus on player development, enjoyment, and community engagement.
Gonzalo developed through Spainโs elite tennis system, working under former ATP Tour professionals Jordi Burillo (career-high ATP No. 43) and David de Miguel (career-high ATP No. 81). From a young age, he was selected into the Catalan Tennis Federation and later recruited to represent the prestigious Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, one of Spainโs most historic and competitive clubs.
He continued his tennis journey in the United States at the collegiate level, competing at Tennessee Tech University before transferring to Lipscomb University, where he completed his college playing career while contributing to the programโs continued competitive growth.
Gonzalo then transitioned into coaching, beginning at MBA Tennis Academy in Spain, where he worked directly with Burillo and de Miguel developing high-performance junior and tournament players. He later moved into NCAA Division I coaching as Assistant Coach at Jacksonville State University, where he was actively involved in player development, recruiting support, and match preparation at the collegiate level.
Prior to joining Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, Gonzalo served as Head Racquets Professional at The Village Club of Sands Point on Long Island, where he led tennis and platform tennis programming and worked closely with members of all ages and levels.
In platform tennis, Gonzalo competes at a national level and is ranked among the top platform tennis professionals in the country, bringing high-level competitive experience directly into his programming and instruction.
Gonzalo is PTR Certified and brings a well-rounded coaching background across tennis and platform tennis, with a strong emphasis on helping players improve, stay engaged, and enjoy the game in a positive and structured club environment.
At Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, his mission is to build a strong, inclusive racquets culture, where tennis and platform tennis are accessible, enjoyable, and competitive for all members, and where players are supported in their long-term development while maintaining a vibrant club experience.