Emilio Sanchez Academy Florida
Naples, Florida
The original Academia Sánchez-Casal, based in Barcelona, Spain, achieved notoriety as the training ground for such accomplished touring pros as Andy Murray, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, Grigor Dimitrov, and others. Emilio Sánchez has adopted that methodology at his own academy in Naples, Florida. His approach bundles technical exercises, tactical strategy, and competition with a greater than usual focus on physical training with a goal of enhancing strength, speed, agility, coordination, and flexibility with a special emphasis on injury prevention. And it supplements the on-court work with daily language classes (in Spanish or English). Boarding campers are housed, dormitory style, in supervised three-bedroom, air-conditioned condominiums and fed at the Club's restaurant.
Entering a crowded space, this Florida academy benefits from having Emilio Sanchez himself not only personally directing the programs but engaged in teaching on a daily basis. It also emphasizes its very low student:pro ratios, as few as 1 or 2 students per pro in the year-round academy and no more than 4:1 in the weeklong camps. And the literature describes the teaching as "the Spanish Method." So I asked Sanchez, just what is the "Spanish Method"?
"The Spanish method is a way of placing yourself to hit the ball," he told me. "We divide the court in three areas [behind the baseline, from the baseline and service line and from the service line to the net]. Inside these areas we will always move diagonally to the ball. Our movement is always to go around the ball to be able to hit it." He goes on to add that training is divided. "We do 30% on drills, 30% on controls and 30% on match play and 10% is specific work on the pattern."
That necessarily means a heavy emphasis on footwork. "Because we emphasize going behind the ball, they have to work much harder in practice sessions and so in matches they are more like survivors, they are warriors because they are used to that and they don’t mind running or going behind the ball because they know that by getting behind the ball they’re going to have more options for where to hit it."
For those who attend full-time, the Academy's stated mission is " to create opportunities in tennis, education, and life"' by focusing on "education, competitiveness, enthusiasm, and industriousness."
Season: Year-round
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Emilio Sanchez Academy Florida
2035 Sanchez-Casal Way
Naples, FL 34105
Your Call
Here's what others have had to say about Emilio Sanchez Academy Florida.
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"Staff very nice and responsive. Large group of players so good variety to hit against"—W.P., Adv., July 2022
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""—T.B., Beg., June 2022
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"Emilio Sanchez Academy has not only an amazing tennis camp which propels your game to the next level, but it also has a positive and reinforcing atmosphere that allows one to be comfortable and feel at home.
I have been delighted to attend the academy and watch my tennis game improve dramatically! Thank you all so much! And special thanks to Mr. Emilio Sanchez, and coaches Lucas and Oscar."—N.B., Adv. Int., June 2022
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"Really good experience during the summer and also during the year as a annual student athlete."—P.M., Pro, June 2022
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"The Emilio Sanchez Academy is a great place to develop as a person and player. Students and players create strong bonds with each other and push each other to be better. Overall, a great place for people to develop and enjoy the sport."—E.B., Adv., June 2022
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"It’s a great experience, and would recommend coming."—V.S., Adv., June 2022
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"Strengths:
Strong sense of humor within the community
Outstanding effort from all the coaches, Coach Charles especially helped me with all aspects of my game
Located in a nice neighborhood and city of Naples
Spending time under beautiful environment and weather"—H.M., Pro, June 2022
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"Amazing environment and great people all over. Very welcoming and warm atmosphere. Always love coming back here. Multicultural."—L.A., Adv. Int., June 2022
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"This academy is the strongest in the world overall. They leave no stone unturned when it comes to the physical, technical, tactical, and mental components of all their players. No matter what age or skill level you are, they have a place for you to come and get better."—C.G., Pro, June 2022
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"Amazing place, very welcoming to all different level players. Always loved coming back here, staff is excellent especially coach Charles as he took very good care of me. Always a pleasure to come back to this place!"—N.T., Pro, June 2022
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"Our children (2 boys) love the summer camps and all other day camps you provide while there are school holidays. The instructors make the camps fun and the kids enjoy the hot lunches you provide. Our oldest son (10yr) enjoys the formats and the games that are incorporated into the drills. We have been coming to your camps every summer for the past three years and participate in the after school programs as well.
Flavia has been a tremendous asset in keeping us well informed and over seeing that all the children are doing well and having fun while learning."—V.K., Low Int., January 2020
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"My son has been a student of Sanchez Casal for 4 years. He started as a junior. He now is a scholar collegiate tennis player. My son has gained not only improvement in his tennis game but improvement in success in education and his personal life. I as a single parent raising my son cannot say enough of the professionalism and the depth of expertise that Victor and Sanchez Casal has to offer!"—D.M., Adv., January 2020
Ratings(19 Reviewers) |
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Tennis Staff
Lodging
Dollar Value
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Instruction
Cuisine
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