Acuna joined the USTA National Coaching staff in 1997 from the ATP Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., where he worked from 1989 to 1997, the last three as the Director of Tennis. Prior to that job, Acuna spent 11 years playing professionally, where he won three tour-level doubles titles and won eight titles (three singles, five doubles) on the USTA Pro Circuit. He qualified for Wimbledon in 1985 and went on to reach the quarterfinals. In 1986, Acuna reached a career-high No. 47 in the ATP rankings. Acuna also spent ten years playing for the Chilean Davis Cup team.

Acuna played collegiately at Northwestern (Louisiana) State University, where he earned All-American honors in 1979. That same year, Acuna won the silver medal in both singles and doubles at the Pan-American Games.