Meet the Pros

Welcome to Franco’s Racquet Sports – The most active and inclusive Racquet Sports Program on the Northshore! Our program offers everything you need for your racquet sports… We will get you involved, plugged in and playing from the very beginning.

Our Racquet Sports staff is here to serve you!

Call for
more information

PHONE
985-792-0260

 

Welcome to Franco’s Racquet Sports – The most active and inclusive Racquet Sports Program on the Northshore! Our program offers everything you need for your racquet sports… We will get you involved, plugged in and playing from the very beginning.

Our Racquet Sports staff is here to serve you!

Call for
more information

PHONE
985-792-0260

 
 

Robert Herrera, Director of Racquet Sports

Robert is originally from Barcelona, Spain. Tennis has encompassed his life since the age of two. Robert played on the ITF and ATP Tour and throughout his early tennis career was mentored by a plethora of former Top 10 players in the world such as Manuel Orantes and Albert Costa. Throughout Robert’s junior career, he ranked Top 2 in Spain as well as representing the country of Spain in international competitions on several occasions as he traveled the world. Once he turned eighteen, Robert entered his collegiate tennis career in the United States at East Tennessee State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management. During his collegiate career, Robert ranked Top 50 in singles and doubles in the NCAA Division 1. During his first summer in college, Robert was one of the coaches at the 4Slam Tennis Academy in Barcelona, he then relocated his focus and teaching over to the northeast where he gained experience working at some of the nation’s most prestigious country clubs as a Head Racquets Professional. He was employed at Mount Kisco Country Club (New York) for five years, and for two years at Wee Burn Country Club (Connecticut). He also assisted in winter platform tennis programs at clubs such as Westchester Country Club and Sleepy Hollow Country Club.

For the past year and a half, Robert had been the Head Tennis Professional at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club before taking on the role as the Director of Racquet Sports at Francos. Being a PTR and USPTA Certified Professional in Tennis, Pickleball and Platform Tennis, Robert loves to work with players of all ages and capabilities and can assist you in taking your game to the next level and gain a greater confidence in racquet sports.

Robert was encouraged to relocate to the Northshore by his wife, Haley Herrera, a Mandeville native, and their first child Nathan Francis Herrera was born on July 6th, 2023.

Ben Berrigan, Racquets Professional

Tennis at Franco's

Ben grew up in River Ridge, spending his childhood on the courts of Colonial Country Club in Harahan. Ben’s tennis journey continued at Brother Martin High School, where he was a Line 1 player from 9th through 12th grade and served as the team captain during his junior and senior years.
 
Ben began coaching at a young age, assisting with the tennis programs at Mt. Carmel, Dominican, and Chapelle high schools when he was just 16 and 17. At 19, Ben earned his coaching certification and began running kids’ clinics and offering private lessons at Green Acres, Capitano’s, and Paradise Manor.
 
In 2022, Ben had the honor of serving as the varsity tennis coach at Country Day. Since then, he’s been with New Orleans Lawn Tennis, where he was able to coach players of all ages and continue to thrive in the sport he’s always been passionate about.

Lucas, Racquets Professional

Tennis at Franco's

Lucas is a tennis coach from Brazil with international experience and a competitive background. As a junior, Lucas reached a Top 10 national ranking in Argentina and trained in Tandil with top ATP players like Diego Junqueira and Maxi González.
 
Lucas experience goes back when he coached at elite venues including Esporte Clube Pinheiros in São Paulo and worked as the Tennis Pro at the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis & St. Kitts. Lucas offers personalized coaching for players of all levels, focused on technique, strategy, and love for the game. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Logan, Racquets Professional

Tennis at Franco's

Logan is from Baton Rouge, LA. From high school through college, he worked as an Assistant Professional at Bocage Racquet Club from 2014 to 2019. He graduated from LSU in 2022 with a Masters in Exercise Physiology. After graduating, Logan became an Assistant Pro at the Lawn Tennis Club, where he met Robert. Logan is currently the Assistant tennis coach for men’s and women’s tennis at Loyola University, as well as the Strength and Conditioning coach for tennis and golf at the University of New Orleans. Logan is also on his second season as the Head Coach for Newman High School Boys and Girls where he led the team to winning State championship. He is a USPTA Certified Professional and loves working with kids and adults of all ages and abilities.

Tommy Grunditz, Racquets Professional

Tommy Carl Grunditz, residing in Mandeville, Louisiana, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the tennis industry. As a seasoned part-time tennis instructor at Pelican Athletic Club since 2013, Tommy has honed his skills in teaching clinics, providing private lessons, and facilitating tournaments. His leadership roles extend across prestigious establishments, including serving as Tennis Director at Beau Chene from 2004 to 2010, Head Pro at Beau Chene Country Club from 2000 to 2004, Tennis Director at Pelican Athletic Club from 1996 to 2000, and Tennis Director at Franco’s Athletic Club from 1988 to 1996.

Tommy’s academic journey led him to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Management Finance from SLU in Hammond, Louisiana, in 1985. Alongside his academic pursuits, he holds professional certifications as a USPTA P-1 Certified instructor and a fully accredited Real Estate Agent in Louisiana. Tommy’s prowess in tennis transcends beyond the court, with notable achievements both in university and professional realms. Highlights include representing Louisiana in the 1995 Southern Senior Cup, excelling as the number 1 singles player on a full Athletic Scholarship at SLU from 1981 to 1984, and competing professionally on the ATP tour in 1978.

His international playing experience boasts victories in prestigious tournaments spanning Sweden, Finland, England, Germany, and Spain, where he proudly represented Sweden on the International Junior Team in 1977-1978. Guided by tennis legends such as Bjorn Borg, Lennart Bergelin, and Percy Rosberg, Tommy’s dedication to the sport has been enriched through his membership at Sweden’s renowned Tennis Club SALK, further solidifying his profound impact and contribution to the tennis community.

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