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Hardcore Faceoff: Bollettieri vs. Hopman
When it comes to truly hard-core tennis camps, the two biggest names are the Bollettieri Tennis Academy and Saddlebrook Tennis (which most of us think of as the Hopman program), both in Florida. Each has a history of producing and training international touring pros, and both offer live-in and short-term camps for aspiring juniors as well as demanding five-plus-hour-a-day programs for adults. But how do you decide which is best for you or your child?
I've just returned from participating in both adult camps, and you can read my revised reviews of the experiences on the Bollettieri and Saddlebrook pages of this web site. One thing they share is an emphasis on what both call "the modern game," most evident in a preference for open-stance forehands, shorter backswings, and aggressive putaways. But for the purposes of this faceoff, let me outline a side-by-side comparison of their similarities and differences. That is followed by the reviews of both the adult and junior programs by vacationers like you.
| Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy | Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman) |
|---|---|
| Overview: Part of a gated 300-acre campus with four other sports academies; smoking prohibited throughout | Overview: Part of a gated 480-acre resort/residential community |
| Courts: 56 clay, hard, and red-clay courts, 4 of them indoors | Courts: 45 clay, hard, red-clay, Rebound Ace, and grass courts; no indoor |
| Recreation: 18-hole golf course nearby, golf academy, small adult swimming pool | Recreation: 2 golf courses, golf academy, lake-sized swimming pool, bike paths and rentals, on-site bass fishing |
| Lodging: deluxe guest rooms, 1-to-4-bedroom villas with kitchens, free Internet access; numerous nearby off-campus options | Lodging: deluxe recently upgraded guest rooms, 1-to-2-bedroom condos with kitchens, Internet access (fee); breakfast included on tennis packages; limited nearby off-site options |
| Dining: Limited to clubhouse buffet; no bar (beer and wine available at dinner); no room service | Dining: 2 (upscale but pricey) restaurants, poolside cafe, lounge, poolside and sports bars, coffee bar; room service |
| Spa/Fitness: Warehouse-sized state-of-the-art performance and sports therapy center with personal trainers; massage rooms (4,000-square-foot Aveda Spa to open Jan. 2007) | Spa/Fitness: 3,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers, among them the renowned Pat Etcheberry; full-service 7,000-square-foot spa and salon |
| Tennis cost: $210-$230/day, includes instruction and lunch; less on packages | Tennis cost: $190/day, instruction only, 2-day minimum; less for 5-plus-day stays |
| Juniors: 270 live-in tennis students; on-site and off-site preparatory schools | Juniors: 130 live-in juniors in tennis program; on-site preparatory school |
| Name Players: Maria Sharapova, Tommy Haas, Mary Pierce, Jelena Jankovic, Max Mirnyi, and others sometimes train there | Name Players: James Blake, Bob and Mike Bryan, Mardy Fish, Martina Hingis, and others sometimes train there |
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"I found the instructors to be good and knowledgeable and full of personality. Basically they just fed us a ton of balls and kept us running and kept it fun. Spent the majority of our time on the open stance shot - both baseline and approach shot down the line. … Basic lodging and not much to offer in terms of recreation. The vast majority of players were 3.5 and weak 4.0's."—A.H., Adv., Sept. 2006 "My overall impression of my week: 1) A strong conditioning program (drills are very demanding and you will hit a ton of balls; 2) The instructors vary in knowledge and experience; 3) Very friendly staff and buffet (lunch included) is good; 4) [despite the camp's demanding nature] I found quite a few adult participants to be less intense and focused than I expected. While the junior side is all business, the adults are a lot less competitive then you might think. A lot of joking and fun on the courts. So don't think you are going to have people yelling at you all the time. Also, the level of play is extremely varied … from people who have never picked up a racquet to 4.5 and 5.0's. So don't think you have to be good to go here."—M.P., Adv., May 2006 "The training was excellent. However, I felt that the day is too long for the average adult. To start at 8:30 with 45 minute of warm-up exercises, drills for 2 hours, then supervised play in the afternoon is too long a day. But, I did learn a lot, got a chance to meet pros, such as Mary Jo Fernadez, and had a great time."—D.L., Int., November 2006 "Bollettieri is a great camp for Junior players, the playing and instruction is limitless. For Adults though it is like a factory and really not organized for hitting live balls mostly for doubles players who are not very skilled. Almost all the morning clinics are taught by feeding balls in clinic settings and is not a good live ball playing experience.  I actually realized and learned that my daughter, a junior player who was with me played all the time with other juniors and I discovered that by live hitting I got to be a better player with live hitting and match play in singles.
Nic Bollettieri is wonderful and is inspirational, but the venue is not condusive to an adult singles players. Saddlebrook is a much better adult playing either singles or doubles resort. 10 stars for saddlebrook, tennis, food, living arrangement and cost!!"—R.E., Pro, November 2006"I am a 4.5 player who has been to both Saddlebrook as well as Bollettieri.The instructional drills are intense at both . There was 1 coach to 4 players.I learnt more at Saddlebrook because of the more personal attention there. The ambience and surroundings are more luxurious at Saddlebrook. I would repeat at Saddlebrook rather than Bollettieri."—C.J., Adv., November 2006 "I had the privilidge of spending three days at Bollettieri in the adult program. I felt the pros were very helpful and encouraging, pushing each of us to achieve a higher level of consistancy, with good form. With a maximum of four people on each court, the pros were able to identify problems and weaknesses and feed enough balls to correct the muscle memory. I personally feel, that a trip to this camp is worth the money and is much better than taking a weekly drill from the club pros. The money would be about the same. I don't feel this is a camp for recreaton...you have to be serious about improving your game.
If you're traveling looking for tennis and a social life I don't feel that they offer much. There was no opportunity to have a round robin after drills or any socials included, which you will find at Saddlebrook. The pro shop was very nice, but a little pricy, the food for lunch (which came with the program was a good buffet, but there was no alternative on site. I do feel that the overall atmosphere was geared to the various schools there, as opposed to Saddlebrook's level of hard work plus resort and pleasure if desired.
The indoor courts were nice, as it rained one morning, and the camp just moved inside rather than being cancelled."—M.M., Adv. Int., November 2006"IMG was a fabulous tennis boot camp experience. The instructors are hard core. My game definitley improved after the 3-day program. This program guarantees exhaustion."—A.G., Low Int., March 2007 "I went alone to experience some good tennis drills and confidence building. I was not disappointed, it was a good overall tune up for my game."—M.K., Int., March 2007 "I was on a family vacation to Sarasota recently, and decided to take a half-day session at Bollettieri's. I signed up for the morning sesion, which included lunch and a tee-shirt. I ended up having a good time. I'm not sure I really learned anything new (but wouldn't expect to in just a half-day session) but I got to hit a ton of balls, got a good workout, got to see the world-famous tennis academy, and got a good lunch and tee-shirt. And, actually I liked it enough to go back for a half-day the following day. I've been to the week-long sessions at Newk's several times - and for a week of tennis I'd probably go BACK to Newk's - but I'm glad I was able to experience the Bollettieri system at least once."—T.F., Adv. Int., April 2007"As a 2 time adult 5-day veteran (and more to come), I believe this is THE tennis program which all others are compared to. My tennis development is on a superfast trajectory due to the intensity and caliber of the program. Train where the pros train!"—D.T., Adv., May 2007 "If you're looking to hit thousands of balls this is the camp for adults. Mainly all drills and some play. Most player were at good levels. Between 3.5 to 4.5 You must be in good shape !! The food was good and people are friendly. I would not recommend for more than 3 days. unless you are in super shape and enjoy hitting a lot of balls ! Also, nice to see how the kids are in their program and from all parts of the world."—J.W., Adv., January 2008"Loved it. Taught me an open stance on forehand and backhand and encouraged learning to hit left-handed to improve my two-handed backhand. It was the single thing I have done to improve my game in one huge leap. I came alone and met people -- went out with some in the evenings. Hands down more intense than Kiawah and The Colony, although I loved both for vacation."—V.D., Adv. Int., February 2008 "I've been to The Bollettieri Tennis Academy five times in the last 2 years, and loved every minute of it. The first time, I purchased a 5-day Pro Max package, and after that visit I came for 3 days and used ala carte pricing for massages & privates. I'm a 4.5 ladies singles player, and found the level of instruction to be exceptionally high. Much is made of it being physically demanding, and, it's true, it's definitely physical; however, if you're in moderate to good shape it's not overwhelming. Most impressive to me is the pros' willingness to adapt the program to the whims of its guests ... All of them have gone out of their way to pair me with good players, set up matches, and work on my nemesis issues. It's also very inspiring to watch the high-level juniors, and pros, train if they're on site. It's like a fantasy camp for the tennis addict.
I hope I get the opportunity to go every 6 months until I'm too old to grip a racquet! I also appreciate having on-site PT services -- a must for the adult player."—K.Q., Adv. Int., February 2008"Intense workout led by knowledgeable and high energy pros."—L.P., Int., June 2008 Post Your Opinion |
Adults: Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman)"Just back from a family vacation. The tennis program and instruction was outstanding. I have an 8 and 7 year old kids, and they loved everything about their tennis experience. If you want your kids to feel good about tennis, I strongly recommend the Harry Hopman tennis program."—S.B., Adv., Oct. 2006 "Grueling and rewarding. The pros are very helpful, not just feeding balls, but correcting mistakes, encouraging and demanding 100% effort. If you want to relax by the pool, don't do the 7 day camp! If you want to seriously improve your game ... this is the place to go!"—M.M., Adv., Sept. 2006 "Overpriced and overrated. If you are looking for a place to relax and take it easy, hitting some balls and doing some drills along the way, you may enjoy this. If you are a serious tennis player looking to improve your game, there are a lot of places that you can spend this kind of money, probably with superior results."—G.H, Adv., Apr. 2006 "What a great way to end the old year and begin the New Year of 2007. As a family of 5, with children ages 10, 13, 15, we have just completed a 5 day Tennis Clinic. The Hopman Tennis program was recommended by two of our local Tennis Club Pros, and we could not be happier nor more satisfied. From the time we arrived to the hour we left 6 days later, the Program Directors, Howard and Larry, were on the spot and eager to assist the whole family in ensuring that everyone had a rewarding and enjoyable time.
Each of the children and adults had the benefit of improving their games with many hours of outstanding intensive instruction, drills and the personal attention of each of the tennis professionals we worked with. Howard, Larry and their staff went to great efforts to ensure that everyone got in every minute of all 5 hours of tennis instruction each day, despite two of the days having intermittent rain showers.
