March 1, 2010. Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, the legendary Australian doubles team 
who amassed 61 ATP doubles titles including 11 Grand Slam championships, and Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva, who won 38 titles together, including 14 Grand Slam events, will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during the final weekend of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, July 5-11, 2010. Joining them will be Owen Davidson, a 12-time Grand Slam champion, and Brad Parks, the pioneering founder of wheelchair tennis. Also part of the ceremony will be the posthumous induction of Derek Hardwick, past chairman of the British Lawn Tennis Association who was instrumental in the transition to the Open Era. For more background about the Hall of Fame and this year's class, see the press release.
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In September, Justine Henin's 6th Sense Tennis Academy plans to open a branch at Potter's 
Wheel International Sports Center in Beijing. It will join her original academy in Belgium and her U.S. academy at the Mission Inn Resort & Club north of Orlando, Florida. Like her other academies, this Chinese branch will adopt mini-tennis (the precursor to what is now being called QuickStart here in the U.S.) to introduce the game to very young players since this is the way Henin got her start and it will follow a philosophy of treating everyone with compassion and respect, regardless of their innate playing ability.
The Reed Anderson Tennis
School has left the Westin Mission Hills Resort
in Rancho Mirage and on Feb. 25 begins operation at Shadow
Mountain Resort & Club across the valley in Palm 
Desert,
California. Shadow Mountain already has it's own Desert
Tennis Academy, of course, but the move makes sense, says
Michael McFarlane, Shadow Mountain's owner and tennis director,
on a number of fronts. "We're doing the same thing
in the same town and it doesn't make sense to do it in
different places," he told me. "I love the business
side and you stick [Reed] on a court and that's where he
shines, especially with groups, and here at Shadow Mountain
we do so much of the business he's best at—large
groups of USTA teams."
Both are acutely aware of making the merger seamless for their clientele, with 
Anderson spearheading the instruction for those he has signed up, and McFarlane taking charge of his clientele. But once they get through the busy spring, they plan to look more closely at how the integration ought to take place. "It will be a much better venue for me and my students," Anderson says of the change. "Shadow Mountain makes a big deal of tennis. It has a full-service pro shop and a great gamematcher in Karen Haase."
Always a haven for active players, Shadow Mountain has become even more appealing since McFarlane and a group of investors bought it last fall. The courts have been resurfaced, there's new landscaping, better courtside seating area, a new barbecue island, and a downstairs cafe and bar that also serves the adjacent figure 8 pool. The changes, says McFarlane, are all focused on " encouraging tennis players to stay afterwards, to hang out, have a drink, watch tennis, that's what makes it a different environment." Anderson's technical skills and gift at handling large groups further add to the appeal.
For the first time ever, the USTA is affording everyone an opportunity to earn a wild card into the U.S. Open Qualifying tourney, 
which will be held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, August 24-27, 2010. Dubbed the "U.S. Open National Playoffs," this series invites eligible players 14 years and older to compete in any of 16 men's and women's sectional qualifying tournaments held between April 1 and July 1. The winners in each section will receive that coveted wild card into the qualies. For details, tournament dates, and eligibility requirements, visit U.S. Open National Playoffs.
Here's a sample of recent critiques of the top resorts and camps by other vacationers.
Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Arizona
South Beach Racquet Club, South Carolina
Wild Dunes, South Carolina
Amelia Island Plantation, Florida
Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Arizona
Dispatches from my latest travels
Club Med-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
Boulevard Village & Tennis Club, Vero Beach, Florida
The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina
Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas, Texas
Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Vic Braden Tennis College at Green Valley Resort & Spa, Utah
Summer Rates: Caneel Bay
#1 Carib. Tennis Resort awaits Rates: $395+ from May 1, 2010
www.caneelbay.com
The Bridges Family Resort
A Top 50 US Tennis Resort Exceptional tennis For Any Age
www.bridgesresort.com
indicates a tournament
Ladies 3.5 Interstate Team Challenge, TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, Florida
For teams of women with an average NTRP rating of no more than 3.5.
