Four Seasons Nevis To Reopen

The Four Season Resort Nevis near St. Kitts in the Leeward Island of the Caribbean has announced that it will reoped on Dec. 15, 2010. The 196-room beachfront resort had closed in October 2008 following damage by Hurricane Omar. With six hard and four red-clay courts, Nevis has been one of the standout tennis options in the Caribbean. No pro has been announced, but once one has I'll update the information on my Four Seasons Nevis page. special reopening rates are being offered.

Colony Beach & Tennis Closes

Sadly, after 40 years of operation, the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Longboat Key in Florida has ceased operation on August 15, 2010. In its best years, it was often cited as the No. 1 tennis resort in the country; however, in recent years the property had fallen into disrepair when the owners were unable to resolve a dispute with the Condominium Unit Owners. Ultimately, Dr. Murray "Murf" Klauber, who founded it, and his daughter Katherine "Katie " Klauber Moulton, who had been managing it, felt that they cold not longer offer the level of service and amenities the resort had been notable for with the property in disrepair. What happens to the property now is uncertain, though the Colony website leaves open the possibility of its resurrection in some form, saying the Klaubers hope that the "Condominium Unit Owners will pursue responsible and positive preservation of the property [and] swiftly establish a plan of renovation to revitalize the resort."

Tennis Vacation = Happiness

At least that's the conclusion of an article in the New York Times entitled But Will It Make You Happy?. Rather than buy material goods you'll ultimately get far more pleasure from spending money on an experience. "'It's better to go on a vacation than buy a new couch,' is basically the idea," the Times quotes University of British Columbia Professor Elizabeth W. Dunn as saying. Her research dovetails with that of Thomas DeLeire, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin. According to the Times article, he concluded that "the only category to be positively related to happiness was leisure: vacations, entertainment, sports and equipment like [tennis racquets]." And when it comes to planning a vacation (or purchases, for that matter), anticipation is part of the reward, so you'll ultimately derive more pleasure if you book in advance than if you wait until the last moment.
So start planning your next tennis holiday now.

Unmatched: ESPN Film on
Evert-Navratilova Rivalry and Friendship

On September 14, a few days after the U.S. Open, ESPN/ESPN HD will screen "Unmatched,", a film in its acclaimed 30 For 30 Series Presented by Cadillac. The hour-long feature chronicles the rivalry and unlikely friendship of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. These two very different tennis legends first met in 1973 when a hefty 16-year-old Navratilova lost to the 18-year-old Evert in a match scarcely anyone saw. "I remember that she was fat," Evert recalled. "She was very emotional on the court, whining if she didn't feel she was playing well. But I remember thinking, if she loses weight, we're all in trouble." Said Navratilova, "My goal was for her to remember my name." Eighty matches later—amid the extraordinary growth of women's tennis—Evert not only remembered, but became a tried and true friend and confidante, remarkable considering the two appeared to be polar opposites in upbringing, life styles and personal relationships. Through a series of personal conversations between Evert and Navratilova, filmmakers Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters, along with producer Hannah Storm, will tell the story of one of the greatest one-on-one sports rivalries and capture these two extraordinary athletes' views on tennis and an ever-changing world.

Win a Tennis Vacation!

Rate any resort or camp you know first hand, and you'll automatically be entered in a drawing for one of these great vacation prizes:

• Tennis weekend for 2 (lodging, 5 hours daily clinics, breakfast, more) at the professional training facilities at Saddlebrook Tennis in Wesley Chapel, Florida
• Two nights lodging in a Clay Brook condominium, two days of tennis camp (five hours a day) on Har-Tru courts, lunch both days, and dinner the second night for two people at the highly-ranked New England Tennis Holidays location in Sugarbush, Vermont
• Three nights lodging at TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort, in Destin, Florida plus complimentary court time, tennis clinic, round robin, souvenirs, and more for two people

To participate, go to Rate a Resort or Camp or Rate a Junior Camp and fill out a questionnaire.

News and Reviews

Revisiting Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

A light rain had cancelled my morning plans for tennis so I headed to Palmetto Dunes Outfitters and hopped into a kayak to explore some of the 12 miles of lagoons that lace this 2,000-acre Hilton Head Island resort and help set it apart from the others. Flat and windfree, these interior waterways were easy to navigate and afforded a peaceful way to explore, watching for birdlife and admiring the homes to either side. Spanish moss hung from some of the trees, and from time to time I passed under a bridge built to carry golf carts from fairway to fairway. Mostly, I remember how quite it was. Earlier this summer, I wrote a guide to choosing among Hilton Head Island's various resorts and camps in the July Newsletter, but since then I've expanded and updated the information about the Palmetto Dunes experience, and you can read that by visiting Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

Your Recent Reviews

Here's a sample of recent critiques of the top resorts and camps by other vacationers.

• Whistler Racquet Club, British Columbia Canada
  "The gorgeous setting of this tennis facility is simply spectacular.
  The camp was well organized with a quick pace and personal touch. Director Marjorie Blackwood and her capable instructors Kirk, Jesse and Pete provided an excellent blend of one-on-one / group input, in each session. Key video added nice reinforcement. The blend of instructor and camp attendee personalities was a treat.
  My wife and I took this four day tennis camp to learn and to improve. Better still 4 days in Whistler were good for the soul: great food, beautiful setting, entertaining company and serious learning. Terrific few days, real fun, loads of laughs, wonderful value. Nothing negative."—D.S., Int., August 2010

• Wintergreen Tennis Academy, Virginia
  "Instruction pinpointed right to my weak areas while keeping an upbeat, fun atmosphere is one reason I enjoyed my tennis experience at Wintergreen. I also can't wait until I can put into practice some of the new ways to think about executing shots and doubles strategy. All in all, it was great fun and great instruction."—B.P., Low Int., August 2010

