Nick Bollettieri founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in 1978 as a full-time tennis boarding school that combined intensive tennis training with an academic curriculum. Since then it has become world-renowned for its work with such notable touring pros as Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Monica Seles, Boris Becker,
Anna Kournikova, Tommy Haas, The Williams sisters, and countless others.
There are two aspects to the junior program: a year-round live-in academy, whose students combine training with academic studies at one of three local prep schools (including one on the NBTA grounds itself); and a drop-in program often over school holidays or the summer to train from a single day to a week or more, either as a boarding student staying in the academy villas and dining in the student dining room, or as a non-boarding student staying elsewhere.
Whatever the option chosen, the approach to training is the same. It begins with the biomechanical aspects of strokes, emphasizing proper technique and avoiding competition until the fundamentals are established. Once those are established then the work proceeds to preparation for competition, with work on strategy and tactics, and then to competition itself. Campers who come for short periods get a distilled version of this overall approach.
Season: Year-round
Ages: 8-22
June 1-4, 2012: Nick Bollettieri Discovery Open
www.imgacademies.com/discoveryopen Phone: 941-752-2689
This first-year, elite singles-only event will feature 32 of the best U11, U13 and U15 players in the world, with each boys' and girls' age group winner receiving one free week of camp evaluation, and the overall top player earning the opportunity to receive a year-long scholarship to attend IMG Academies. Entries close May 1, 2012
Weekly rates are for 5 1/2 days of tennis instruction (Sunday arrival, Saturday departure). Those on the boarding package also receive 6 nights of lodging and meals, while non-boarders receive tennis and lunches. An Accelerated program with additional features is also available. See the website to customize your program.
Weekly Camps: Jan. 1-May 26, 2012
Boarding: $1,685-$2,420/week. Non-boarding: $1,435-$2,030/week
Summer Camps: May 27-Aug. 20, 2011
Boarding: $1,685-$2,365/week. Non-boarding: $1,435-$2,115/week