Fantasy Tennis Camps

In the middle of a groundstroke rally, Mats Wilander said something in Swedish to Mikael Pernfors and both began to work their way toward the net. Volleying forehand to forehand, they advanced toward one another, the volleys becoming quicker as the space between them narrowed. Finally, they were so close together that they trapped the ball between their racquets, stopping it just above the net.
Stalemated, they let the ball drop, abandoned their racquets, and began kicking the ball back and forth across the net, soccer style, until Wilander finished the point with a header, head-butting the ball for a winner.

Southern California's Rancho Valencia Resort, voted a Top 10 Tennis Resort by Tennis Resorts Online vacationers, features 18 tennis courts set in a spectacular garden setting and staffed by eight USPTA pros for private lessons and daily tennis clinics. The Spa Rancho Valencia, the resort's brand-new world-class spa, is the perfect antidote to a tough match and an ideal complement to the resort's 49 luxurious suites and gourmet fare. www.ranchovalencia.com

This exhibition took place one summer at the end of a fantasy camp run by New England Tennis Holidays at the Inn at Essex near Burlington, Vermont. For two days, 16 of us spent five hours a day on court, doing clinics and drills and playing singles and doubles points with seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander, French Open finalist Mikael Pernfors, and the NETH teaching staff. The festivities began with cocktails and dinner Friday evening and concluded with that exhibition late Sunday morning.
Fantasy camps like this one take place throughout the year in a variety of venues. The formats differ, but all feature former touring pros and give you the chance to take advantage of their expertise or to play with or against them, or both. This month's newsletter includes a list of upcoming and annual fantasy camps, as well as an outline of special packages available to TRO users and a reminder about the vacation prizes to be given away in a drawing among those who rate the resorts or camps they know first hand. Meanwhile, we're also still looking for any amusing tennis videos you've shot (see Videos for an example).

• Oct. 2007-Apr. 2008
  Dennis Ralston Premier Camps
  Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, CA
  
  Hall of Fame Legend Dennis Ralston has added a second venue for his Premier Camps, this one at Mission Hills Country Club, in the Palm Springs desert. Like his late-spring through summer camps at The Broadmoor, these camps run three hours a day and focus on technique, footwork, strategy, and conditioning. Ralston, who coached Chris Evert and Yannick Noah among others, roves from court to court, ensuring each student personal attention and the benefit of his expertise. He promises that students will leave "with a renewed enthusiasm and a deeper understanding of the game." For exact dates and more information, visit www.ralstontennis.com or phone (760) 992-8137.



• Oct. 21-26, 2007
  Tennis Fantasies Weekend
  John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, New Braunfels, TX
  
  John Newcombe himself heads a cast of Legends that includes Roy Emerson, Mark Woodforde, Marty Riessen, Guillermo Vilas, Manolo Santana, Fred Stolle, Owen Davidson, Charlie Passarell, Mal Anderson, Dick Stockton, and Ross Case for this four-day camp held at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, TX. Sessions consist of clinics, team matches (with pros as team coaches), exhibitions, and competition against the amateurs. The pros are constant fixtures, on court, at meals, and for cocktail parties and entertainment nightly. For more information, phone 800-874-7788 or 513-489-9700 or visit www.tennisfantasies.net.



• Oct. 24-28, 2007
  Wailea Fantasy Weekend
  Wailea Tennis Club, Wailea, Maui, HI
  
  Tom Gullikson, Mats Wilander, and Jonathan Stark host four days of instruction and free play at the Wailea Tennis Club on Hawaii's island of Maui. The package includes lodging at the nearby Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa as well as a welcome party, awards luau, and ample time to explore the island and its beaches. Prices are $2,495 per person for double occupancy, or $2,695 for single occupancy. For more information and reservations, phone (808) 879-1958 or visit www.waileatennis.com.