What our family especially noticed and appreciated was the warmth and positve attitude. Everyone was so friendly. Saddlebrook Resort is a fabulous setting for the Hopman Tennis Program. The deluxe accommodations, food and extra large swimming area were all first class, and a welcome respat after a full day of tennis. Our family has enjoyed some great vacations in the past, and this one rates up there with the best. Each of the children and adults have seen a noticable improvement in their game since returning home. We will definitely be back, and highly recommend Hopman Tennis at Saddlebrook Resort. The kids have told everyone how great it was and how much they loved their time there, and are looking forward to returning. This is a great family vacation destination for the family who plays and wants to learn/improve their tennis game. There were familes from as far away as Hong Kong and Beijing, to Canada.
For the non-tennis player of the family, Saddlebrook has an excellent Arnolf Palmer Golf course and European-style Spa. We give Saddlebrook Tennis Resort Five Stars."—J.F., Int., January 2007"Outstanding experience. The facility was beautiful--clean, well-kept, great atmosphere. Tennis instruction was excellent and tuned to every level. I have to note that one or two stellar instructors make the whole experience. Randy Dudley and Mike Hinkle. Know the names, request them, and you too will have no regrets. These are the guys who are the heart of the program. Not to take away from others, but these guys have a gift. I'd return in a minute, but I'd seek these guys out if they move."—M.P., Low Int., January 2007 "I've been going for 4 years; Saddlebrook is a great place to work on your conditioning and strokes; the pros I worked with were involved, helpful and friendly; always some takeaway for your game; well organized; a player's place"—K.M., Adv. Int., February 2007 "I came to Saddlebrook looking for an intensive tennis vacation. That is exactly what I experienced. Howard the head pro makes sure to match your level with the right pros. I called before I came and he suggested the best dates. This was a time when other 4.0-4.5 players would be there, essential to getting a good experience in your group. Most days I was with 2 other players and one pro. Other days, I was one on one or one on two with a pro. Three hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. Over my six days, my strokes definitely improved.
They film twice a week. On my second day all my strokes were filmed and then reviewed with a pro. Later in the week, my serve was filmed and then reviewed. This is a critical component of improving youg game, seeing yourself on film. There is also time to play matches in the evening, but after five hours of instruction not much energy.
The accomadations are great. Ask for the tennis resorts upgrade to a one bedroom suite, very nice. Breakfast comes with the room and it was very good. Since the tennis begins at 750am, I missed as many breakfasts as I made.
Lunch and dinners, I found the food overpriced and not very good. I always drove into town, less than a mile and ate at different restaurants. There are plenty of choices. All in all, my favorite tennis resort experience. If you want to get better, this is a grea place to improve your game. One more thing I use is I subscribe to tennisplayer.net a great resource for tennis players."—M.W., Adv., February 2007"I've been going to Hopman Tennis Academy at Saddlebrook for about 8 years. They use the best instruction drills that I've seen anywhere. Their coaches are great and if you're not in shape when you get there, you will be when you leave! Tiki Bar for after tennis cocktails and spa for massages are really nice to have also."—D.S., Adv. Int., February 2007 "Saddlebrook offered me the opportunity to improve my tennis game. I believe that the 4:1 instruction was intense and can truly say that after 5 hours of play you felt as if you had a great workout. The instruction was insitefull and on mark with my game as as well as the others on my court. I would highly recommend Saddlebrook Resort for their outstanding tennis program anf facilities. An exceptional family atmospere in a very calming village setting. What could be better than that?"—G.K., Adv., February 2007 "I just returned home from my tennis vacation at Saddlebrook in Florida. This is my 4th trip to the Hopman Tennis Camp in 2 years. I come all the way from California for this awesome tennis experience. It is well worth the long trip. I am always treated very well by the staff. Howard, the man incharge of the program, is always available to make my stay great. I have had incredable coaches, some who are still coaching players on the tour. I had world class coaching with a ratio that never is more than 4 players to one coach. I have been to a lot of different tennis camps but this one stands out above the rest. I highly reccomend it to everyone of any ability level. There is a place for all at Saddlebrook."—H.C., Adv. Int., February 2007"Just got back from a week of tennis at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa FL. The tennis was amazing!!! Howard, Mike, and Larry run a top-notch clinic for players of all ages and skill levels. Our family of four consists of a 4.0 player, adult beginner, and 10 & 12 year old boys at different skill levels. The program there was able to accommodate all of us, it exceeded all our expectations. The 4 to 1 ratio was great!! One of the highlights we weren't expecting was seeing James Blake and Marty Fish working out.
The resort itself had good eats, a large pool and is a very safe environment to let the kids hang out by themselves. I family would highly recommend this resort for any family looking to take a sports vacation."—D.R., Adv., February 2007"My husband and I signed up for 5 days of tennis and had a very enjoyable tennis vacation. The instruction at Saddlebrook was better than at any other resort we have been to (The Broadmoor, Naples Bath and Tennis, Newcombe Tennis Ranch). The workout was intense and the player/coach ratio (advertised as 4:1) was probably 2.5:1 for our sessions. There were probably 20-30 players each day we were there and we were matched with players our level. The resort was very nice and the staff was very accomodating. There are two restaurants on the property which were good. We did get a bit tired of eating at the same restaurants each day, but there were limited choices outside the resort itself unless you traveled to Tampa (which we did one evening). After 5 hours of tennis we didn't care to venture too far for dinner though."—K.B., Int., February 2007"Saddlebrook has top notch staff and facilities. You can play on all 4 grand slam surfaces. But their tennis camp programs are not really geared towards 4.5 or 5.0 players. As a 4.5 player, I was grouped with 3.5 players. If you can find a pro to do private lessons, I would go for that."—T.C., Adv., March 2007 "the very best instruction, atmosphere and tennis I have ever had. I have been to bolletieri, the colony, total tennis...nothing compares to saddlebrook!!!! Howard Moore runs a first class operation."—D.B., Adv. Int., March 2007 "As an adult beginner I was intimidated by the idea of tennis camp when my husband first suggested we go. Now that I have spent my second vacation at Saddlebrook, I can honestly say that there is no finer place to work on your game, whatever the level. The camp caters to many highly advanced players and gives them great attention and instruction. However, equal care and instruction is assiduously given to new players who are made to feel very welcome. The coaching is superb and unfailingly supportive. These pros are the ultimate professionals. In addition, the five hour per day format gives everyone ample time to truly work their game while working out as well. After tennis is done, the Saddlebrook guest finds him/herself in a luxurious room or suite located amid a lushly landscaped tropical paradise. Golf course views are spectacular.
The food is terrific and the pool area provides ample space for relaxing in the late afternoon sun. A first rate spa completes the ultimate vacation. Other guests are both friendly and interesting. Saddlebrook is the complete tennis package. Bravo Howard Moore and staff!"—B.B., Beg., March 2007"Yo cant really hope for much better than this. The tennis facilites, which include all four surfaces, are first rate, which is matched by the teaching staff. The staff couldn't be more accommodating and willing to do anything to make your visit what you want it o be. We stayed in two bedrrom suites which are very nice inside, although not very modern on the outside. Saddlebrook is very convenient to get to. The food is very good and rsonably priced, although f you are going to be there for more then four days, you will probably have to venture off the site to get some variety.
I highly recommend Saddlebrook. The tennis packages they offer are actually reasonable price performers. The golf courses are very goodant to take a break from tennis."—S.H., Int., March 2007"I went with a group of 8 and we had excellent instruction. The program director was very helpful and accommidating to our group. We will definitly go back again! This was the third time there and it has gotten better! BTW the breakfasts are wonderful!"—K.L., Int., March 2007 "I recently returned from my second weekend trip to Saddlebrook. I must thank Howard Moore, Director of The Tennis Program, for some individual and extra effort on his part. He gave us two hours of his time on the court and Howard is a highly skilled instructor. He picks up on your own game strengths and weaknesses quickly. He is an up tempo drill instructor while on the court which I enjoyed. He also saw that we got a complimentary shirt, a few beers on a rainy afternoon and a unexpected half hour private lesson. Saddlebrook has a great tennis atmosphere with lots of other options available. Golf, pool and well equipped fitness center. Food at Dempseys is great.
I also enjoyed all the teaching pros I hit with in my group of 4 tennis participants. I went down with a buddy and we had 2 others in our group. They were again all skilled at giving valuable tennis tips in regards to your own game. I do plan to return!"—C.C., Adv., March 2007"I love this place. My second time there with a group of eight. They're incredibly accomodating, and want to make it an excellent and learning experience for each participant. The pros are wonderful. The accomodations are excellent - I stayed in a two bedroom which is wonderfully updated inside. The courts are in great shape. They could use another restaurant on the property just for variety, otherwise the food is great. I'll definitely go back, in fact I'm planning to bring another group there in the coming months."—D.C., Int., March 2007"My family went to Saddlebrook for 3 days and wished we stayed a week. The resort is focused on teaching tennis, and provides most participants with 5 hours of teaching per day! If you are looking to improve your game you need this intensive drills and instruction. My children who were novices at the time, fell in love with the game after their lessons on Saddlebrook. This "boot camp" style is for serious tennis players, not casual players who want an hour lesson, or a social game. Rooms were nice an big. Pool was great, and good for the family.
Overall service was average. Restaurants were average, difficult to get into and service was slow.
If you like/want intensive tennis, this is the place to go. Play 5 hours of tennis, then relax by the pool for a couple hours then leave the resort and have dinner in Tampa or the surrounding area."—S.R., Adv. Int., March 2007"Just returned from 3 days at Saddle Brook with my wife and the good news is I lost 5 pounds. Bad news is that I learned very little. Nice group, great accommodations (thanks to gratis TROL upgrade)and a very nice but ineffective pro. This is recurring problem at Saddle Brook, where pro stays with you entire time. Get a good one it's great. Mine was a nice guy but not a good teacher. Drills were ok but spent half the time doing "King of the Court" and playing doubles, at which time pro seemed more absorbed with what was happening on adjacent courts than dealing with our instructional needs.
