Saddlebrook Resort has a well-deserved reputation for staging one of the most—if not, the most—demanding tennis programs on the planet. The underlying philosophy owes much to the training techniques of the legendary Australian Davis Cup coach and notorious taskmaster Harry Hopman. His was a taxing regimen designed at once to improve technique and push the envelope of his charge’s stamina and endurance. That reputation for toughness draws aspiring juniors to its academy and committed adults, the latter attracted to the blend of rigorous workouts and Saddlebrook’s full resort amenities.
Saddlebrook Resort garnered awards for its design when it opened in 1981. The 480-acre layout, 25 miles north of Tampa, places the lodging, restaurants, shops, a lakesize swimming pool, tennis courts, spa, golf clubhouse, and meeting rooms at the center of a halo of golf fairways, condos, and residential neighborhoods. Centralizing all of the major amenities creates what they call a “Walking Village.” Foliage is lush, ponds and lakes dot the property, and birds are abundant, including several endangered species for which this is a refuge and a rookery.
This is hardly the setting you’d expect for the mother of all hard-core tennis camps, but having all those amenities provides relief from the rigors of the daily regimen while its guard gate provides privacy and security—one reason touring pros visit between tournaments to work on their games. Its juniors, both live-in and short term, hope the program will set them on the road to greatness (or at least a college scholarship), while adults come looking to get in shape, test their physical mettle, or perhaps search for a magic elixir to cure, once and for all, the flaws in their game. It is also often true that the adults frequently underestimate the physical demands a program like this makes, and that even though none has ever in his or her life played five hours of tennis a day, they somehow think they are ready for five hours a day of drills.
Although the historical philosophy of the program has to push you to the point that your game breaks down, find what is salvageable in the rubble, and rebuild from there. That said, after my last visit I came away thinking that this approach has mellowed somewhat in recent years. In my early participation in the Hopman program, as it was known then, I remember being chastised for ignoring a feed too wide for me to reach, only to have the next fed wider until I learned that it was crucial to make an attempt even when you thought you had no chance of reaching the balls. I remember, too, the so-called “bucket of ball” drills and “kamikaze” drills that had you scampering right and left and back again until you pleaded exhaustion or the pro was convinced you’d had enough.
My sense is that while the regimen remains demanding, the boot-camp approach has been abandoned. None of the pros on my latest visit adopted an in-your-face drill sergeant’s demeanor (though I was told that if that’s what you want, it is available). Instead, they established key concepts essential to hitting well—early preparation, eyes on the ball, full follow-through—and then ran drills and competitive exercises to put those concepts into practice. Still, there were times when we were grateful for the break afforded by the need to pick up balls.
Although there are exceptions, you typically stay with the same pro throughout your stay (barring his or her days off), so they oversee your progress first-hand. They tailor the work to the abilities of the campers they oversee. Rather than stand in one place and hit picture-perfect strokes, you pretty much have to run for every ball. Like the pros, you’ll do a lot of two-on-one drills, and if your skills permit it live-ball drills and competitive games with the other campers on your court. The process can be exhilarating, demoralizing, or both, but you will come away from this program knowing where you stand with respect to your aerobic conditioning and what you really need to do to take your game to the next level.
If courts alone were the measure of a great tennis resort, then Saddlebrook would rank near the top. It has 45 courts altogether, including hard, clay, red clay, Rebound Ace (the surface formerly used at the Australian Open) and grass, all of which—the grass included—are available to guests. The major complex is near the center of the resort. There is a secondary complex a mile away in Lakeside Village, which is also the site of the 3,000-square-foot fitness center and high-performance complex and where the juniors enrolled in the academy work out. All of the courts are laid out in clusters of two to five separated by an awning-covered patio furnished with chairs and a refrigerated water fountain.
Tennis Staff: Although Harry Hopman, the legendary Australian Davis Cup coach, died in 1985, the organization he built survives. The core group of staff, many longtime Saddlebrook pros, expands and contracts based on how many adults are enrolled in the programs—as many as are needed to keep the student:pro ratio at 4:1 of less.
Tennis Programs: Although the resort itself offers some perfunctory stroke-of-the-day clinics (run by tennis-academy staff), the real reason a tennis player would come here is the Hopman-inspired camps.