• Nov. 2-4, 2007
  Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Classic
  Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, FL
  
  Chris Evert, winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, and celebrities from the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, and, naturally, tennis will be on hand for two days of instruction, drills, round-robins, a cocktail reception, dinner, and silent auction, all to raise money for several charities dedicated to the prevention of drug abuse and child neglect or to helping at-risk children and their families. Tennis activities will take place at the nearby Delray Beach Tennis Center, with dinner and entertainment staged at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Prices vary from $20 for open seating at the Pro-Celebrity tennis exhibition on Sunday to $750 for the Saturday evening gala and $2,500 to participate in the pro-am. For information, phone 561-394-2400 or visit www.chrisevert.org.



• Nov. 17-19, 2007
  Swingtime Pro-Celebrity Pro-Am Golf & Tennis
  The Players Club & Spa at Lely Resort and Olde Cypress, Naples, Florida
  
  A fundraiser for the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation, this annual event will bring together such tennis luminaries as Chris Evert, Mardy Fish, and Todd Martin as well as superstars from golf, baseball, football, and more. It consists of a round-robin tennis pro-am, a golf pro-am tournament, and a tennis exhibition wrapped around a gala evening of cocktail, gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, and entertainment. For information, phone (561) 394-9190 or visit www.chevents.com.



• Nov. 21-24, 2007
  Thanksgiving with Stan Smith
  Sea Pines Racquet Club, Hilton Head Island, SC
  
  Held at the Sea Pines Racquet Club, this annual bash begins with a welcoming cocktail party on the evening before Thanksgiving. On each of the next two mornings, participants spend three hours on court in clinics personally conducted by the former World No. 1 himself. On Friday afternoon, there's an exhibition followed that evening by a cruise aboard the America's Cup Stars and Stripes to Smith's home for dinner. It concludes on Saturday with more group lessons with Smith from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $699/person (non-tennis participant, $146), not including lodging. For more information and reservations, phone 800-SEAPINES, ext. 54 or (843) 363-4495.



• Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2007
  Grand Slam Winners Classic
  Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, Longboat Key, FL
  
  Eight former Grand Slam tournament winners—among them Fred Stolle, Stan Smith, Guillermo Vilas, Owen Davidson, Johan Kriek, and Robert Seguso—come together at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort for a weekend of tennis and social activities culminating in a gala dinner-dance to help raise money for the non-profit Wellness Community of South Florida. Guests can participate in the on-court activities (24 slots are available at $1,750 each) or by purchasing individual tickets to the off-court festivities. For information on purchasing tickets and updates on the weekend events, contact event organizer Karen Scott Happer at 941-480-0264 or event coordinator Janet Hunter at 941-356-6798.



• Dec. 4-5 & Dec. 11, 2007
  Mardy's Tennis & Jake's Music Fest
  The Boulevard Village & Tennis Club, Vero Beach, FL
  
  A charity event to raise money for the Mardy Fish Foundation, this festival begins with a kids' clinic and exhibition—the latter featuring Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish—continues with a tennis pro-am and dinner the second day, and concludes with a country music concert featuring Josh "Jake" Owen at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. For information, phone: (561) 394-9190 or visit www.chevents.com.



• Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2008
  Chris Evert Fantasy Camp
  Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, FL
  
  Limited to just a dozen participants, this program program features two memorable half-day tennis sessions with Chris Evert, winner to 18 Grand Slam championships. Those include one-on-one play and a round-robin doubles tournament with Chris and tennis instruction from her and her brother John. Guests spend three nights in deluxe accommodations at the Boca Raton Resort & Club and enjoy full American breakfast daily, complimentary use of the fitness center and one 50-minute spa treatment, a welcome cocktail reception, and an orientation and farewell dinner hosted by Chris. The cost is $7,200 per person (12 spaces). For more information, phone (800) 417-3783.



• Mar. 6-9, 2008
  Co-Ed Fantasy Weekend
  John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, New Braunfels, TX
  
  John Newcombe, Roy Emerson, Owen Davidson, and Ross Case conduct clinics, coach team matches, play against the amateurs, dine with campers, and then hang out for entertainment at evening cocktail parties and into the evening. For more information, phone 800-874-7788 or 513-489-9700 or visit www.tennisfantasies.net.