At Bollettieri pros are rotated so you hit with maybe six pros during a 3-day stint. Saddlebrook better for vacation; Bollettieri better for my game."—B.W., Adv. Int., March 2007"The Saddlebrook Resort provides very high level tennis instruction in a gorgeous setting that is fit for amatuers and world class touring professionals. The staff care about each and every student and client, above beyond what most clubs would offer."—S.D., Pro, March 2007 "A wonderful experience for serious tennis players of any level.(I think the sessions could be too intense for ambivilent players). Excellent, motivated instruction. Our instructor, Tony Shibesawa, worked harder during the five five-hour (3 hour morning, 2 hour afternonn) daily sessions. Excellent accommodations. Food was good, but a bit pricey."—R.G., Adv. Int., March 2007 "The fundamental reason that I will return to Saddlebrook is the fact that it is able to satisfy the wide range of needs that I, as an avid tennis player have and those of my wife who is not a player. The tennis program provides a wonderful opportunity to immerse oneself into the game with expert and insightful instruction. My only quibble is that at times the range of ability in our groups was too extensive which reduced the level of play. One leaves the program with a solid foundation of skill tips to utilize for the rest of the year. My wife wallowed in the serenity of the pool and spa and enjoyed the fact that I was tucked in at school for the day. Because of its location, the evenings were spent going to spring training baseball games, fluffy movies and a wide array of relatively inexpensive restaurants. A car is necessary to take advantage of this facet of the place. We enjoyed the fact that we had a kitchen that allowed us to have a restful lunch in our suite followed by the essential power nap."—R.A., Adv. Int., March 2007"I had a splendid week at Saddlebrook during the week of March 11-17, 2007. I travelled with one of my tennis-playing friends and his wife, and the facilities and vacation proved to be excellent for all of us. My friend's wife does not play tennis, and she thorougly enjoyed the resort, including the pools, the spa and the other activities available to her at Saddlebrook. The resort itself is beautiful. It is exceptionally clean, well manicured, and maintained. The pools, restaurants and public areas are always spotless. The staff were incredibly pleasant and could not do enough to make your vacation more enjoyable.
The tennis program was first rate. I particularly liked the 4-1 or better ratio of instructor to students. There appeared to be a good range of players attending the resort, such that virtually any level of tennis player would be accomodated. I found that there were many players at all levels who attended during the week, so it was easy to find somebody to play a match with,(if you still had any energy after the challenging drills throughout the day).
Our instructor was excellent. His easy-going nature and sense of humour made what would normally be a gruelling 5 hours per day of on-court instruction time, informative yet fun. The approach to the instruction was to improve basic skills through drills which really helped you get a feel for how you could improve your strokes. It never seemed like work, even though at the end of the day you were generally quite tired, because the drills were challenging.
By the end of the week, I believed that my game had improved in several noticeable ways. Upon returning home, those who I have played with at my regular tennis club have also noticed an improvment in my game, which is the best measurement I have of the success of the tennis program at Saddlebrook."—L.K., Adv. Int., March 2007"I visited Saddlebrook 3/15-3/18, 2007. The director of tennis programs, Howard Moore, had no problem placing me in the 5-hour drill session on very short notice. The group warmup was fast-paced. I was placed on a court with two other campers and a pro. We received plenty of practice and tips on all the strokes. I especially liked the videotape feature; you viewed your strokes, laughing of course, but received excellent advice on correcting the flaws. A morning and afternoon break featured gatorade and fruit deliveries to the courts! My teaching pro, Rahim, offered solid tips to each player and was very friendly about answering any questions. My Saddlebrook room was very comfortable, with private deck overlooking a golf green. The food and staff at the resort were top-notch. Touring pros were working out at the facility; I watched Hingis on my lunch break. Landscaping around the grounds was very attractive; there's a beautiful walkway over a pond where you can spot turtles, alligators, and all sorts of water birds nesting in huge pines. My Saddlebrook experience was very enjoyable!"—T.M., Adv., March 2007"Just spent 3 days at Saddlebrook. It was wonderful. I have been to Bolletieri's twice before. The difference, is at Saddlebrook you stay with the same pro as opposed to rotating pros. I had Roberto; he was great. Also, Saddlebrook is a first rate resort; Bolletieri's is fine, but basically bear bones. The tennis is comparable at the two academies."—Z.A., Adv. Int., March 2007 "They delivered everything they promised and by the way you can not find better dining and I am a spoiled New Yorker"—A.T., Adv. Int., March 2007 "I just came back from a visit to the Saddlebrook Tennis program. It was fantastic and very professionally run. The pros were excellent and the instruction was great."—M.G., Adv. Int., March 2007 "My second visit to Saddlebrook was as pleasurable as expected. The tennis program for adults is very well organized. The individual attention given to us helped us tremendously to improve our game. We had the same coach(Andre) for all five days and I played some serious tennis and learnt a lot. My 13 year old son also choose to return to Saddlebrook instead of Bolliterri. They offer the Juniors a great program. Overall, the Resort and it's surroundings are ideal for a family of tennis players."—P.S., Adv. Int., March 2007"Strengths: top pros, attracts strong players (probably one of the very few top rated tennis resorts where one can consistently expect to find several players 4.5 or above). My son loved his own junior tennis camp experience. I love the grounds and the general setting, including the slightly outdated accomodations (probably a factor in the relatively surprising "silver" ranking for the resort-- of course the camp is top ten). The food selection could also be updated to include even more health-conscious fare (a wonderful cheviche is not on the menu anymore). If your primary objective is to play a ton of fun, high quality tennis, you will not be disappointed."—S.F., Adv., March 2007"I recently visited Saddlebrook for a week in preperation for my collegiate tennis season. I had a wonderful experience with the amazing tennis instruction there. At Saddlebrook, they will accomodate and create the environment you need based on your circumstance. As I was younger than most of the clientelle, in addition to the 5 hour a day adult program I did private lessons centered on specific skills each day and easily found match play. They helped me create exactly what I wanted. All of the pros, including howard himself, were wonderful. I will definitely be returning."—M.N., Adv. Int., April 2007"A fantastic place, have visited many time and Howard Moore and all his great pros really do a good job. There's a reason many top touring pro's practice there as the complex -resort is superb a tennis mecca and very comfortable. It is hard to find a such good combination for a serious tennis player who wants to hit a lot of balls ! The golf courses/school and super pool aren't too bad either. This is a highly underated place."—K.J., Adv., April 2007 "Saddlebrook is anawesome tennis camp -we have visited three times this year including a trip of our oldes with his HS team. We believe under the new directoe Howard Moore the camp has gotten even better!!"—B.H., Adv. Int., April 2007 "An outstanding facility. Wonderful accommodations. Super staff of competent and friendly instructors. Great courts. Absolutely nothing negative."—T.R., Adv., April 2007 "The whole experience was excellent, the tennis, the instruction, accomodations and resort overall."—P.G., Beg., April 2007 "Another great Easter break at Saddlebrook. Once again, the tennis was incredible for my entire family. Howard Moore continues to show so much energy and genuine concern for all the guests. He makes my family feel so welcome everytime we visit. From the demo's to instruction, the tennis is awesome. From sunrise to sunset, Howard, Larry, John, Nona and the entire staff provides it all. Even when my children were finished with their instruction, Howard and Larry would set up matches with other children, keeping them busy all day. My family has attended other tennis camps and Saddlebrook is by far the best. I will be back in October, ready to take my tennis to another level."—J.C., Adv. Int., April 2007 "I'm one of 10 good friends and fellow tennis players from Baltimore, Md., who have been lucky to play tennis together at Saddlebrook for the past 4 years on the same,long weekend(NCAA Basketball Final 4 weekend!) We really enjoy the instructive and physical clinics offered by Saddlebrook, and the libations and relaxation available after sunset! All the pros at Saddlebrook are very experienced and personable, and the mgmt. team aims to please every year! Our group is already talking about and planning next year's long weeekend, despite us returning from this year's trip only 8 days ago. Although our group doesn't have a clue which college basketball teams will make the Final 4 weekend in 2008, we're all confident we'll be back at Saddlebrook on this weekend for a fifth time in a row!"—W.P., Adv. Int., April 2007"My husband and I just finished a 5 day tennis getaway at Saddlebrook resort. We started playing tennis about a year and half ago and would rate our ablility as intermediate. We really enjoyed the tennis at Saddlebrook and Howard Moore (the director) was involved with the program on a daily basis. He knew everyone's name and tried to make sure the players were matched well on the courts. I happened to have the same pro for the entire time Andre Kerr who was great. Not only is he an awesome player, but a lot of fun and enthusiastic. However, my husband had 5 different pros with different approaches to the clinics.
This is my only critisism. The camp sessions are not structured, so everyone is doing something different. Your pro decides what skills, games, and techniques he wants to work on. I strongly believe more structure would be beneficial ie, serves and groundstrokes am, volleys and games pm etc. Overall, we had a great time and would highly recommend this camp to anyone at any level!! We will definitely go back next year."—P.F., Adv. Int., April 2007"My Family has been attending Hopman Tennis Camp since the early 90's. The coaches are extremely professional and passionate about their coaching. We are always placed in the right level with other players who are there for the same reason; Fun and intensity!! The Director is hands on and his passion is seen throughout all of the staff. The tennis facilities are excellent and the Saddlbrook Resort Ammenities are second to none. You never have to leave the grounds, since there are work out facilities, excellent dining, condos with kitchens etc...
For the seious tennis player who want to improve their game, but still offer a ton of fun for the family, Hopman Tennis and Saddlebrook Resort is the place!"—T.C., Adv. Int., April 2007"Howard is a superb director of the Hopman Tennis Facility. Our family enjoys vacationing at Saddlebrook Resort anytime of the year. We have been enjoying the tennis clinics there for the past 10 years."—N.C., Adv. Int., April 2007 "My 13 year old son and I just spent 5 days at Saddlebrook, our first trip. Both of us had a great time and left having noticeably improved our games. Particularly impressive was the willingness of Howard Moore, the director, to create an individualized experience that addressed my desire to work on particular strokes and get personal feedback. Coaches are excellent. Be prepared for serious, vigorous and fun tennis. My son's already planning our next trip."—D.C., Int., April 2007 "I have just returned from Easter at Saddlebrook with my 14 year old aspiring junior. I have been attending Saddlebrook's camp at least twice a year for over 10 years. Admittedly the tennis instruction has become physically less demanding and more technical in nature over this period but it is still physically challenging. I have attended other camps over this period and yes there are better places for scenery and food but none have combination challenging tennis instuction and relaxation after tennis. It is a complete mystery to me that any tennis camp rates higher than Saddlebrook ever on this site.
