Episode 7: Marc Lucero

Over the past 14 years, Marc Lucero has emerged as one of the preeminent coaches for budding stars. He worked for the USTA from 2008-2012, coaching players of all ages, from 7 year olds to professional players. In his role at the USTA, Lucero worked and assisted with America’s top young prospects like Nicole Gibbs, Ryan Harrison, Sam Querrey, and others. He also ran Regional Training Center camps around the country, working with players and coaches to identify and build relationships with future prospects.

Since then, Lucero has worked privately with professionally players Eugenie Bouchard and Alison Riske, helping both to career high rankings in their time with him, as well as top American juniors players. Most recently he was the coach of Shelby Rogers, whom he helped reach a career-high rank of No.48 in the world in January of 2017. In 2016 Rogers reached the quarterfinals of Roland Garros, becoming the first American other than Venus and Serena Williams to reach this round since 2001. In 2017 Rogers was part of the United States Fed Cup Championship team, winning the deciding match with partner Coco Vandeweghe on the road in Belarus. Those accomplishments, along with guiding Rogers to one of her most consistently impressive years on tour, resulted in Lucero being named 2017 Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Touring Coach of the Year. Since December 2019 he was coached Steve Johnson.

He is a co-founder of First Break Academy, a nonprofit program providing tennis, multi-sport, and educational programming to children in the Carson area. He also does television throughout the year, providing on-air commentary and in-match analysis at events like the Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open, and World Team Tennis.

Prior to working for the USTA, Lucero was an assistant coach for the women’s team at Princeton University. He attended Boston College where he was captain of the men’s tennis team, leading the Eagles in wins in his time there. He was also a 3 time Big East Conference Academic All Star. Lucero graduated with a degree in Economics from the Carroll School of Management Honors Program.

Lucero grew up in San Diego, California. When he is not on tour, and enjoys surfing, yoga, and reading, but most of all spending time in his role as a new dad.