• May-August, 2008
  "Leach at the Beach" Summer Camps
  Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
  
  From May through August, the Ponte Vedra Racquet Club hosts its "Leach at the Beach" summer tennis camp. There are nine adult sessions scheduled during that period and four junior camps. On-court work takes place morning and afternoon and is personally directed by Mike Leach, who reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon and ranked as high as No. 27 in singles and No. 14 in doubles during his career on the ATP Tour. He's assisted by the Ponte Vedra Racquet Club staff. For more information on dates, program content, and availability, please contact the Racquet Club by phone at 904-273-7720 or email Mike Leach.



• May 4-11, 2008
  Antigua Tennis Week
  Curtain Bluff, Antigua, West Indies
  
  Each May, Fred Stolle, Ross Case, Owen Davidson, and Kathy Rinaldi join Curtain Bluff's head pro Rennie George for a full week of stroke and strategy clinics, pro doubles exhibitions, prize-rich tournaments, cocktail parties and general socializing—all at about half the cost of a normal week at this 72-room Caribbean resort. For information, phone 888-289-9898 or visit www.curtainbluff.com.



• May-Sept., 2008
  Dennis Ralston Premier & Family Camps
  The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO
  
  On selected weekends, Tennis Hall of Famer Dennis Ralston personally runs the three-hour group clinics each morning at this historic hotel at the base of Pike's Peak. Roving from court to court, he personally imparts the same coaching expertise he used with Chris Evert, Yannick Noah, and the U.S. Davis Cup team. He's assisted by former touring pro Sharon Walsh and the Broadmoor teaching staff. For information, phone (800) 634-7711 or visit www.broadmoor.com.



• June, July, Sept., 2008
  Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks
  The Palace Hotel, Gstaad, Switzerland
  
  For more than 30 years, Hall of Famer Roy Emerson, winner of 26 Grand Slam titles, has been drawing campers to the Palace Hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland, for six-day sessions of solid tennis instruction, fine food, witty conversation, picnics in the mountains, and Emmo's never-ending stock of amusing stories and anecdotes. For information, phone (949) 644-6505 or or visit www.royemersontennisweeks.com.

Also check out our Great Resort Tennis Calendar for a continually evolving list of events taking place at resorts and camps worldwide.

Tennis Resorts Online has again secured three exciting vacation packages to be given away in our annual drawing among those who submit reviews, favorable or otherwise, for the resorts and camps they've visited on vacation.

• Saddlebrook Tennis, Wesley Chapel, Florida: Tennis Weekend for 2, including two nights luxurious accommodations, five hours of intensive tennis (for both people), video analysis, breakfast daily, and admittance to the spa and fitness center.
• TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, Destin, Florida: Three nights lodging in a two-bedroom courtside Tennis Villa or deluxe two-bedroom condominium plus complimentary court time, tennis clinic, round robin, and souvenir for two players.
• New England Tennis Holidays at the Inn at Essex, Essex, VT: Two nights lodging, two days of tennis camp, and all meals for two people at this 120-room inn, which is also home to the New England Culinary Institute.

Packages and Specials

Adult Camps

• Free Upgrade to 1-bedroom suite + Amenity Basket at Saddlebrook (Hopman) Tennis School, Florida
• Save $100 on midweek adult packages at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas

• 10% Off all adult tennis packages at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida
• $50 Off weekend adult camps at Ramey Tennis Schools in Kentucky

Junior Camps

• 10% Off all short-time junior camps at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida

Resorts

• Exclusive weekend camp specials at Sea Colony Resort, Delaware

Teams and Groups

• Special Tailor-made group packages at Port Royal Racquet Club, South Carolina

Many of your hotel and resort, air, and car-rental reservations can now be booked directly from Tennis Resorts Online. Just look for the "Reserve" button at the top of the review for a direct link to the booking engine or use the link to TravelNow.