Unlike some other dedicated facilities and college-campus programs, Hopman’s does not include any meals in the package, so for other dining you’re left to fend for yourself at the quite good but pricey restaurants at the resort itself or pile into cars for trips beyond the resort. Caveat: The Saddlebrook program can be among the most physically demanding of all the camps, so start a workout regimen weeks before you come down. Bring two pairs of tennis shoes, several changes of clothes (washers and dryers are available in each lodging cluster), a hat, sunblock, two racquets if you have them (broken strings are commonplace), and overgrip.
Off Court
Golf Courses: Saddlebrook has two 18-hole courses, both designed by Arnold Palmer, and an Arnold Palmer Golf Academy. Tee times for any of the following courses can be reserved.
Palmer Course: This course is characterized by open, undulating fairways, and an abundance of lakes, streams and ponds. Par: 71. Length: 5,212-6,469 yards.
Saddlebrook Course: Though flatter than the Palmer course, this one is also tighter, with tree-lined fairways and water on most of its holes. Par: 70. Length: 5,183-6,603 yards.
Spa & Fitness Center: The 7,000-square-foot Spa in the walking village has 12 treatment rooms offering massages, hydrotherapy treatments, and some beauty services; however, it is currently closed. Campers who can still walk at the end of the day are welcome to use the 3,300-square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center in Lakeside Village, a 10-minute walk from the Superpool, but it’s rate that anyone does so. It has a full line of Cybex equipment plus treadmills, stair steppers, recumbent bicycles, elliptical trainers, and rubber-encased freeweights all in rooms with views of a swimming pool or volley ball pit. Personal trainers are on hand to help you craft a workout regimen. There is also an adjacent high-performance sports center, which offers specialized training programs often to professional athletes.
The centerpiece of the resort is its half-million-gallon, amoeba-shaped Superpool, said to be the largest in Florida. At 270 feet long, it is vast enough to contain a 25-meter lap pool, water volleyball and water basketball courts, and a diving area. Around it are children’s wading pools and two heated whirlpools. There is another swimming pool near the Sports Village & Fitness Center. Otherwise, recreation run to bike trails around the property and bass fishing in the privately stocked lakes.
Children's programs: The S’Kids Club operates year round providing supervised activities for kids ages 4-12.
Dining: The TD’s Sports Bar has light fare and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dempsey’s Steakhouse is currently closed; however it’s menu prime beef and seafood is available at TD’s Sports Bar. There’s also a pool bar for lunch and poolside cocktails.
Accommodations
There are a total of 790 rooms and suites at Saddlebrook, most of them in 50-unit clusters variously arrayed near the main clubhouse and pool, or out along the golf fairways. Each cluster has an ice machine and washer/dryer. The most basic accommodation is a hotel room with two double beds and a private balcony or patio. The alternatives are one- and two-bedroom suites (which anywhere else would be called condos). These have full kitchens (with coffee makers and dishwashers; most have microwaves, if not you can request one), separate living and dining areas, and one or two bedrooms, each with a full bath. The living room opens onto a patio or balcony. High-speed Internet access is available throughout the resort.
Anyone who enrolls in the Saddlebrook International Tennis program is eligible for discounted room rates. By booking tennis and lodging together, you get a deluxe guest room, 5 hours/day of intensive tennis, complimentary court time, daily lunch, and access to the fitness center and spa. One- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens are also available.
Getting there
Seasons: The resort and its Hopman tennis programs operate year-round; however, given the grueling nature of these clinics, you should think twice about coming in summer—unless, of course, you want to work out in hot, humid conditions. Principally for that reason, the camps are generally two to three times larger during the fall, winter, and spring than in summer.
As usual Saddlebrook tennis staff exceeded my expectations. Rohan Singh is a fabulous, energetic, positive and hard working pro. He’ll push you beyond your limitations, while making sure that you are getting something out of each and every drill. He recognizes that you can’t change a player’s game in just a few days but finds key things that can be fine tuned. The resort may not be what it was 20 years ago but if you come for tennis you will not be disappointed. The staff seems genuinely interested in your development and they do an amazing job of matching skills and personalities with instructors.
KR
This is my 7th time at Saddlebrook and each one is better than the previous! They greet you as returning friends and somehow seem to remember you from year to year. We request Steve as our coach each year – he makes the five hours of court time extremely fun with great instruction that I take home with me! He always gets us through to the fifth hour even when it is +100 degrees on the court. The best tennis vacation ever! Rusty from Nova Scotia!
