Loyola joins Jinji Tennis Center

Micronesian Games silver medalist Peter Loyola will leave Saipan at the end of this month to join the prestigious Jinji Tennis Center in Tokyo, Japan.

“I will be one of the five coaches at Jinji Tennis Center. This is a big challenge for me and I would like to thank all the Saipan players and coaches for helping me prepare for this another chapter in my life,” said the former Fiesta Resort &Spa Saipan tennis instructor.

Loyola came to Saipan in 2004 and later joined several local tournaments and had his share of wins in these events. In less than two years, he became a tennis instructor at Fiesta, teaching both youth and adults players.

In 2007, the former collegiate varsity player in the Philippines became a member of the U.S.-based Professional Tennis Registry. Then in 2010, Loyola, received a professional certification from PTR, joining the company of more than 14,000 teaching pros from 122 countries in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

Less than a month after getting his teaching pro certificate, he represented the CNMI to the 2010 Micronesian Games in Palau and won three medals. He claimed silver medals both in the singles and team event and won a bronze in the doubles.

“Playing for the CNMI was one of my most treasured moments. It was an honor representing the Commonwealth and teaming up with former Pacific Oceania Davis Cup captain Jeff Race,” said Loyola, who was also a member of the Philippine Motocross Team for three years before returning to tennis in 2002.

Loyola thanked Race for helping him become a PTR member and doubles partner and former NCAA standout Kirk Schuler for his tips. He also acknowledged Tan Holdings, Jerry and Lydia Tan, Mr. Park, Izuka family, IT&E, and the parents of his students for supporting the tournaments he organized.

“I learned a lot from them and I thanked them for sharing their knowledge to me. I will miss them and my students. I hope my students will continue to improve their games and one day represent the CNMI in regional competitions, too,” Loyola said.

The 43-year-old teaching pro added that he hopes to bring his students in Japan to Saipan someday and compete in tournaments here.

In Japan, Loyola will be joining former Davis Cupper and Jinji head coach Shai Gigi of Israel, the U.S.’ Jeff Webb, Czech Republic’s Martin Bouska, and Japan’s Takaharu Tanno.

Jinji Tennis Center holds lessons at the Hilton Tokyo and various schools in Shinjuku. The center is famous for its elite junior tennis program, which is a 16-month session with 6:1 student-teacher ratio.