• NIKE Amherst Adult Tennis Camp, Massachusetts
  "I've been going to this camp for the past ten years and I'll keep going back for as long as it goes on. I always attend the session that starts on the Thursday of the first week of Wimbledon and I leave on the Sunday when there are no matches scheduled at the Championships. What makes the camp special is the expertise and enthusiasm of its founders, Reiny and Maureen. They make learning tennis fun and they both have an uncanny ability to immediately see any flaws in your technique and are able to gently suggest what you might want to try to improve.They hire good people who teach energetically but patiently.
  The accomodations are modest as you sleep in unairconditioned dorm rooms, but the dorm building is modern and clean, built just a few years ago. The food is better than what I expected from a university cafeteria, and there are good restaurants just a few minutes away in the charming town of Amherst. Be sure to check out the Amherst Brewery and Amherst's art house cinema. It's easy to meet new people and there are many who,like me, keep coming back every year."—E.D., Adv. Int., July 2010

• Ferris State University Junior Tennis Camps, Michigan
  "I had a tremendous time while I was at Ferris State's Junior Tennis Camp this July. Knowledge of the game of tennis, having fun, socializing, and improving your game are all incorporated excellently throughout the week. I left Ferris State with a better understanding of tennis, but most importantly, I gained even more enthusiasm about the sport I love. This camp is definitely worth the money, and I would recommend it to someone of any age or playing level, whether their goal is just to have fun and make friends or to step up and improve their game."—A.S., Adv. Int., July 2010

• Whistler Racquet Club, British Columbia Canada
  "This was a great camp. We learned so much. The instructors were excellent, always helpful and supportive. The use of the tennis machine and the video was extremely useful. The text handouts at the end were not very informative; they need some editing."—P.B., Low Int., July 2010

Sponsors

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Tennis At Enchantment
Great package at Arizona's #1 Resort (Travel + Leisure pick)
www.enchantmentresort.com

Upcoming Events

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New Tennis Gardens Has It All! Our AAA Four-Diamond beachfront resort’s new Tennis Gardens features 20 Har-Tru courts, café, players’ patio, pro shop and more. We also received the USTA’s prestigious Outstanding Facilities Award. From golf to spa to our marina to the courts, it’s all here. And it’s all yours. Call 888-237-5545 or visit www.longboatkeyclub.com

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Your Summer Tennis Reading List

It's been a summer of new tennis books. Venus Williams edited a collection of essay on success called "Come To Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors and Other Visionaries On How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession," which gets the award for the longest subtitle. Among those who opinions she sought are Chairman and CEO of American Express Ken Chenault, former President and CEO of eBay Meg Whitman, NIKE Co-Founder Phil Knight, former Chairman and CEO of General Electric Jack Welch, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, fashion designer Vera Wang, and former President Bill Clinton. Among the questions she asked were "What principles that inspired you to succeed as an athlete are helpful in life and business?
Patrick McEnroe teamed with Peter Bodo to write "Harcourt Confidential: Tales from Twenty Years in the Pro Tennis Trenches." As a player, commentator, Davis Cup captain, head of the USTA's Player Development Program, and brother of American tennis icon John, he has been deep inside the tennis tour for all of the last 25 years. It has given him a treasure trove of stories to tell over dinner and in casual conversations, so the book is at once very personal and very broad, touching on everything from the real-life personalities of its best-known players—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras among them—to what it's like to be in the trenches and behind the scenes of what is now a global sport.
And finally, the University of Oxford's Bodleian Library has issued The Original Rules of Tennis, which covers the history of the rules of tennis from their first codification to the present day, with a foreword by John Barrett and an introduction by Tin Henman.

Exclusive Packages and Specials

Discounts, room upgrades, and special packages only available on Tennis Resorts Online.

John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, Texas
TRO Exclusive: Save $100!
Tennis Resorts Online users can claim a special $100/person discount on any Sunday-Friday adult package Newk's offers between now and the end of 2010. To get it, telephone reservations toll-free at 800-444-6204 oremail the Ranch. You must mention Tennis Resorts Online to get the discount. Request a brochure.

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IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Florida
TRO Special: 10% Off All Adult Packages
Tennis Resorts Online has secured a 10% discount on any adult camp at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy. The discount applies to lodging and meals as well. To get it, phone toll-free 800-872-6425 and mention this discount code: U_NY4252.

Not sure what you want? Send an online brochure request.

*Note: May not be combined with other discounts.

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Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman), Florida
Adult Camp Special: Half Day of Free Tennis
Book two days of tennis and two nights of lodging at the low summer rates and get an extra half-day of tennis free. To take advantage of this offer, phone toll-free 800-729-8383 and ask for the Tennis Resorts Online Free Half-Day Special. Valid May 15-Sept. 25, 2010.

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(More Discounts & Specials)

On the Road

Dispatches from my latest travels

Guide to Hilton Head Island Tennis

Newport, Rhode Island, For Tennis Players

Club Med-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands

Boulevard Village & Tennis Club, Vero Beach, Florida

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina

Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas, Texas

Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Vic Braden Tennis College at Green Valley Resort & Spa, Utah

Sponsors

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Mariani's Virtual Gourmet
Weekly food, wine and travel reports from around the world
www.johnmariani.com

Everett Potter's Travel
Value-focused Travel Advice Interviews, Reviews, Articles
www.everettpotter.com

Family Travel Forum
Family Travel Information Advice, Custom Planning
www.familytravelforum.com

Sports Psychologist
Mental Coaching by Phone or in Palm Beach, Florida Office
www.JohnFMurray.com

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