My Story
Fuentes Tennis International (FTI) is where serious players come to finally understand their game. Early in his career "Lou" interned under former Mexican #1 and top 50 professional player in the 70's, Oscar Arroyo. Now, with over 40 years of technical expertise, Lou has developed a proven record with a unique learning system to help players of all ages reach their full potential.
During his formative years, and after a 12-inch growth spurt at age 12, his junior high school basketball coach had an idea, and it was one that eventually would lead to Luis playing collegiate basketball on a full scholarship and playing in the 1979 National Junior AAU basketball tournament with future NBA standouts, Bernard King, Earvin (Magic) Johnson, Danny Ainge, James Thomas and Dereck Harper. After graduating with a degree in Exercise Physiology and a minor in Education, Luis would pursue his first love of sport and become certified as a United States Professional Tennis (U.S.P.T.A) coach in 1986.
During his more than 40 year tennis-teaching career, over 50 junior players under his tutelage have gone on to play in the United States at college level, with many achieving tennis scholarships. In 1987, Lou was part of the transition team and hitting partner for Michele Jackson Norbrega, as she ascended into the WTA top 100. To date, six FTI students have made the transition to the professional level, with Haydn Lewis being the first Barbadian Pro tennis player in over 35 years.
Between 2000 and 2005, Luis also co-directed high performance tennis camps at Wake Forest University in North Carolina with NCAA coach Chad Skorupka, and Maryland University head coach, Jim Laitta, giving over 120 Caribbean players, from several Caribbean islands, a live-in opportunity and introduction into the way of life and education opportunities available on NCAA college campuses.
In the early 2000s, with former standout Barbados National and Davis Cup player "Kodi" Lewis , FTI lent its expertise to help coordinate, fund raise, and operate a series of events in Barbados to raise funds for the elite players competing on the world stage through several high profile exhibitions featuring world-ranked professional female players, Serena and Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azaranka, and on the mens side Gael Moinfils, John Isner and Jeff Tarango. Just prior to the Covid pandemic, an event with the most unique prize in the world was in its final stages -- "The Dream Cup" featuring top ten players Juan Martin DelPotro and Andy Murray who would be competing for a million dollar paradise home in Barbados.
Between 1994 and 2025 13 players from the FTI Tennis Academy have gone to represent Barbados at the Davis and Federation Cup competitions , where Luis also had the honor of serving as the Barbados captain. Today, Luis is considered by many as the Dean of Caribbean coaches, specifically when player glitches appear and serious intervention is needed. In other words, fixing the Zag so the ball will Zig.....
Services
There are plenty of coaches that can put you through a myriad of drills. Sorry, no tennis clichés here - just results.
If I only had a quarter for every time I've heard these comments in the industry, I wouldn't need this website...
“Bend your knees. Watch the ball. Follow through. Great job!"
That’s cute, but let’s talk biomechanics, timing, and why your forehand collapses when it matters most. Oh yeah, and what's the deal with all those lobs?
At FTI, every session is personal. I diagnose, correct, and rebuild strokes so they work under pressure. If your mechanics are ugly, well, you know.....
Private lessons and analysis
Limited slots each week. Hands-on correction, immediate feedback, and the serving of some good humor.
Correcting the Zig...
Sorry, no fancy video services available at heavenly price points. Got a phone? That'll work. Send me your zig-zag swing, I’ll send back a fix.
Zoom Consults
Zoom consults for players worldwide.
Mind those time zones....and please, don't call on Sundays during the NFL season...Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sessions
140 Barbadian dollars
35 Barbadian dollars
140 Barbadian dollars
Moments
Gilles Gosselin
Principal
SG Global Consulting
Both of my boys learned their tennis fundamentals around the age of 5 from Lou at his academy in Barbados. Lou has a tremendous understanding of the tennis fundamentals and communicates them in a clear, patient manner. My boys would not have played competitive tennis in the United States and Canada and at college without learning those fundamentals from Lou.
Cathryn Wilson
Star International School
Consultant in Education , Dubai, UAE
I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Luis Fuentes as both his colleague and his student for a period of over 20 plus years. The passion, knowledge and vision that Lou brings to his coaching is exceptional.
His coaching style is unique as he is able to instill in his students desire, enthusiasm and determination to succeed in order to reach their own potential, regardless of their individual level of ability. Lou is an inspirational coach who makes people "believe in themselves".
Lukas Gosselin
Queens University of Charlotte
I grew up playing and loving tennis my entire life, and I owe a great deal of that to Luis. He's a great coach who always created a fun environment. He laid the foundation of my tennis game and without him, there was no way I would have gone on to play college tennis. I will always be grateful for the guidance and and most importantly, his acute technical eye to correct problems whenever they arose.
Stephanie Kelshall
Barbados
Luis has not only taught my kids to play tennis, but he has also taught me.
His ability to teach across generations is truly a gift. His technical knowledge is flawless, and his ability to explain it is his greatest strength.
Samantha Clarke
Barbados
Coach Lou,
in my personal opinion, his level of expertise is excellent, especially his ability to identify areas for improvement. He gives clear instructions with practical explanations that are always spot on. I thoroughly enjoy his coaching sessions
Steve Pownall
Stockton Heath Tennis Club UK
I have always been impressed with the dynamic combination of expertise and dedication that Lou brings to his tennis coaching.
I have witnessed him coach clinics for social players right up to technically skilled club players and they have all taken great value from the experience.
The format he uses during his sessions, along with the quick wit and distinct American humour, sharp attention to detail and individual progress is. in my opinion, unprecedented.
Sheena Gill
Barbados
I picked up tennis at 50 years old and decided to start lessons with Lou. As you can imagine, teaching someone new to the sport at that age is no small task. But having seen firsthand the excellent coaching he gave my son many years ago, I knew I would be in good hands.
From day one, Lou has made learning, training and practicing an absolute joy. His patience, dedication and wealth of experience shine through in every session. His teaching techniques not only build solid foundations, but instill confidence and a real love of the game.
Thanks to Lou, tennis has now become a meaningful and enjoyable part of my life. I look forward to every session, always learning something new and steadily growing in the sport. I am truly grateful for his guidance and support. Thank you, Lou.
Former Students & Parents
