THE ACADEMY
Director, and former UNM Lobo standout, Johnny Kowalski offers you a world class tennis and fitness program geared to help your child become the best player he or she can be. LPTA’s high quality staff of tennis professionals is dedicated to helping your child improve both on and off the court.
LPTA offers a very diverse training routine geared to the individual needs of the players based on their daily, and weekly progress. Our goal is to get a little better every single day, no steps backward.
The Academy is a high intensity academy that trains athletes who aim at playing tennis competitively. We use hand feeding to isolate areas the player needs to improve on, racket feeding to simulate match-like variables of spin, pace, height, depth and shot selection, and live ball drilling with other players and coaches to teach simple controls, point situations and simulated point or matchplay, which all lead to problem solving in matches. All of our training is geared to both singles and doubles, however, at LPTA we put a special emphasis on doubles. At the college level doubles is extremely important to the success of the team and unfortunately for the juniors of this country it’s a dying art that gets neglected far too often when training.
To go along with our world class on court structure, we provide a tournament ready fitness schedule that improves agility, balance, coordination, speed, cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility.
Mental Skills Training will play a vital role too. Some of our coaches bring degrees in psychology that will support and train athletes in the mental aspects of the game. It is an integrated part of our training system and takes a pro-active, strengthening approach.
The Academy is suited for the graduating players of the development program and for athletes who want to compete competitively at the local, regional, national and international level.
Players should aim to have fun, be willing to compete on a frequent basis (The USTA recommends at least two tournaments per month), and be willing to compete in a team atmosphere. LPTA follows the school year schedule beginning in mid-August and runs through the end of May.
MEET OUR LPTA DIRECTOR & HEAD COACH, JOHNNY KOWALSKI
Grew up playing junior tennis in the Southwest section. Was ranked #1 in singles and doubles in the section. Reached the Round of 32 at the 18’s National Hardcourt Championships at Kalamazoo in 1998. Won the USTA Southwest Section Russell E Ball Sportsmanship Award in 1998. Played high school tennis for Carlsbad High School and brought home a pair of State Championships for the Cavemen. Attended the John Newcombe Tennis Academy during his senior year.
Lettered at the University of New Mexico from 1998-2002. Teamed with Bart Scott to win a Mountain West Conference Championship in 2000. Finished career 11th in all-time singles wins. Was the Student Athlete Advisory Committee 2001-2002, Treasurer Briefly played the USTA Futures circuit.
NNMTA Adult Player of the Year in 2004. Has won multiple NM Open titles the past few years. USTA Southwest 9.0 Mixed Doubles Team Champions. Currently rated a 5.5 player.
- Head pro at the Los Ranchos Racquet Club in the North Valley 2006-2010
- Assistant Pro at the Tennis Club of Albuquerque 2002-2006
- Volunteer assistant for the New Mexico women’s team from 2005-2008
Has two degrees from UNM:
- Masters of Science in Physical Education | Concentration in Sport Administration
- Member of the Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education
- Bachelors of Business Administration | Concentration in Finance
Married to the former Holly Clausen in 2006. Holly was a PE teacher in APS for 10 years and coached basketball, golf, and tennis, with two state team tennis titles. Holly is now a faculty member in the Physical Education Teacher Education Program at UNM. They have two children, Grace Madison, who is in first grade at the New Mexico International School, and Zachary John, who is attending UNM’s pre-K program.
Without family, you wouldn’t be here! Simple enough really! Treat your family with respect, always!
School is your short-term and long-term future. You will NOT be able to participate in LPTA until you have passing grades according to the individual guidelines we set up with your parents. Lets face it, in college tennis, if you’re not passing…you’re not playing! After tournaments, Mondays off will be mandatory for our full time students to catch up on studies and rest. That is an important part of being a well balanced tennis player.
Tennis is a bonus. It’s a privilege. Without school and family, there is no tennis. Tennis practice should be like recess. Time to forget about school, and other issues and relax, work hard, and have fun! Let us handle this part!
The Lobo Tennis Club features 13 courts, with six lighted outdoor courts for night play and two indoor tennis domes. The Randy Briggs and First State Bank features six courts for indoor play. There is a connecting clubhouse to the facility that houses coaches offices, locker rooms and a player’s lounge. The tennis oasis is made complete by a surrounding picnic area. The Lobo Tennis Club has been the site of numerous events, including the 2000 Mountain West Conference Championship, NCAA First & Second Rounds and the NCAA Team and Individual Finals.
The Randy Briggs Indoor Tennis Dome covers six courts. It is 40 feet tall, 196 feet long and 128 feet wide, the widest indoor tennis bubble in the world. There is a lobby area and the bleachers that seat close to 1000 fans.
The structure is computer controlled, including heating and air that is pumped into it. It features hanging lights for unobstructed views and playing area, and a connecting tunnel to the existing bubble, the First State Bank Tennis Dome, which stands 40 feet tall and 180 feet long. The facility seats 750 spectators.
The Lobo Tennis Club is located south of University Stadium. Exit off I-25, just south of the Big-I, at Avenida Cesar Chavez and head east. Turn right (south) on University Boulevard. The Pit and the UNM Ticket Office will be on the right with University Stadium on the left. Turn left into the last entrance to the University Stadium parking lot and the Lobo Tennis club will be on the right.
The Lobo Performance Tennis Academy’s goal is to create a safe, fun, organized, and enthusiastic atmosphere that promotes the hard work necessary to develop junior tennis players into top college and professional tennis players.
At LPTA we understand that tennis is important but it’s not the most important thing we do in life. To be the most successful tennis player you can be we feel like organization and balance in all areas of your life is essential.