There is a lot of shouting going on in the Billabong Bar. Some 60 of us have turned up at Newk’s Tennis Ranch on a balmy October weekend, and after introductions to the pros, an hour of lively drills, and a dinner of steak, salmon, scalloped potatoes, sautéed vegetables, salad, and chocolate cake we’ve reconvened in the bar, divided now into two groups, Team Australia and Team USA, for a pep talk with our respective captains and camp co-directors, Chris Jacques and Mitch Joyce.
The actual Davis Cup-style competition won’t take place until tomorrow when we gather as teams in two separate bleachers to cheer on our respective captains and their partners in a pro doubles exhibition. Tonight, however, we’re being introduced to the fine art of “barracking,” which consists chiefly of shouting loudly to support your team coupled with hurling insults at the opponents. And for those of us on Team Australia that also means a rehearsal of the classic cheer: “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy, Oy, Oy.” The team meetings over, many of us grab a drink at the bar and head outside to a pavilion and firepit for s’mores, entertainment by the Grand Slams—an informal band comprised of several of the pros—and a chance to get to know more of our fellow campers.
They don’t make tennis camps like Newk’s tennis ranch anymore. It is the last of a breed, a vestige of the tennis-boom era when days of banging balls were followed by nights of hanging out with the pros and new-found tennis mates. Everybody played together all day and then gathered together again for dinner, merry-making, and maybe a beverage, and entertaining one another with songs, stories, and conversation. The unwritten assumption was that anyone who loved tennis enough to spend five hours a day doing drills must be worth getting to know.
Former world No. 1 John Newcombe opened the ranch in 1968 with former Trinity University coach Clarence Mabry. Much of the teaching methodology continues to be based on the techniques Newk learned from legendary Australian Davis Cup coach Harry Hopman and on those Mabry employed when he helped launch the careers of Dick Stockton, Brian Gottfried, and Chuck McKinley. As principal owner, Newk spends as much as six weeks a year at the Ranch, including two Fantasy events (see Calendar below. Historic photos and magazine covers of Newk decorate the walls of the main lodge, as do posters of Australia. His influence permeates the camp.
The property was, in Newk’s words “a run-down dude ranch,” when he and Mabry first looked at it, but its location in the Texas Hill Country, 20 miles north of San Antonio and 30 miles south of Austin, appealed to Newk who wanted a retreat from the circuit when he was in the U.S. Today the ranch has 31 courts, four of them indoors and another four that are clay. The original ranchhouse has a pro shop, dining room with tables for eight or more, and the Billabong Bar. Behind the ranchhouse stretches a terraced deck with picnic tables in the shade of several large live oaks—a camper favorite for lunch on pleasant days—just steps from an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. From there it is a short stroll to the adult accommodations, which consist of a mixed bag of rooms, cottages, casitas, and one- and two-bedroom condos. As the ranch has grown, so has the town of New Braunfels, so the spread no longer feels so rural and isolated as it did when I first visited—particularly given that John Newcombe Estates, a housing development and country club, has spring up on the adjacent 200 acres. Still, I surprised a couple of deer on campus as I walked to breakfast one morning and another camper spotted a javelina.
Phil Hendrie has been the Director of Tennis for the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch for the past 40+ years, overseeing both the adult and junior programs. Throughout his time at the Ranch he has coached players such as Lleyton Hewitt, Li Na, Michael Venus, Nicole Melichar, Ryan Harrison, and many more. He also has a high success rate of getting young players college scholarships. Phil heads up a staff of more than a dozen tennis professionals including Stephen Rogers and Max McDulin, the Directors of Adult Tennis.
Tennis Programs: In the adult camps, each day begins with a basic overview of the strokes on the day's agenda, generally focused on basics of technique. From there it's out to the courts and a mixture of drills, half of them with the pro doing the feeding, the other half live ball sessions, pitting campers against each other or one or more pros. There is often one or more pros who rove, pulling aside individual campers for specific advice on improving a particular stroke. Each of the morning and afternoon sessions lasts 2½ to 3 hours and often conclude with some sort of informal doubles competition. Midweek sessions add videotaping to the mix.