If one goes to tennis camp one is looking to improve not be fed balls by the pro or a ball machine and be told exactly the same as your local pro. What sets Saddlebrook instruction apart from the other camps is that besides drilling, one is put into stress situations that expose weaknesses that are fixed. Saddlebrook must be doing something right as their repeat business is very strong and I have met many of the same players time and time again at different times of the year."—J.L., Adv., April 2007"I just returned from Saddlebook Tennis and had a fantastic experience. It exceeded my expectations. I am a former 5.0 player, now a 4.5 and was very impressed with not only Howard, the Director, but also the pros we played with including Tai Lam, Rhahim Khan, Robert Carlbo, and Roberto Castillio. We did the clinic the first day and then asked if we could bail on the second day clinic and instead hit with a pro, and as well play on the grass and the red clay courts. Howard said give me a few minutes. He came through in spades lining us up with five hours of hitting with a pro and getting personal coaching, and allowing us to play matches on the beautiful grass court, and then the red clay.
We are going back. The tennis was great, the hospitality was excellent, and the hotel amenities, etc weren't bad either. I'd recommend it to any tennis player who loves the game."—T.V., Adv., April 2007"A great tennis experience and vacation for all ages and levels."—P.B., Int., April 2007 "I was at Saddlebrook the week before last with my brother. We are both washed up 5.0s in our fifties and throughly enjoyed our stay. After a good day in the high energy Hopman Clinic with Rahim Khan (one pro/4 players) we talked to Howard Moore and requested private hitting lessons as a prelude to our brotherly matches with each other. Without hesitation, he said "Give me 10 minutes to see what I can do". He came through beautifully. Not only did we have great private sessions with Roberto Castillo, Robert Carlbo and Tai Lam on green clay, grass and red clay respectively but Howard arranged it so we could play our private matches on the same surfaces. This was exactly what we wanted. I highly recommend Saddlebrook."—A.V., Adv., April 2007"I have just returned from another 10 day, 9 night vacation at the Saddlebrook (Harry Hopman) tennis resort. I am the master in charge of tennis at Eton College, Windsor, UK and have been taking groups of students, families and friends to this resort for the last 14 years in a row. Howard Moore runs a great operation and the coaches are excellent - why else would I keep going back and taking upwards of 50 - 100 people each Easter for all these years? The resort is first class and there is so much for the children and adults to do - both at the resort and nearby in Tampa and the surrounding area. In all the 14 years we have only ever lost out to about 1 hour of rain - either the weather gods are smiling on us Brits or Howard Moore controls more than just the tennis.
Seriously though, we have taken hundreds of people from the UK to Saddlebrook, and encouraged many more (particularly schools) who have seen our colourful wall displays back in the Eton tennis pavilion or enquired about why our tennis programme has got so good. We have always had a great time, the coaching is excellent and the all round experience second to none.
I can't rate this resort highly enough and I look forward to many more years of similar service."—G.P., Adv. Int., April 2007"Saddlebrook Tennis was a wonderful experience. The staff was cordial, very professonal and very knowledgeable. The accomodations were perfect for our group and the food was very food. The spa was a wonderful afternoon treat after a hard day of tennis."—J.B., Int., April 2007 "My wife & I just completed a week at Saddlebrook tennis. This is an intense but fantastic tennis camp. We are both high 3.5 players pushing to 4.0 and the information, drills, exercises, level of coaching and personal attention is the best I have ever received. Special thanks to Howard, Noona, Dan, and Andre for going out their way to make sure we were getting the level and type of training that we needed. I have been to Bollettieri's twice and the level of personal attention, resulting skill improvements and amenities "My wife & I just completed a week at Saddlebrook tennis. This is an intense but fantastic tennis camp. We are both high 3.5 players pushing to 4.0 and the information, drills, exercises, level of coaching and personal attention is the best I have ever received. Special thanks to Howard, Noona, Dan, and Andre for going out their way to make sure we were getting the level and type of training that we needed. I have been to Bollettieri's twice and the level of personal attention, resulting skill improvements and amenities "These people understand customer service! From the housekeeping staff to the pros on the court, they all seem genuinely interested in your happiness! Just did a week-long program. Top notch pro's; great attention to each player; challenging drills, insightful critiques; and good instruction. They work you hard but its worth it. I want to compliment director Howard Moore for his personal attention to us, plus a big shout out to Noona and my "uber-pro" Larry. Thanks for a great vacation."—H.C., Adv. Int., April 2007 "Older resort but excellent tennis program. Grueling 5 hour tennis day with 4:1 ratio. Staff friendly, helpful and extremely competent. Definitely would visit again."—J.K., Beg., April 2007 "First tennis camp my husband and I have ever attended and it definitely met our expectations. The instructors were dedicated to spotting our weaknesses and worked towards improving them. Howard Moore and his entire staff were knowledgable, courteous and extremely helpful. We are now hooked on tennis vacations and will make Saddlebrook our first choice!"—J.K., Int., April 2007 "Just had to say what a great time me had at Saddlebrook. A group of 5 of us came together. The tennis instruction was great. The pros even set up a private clinic to help us with our doubles game. All the staff was so nice and really helpful."—N.K., Int., April 2007 "Outstanding tennis instruction and individual attention. Nice mix of not only rigorous drills but it also provided for individual feed back and attention to technique and stroke refinement. Howard Moore the program director went out of his way to provide personal instruction and feed back. After three days of 5 hours per day my level of play was raised significantly in every facet of my game. The food at the resort steak house restaurant was outstanding. The accomodations first rate and would definitely make a return trip. A private lesson with Howard is a must when you go."—R.R., Int., April 2007"Saddlebrook is mecca to our teenagers. We have been there every year for the past decade!"—B.C., Adv. Int., April 2007 "Great place! Where to start..the instruction, accommodating staff, grounds, and the room accommodations - the beds are to die for after a tough day of tennis. I've been back 5 times and will do it again!!"—S.P., Adv. Int., April 2007 "Just returned from my third visit to Saddlebrook with several members from my 4.0 team . Excellent instruction and great facilities!!! Will be back again next year!!!"—A.J., Adv. Int., April 2007 "Saddlebrook Resort...it is fantastic!!! I have visited this resort three times in the last four years and will continue to return. The intruction is superb, fun, yet effective with results translating immediately. Th resort itself is wonderful with restaurants, shops, and plenty of space to feel like you are in paradise, yet close to Tampa and surrounding areas if you like to shop or go out. I love hte fact that I can [ark my car and never get innto it again until I check out.
Th spa is top notch with excellent service delivery, and top notch therapists. Howard at the tennis center makes sure everyone feels special and appreciated. Another fun fact is one can slip over to the fitness and academy area and catch a glimpse of one of many touring pros while they practice such as James Blake, the Bryan brothers, Jennifer Capriattie, to name a few.
I give this resort high marks for all areas and think it is a hidden treasure that many serious tennis players would find pleasantly surprising."—L.K., Low Int., April 2007"I have just returned from my 6th year at Saddlebrook and had a great time. The program led by Howard Moore will accomodate and suggestions and requests and is equipped to deal with all levels of tennis. There were 10 women in my group and we we all very happy with our stay there and look forward to going back next year. I have been to other tennis camp but feel that Saddlebrook with its excellent tennis program and resort is by far the best."—L.M., Adv. Int., April 2007 "I have been to Saddlebrook Tennis 3 times. It is an excellent facility. The instructors are phenomenal professionals. I will definitely return and highly recommend to all."—C.Q., Adv. Int., April 2007 "Excellent tennis instruction. Individualized attention for technique and strategy. Very good also for advanced players (5.0 - 6.0). Look forward to returning next year."—J.W., Adv., April 2007 "The tennis program was very demanding! Bring GOOD shoes! My experience was somewhat unique in that I got more individualized instruction than is the norm because of lack of female players at my ability level (4.0) and players not showing up for afternoon session. Nona, the program coordinator, was very attentive to my needs, making sure my experience was the best it could be. Take the shuttle over to the lakeside courts and you might find some of the ATP pros -- I got to watch Blake and Ginepri two days and bumped into Bob Bryan before his workout. There are also some 2nd tier pros (ranked 100+) that are there more frequently."—J.P., Adv., April 2007"I loved the tennis program, which was terrific. The pool was great. The resort could definitel use more of a spa food menu, and the boutique in the main hotel is just no good. There are lots of young women comign to Saddlebrook with dollars to burn in their wallets and no place to spend them."—A.K., Adv. Int., April 2007 "Love this Camp!!! This is my second year here and can't wait for next year!! Great staff, great tennis and great fun!!!"—M.C., Adv., April 2007 "The pros are very nice and very experienced. They get you motivated to play better. Good demonstrations. So much fun too. will return in 2008!"—C.K., Int., April 2007 "A group of 5 of us - ladies in our 50's who play USTA league tennis - went to Saddlebrook in April of 2007 for 3 days of "tennis camp." What a GREAT place! We ended up on two different courts - 2 on one and 3 on the other - since the teaching ratio is 4 players to 1 pro. We compared notes at the end of each day, and it's amazing how consistent our experiences were. Some of the thing we all commented on: - It was amazing how quickly the pros picked up on what each one of us individually needed. - We were all pushed harder than we had been in awhile, but not so brutally so that we weren't ready to see what the next day had to offer. - When the staff found out that we were members of a team, they arranged for a little "mini-seminar" on strategy just for us. - In the 5 hours of tennis each day, the pros kept it interesting. There was a mix of drill, instruction, and point play. It was never boring! On a different note, there was a "personality issue" on one of our courts. One of the players on the court made it known that she didn't want to continue with us, for whatever reason. The staff handled the problem with dignity and professionalism, and we never lost time or quality of instruction. Kudos to the staff for handling that messy situation. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and are ready to plan our next trip to Saddlebrook."—M.R., Int., May 2007 "A group of 5 of us - ladies in our 50's who play USTA league tennis - went to Saddlebrook in April of 2007 for 3 days of "tennis camp." What a GREAT place! We ended up on two different courts - 2 on one and 3 on the other - since the teaching ratio is 4 players to 1 pro. We compared notes at the end of each day, and it's amazing how consistent our experiences were. Some of the thing we all commented on: - It was amazing how quickly the pros picked up on what each one of us individually needed. - We were all pushed harder than we had been in awhile, but not so brutally so that we weren't ready to see what the next day had to offer. - When the staff found out that we were members of a team, they arranged for a little "mini-seminar" on strategy just for us. - In the 5 hours of tennis each day, the pros kept it interesting. There was a mix of drill, instruction, and point play. It was never boring! On a different note, there was a "personality issue" on one of our courts. One of the players on the court made it known that she didn't want to continue with us, for whatever reason. The staff handled the problem with dignity and professionalism, and we never lost time or quality of instruction. Kudos to the staff for handling that messy situation. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and are ready to plan our next trip to Saddlebrook."—M.R., Int., May 2007 "Saddlebrook is a great tennis resort vacation. The instruction was very high quality and paced so that you could concentrate on improving your strokes. Bolletieri is more of a boot camp style of teaching with a non-stop human ball machine. Your game will improve after a weekend at Saddlebrook but you won't get beaten up in the process. The resort was lovely and the grounds beautiful. We stayed on the grounds for all meals and enjoyed every one of them. We will definitely be returning to Saddlebrook in the near future."—A.G., Low Int., May 2007"Excellent tennis instruction. Andre put us through a mini boot camp which resulted in improved footwork and endurance through points. The drills were different and I was happy we had four on the court for those much needed rests in between. Lat year I remember coming back from camp feeling much quicker at the net. Happy to have had a varied experience! Thanks to Howard for taking good care of the ladies from Vero Beach!"—T.R., Adv. Int., May 2007 "I have been to many tennis camps in the past, but found none even close to the level as this. Howard and his staff, I was instructed by John, Alex, Mark and Tony during my 10 day stay, were full of knowledge, exuberance and the willingness to go the extra mile for everyone. When a stroke wasn"t working off into a private session you went to work one on one with an instructor. Howard accomodated every request made and went well out of his way to make sure everyone's experience was not just exceptable but outstanding. The pace is challenging and fitness is a big part of the training there, so come in shape.
