Craig Johnson

Owner and Director
Craig Johnson founded Grip n Rip Junior Tennis at the Newport Beach Tennis Club in 2006. With an impressive career as both a player and coach, he was an All-American at Pepperdine University and competed on the ATP Tour. He achieved a career high singles ranking of 318 in the world and a doubles ranking of 281. Following his professional career, Craig coached for World Team Tennis before settling back into Southern California to open Grip n Rip Junior Tennis. Outside of tennis, Craig enjoys golf and spending time with his wife Michelle and their two boys, both of whom are exceptional athletes.

For any questions, inquiries, or collaboration opportunities, please feel free to contact Craig directly at [email protected].

John Michael Cham-A-Koon

General Manager & Staff Pro

John-Michael has been an integral part of Grip n Rip Junior Tennis since its inception in 2006. Beyond his prowess as both a tennis player and coach, John-Michael assumes a multifaceted role, overseeing administrative tasks and implementing efficient systems and processes. His dedication ensures that the entire Grip n Rip program operates seamlessly, catering to the needs of staff, students, and parents alike. He is a vital part of Grip n Rip, and his contributions are deeply appreciated

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $120 for members
  • $130 for non-members

To schedule a lesson with John, please reach out to him directly via email at [email protected].

John Michael Cham-A-Koon

General Manager & Staff Pro

John-Michael has been an integral part of Grip n Rip Junior Tennis since its inception in 2006. Beyond his prowess as both a tennis player and coach, John-Michael assumes a multifaceted role, overseeing administrative tasks and implementing efficient systems and processes. His dedication ensures that the entire Grip n Rip program operates seamlessly, catering to the needs of staff, students, and parents alike. He is a vital part of Grip n Rip, and his contributions are deeply appreciated.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour) :

  • $120 for members
  • $130 for non-members

To schedule a lesson with John, please reach out to him directly via email at [email protected].

John Craig

Programming and Communication Director & Staff Pro

John boasts an impressive 40-year tenure in the tennis industry, having served in various roles such as college player, instructor, presenter, and tennis director. He is a former Division 1 player and has been a UPSTA Elite Professional since 1987. John has been an integral part of Grip n Rip Junior Tennis since 2015. With his extensive experience, he has owned and operated numerous junior programs, utilizing his expertise to enhance the skills of Grip n Rip players as they progress towards tennis excellence. Grip n Rip Tennis sincerely appreciates John’s invaluable contributions to the program.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):
$120 for members

$130 for non-members

To schedule a lesson with John, please reach out to him directly via email
at: [email protected].

Lucas Monterroso

Programming Director &
Staff Pro


Suited for More Experienced Players

Hailing from Uruguay, Lucas Monterroso has been a valued member of the GNR family since June 2020. With a background as a standout tennis junior and college player, Lucas brings a self-motivated coaching style to the court. He instills his passion and drive in all players, irrespective of their level or experience. Lucas is the visionary behind the creation of the High Performance program at Grip N Rip Junior Tennis, focusing on guiding players along the competitive track and paving their paths toward collegiate or professional tennis careers. Grip N Rip Junior Tennis greatly appreciates his significant contributions to the program.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $120 for members
  • $130 for non-members

Lucas Monterroso

Suited for More Experienced Players

Programming Director &
Staff Pro


Suited for More Experienced Players

Hailing from Uruguay, Lucas Monterroso has been a valued member of the GNR family since June 2020. With a background as a standout tennis junior and college player, Lucas brings a self-motivated coaching style to the court. He instills his passion and drive in all players, irrespective of their level or experience. Lucas is the visionary behind the creation of the High Performance program at Grip N Rip Junior Tennis, focusing on guiding players along the competitive track and paving their paths toward collegiate or professional tennis careers. Grip N Rip Junior Tennis greatly appreciates his significant contributions to the program.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $120 for members
  • $130 for non-members

Bay Taylor

Staff Pro

Specializes in Orange Ball (Ages 6-10)

Bay has been an integral part of Grip n Rip Junior Tennis since 2017. With a remarkable playing background, Bay brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her coaching role. As a former tennis scholar-athlete at Azusa Pacific University, she excelled on the court, earning top rankings in both singles and doubles within the NAIA division. Bay’s consistent performance also earned her the prestigious title of All-American throughout her collegiate career.

Driven by her passion for teaching and mentoring, Bay finds joy in working with motivated junior players, particularly those in the 6-10-year-old range. With her unique blend of skill, knowledge, and enthusiasm, Bay is dedicated to nurturing young talent and instilling a love for the game in her students

rivate Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $110 for members
  • $120 for non-members

To schedule a lesson with Bay, please reach out to her directly via email at [email protected]

Sunil Sipaeya

Staff Pro


Suited for More Experienced Players

Sunil’s tennis journey is nothing short of remarkable. He proudly represented the Indian Davis Cup team in 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2007, showcasing his talent and dedication on an international stage. Holding the prestigious title of Indian No. 1, Sunil’s ATP rankings of 340 in singles and 296 in doubles speak volumes about his skill and expertise on the court

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $110 for members
  • $120 for non-members

Randy Estrad

Staff Pro

Works with All Ages and Levels

Randy has been an integral part of Grip N Rip Junior Tennis since late 2019. With a background in competitive junior tournaments and club tennis experience at Cal State Fullerton, Randy brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge to his coaching role. He specializes in imparting the essential tennis foundation to yellow ball players aspiring to compete in tournaments and reach higher levels of tennis proficiency.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour) :