Court Complex: 27 hard courts (4 covered) and 4 Har-Tru courts
Court fees: None
Off Court
Fitness Center: Although it is hard to imagine why anyone who spends 5 hours on court would feel the need for a fitness center, the Ranch does in fact have one in a cinderblock building near the covered courts, principally intended for the full-time junior academy students but available to adults who feel a need for it. It has the usual weight machines and Cardio equipment along with a battery of devices intended for tennis specific exercises, including medicine balls and balance platforms. It may also come into play, as it did during my visit, in the case of rain, sending part of the group to the covered courts, part to the fitness center for an overview of tennis-specific exercises. There is no spa; however, there is a massage therapist on call.
Accommodations
Campers can choose from a variety of accommodations, all clustered around or near the courts. These range from simple rooms with two double beds to one- and two-bedroom condos, the latter with fireplaces, full kitchens, and washer-dryers.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round with the lowest rates available from November through February.
Travel Instructions: By air: The nearest airports are San Antonio, roughly 30 minutes to the south, and Austin, roughly 45 minutes to the north. By Car: The ranch is on Highway 46 in New Braunfels, Texas. From San Antonio, take I-35 North to Loop 337. Exit and turn left following Loop 337 to Highway 46 West. Exit, turn left (west), and drive approximately 2 miles then turn left at the large water tower marked "Newks Resort." Follow the signs to the Main Lodge.
My wife and I have had multiple trips to the ranch, once for an incredible tennis fantasy week with some of the games best pros, and once a general trip. Both times we had an amazing time. The food, tennis, location, and people are truly memorable. We plan to come to “The Ranch” often in the years to come.
FG
JS
A diamond in the rough of the Texas Hill Country. The John Newcombe Tennis Ranch was my 1st tennis tennis vacation, and it felt like I was in tennis heaven. The pros, staff, & coaching were exceptional! I felt like I knew the pros more by the end of my stay than the ones I get coached by back at home. 10 hrs of tennis for the weekend, karaoke/dance party, amazing atmosphere, what else could you ask for?!? Will be coming back with more friends!!!!
SG
EG
SF
JB
BF
We love newks and can’t wait to come back next year!
SC
We love coming to the John Newcomb Tennis Ranch and resort. So happy to have the chance to play a sport we love with friendly staff and friends and in this beautiful Hill Country setting. We’ll be back!
JD
I’ve had the best times of my life here. The tennis is great! The staff is wonderful. I’ve met some amazing people that have become lifetime friends. Will definitely keep coming back!
NL
NJ
AF
Great place, activities, staff & family feel.
AA
FANTASTIC experience at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. I came for their weekend program & it blew my mind. I thought I was in tennis heaven!!! The pros were amazing(Brent, CJ, Roshi, Adrian, etc.), the staff was so friendly, & what they produce is absolutely “World Class!” Cheers mates. Can’t wait to come back!!!
CS
JK
TS
SZ
SJ
RB
SN
Incredible facilities with very welcoming staff and overall provided a really enjoyable on court experience. Will definitely return and recommend to any tennis lovers looking to improve their game!
424 Reviews on “John Newcombe Tennis Ranch”
My wife and I have had multiple trips to the ranch, once for an incredible tennis fantasy week with some of the games best pros, and once a general trip. Both times we had an amazing time. The food, tennis, location, and people are truly memorable. We plan to come to “The Ranch” often in the years to come.
A diamond in the rough of the Texas Hill Country. The John Newcombe Tennis Ranch was my 1st tennis tennis vacation, and it felt like I was in tennis heaven. The pros, staff, & coaching were exceptional! I felt like I knew the pros more by the end of my stay than the ones I get coached by back at home. 10 hrs of tennis for the weekend, karaoke/dance party, amazing atmosphere, what else could you ask for?!? Will be coming back with more friends!!!!
We love newks and can’t wait to come back next year!
We love coming to the John Newcomb Tennis Ranch and resort. So happy to have the chance to play a sport we love with friendly staff and friends and in this beautiful Hill Country setting. We’ll be back!
I’ve had the best times of my life here. The tennis is great! The staff is wonderful. I’ve met some amazing people that have become lifetime friends. Will definitely keep coming back!
Great place, activities, staff & family feel.
FANTASTIC experience at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. I came for their weekend program & it blew my mind. I thought I was in tennis heaven!!! The pros were amazing(Brent, CJ, Roshi, Adrian, etc.), the staff was so friendly, & what they produce is absolutely “World Class!” Cheers mates. Can’t wait to come back!!!
Incredible facilities with very welcoming staff and overall provided a really enjoyable on court experience. Will definitely return and recommend to any tennis lovers looking to improve their game!