The resort itself was nice and had all the amenities one would expect. I can't wait until I start playing locally this week as I can see the different level my game has been brought to in the short time I was there, opponents beware. My experience at Saddlebrook has enticed me to make bi-yearly pilgrimages to the Hopman Academy in the future."—S.R., Adv. Int., May 2007"Our group of friends has been attending the Saddlebrook adult tennis camp for 10+ years. Howard Moore, the director, has been consistently helpful in finding us top pros. This year Andre Kerr taught my foursome. He provided a physically challenging work-out balanced with helpful instruction. He kept us moving and interested. Additionally, he connected with our crazy group of women, joking and fooling around without losing the tennis focus. On Saturday the five hours of instruction were excellent. He alternated drills with instruction. When he saw us getting tired he worked with us one-on-one, or three at a time, giving us time to relax and catch our breath.
Sunday, he was charged with leading three courts of instruciton (we had a total of 10 women in our group - 3 courts) with 3 additional pros. He moved our group among the pros with challenging and interesting drills. I did miss the instruction of the day before, though, and hope that next year the resort will provide enough high quality pros throughout the week-end for all of us to have consistent instruction through-out our entire time there."—J.C., Adv. Int., May 2007"Howard Moore and his team have, for the last 15 years, hosted and organised a programme for a group of 30ish school children to come and play tennis and find out about Saddlebrook and the surronding area. As a trip it is has become of the most successful trips that the school runs and we are very grateful for making sure we are always so welcome and well cared for. The students themselves are always cheerful and, as expected, their tennis improves considerably! As a result it's a real pleasure for the staff. I'd recommend it anybody thinking of organising a tennis tour."—R.M., Adv. Int., May 2007"Under the very capable direction of Howard Moore, Saddlebrook's Hopman Tennis Clinics for adults offers outstanding instruction by seasoned pros who are at once encouraging without being patronizing. They present spirited, fun, but challenging drills and play appropriate to players at all levels. Staff are genuinely interested in and passionate about tennis and about teaching. They are knowledgable and experienced enough to identify and address individual players' weaknesses - and there are never more than 4 players/campers to a court. There are 46 courts, including one grass court. People come from all over the world, and many are repeat visitors.
The resort amenities are first-rate: beautiful pools, fine landscaping, spa and fitness center, excellent food, newly-appointed rooms.
The weakness, which many of us would count as a plus, is that campers must assemble on the court at 7:45, and play runs, in the morning, from 8-11. For those who would rather sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast and then play, or for whom 1-2 hours a day is enough, or who crave a busy night-life, this may not be the ideal place. (Although individual instruction is available all hours of the day.)
This is program for those who want to spend many hours a day on the courts, not at the pool. However, there is enought flexibility built in so that one can choose whatever is most fitting."—M.R., Adv., May 2007"The instruction at Saddlebrook was exceptional. While the pros acknowledge that they can't revamp one's game in the brief time that most players train there, they significantly enhance and fine-tune preexisting strokes. The staff's enthusiasm and energy was infectious. Despite the often torrid conditions and incessant drilling, its spirit never wavered. My primary instructor, Andre, demanded intensity and maximum effort but reciprocated in kind; he pushed us to a degree that is difficult to attain on one's own. Moreover, Andre always maintained his sense of humor, keeping the mood light and fun. Howard, the program director, effectively organizes the groups based upon each individual's ability level, competitiveness, and personal desires. Saddlebrook's only drawback (not really a drawback, more like an inside joke)is its cult-like worship of Federer. Anytime an instructor demonstrated or cited a sound technique, he aluded to Federer in some capacity. So the guy has the perfect game...let's give props to somebody else every now and then."—D.K., Adv., May 2007"Only strengths to note, no weaknesses. Best of all the tennis camps I've been to. Kept to the max of 4:1 ratio. Responsive to feedback to make drills better when I provided it. Also provided a half-hr 1:1 session with another pro to work on techniques of your choice. Refreshment breaks included gatorade & fruit. A welcome back fruit basket on arrival, very classy indeed."—T.C., Int., May 2007 "1.Be prepared to work hard: five hours a day of drilling, conditioning and point play await. 2. Don't be afraid to take a day off if need be. 3. Remember, tennis is supposed to be FUN!!"—G.M., Int., May 2007 "Howard Moore & his staff were terrific. They were extremely responsive & accomodating. The program was very well run. The teaching pros were excellent in both tennis & people skills. The resort, spa & food were also outstanding. I highly recommend Saddlebrook & plan on returning,"—E.L., Int., May 2007 "Attended Saddlebrook Adult Camp... 5day of play... Simply awesome. Spent all 5 days on the 'players' court - Had Andre as instructor. Highly recommend Andre and Saddlebrook. A bit limited in evening setting without rental car as resort is a bit excluded. But on-court time was all that I wanted, and then some. Great conditioning and competitive hitting with just the right amount of shot critique and coaching. Howard runs a very nice program. I'll be back!"—S.C., Adv., May 2007"Extremely organized. Placement in proper level for playing. Professional pros. 4 in a group for each session. Private attention to each person. Private video analysis of your game. Best lesson I have ever had."—L.K., Adv. Int., May 2007 "Saddlebrook and the Hopman Tennis Academy exceeded my expectations. Its Tennis Head Pro, Howard Moore, runs a great Program. He himself is as enthusiastic as I have ever experienced a teaching Pro in nearly 35 yrs playing the game. We were fortunate to have him personally teach our group one day and left the courts exhausted but with a strong desire to continue and certainly return. On days when he was supervising, he certainly took that role serious and repeadetly checked with us if all was running as per everyone's expectations. Thank you Howard and likewise to your assisting teaching team, all great guys, who understand tennis and its details when teaching/drilling.
We shall be back soon !"—H.J., Adv., May 2007"The instructions you receive are amazing. I was very impressed with the observation power of the instructors we had. All tips actually made a lot of sense and I was also able understand it. The drills were so varied, demanding but fun. I also was very impressed at the passion for Tennis of Howard Moore. It motivates you and it clearly sets the pace for the program and its instructors. Congratulation. I'll be back !"—A.O., Adv., June 2007 "I just participated in the Saddlebrook - Hopman Tennis program for five days. I have to say that my experience there was phenomenal! All of my expectations were far and away exceeded. I had never been to a tennis camp before and now that I have been to Saddlebrook, there is no reason to go anywhere else. Howard Moore directs a top-notch program. If there was anything at all I needed to achieve my highest satisfaction the program, all I had to do was ask and it would be done, and I believe it. It was also fantastic to have worked directly with on-court Instructors Rafael and Andre. Both of whom were personable, friendly, and very professional.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on and off court. The programs at Saddlebrook pushed me to my physical and mental limits, all the while the instructors made the experience as fun as it was challenging. I had a sense that everyone from Howard on down truly cared about my development on court. That is everything I could have asked for and more.
This in an outstanding program under superior direction, and it shows. Add to that the combined effort of only the highest quality instructors available are what have earned the Saddlebrook Tennis program the “World Class” distinction it has! It has my vote.
I can’t wait to go back!!!"—M.B., Adv. Int., June 2007"I attended Saddlebrook Tennis Resort for the first time and have nothing but good things to say. The tennis staff was extremely good and were eager to fulfill my needs. I did 5 days in a row and believe me, I came out a better tennis player and in much better condition. Howard, Nona, great program! John and Rafael, ya worked me to death but I loved it. See ya next time, I'm definately returning."—K.H., Adv. Int., June 2007 "My partner and I recently visited Saddlebrook for a 4 day tennis holiday and the experience was fabulous. I am an adult beginner, while my partner is a 4.5 player. We both received excellent instruction (Mark in particular did a wonderful job with me - focusing on the basics that I need to learn to improve my game). Howard Moore offered us both private coaching - this was wonderful - he is an amazing instructor and his tips really helped to drive home new techniques. The daily demonstrations were also extremely helpful. Instructor/student ration was excellent - generally 2:1 for my time at Saddlebrook. The facilities are very comfortable - having a kitchen was great - we prepared our own lunches and enjoyed the downtime each day between tennis session.
