Gstaad Palace
Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks
CH-3780 Gstaad, Switzerland
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By Roger Cox, Editor |
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One of the Leading Hotels of the World, the turreted Gstaad Palace is a landmark in Switzerland's Saanen Valley, two hours east of Geneva. Though best-known in the United States for its skiing, this mountain village is if anything even more beautiful in summer and fall. And it's then, in fact, that tennis legend Roy Emerson arrives to conduct six-day tennis camps on the hotel's four red-clay courts.
The hotel itself dates to 1913 and has been managed since 1938 (and owned since 1947) by the Scherz family. At 150 rooms, it is Switzerland's largest pension and yet for all its size retains the feel of an inn.
Emmo and Gstaad: Living the DreamFor an engaging report about the Emerson Tennis Week, and an opportunity to comment, read E.J. Kahn III's "Emmo and Gstaad: Living the Dream,", a special report posted on TRO's blog pages. |
Roughly midweek the routine is broken as everyone goes off with Emmo on a picnic in the Alps, and at least once during the session he rounds up guests for a night out at a typical Swiss place for dinner. Camps sizes vary from 15 to 40 (he has access to other courts in town if necessary). "We get all standards of play, and gear the instruction accordingly," he says of his approach. Though he trained under the legendary Australian Davis Cup coach Harry Hopman (where Emerson won 36 of his 40 matches), he backs off the rigorous Hopman methods for those who aren't up to it.
The crowd is typically a mixture of people for many parts of the world.
See Also
If looking for other luxury resorts with programs by a former touring pro, check out:
- Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina, where Roy Barth is the director
- Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Florida, where Mike Leach is the director
Also look for special programs at:
- Curtain Bluff, Antigua, where Fred Stolle runs special programs
- Sea Pines Resort, South Carolina, where Stan Smith runs a Thanksgiving program
Rates and Reservations
The prices for the Emerson weeks include lodging for six nights, instruction, all meals, one massage, use of the swimming pool and gymnasium, and taxes. Contact Roy Emerson directly if you're interested by email to Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks.
Emerson Weeks: June 23-29, 2013
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
Emerson Weeks: June 30-July 6
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
Emerson Weeks: July 14-20 and 21-27, 2013
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
Emerson Weeks: Aug. 25-31 & Sept. 1-7, 2013
From CHF 3,780; non-participant in same room, CHF 2,980
CH-3780 Gstaad, Switzerland
Travel Essentials
Seasons. June-September.
General Tourist Information. For general information about travel to Switzerland, check out the Swiss National Tourist Office website.