  • $110 for members
  • $120 for non-members

Andrea Gonzalez

Staff Pro

Specializes in Younger Players/Beginners

Andrea Gonzalez has been an integral part of Grip n Rip Junior Tennis for many years, drawing inspiration from her family’s deep roots in the sport. Her father, the legendary Pancho Gonzalez, once held the prestigious title of the #1 player on the tour for many years. With over 35 years of experience in teaching and playing competitive tennis, Andrea brings a wealth of expertise to the program, specializing in working with young players. She fosters their love for the game while instilling values of sportsmanship and dedication.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $100 for members
  • $110 for non-members

To schedule a lesson with Andrea, please reach out to him directly via email at [email protected].

Andrea Gonzalez

Staff Pro

Specializes in Younger Players/Beginners

Andrea Gonzalez has been an integral part of Grip n Rip Junior Tennis for many years, drawing inspiration from her family’s deep roots in the sport. Her father, the legendary Pancho Gonzalez, once held the prestigious title of the #1 player on the tour for many years. With over 35 years of experience in teaching and playing competitive tennis, Andrea brings a wealth of expertise to the program, specializing in working with young players. She fosters their love for the game while instilling values of sportsmanship and dedication.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $100 for members
  • $110 for non-members

To schedule a lesson with Andrea, please reach out to him directly via email at [email protected]

Farshid Khodaei

Staff Pro


Farshid is a highly experienced tennis coach with over 20 years in the industry. A former professional player, he began his tennis journey at age four and quickly rose through the ranks in Iran, winning multiple titles and representing Iran in the Davis Cup junior team. After moving to Australia, Farshid won Division 1 titles in Adelaide and transitioned into coaching full-time with the Tennis Federation of Australia, while also competing in ITF and Futures events in France, Germany, and Sweden. Certified by both Tennis Australia and the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), Farshid is dedicated to helping players of all levels improve their skills and develop a lasting passion for the game.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $110 for members
  • $120 for non-members

To schedule a lesson with Farshid, please reach out to him directly via email at [email protected].

Blake Barber

Staff Pro

Specializes in Younger Players/Beginners

Blake Barber has been an integral part of Grip N Rip Tennis since 2010, specializing in coaching junior players and fostering their passion for the sport. With a focus on fundamental skill development, he guides young talents towards success on the court. Blake provides steadfast support to players of all levels, offering both technical instruction and motivational encouragement as they pursue their tennis goals.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $100 for members
  • $110 for non-members

Blake Barber

Staff Pro

Specializes in Younger Players/Beginners

Blake Barber has been an integral part of Grip N Rip Tennis since 2010, specializing in coaching junior players and fostering their passion for the sport. With a focus on fundamental skill development, he guides young talents towards success on the court. Blake provides steadfast support to players of all levels, offering both technical instruction and motivational encouragement as they pursue their tennis goals.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour) :

  • $100 for members
  • $110 for non-members

Shakhnoza Khatamova

Grip n Rip welcomes its newest staff member, Shakhnoza or “Shak”.

Director of Digital Strategies


Shak is a skilled Director for Digital Strategies with expertise in design software, website development and analytics tools. She creates impactful digital content and manages software platforms. A former Division I tennis player, she competed as #1 Singles and #1 Doubles at San Diego State University and UC Santa Barbara, achieving top NCAA rankings (#48 Singles, #26 Doubles) and earning multiple athletic and academic honors. She brings the same focus and strategic mindset from the court to her professional work.


Courtney Nava

Staff Pro

Works with All Ages and Levels

Courtney, a Newport Beach native, distinguished herself as a top-rated USTA junior player and enjoyed a successful high school tennis career at Corona Del Mar High School, participating in multiple CIF championships. She furthered her athletic pursuits at UC Santa Barbara, where she played a pivotal role in securing four consecutive Big West Conference titles and achieving a top 15 national ranking. She also obtained an MBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin. Courtney has over 30 years of teaching experience. She has coached both juniors and adults across Newport Beach and Los Angeles. Additionally, she served as the Girls Varsity tennis coach and tennis camp director at Brentwood High School. Courtney’s extensive tennis experience, together with her passion for fostering player development and helping her students achieve their tennis goals, makes her an excellent coach for players of all levels.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour):

  • $110 for members
  • $120 for non-members

Courtney Nava

Staff Pro

Works with All Ages and Levels

Courtney, a Newport Beach native, distinguished herself as a top-rated USTA junior player and enjoyed a successful high school tennis career at Corona Del Mar High School, participating in multiple CIF championships. She furthered her athletic pursuits at UC Santa Barbara, where she played a pivotal role in securing four consecutive Big West Conference titles and achieving a top 15 national ranking. She also obtained an MBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin. Courtney has over 30 years of teaching experience. She has coached both juniors and adults across Newport Beach and Los Angeles. Additionally, she served as the Girls Varsity tennis coach and tennis camp director at Brentwood High School. Courtney’s extensive tennis experience, together with her passion for fostering player development and helping her students achieve their tennis goals, makes her an excellent coach for players of all levels.

Private Lesson Rate (1 hour) :

  • $110 for members
  • $120 for non-members