Steven and I will be back for more next year! Thanks so much to Howard and the coaching team for making our stay both fun and highly productive! Great to play tennis in a place where everyone is so passionate about the sport!"—J.M., Low Int., June 2007"My first tennis camp experience left me exhausted but full of shots to work on thanks to the excellent instructors...accommodations are extremely comfortable and the courts beautifully kept and available on hard-tru (where camp was), red clay, grass, and traditional hard courts. The one weakness was that in an effort to instruct the pros would overlap working with you, and since each has different ideas about your game it wasn't always productive and forward moving. It's best to know your game, its weaknesses, and to be vocal in guiding their instruction so that you can get the most out of the camps. I would definitely go again...after i improved my strokes based on their great advice!"—J.M., Adv. Int., June 2007 "Saddlebrook's tennis camp was absolutely fantastic. The program is run smoothly and professionally, and Howard made sure every member of our group got what they were looking for. My tennis improved dramatically after I returned! Our pros, Rafael and Andre, were absolutely exceptional. The tennis program at Saddlebrook compared to others I have been to was head and shoulders better. Players of all levels who want to focus on skills and improve their game, as well as get a great workout and excellent value for the money will not go wrong at Saddlebrook."—M.S., Int., June 2007"I spent two weeks at the junior camp. I had a great time. My tennis improved. I made new friends. The instructors were great!!! They really cared about getting my game to the next level. Howard, the director of the program is just a genuinely nice guy, who sincerely cared about teaching all of us kids how to play better tennis. I will be back soon."—S.H., Adv. Int., June 2007 "We had a great time at Saddlebrook. Courts were in excellent condition, tennis camp was well structured, groupings by ability seemed accurate and instructors were good. However, we traveled with a group who were all of same tennis ability and that allowed us to work together w/a good instructor -- knowing that we were all at the same level. Our instructor was great, some instructors were more the "motivating/cheerleader/screamer" type. Our group didn't need this. Our visit was very successful.
Only caveat re. Saddlebrook: food and food service was very average. Evening meals were slow, unorganized and so average that we often opted to prepare meals w/friends in our rooms.
Resort itself is beautiful and tennis instruction good."—M.H., Adv. Int., June 2007"Though the heat was intense it was a great three day tennis break. The instructors were great and the facility is very nice. The instruction you received here is far superior to other tennis clinics/camps. I highly recommend this resort for the serious tennis player who wants to improve their game/techniques."—B.S., Int., July 2007 "My wife and I recently attended Saddlebrook Tennis for the second time in two months. We would not have returned so quickly or even returned at all if it were not for exceptional quality of the resort itself and the tennis program. The instructors will challange you. Not only your stamina, but your game as well. The pros carefully analyze your game and give clear, precise feedback that improves your game almost immediately, if you are a receptive student.
We recommend have a strong workout schedule before attending. Five hours a day will help you discover or rediscover muscles long forgotten.
The resort itself is beautiful. The accomodations are first class and the grounds are immaculate. Many rooms overlook one of two professional golf coures and the pool area is very family friendly.
My wife and I are already planning our next visit and would recommend Saddlebrook to any tennis player looking for a great tennis experience combined with a great resort."—C.P., Adv., July 2007"I have just returned to London after a week at the Hopman tennis centre in Saddlebrook. I had an excellent time at the resort and am happy to report that the tennis facilities and coaching exceeded my expectations. The coaching staff are excellent, their categorisation of differing levels was spot-on and so people of similar strengths played together. There was a convivial atmosphere at all times and, despite the heat which left us all gasping for the complimentary water and Gatorade, I couldn't wait for the next session.
Thanks to all - just get the water fountain on court 10 fixed before I get back next year!"—D.A., Adv. Int., July 2007"We just spent five days at the Saddlebrook adult tennis camp and believe me it was worth it. The resort is in an easy location from Tampa International airprot. The camp pros are pretty good about matching your ability to the pros. We play at USTA levels 4.0 and 4.5 and we fond ourselves pushed by the pros to do better and play smarter. It was a bonus that they had a spa so we cold have or tired muscles rubbed. My partner and I even went to the trainer who they nicked name Dr. Death!! He gave us great tips on exercises that are specficially targeted for tennis players.
The overall experience was wonderful and I recommend it if your a tennis fanatic like ourselves!!"—M.S., Adv., July 2007"My two boys (ages 12 and 15) and I just returned from a one week tennis vacation at Harry Hopman's Saddlebrook resort. My eldest son had just spent a few weeks at the camp on his own and had a great summer - he loved the tennis, food, activities, kids and staff. This was our third trip in little over a year, and we had a fantastic time as always. In past trips, my 9 year old daughter came as well and loved it. The tennis program is great for all levels, the resort is super (great pool, golf) and the staff are a treat. Howard Moore, Nona, John, Andre, Matt, Sean, Nona, Robert, and Ed were great with my kids and I. The campers and staff are a friendly, lively, fun bunch, and we will definately be coming back."—G.S., Adv. Int., August 2007"Saddlebrook provides great instruction and drills on a daily basis. Each pro has the knowledge and ability to assist any level of player. Their customer service is top notch and they show a genuine interest in making sure your experience there is satisfying. If I were to try and find a weakness, I would say that they don't always adhere to their advertised schedule. Demos are not always given as they state. But that is very minor."—C.L., Adv., August 2007 "Saddlebrook Resort is the best tennis resort I can imagine staying at. You are treated like royalty while feeling like you're in paradise. There is never a piece of garbage on the ground and it remains serene and quiet no matter how high the population is. The food is delicious with many healthy options which fuel you up for an incredible day of tennis with energetic, caring, and enthusiastic pros. Being at Saddlebrook for just a few days made my entire summer!"—A.B., Adv., August 2007"I have attended the Hopman Tennis Acadeny at Saddlebrook now for the third time and will return again. I looked at other venues but I could not find one that offered the five hours per day instruction along with the depth of talent among the pro staff. They quickly picked out areas for improvement that allowed me to address during my three day visit. The pro to guest ratio during the academy is perfect but this Academy isn't for the faint of heart. It is hard work and you should be prepared to sweat while you learn and build your game. Saddlebrook does it better than any other resort I have ever visited which is why I keep going back."—R.J., Adv. Int., September 2007"My wife and I just finished a 5 day package around Labor Day. It was great. Also a very good value during the end of summer. Everyone was exceptionally cordial. The pros were all terrific, and if you needed some one on one instruction, Howard was sure to accomodate this. This is a strenous tennis camp. I would recommend doing some cardio fitness training for a few weeks before arriving. However you will be rewarded by becoming a better player and having a good time. The accomodations were nice and the complimentary breakfast was great. I would recommend, if possible, having access to an auto as there are some nice eating places a few miles off resort and the food is expensive at the resort resturants. Also bring two pair if tennis shoes, as the weather is very humid, and a dry pair if shoes will feel great."—D.M., Adv. Int., September 2007"First time at Saddlebbrook we had a great time !. Since it was our first tennis trip we did some research we definitely choose a winner . The instructors were friendly dedicated and really were passionate about there tennis . We met some nice people who had been at other resorts however had returned to Saddlebrook for the best tennis instruction. The location and facilities are first class . Thanks guys... We'll be back."—B.B., Int., September 2007 "OUTSTANDING!!! By far the best combination of technical instruction and intense drills I have ever experienced. I participated in the Hopman program for five day and came away a better player. Be aware, however, that it can be somewhat intense. It is not for those just looking for a hit and a giggle, mixed in with some feedback. The pros are superb in their technical knowledge, and they have an enthusiasm for the game that is equal to or exceeds the participants. Even though some of the pros have been teaching for decades they genuinely want to see you improve your game. I have not found this to be true at other resorts/camps.
In addition to the great tennis, the resort is also excellent. The breakfasts are excellent, the rooms and bedding are excellent, there is free WIFI, and the superpool is a great way to relax after 5 hours of tennis. You will not have much energy left after the tennis.
Be sure to take two pair of shoes, two racquets, and enough tennis clothes for two changes a day. It is necessary to clean up between the morning and afternoon sessions.
Also, the value in mid September was outstanding as it is still a few weeks out of season. $125 / night for a suite (TRO upgrade) + $125 per day for quality tennis instruction is unbelievable.
Finally, don't be afraid to go it alone to Saddlebrook. Many of the participants are tennis junkies from around the world and are on their own.
I will certainly try to go again."—D.U., Int., September 2007"The tennis camp at Saddlebrook Resort was awesome. I went with my sister, we are both in our fifties, we did the five day, five hours a day plan, in the heat and humidity of summer and we had more fun than we could have ever imagined. I can't say too much about the resort, we had our fun on the court, and were in bed by sundown. I was most impressed with the pros at Saddlebrook. They were all great players, all very knowledgeable, all very unassuming and they all seemed to want to improve your game. The pro on the next court, the pro doing the video, they all want to give you a little tip when they can. The pro doing the court assignments takes great care of your psyche also. The pros respect the game and they showed great respect for us, sweaty campers trying to learn to hit a volley with the proper grip or staying down while hitting with topspin. The camaraderie among the participants was great and I think the pros had a lot to with that also.
So, if you want to have a great time, work hard, improve your game, and hang out with other tennis players from all over the country, get yourself to Saddlebrook Tennis Camp. You will not regret it."—K.V., September 2007"This was my first visit to Saddlebrook and hope to come back again in the near future. I had a very positive tennis experience. The ratio was 4:1 or 3:1 most of the time. I really liked that they kept the same pro with our group for most days. I felted like he could really evaluate our strenght and weakness. Our pro was Mark M and he was very knowledgable and technical. I would definitely request him next time. Howard did a fantastic job with customer service and hospitality. I have just been back a day or two and look forward to apply all I have learned. The resort itself was very nice. Rooms were clean and updated. Great beds. Great view of the golf course. Breakfast was provided in the mornings and that too was excellent. Great selection of food.
My only negative comments are that the resort adds an automatic 20% gratuity. I would have liked to added this myself. I felt in a few cases the resort staff was not as motivated because they were going to receive a tip whether or not they gave us good service. This was only the case with the resort and not the tennis!
The other disappointment was the spa. For the money I did not feel I received a very good massage. I felt like I could have used a massage after the one I had. Very disappointed. I also left a message with the spa manager and they never returned my call to discuss.
The tennis was great and made up for the other minor things and I will definitely return and hope to bring a group of friends with me next time!"—L.W., Adv. Int., September 2007"The resort is an easy 30 minute interstate drive from Tampa Airport. The grounds (buildings, landscaped areas, golf courses, pools, etc.) are maintained very nicely. We thought the food was very good also, but the fare offered was mainly steaks and fish; i.e. nothing really fancy (the main restaurant was closed for construction during our stay). The tennis facilities are exceptional. The sessions were all conducted on rubico (sp.?) courts, and there were tons of 'em; all seemed to be well maintained.
The instructors/coaches were personable and professional. My instructor was a former tour pro. He showed me a totally new game than the one I learned and subsisted on for so many years. With the ratio of instructors to students at 1/2 to no more than 1/4, they are able to get up-close-and-personal with your game from grip to stance to stroke to position--every facet of the game. My girlfriend was disappointed that she wasn't able to get more instruction on her serve. Other than that, I give the tennis an A+.
