Nick Bollettieri To Enter Hall of Fame
Many felt this was long overdue, but legendary coach Nick Bollettieri has at last been invited to become a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI, He will be inducted this July along with form World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, 5-time Paralympic medalist Chantal Vandierendonck; Jane Brown Grimes, who has held executive leadership roles with the WTA, USTA, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame; and British tennis broadcaster and author John Barrett. There are more details in the Hall of Fame press release.
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Todd Martin Named CEO of Hall of Fame
Former ATP world No. 4 Todd Martin has been named the CEO-designate of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum in Newport, RI. 
He assumes that role on April 1, and for the next several months will work with current CEO, Mark L. Stenning, who will be stepping down in September after 35 years with the organization. A highly respected member of the tennis community, Martin is a past president of the ATP Players Council and former member of the USTA Board of Directors. In the press release, Martin commented on his new position:
"I'm tremendously excited to join the International Tennis Hall of Fame, to lead the organization's staff, and to execute its mission. It is an honor to be charged with preserving the rich history of our sport and to celebrate the people who have created its greatest moments. I look forward to working with the International Tennis Hall of Fame Board of Directors and staff, and many tennis industry partners."
Cromlix: Andy Murray's Luxury Hotel Opens April 1
Courtesy Cromlix Hotel
Visitors to Kinbuck, Scotland can now stay at Andy Murray's house—or at least at Cromlix House, the Victorian mansion he purchased last year not far from where he grew up in Dunblane. Set on 34 acres of secluded woodlands and gardens, the handsome stone structure houses 10 rooms, 5 suites, a chapel, reception hall, two drawing rooms, a conservatory, library, meeting rooms, and Chez Roux restaurant. On the grounds there is a tennis court and practice wall and a lake—make that loch—for fishing. Renovations are currently underway, with bookings being accepted beginning April 1.
Newk On Newk's
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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Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman), Florida
"After a ten year experience visiting various tennis camps and many, many visits to Saddlebrook, my husband and I have dropped the other camps from contention and continue to visit Saddlebrook several times a year. The tennis program is intensive and highly personalized with staff who really care about getting to know you and making you comfortable. Accommodations are delightful, grounds are gorgeous, pool and spa a fabulous treat for sore muscles after a long day. The food on site is fresh, healthy and excellent. Howard Moore does a spectacular job of running the program and instructors are particularly excellent. Perhaps best of all are the people who you find on the court with you. They are always interesting and engaging leading to many fascinating conversations over post-tennis wine and dinner. Just the best."—B.B., Int., March 2014
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Caneel Bay Resort, U.S. Virgin Islands
"The tennis courts and the tennis instruction at Caneel Bay are fantastic. The courts are very easy on your joints and really fun to play on. The tennis pro's are excellent at assessing your game and making big improvements in your strokes in a quick amount of time. They also facilitate many different programs which makes it easy to meet and mingle with other tennis enthusiasts while on vacation. Hard to imagine a better place to play tennis in the Caribbean."—B.M., Adv. Int., February 2014
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La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, California
"Tom Gorman is the Tennis Whisperer! Not only did Tom turn my wife into a tennis player in 8 short days, but he also worked on my mental game, giving me the confidence to compete again. Moreover, the kid's clinics were truely awesome. Both of my kids (5 and 7) were on the verge of quitting tennis, but the coaches at La Quinta were so much fun and engaging that my kids are more into tennis now than they've ever been. All of this on the backdrop of the beautiful La Quinta Resort & Spa made this tennis retreat spectacular."—B.B., Adv. Int., January 2014
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Mohonk Mountain House, New York
"An incredibly beautiful setting at my favorite overall resort anywhere. What makes the tennis so much fun is the skill and enthusiasm of the pros."—G.K., Adv., March 2014
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Boulders, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Arizona
"I have been coming to this resort for the last 9 years and I have always enjoyed it. Dale and Jane were truly the key to this operation. Both were so friendly and they make you feel at home. Their drills, lessons were fantastic!!! They always make it so fun that you want to keep playing tennis. The courts were great and the setting was absolutely breathtaking. And of course the weather...was fabulous!! You just want to keep coming back to this place."—M.V., Adv. Int., February 2014
Exclusive Packages and Specials
Discounts, room upgrades, and special packages only available on Tennis Resorts Online.
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 302-462-0062 and tell him you want the "Tennis Resorts Online special."
Julian Krinsky School of Tennis, Pennsylvania (Juniors)
JKCP Special: Save on Jr. Packages
Tennis Resorts Online has secured a discount of $250* off residential and $100 off day* bookings on any tennis camp you book at the Julian Krinsky School of Tennis. To get it, email imagine@jkcp.com or apply online at http://www.jkcp.com and use one of these codes: for Residential camps, TRORES2014, and for day camps, TRODAY2014.
Not sure what you want? Send an online brochure request.
*Note: May not be combined with other discounts.
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
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