Newk On Newk's
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Emilio Sánchez On "the Spanish Method" and His Florida Academy
The Academia Sánchez-Casal in Barcelona, Spain is justifiably famous as the training ground for such international standouts as Andy Murray, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anna Ivanovic, Janko Tipsarevic, and others. In 2012, 
they bought the former Naples Bath & Tennis Club in Florida, bringing the so-called "Spanish Method" to a satellite campus run by none other than co-founder Emilio Sánchez himself. During his career on tour, he had a Top 10 ranking in singles and No. 1 in doubles, winning three Grand Slam doubles titles (two French, one U.S. Open) and later served as captain of the Spanish Davis Cup during its championship 2008 season. In Naples, he personally takes a role in the on-court instruction as he works to build this budding junior academy into one as effective as its Spanish sister. But just what is "the Spanish Method" anyway?
"The Spanish method is a way of placing yourself to hit the ball," Sánchez began. "In our clinics, we divide the court in three areas (here he draws a court and circles the area behind the baseline, the area between the baseline and service line and the area from the service line to the net). Inside these areas we will always move diagonally whenever we attack ball, so there is a lot of emphasis on footwork and movement. It makes players tougher. And because they work much harder in the practice sessions, in the matches they are more like survivors, they are warriors. They don't mind doing what they have to do to get behind the ball, and they know that if they can get behind the ball, they're going to have more options to hit the ball more places." More on the adult and junior programs at the Florida campus of the Academia Sánchez-Casal.
Tennis and More On Kauai, Hawaii's "Garden Isle"
Scores of movies have been filled on Hawai'i's island of Kaua'i, most recently "The Descendants," starring George Clooney. Less developed than the other major islands, it retains a haunting, even primeval beauty. Parts of the center of the 552-square-mile island remain impenetrable, including the often cloud-shrouded 5,142-foot Mount Waialeale crater—one of the wettest places on earth—near the core. So too the roadless Na Pali coast on the northwest, a haunting landscape of steep knife-edged ridges and deep canyons best viewed by boat. Even a short list of the movies shot on the island—"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Avatar," "Jurassic Park," and "South Pacific" (where Hanalei and the North Shore stood in for the iconic Bali Ha'i)—hints at the lush, exotic landscapes to be found there. Part of the allure of the island is that there are so many ways to take it all in: by road, helicopter, on foot or bicycle, by kayak, on horseback, or zipline. It is a place for active vacationers and, if you choose carefully, for tennis players, as you'll see when you read the report of my latest visit: Tennis on the "Garden Isle" of Kauai.
Your Recent Reviews
Every time you review a resort or camp you know first hand, you're automatically entered in a drawing for one of three tennis vacations: at Saddlebrook International Tennis: in Florida,TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort: in Florida, or New England Tennis Holidays at Sugarbush: in Vermont.
Here's a sample of recent critiques of the top resorts and camps by other vacationers, followed by a link where you can post your own.
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Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort, Florida
"We just finished our 23rd Annual Tennis Tournament at the Hidden Dunes Beach and Tennis Resort. Rene and her amazing staff (Ann and George) continue to find new ways to make our tournament more enjoyable. We have tried other facilities, but none come close for customer care! Thanx!!"—W.F., Int., November 2013
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Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort, South Carolina
"My husband and I took drill/stroke lessons from Eric during the summer. Each day was a different stroke in the game of tennis. We had his assistant Jennifer Friend-Kerr a couple of lessons also. Both were fantastic instructors, and provided a lot of game improvement advice. Eric videoed our stroke on an iPad and showed us the how/why of what we were doing. Superb value at HHBT in lessons and beachfront living- very few resorts can offer you tennis, then cool your hot feet in the surf 100 yards away!!
There are 3 restaurants on site, plus a poolside beach bar. If you are looking for a place to relax beachside, play some tennis, and stroll to onsite restaurants, then this is the place! Onsite bike rentals are also available. We are both advanced tennis players. It would be nice if the tennis pro shop had Climadry type shirts for purchase to advertise Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort back home at my local club!"—L.E., Adv., November 2013
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Oglebay Resort & Conference Center, West Virginia
"I love the setting of Oglebay.. it's peaceful and remote and old-timey. but the staff is professional and top-notch."—J.W., Int., November 2013
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Resort at Longboat Key Club, Florida
"I have frequented many of the resorts detailed on your website. The best game matching I have encountered to date is thanks to Zo at the resort at longboat key. She genuinely seems to enjoy her job and gets satisfaction from arranging competitive matches. At many of the other rated resorts, I had to do all the work myself and often have difficulty finding 4.0 singles players. Not so at the resort at longboat key!In addition, the courts are in pristine condition. There is no question that in the words of Arnold Schwartzenegger, "I'll be back.""—J.L., Adv. Int., November 2013
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Lodge at Pebble Beach, California
"Great destination! Perfect weather, knowledgable, helpful, coaching staff. Great tennis vacation!"—S.D., Adv. Int., December 2013
Exclusive Packages and Specials
Discounts, room upgrades, and special packages only available on Tennis Resorts Online.
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, x4200 and ask for the Tennis Resorts Online Upgrade.
*Subject to availability at the time of booking
Dave Marshall Tennis, Delaware
Exclusive Weekend Specials
From now through December, Dave Marshall has two special weekend (Friday-Sunday) packages exclusively for Tennis Resorts Online readers. "Singles Spectacular": a weekend clinic for one with 8 hours of instruction, match play, a tournament, and lodging in a 1-bedroom condo. Cost: $600. "Double the Fun": a weekend clinic for two with 8 hours of instruction, match play, a tournament, and lodging in a 2-bedroom condo. Cost: $850. To book, phone Dave Marshall at 302-526-5111 and tell him you want the "Tennis Resorts Online special."
John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas
TRO Exclusive: Save $100!
Tennis Resorts Online users can claim a special $100/person discount on any adult all-inclusive week-long camp program. 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.
On the Road
Dispatches from my latest travels
Revisiting the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in Texas
Resort Hopping In Southwest Florida
Emilio Sánchez on "the Spanish Method"
Tennis on the "Garden Isle" of Kauai
Sea Island, Georgia, and the Jensen Brothers
Cliff Drysdale Tennis at Hawk's Cay Resort, Florida
A Northern California Tennis Odyssey
Big Island's Kohala Coast: Where Hawaiian Royalty Vacationed
Soaring Above Phoenix, Arizona
Update on Florida's Alluring Panhandle
Guide to Hilton Head Island Tennis
Newport, Rhode Island, For Tennis Players
indicates a tournament