A couple of things that could be better: Coolers of sports drink should be courtside. It was pretty hot and humid as you might imagine for South Florida. We did have intermittent delivery of bottled water and drinks as well as water fountains on the courts; Provide a sign-up sheet for matches after the clinics."—E.A., Low Int., September 2007"I just returned from a three day stint at Saddlebrook and this is my review. I am a 3.0 doubles player who normally plays five days a week in a travel tennis program. My doubles partner and I had a great time at Saddlebrook; it was fun and really tested your endurance, mostly because of the Florida heat which we were not used to, coming from Chicago. The Hopman program focuses on drills only. We went because we wanted to work on strategy, which was why we picked Hopman. No one asked us what we wanted to work on when we got there and they dove right into basics and paired us with only one other player who never played doubles before. Once we made it clear what we came for, (strategy) they tried their hardest to work on it but couldn’t come up with any strategy to teach us. The pro was a great guy who was very enthusiastic and could feed a good ball for the most part. He had a lot of energy and ran us ragged but did not seem to know a whole lot of drills. He kept going back to the same boring drill. We kept requesting strategy and he would ask us what we wanted to work on. When we told him serve and volley strategy he looked at us like we had three heads. He just didn’t know how to teach doubles strategy.
After the first day they matched us up with another 3.0 doubles player who was there with out her partner. She was a good match for us. The pro asked another pro to play in with us and it turned into a hitting competition between the two pros during one of the drills in which a player steps out when they loose a point. This happend alot, not just once. Also the pro who stepped in to fill our vacant 4th spot hit VERY hard and couldn’t or wouldn’t step it down to our level.
To sum it up. We had a great time playing for 5 hours a day with an enthusiastic pro, but the pro was nothing special. He was what you would find at any ordinary club. It was an unstructured program, kind of like just getting a pro to play with you for the day. There were a lot of players that live in Florida and come to the clinic on the weekends so they know the pros well. If there is an exceptional pro then the return players are requesting them, leaving the mediocre pros to those of us who have never been there before and know no different.
The resort itself was very nice. The rooms were nice and well maintained. The beds were the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. It was very clean. We had a room that was just outside the tennis courts and was very convenient. The food was great in the restaurant! All of the tennis staff and pros were very nice and pleasant. It was a revolving door of players coming and going, very unstructured. If you just like balls fed to you, then this is the place. If you want to learn strategy then you will be disappointed."—M.V., Int., October 2007"If you are looking for excellent tennis instruction from highly proficient tennis pros, tips on how to accomplish any and all strokes of the game with focus on your own personal style and capabilities, this is the place to go. Not only are they able to teach the stroke but can demonstrate the form, footwork and proper ball strike needed to improve your game. We were not only impressed with the great tennis instruction but the excellent customer service they provide. And after a challenging day of tennis, the spa feels great. We are quick to recommend to our family and friends who play tennis or golf."—D.S., Low Int., October 2007 "Confidence, skill and strategy are the things you will come away with after your tennis program at Saddlebrook. Saying that the coaches are skilled at their art of tennis is only the beginning. They are also capable of bringing you up to the next level by understanding your individual strengths and weaknesses. Although the drills are intense, coaches never let you break down either physically or mentally. The facilities and resort amenities are great, and so is the food. It is hot during the summer months so be prepared."—T.S., Low Int., October 2007 "Three friends and I visited Saddlebrook for 3 days of tennis clinics and a visit to the spa. It was one of the best vacations ever. The staff was exceptionally attentive and accommodating, the condo was clean and well furnished, the food beautifully served and delicious and the tennis staff well prepared and very talented -- we felt we learned alot from our clinics. Can't wait to go back!!!"—L.B., Int., October 2007 "This camp definately improved my game. I found the group drills comprehensive - we covered groundstrokes, volleys, overheads, and serves. I felt everyone in our group got equal practice time and excellant individual feedback throughout the sessions. The instructor motivated us to correct our technique and keep moving despite the heat and sun. I took private lessons each day and got the choice of what I'd like to work on. I also found the video analysis session helpful - I would have opted to participate in this more than once if possable. I left this camp eager to play tennis again as soon as possable!"—S.H., Low Int., October 2007"This was my first time at Saddlebrook, although I've been to other tennis camps. And it was a mixed experience. I was placed in the advanced group, as soon as I got there. But I was bounced to the next group down, later that afternoon (w/o explanation). The irony was that while in the advanced group, I was getting some pretty good instruction. In the less advanced one, there was very little instruction ... mostly just doubles play and doubles games (I don't really play doubles). I was pretty frustrated. I'd look over enviously at the group I was bounced out of (w/o explanation) and at the beginners' group, which seemed to be getting plenty of instruction. Meanwhile, I was trapped playing doubles games because, it seemed, two of the women in my group (Saddlebrook veterans) were a doubles team. When I did get instruction, it was excellent, and the results were postively dramatic.
The video analysis was not much. It came as a bit of a surprise ("I'm sorry. Was that supposed to be a short ball for an approach shot?") and was very brief. Basically, it was "this is what we spotted. Now correct that." Which I did.
What was good was that compared to other camps I've attended Saddlebrook is luxurious. The courts are steps away from our well air-conditioned room. There is Gatorade and fruit at courtside. There are lighted courts for nighttime play. And there's pretty good food (for the carnivore) to be found on the resort (and just outside the resort).
I think I'll return to Saddlebrook (TBD). The heat and humidity can be daunting. But I don't think I was run around any harder than at other camps. I will say that Saddlebrook/Hopman has its "way." Modern strokes. And they (the staff) seem to be on top of the new thinking. That's not always the case with the other camps."—K.H., Adv., October 2007"This tennis camp offered everything you could want in one facility. I have gone twice and found consistency in the teaching staff and the quality of service. Best so far is the ratio on court of never more than 4 students to 1 pro so there is enough time to get that little bit of extra personal attention that can really improve your game! They prove you don't have to sacrifice comfort in order to get professional instruction.....the accomodations ( we were upgraded) were great and the food........even after 5 hrs a day on court I put on two pounds! I have not been to any other tennis facilities but do not feel the need if Saddlebrook continues their tradition. Special thanks to a staff member there, Nona, who is amazing at what she does."—H.G., Int., October 2007"Wonderful!"—J.A., Adv. Int., October 2007 "I would recommend Saddlebrook if you are interested in playing a lot of tennis (5 hours a day)on a getaway, but I found the program to be rather unstructured. I have attended other tennis camps where there was a clear plan for the duration of the camp, and where I came away having learned something new. I would not say that I learned anything new at Saddlebrook, but that I simply palyed a lot of tennis. The staff were enthusiastic and great players. I'm not so sure that they were great teachers, however. The resort was lovely and the restaurant was great."—D.F., Int., November 2007 "i recently visited Saddlebrook and was more than pleased with the pro's my wife and i had. My wife was fortunate enough to have Howard Moore personaly as her pro. We think the resort is one of the nicest we've seen. We will definitely be coming back."—U.H., Adv., November 2007 "I am a former college/tour player who has not played or exercised much in the last few years due to a heavy work schedule. I recently went to Hopman Tennis/ Saddlebrook Resort to jump-start my fitness and game. My trip was successful on both counts; not only did I get excellent drilling to improve my conditioning(after all Hopman did invent the drill)but I also got expert personal instruction (thank you Howard, Scott and Mark!)that helped get the groove back by removing some bad habits that had crept in due to lack of play. Saddlebrook Resort is very green and quiet; executives under pressure in the world of global finance will find Hopman tennis camp a significant stress release (I certainly did). The main weakness of the resort is the relative distance to off resort dining and entertainment."—H.A., Adv., November 2007"I have been attending Saddlebrook Tennis for well in excess of ten years. I go there at least twice a year. In my opinion there is no better tennis resort that balances the amenities of a vacation with the rigors of tennis. The Spa is fabulous, the tennis pros are top notch, Howard Moore runs a tight program and the tennis is challenging. I have recommended Saddlebrook to many people, ranging from teenagers to the more mature, read older, adult."—J.S., Adv., November 2007 "The tennis program at Saddlebrook was just fantastic. The staff was very observant and matched abilities exceptionally well. My husband and I had a wonderful time there and would highly recommend the program and the resort to anyone interested in high quality instruction, play, and relaxation (the spa and amenities throughout the resort are just wonderful!)."—C.A., Adv. Int., November 2007 "I was part of a girls getaway to celebrate a friends 40th birthday. We had looked at Bolliteri, but ended up at Saddlebrook based on the suggestion of our home Tennis Club's Pro. We are soooo happy we chose Saddlebrook. It was outstanding. The resort itself is beautiful with lots of things to do other than tennis (golf, swimming, spa, walking) with great restaurants and entertainment (live bands, karoke). We were there for 4 days and didn't even need a car! The tennis was more than we expected. The pros were great at understanding your current ability and future potential, spending quality time with each of us in our 4 person group to fix our problems. The video cam proved the point the instructor was making, so it was tough to argue even if it felt like you were doing it right. The personalized attention from Howard, Nona, Beau, and Alex was a high point in our trip...making sure the correct technique stayed in our muscle memory. We felt like VIP's, even though that is how they treat everyone!
We are already planning a family trip there with kids and grandparents (all who play tennis but at different levels) and we are instituting a yearly girls trip back to Saddlebrook every fall.