Wild West Tennis Camp, Doral Desert Princess Resort & Spa, California
12-hour camp for all levels with welcome brunch, logo prizes, and ticket to one day of the BNP Paribas tournament.
Wild West Tennis Camp, Doral Desert Princess Resort & Spa, California
12-hour camp for all levels with welcome brunch, logo prizes, and ticket to one day of the BNP Paribas tournament.
Ladies Senior 4.0 Interstate Team Challenge, TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, Florida
For teams of senior women with an average NTRP rating of no more than 4.0.
Dennis Ralston Premier Camp, Ralston Tennis, California, Phone: 760-636-4055
For all levels
BNP Paribas Open. Phone: 800-999-1585. www.bnpparibasopen.org
The former Pacific Life Open, this combined WTA/ATP singles and doubles event takes place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in the Palm Springs desert, with Rafael Nadal and Vera Zvonareva as defending champions (the main draw begins Mar. 10 following two days of qualifying events). For lodging check out La Quinta Resort & Club, Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Shadow Mountain Resort, Westin Mission Hills, Mission Hills Country Club.
Play Roddick, Clijsters, Canas, Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Florida
The Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne is staging a round-robin mixer (max. 40 entrants) during the Sony Ericsson Open. Top men finishers get a shot at returning Andy Roddick's serve while the top women finishers get to challenge Kim Clijsters. Several other events planned, including a King/Queen of the Court featuring Roddick, Clijsters, and Guillermo Canas and a champagne reception. For more information, contact Mark Chellas at 305.365.4300 or mark.chellas@ritzcarlton.com
Grand Slam Weekend: Fred Stolle, Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, Florida, Phone: 305-933-6925
Fred Stolle, winner of 17 Grand Slam titles and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, presides over a weekend of tennis festivities. It begins with a pro-am round robin tournament, a pro exhibition, and wine reception with Fred Stolle and other celebrities on Friday evening. That's followed on Saturday by a Grand Slam doubles clinic, lunch, and the awards ceremony.
Azalea Spring Tennis Classic, Callaway Gardens, Georgia
A USTA-sanctioned event with divisions for Men's singles, Open through 85; and Men's doubles, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Dennis Ralston Premier Camp, Ralston Tennis, California, Phone: 760-636-4055
For all levels
Sony Ericsson Open. Phone: 800-725-5472. www.sonyericssonopen.com/
Fields of 96 men and 96 women compete in this major event (part of the Masters Series for men, and a top tier event for women) held at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida.
Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Finals, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, California
Rain forced a delay of the Pacific Coast Men's Doubles Finals, which have been rescheduled to Easter Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public.
U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships. Phone: 713-527-0345. www.mensclaycourt.com
Held at River Oaks in Houston, Texas.
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See Also: Map of Europe and North Africa
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Discounts, room upgrades, and special packages only available on Tennis Resorts Online.
John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas
TRO Exclusive: Save $100!
Tennis Resorts Online users can claim a special $100/person discount on any Sunday-Friday adult package Newk's offers between now and the end of May 2010. To get it, telephone reservations toll-free at 800-444-6204 or email the Ranch. You must mention Tennis Resorts Online to get the discount. Request a brochure.
Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman), Florida
Free Upgrade to One-bedroom Suite + Amenity Basket
Book the Saddlebrook Tennis School (which offers five hours a day of instruction) and a regular deluxe guest room at Saddlebrook Resort and they'll upgrade you to a one-bedroom suite* at no extra cost (two-night minimum) and include a complimentary Saddlebrook Amenity basket.
To get it, phone toll-free 800-729-8383 and ask for the Tennis Resorts Online Upgrade.
*Subject to availability at the time of booking
IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Florida
TRO Special: 10% Off All Packages
Tennis Resorts Online has secured a 10% discount on any adult camp at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy. The discount applies to lodging and meals as well. To get it, phone toll-free 800-872-6425 and mention this discount code: U_NY4252.
Not sure what you want? Send an online brochure request.
*Note: May not be combined with other discounts.
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