Thank you for making this trip memorable and I can't wait to come back during the Spring and Fall for more intense tennis and fun!"—P.C., Adv. Int., November 2007"Amazing tennis instruction! Can't even think of a negative thing to say! Not as strenuous as I thought...being a 5 hour day....a lot of instruction and plenty of time to rest between, but still very challenging! Perfect balance of everything! Would have liked to have seen the pros play doubles one evening. Loved the morning demos!"—T.F., Adv. Int., November 2007 "Just the best staff and lodging. Would go again, soon I hope!!!"—S.M., Adv. Int., November 2007 "I Just got back from Saddlebrook, it was my third visit.I just turn 50yrs old and this was my gift to myself...I had an outstanding time once again. The tennis pros are incredible, very knowledgable up-beat and fun after 5 hours of clinic I still wanted more at the end of the day..I'm looking forward to my next visit. Thank You Everyone!!"—J.L., Low Int., November 2007 "I went there for Labor Day weekend in September with my husband and another couple (our levels are 3.0-4.5). We had a great time staying there for 3 days and doing 2 days of tennis. It was not obvious at the time since we were pretty worn out by end, but my tennis definitely improved a lot after the program. the instructors were very good and listened to our needs. we had the same instructor (alex) for 1 1/2 days and a different guy for the last session (mark i think). it took a day for alex to get to know us but on the second day i really got a lot out of the morning session. i also enjoyed the 20 min one and one session. i just wish they would've provided us with more gatorade. it was really really hot and humid and we constantly felt thirsty. the wet towels were great though.
the resort overall is beautiful. unfortunately it rained in the afternoons every day we were there so we couldn't take advantage of the golf courses. i absolutely love the pool there and the design of the whole place. the suites are huge and the people were nice.
the negative side about going during the down season is that there are fewer people so probably not as many people on your level. but upside is that the pool felt like it was a private pool.
the weather did not cooperate so we didn't really have match play, unfortunately."—J.F., Int., November 2007"This resorts has many strengths: Setting is very beautiful, tennis instruction was very good with mostly a focus on drills to improve technique. I would have liked to have seen instruction on the strategic / patterns of play aspects of the game."—R.T., Adv. Int., December 2007 "We just returned from a 3 day getaway at Saddlebrook Resort. We found the tennis program to be exceptional. The 5 hour a day program seemed to be the perfect amount of time to be on the court. They were courteous and worked on our needs. The manager also was very helpful in giving us special instruction in areas we felt needed work. I would recommend this resort to everyone."—J.T., Int., December 2007 "I went for 6 days in early Dec. 2007. I am a 4.0 who plays some 4.5 USTA and am trying to learn the new open stance forehand style of play. I looked at a lot of camps and the one thing I noticed is that better players had better things to say about their Saddlebrook experience. I can only agree. It was great. Tons of instruction and drills, useful video analysis and they kind of rotated the pros just right to keep it fresh over 6 days. A bonus was that there was a big time pro you could watch practice. They were good at matching skill levels which is a big complaint at other camps. I hit all week with 4.0's, 4.5's and even a few 5.0's. I recommend this place highly."—S.S., Adv., December 2007"My wife, daughter and I visited Saddlebrook tennis resort from December 24-28, 2007 for 3 full tennis instruction days (5 hours each) and two free days playing on grass courts. I found the instruction superior to any resort/tennis program that I have ever joined, and that is saying alot -- I have played tennis for nearly 50 years, played varsity tennis in a Division I tennis program, and currently play USTA seniors tournaments. The instruction was sharp and to the point. My instructor, Martin from Leeds, U.K., understood precisely how to upgrade certain features of my game that fell prey to bad habits. "Respect the short ball", he often reminded me as I drove my ground stroke deep and wide in order to attack the short shot to be able to win the point. I know that my wife, who regularly plays in leagues where we live, found the instruction extremely helpful and her game has improved as a result. My daughter, who is a very fine athelete, was placed in a group of mature women and notched up her play ability a grade or two.
On the last day, while my daughter and I played on the grass court (the last time I played on grass was at the Rockaway Hunt Club in Long Island in league play), a delightful instructor, Steve (a Red Sox fan), gave unsolicited and helpful pointers about how to use a grass court effectively and keep rallies going on and on.
Too bad it is over. We will return."—H.K., Adv., December 2007"Day one I was placed in a class with players at a lower level than myself and that is not a favored learning environment for me. I stuck it out for the first half day and did not return for the second half. Later in the day my wife and I had a private lesson with here instructor for that day. I learned more with him in the fist five minutes that I did in the three hours that morning. After that lesson I spoke with the tennis program director about my issues that morning and he graciously made good on my lack of satisfaction and value for my dollars spent. The next day I was placed with another instructor/group and was very satisfied with that situation.
This instructor is passionate about thennis and teaching tennis. He is engaging and complimentary while offering constructive comments to each person in the group. In talking with others we met everyone had mostly great things to say about their instructor. I believe that, for the most part the majority of instructors are very good and really love to teach tennis.
I would suggest that if you are not happy with any aspect of Saddlebrook to bring it to the attention of management. They really do care about you and want you to be satisfied with the level of service you deserve. I highly recommend Saddlebrook's lodging and adult tennis instruction. I really want to go back so I can play golf there."—M.K., Low Int., January 2008"I spent three fantastic days at the tennis clinic at Saddlebrook (Hopman). My experience was truly top-notch. The hands-on approach to coaching was not only valuable and fun, it was constructive, professional and practical. I know I will apply all of my newly acquired skills to my tennis game. I only wish I had more time on the court!"—J.K., Int., January 2008 "The tennis arangements were excellent-good quality courts-well maintained and in good condition. Despite being there at a peak time-over the new year-Howard Moore and his team ensured that everyone found a suitable group of four to join. Our family has two adults and two children-all of different standards-we all had a GREAT time. The committment of a maximum of four in any group was met. The staff listened to input and responded very quickly and effectively to meet client demands. All in all an outstanding experience for us-we could not recommend it too highly. I know I have spoken exclusively about the strengths. However, I cannot think of any weaknesses in the tennis arrangements"—J.D., Int., January 2008"Saddlebrook/Hopmans Quality and consistency are fabulous ! Great tennis, instructors, setting, and resort. If you don't like it it here you won't anywhere, they work to keep you happy 3.0 to 6.0 players, provided you work hard at tennis ! The Hopman way of course ! Our friends came and were thrilled at what good value it was for a week of tennis and golf. Our small point was slow service at Td's. We have been there many times and always look forward to our next visit !"—K.J., Adv., January 2008 "I enjoyed the tennis lessons and the private lessons with Provin. I liked I could walk to everything from our rental unit."—J.V., Int., January 2008 "I have been going to the Hopman resort for four years now with my two friends from home. The instructors I have had during our four day stays have been excellent. However, the one I had for the past two years is by far the best instructor I have ever had. His name is Randy Dudley. He is technically sound, never misses a feed, injects humor into the drills and is an amazing diagnostician of the ills of one's game. The tips I received from him have been of an enormous value in improving my game. The other instructors at Hopman are very good as well but do not come close to Randy Dudley. The accomodations are very nice, each of us had our own bedroom and bathroom. The food is good and there are a few places to eat on the premises. You also have the city of Tampa about 30 miles south, which also has very good restaurants.
There is a nice large pool with a poolside bar and a spa and fitness facility. I had two very good deep tissue massages from two different therapists and both were excellent.
The bottom line when you go to Hopman is to experience the tennis program. I would recommend this facility highly to anyone looking to improve their game and tennis on court strategy. I plan on returning again and again."—R.R., Adv. Int., January 2008"I've been going to Saddlebrook annually for the past 19 years and have always come away very satisfied..and exhausted! Other tennis camps I've sampled have not featured the same consistent combination of top-flight instruction, work ethic and resort amenities that are at the core of the Harry Hopman/Saddlebrook experience. The past two years have been the best of all because of a uniquely talented instructor named Randy Dudley, who will find a way to diagnose and correct even the most stubborn and ingrained bad habits. As an entertaining bonus, many of his tips come in a playfully irreverent form. When you're not laughing, you'll hit thousands of balls and come away with lots of useful strategy and technical tips, guaranteed! I strongly suggest that you ask to be on Randy's court if possible. But if he's not available, don't worry. The pro staff is deep with experience and will treat you well."—J.H., Adv., January 2008"Great place to get in great tennis shape and to get rid of any bad tennis habits you've picked up over the last year. The instruction is first class, along with the amenities of the resort."—B.S., Int., January 2008 "This is my second visit to Saddlebrook Resort. The greatest strength of the program is the intense, high-quality tennis instruction. The tennis pros give high quality instruction, with lots of comments and feedback on technique. The Director, Howard Moore, is present and directly involved throughout the day. He not only gives daily demonstration lessons to the whole group, but also will occasionally interrupt a lesson to make a point or correct a problem with stroke technique. The only weakness is the facilities; this is not a posh resort. On the other hand, perhaps if it were a posh resort, the focus on the tennis would be lost. I'm already looking forward to my next trip!"—M.P., Low Int., January 2008"Over the 2007 Christmas Holidays, I spent 4 consecutive days in the 5 hr/day tennis program at Saddlebrook Resort. I was placed with Scott Brooks, a veteran instructor at Saddlebrook. Scott was fantastic. Over the four days, he really transformed my game. After reviewing my game, he changed my closed stance forehand and backhand to an open stance. Almost immediately, my game found greater consistency and a greater ability to recover from shots. Scott and the short stay at Saddlebrook have been directly responsible for an immediate heightening of my game. Since my stay, I have won 2 USTA Tournaments and not a lost any of my men’s league singles matches; massive improvement. A step up to the next NTRP level is imminent.
The entire staff was super friendly. Further, it was great to be able to watch James Blake and John Isner prepping for the Australian Open during every lunch hour.
Well worth the visit.
Matt Brown / Fort Lauderdale, Florida"—M.B., Int., February 2008"For anyone truly interested in playing better tennis, whether you be a beginner or a higher level player (including level 5 players), there cannot possibly be a stronger, better place to work on your tennis than at Saddlebrook. I chose the place because of reviews I read, and because former academy students from Saddlebrook I knew told me they thought it to be the number 1 place in this country. They were absolutely right. I am committed to becoming an excellent player, so I spent 2 weeks there. In addition to the adult group lessons which were 5 hours per day, I typically added on one hour each day of private lessons with people who mostly taught at the junior academy (but these people do also rotate into the adult tennis group).
What became apparent right away is that there is a tremendous amount of excellent coordination in placing participants with appropriate partners on their courts as well as coaches. The coaches range from very good to outstanding - with most in the outstanding range. You are drilled hard, and you are taught well.
The court coordinator, a fantastic, talented young woman named Nona Wagh, quietly and seemingly effortlessly observes each individual on the court (and I don't think most participants are even aware of that) to make sure they are getting what they need. Whenever necessary, changes on the court are made, be it in your placement or in who your coach is. In the time I was there, sometimes there were 4 of us on the court with one coach, but most of the time it was less than that, and on one occasion I had no one else with me aside from the coach for 2 hours.
Howard Moore is the program director, and it's clear he puts in 100% (if not more) of himself into his job. High standards are maintained everywhere. Each day's session begins with some exercises and a demonstration by the pros of strokes. While on the court, you will be occasionally visited by pro's with special interests (such as mental skills training, footwork), and you are also filmed. In the 2 weeks I was there I was videotaped 3 times. The evaluations that follow the videotaping were invaluable.
I had the opport |