NP
Great tennis instruction. Everything is close by on The campus. The food could use improvement and the resort is a bit dated. That being said we think the tennis may outweigh it.
AR
This was our 3rd visit to Saddlebrook, and we were impressed with the junior tennis program again (we did not participate in the adult program). Both of my daughters (age 11 and 10) participated in the full day (5 hour) tennis program. They were placed with kids at their ability level and were given great instruction on all aspects of the game, including both singles and doubles strategy. The program is well run–be on time for the 7:30am start because they begin promptly with a warm-up run around the courts. They also adhere to playing only 4 kids on a court which is crucial for each child to have enough hitting time. (Some other clubs will let 5 or 6 on a court which is ridiculous.) Larry, who oversaw the junior program was very accommodating and inspiring, and Howard was everywhere managing the overall program and infusing energy into the players. They see the strengths and weaknesses of the players and try to help them improve. The international group of pros were great providing insightful instruction. They did a good job at balancing positive feedback with suggested improvements, and they managed to make 5 hours in the hot sun a lot of fun for the kids. While 5 hours is a lot of time on the court (4 hrs in the morning, a lunch break, then 1 hr of match play), the time flies by. Typically about 1 hr is dedicated to fitness including strengthening exercises, stretching and running. They ask different kids to help lead the exercises providing an opportunity for leadership. During match play, my daughter had the chance to play a match against one of the academy kids. Lunch is a great time to take a dip in the pool or to see what current tennis pros are playing Lakeside. The other parts of the resort vary. The food is adequate with slow service and the rooms could use some updating.
TL
The second time around was so pleasantly, different. I definitely would consider a spring booking over summer in Florida, at this resort. The difference: no tennis injuries, fewer children, more fun. My 3 women friends and I agree that the facilities are outstanding, even the stretching routines, prior to the tennis clinics, are less grueling and geared for the adults, than the summer clinics, which were populated with children, and enveloped in 90%+ humidity. Kudos to the resort staff for their well-organized and scheduled sessions. Great tennis staff, experienced restaurant servers, and attentive spa therapists and attendants make this resort. They raise the standards for other resorts, and should all be recognized.
YA
I’ve been to Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman) several times. Mark Magone is an exceptional instructor whom I request for each visit and lucky enough to have for the whole week I’m there. He’s insightful, gives lots of instruction without overwhelming me. He emphasizes consistency, technique and control. I like the 4:1 ratio of students/instructor and get a lot of personalized tips. The accommodations are wonderful and the staff is so pleasant. I plan to return many more times.
AR
Wonderful program aimed at all levels of play.
LK
great lessons – small group – individual attention
TF
This was my third time at Saddlebrook Hopman tennis camp and each time keeps me coming back for more. The tennis instruction is excellent and the staff…including the resort staff, are very accomodating and very friendly. I’ll def be back ! My only complaint is that they no longer serve nachos and wings in the sports bar…what kinda sports bar is that ?
PS
My group included 2 moms (age 65) and 2 daughters (age 40) — all 3.5 players. We had a great time. For the first 2 days, Shaun Pilling was our coach and he provided great instruction and great “take-aways” — tips and analogies we could remember. For our last day, Oscar Sanchez provided good drills and a thousands of chances to hit balls. He helped my daughter with “new school” tennis strokes and she really refined her game. Five hours of tennis was great — that’s what we came for — and even the moms could keep up. Nice spa, good accommodations.
OG
We had an exceptional experience staying at the Saddlebrook Resort. The staff was wonderful – thank you Darren Royal for working with our daughter – she had a great time training with you. Also a big thanks to Howard Moore for taking such great care of us and our 4 year old daughter.
AM
Do not go to Saddlebrook Tennis without four equally leveled players. When our group of four women lost one player to a child’s illness, we decided to go with three people and hoped that Saddlebrook would add a player at our 4.0 level. Our first day Saddlebrook added a low level 3.5 player to our court and while we were disappointed, she was leaving later that day and we did not complain about her play. On our second day, a fourth player was assigned to our court, but she did not attend the clinic. On our last day a 3.0 player was assigned to our court. She was clearly overmatched and we asked to have her removed from our court. Despite our request and a request from the pro on our court, this player was never moved. It was dangerous to this player and a waste of our time and money. The pro on our court (we spent three days with him) was friendly and tried to be helpful but he was average at instruction and did not improve my game despite over 10 hours of clinic instruction. I won’t be going back to Saddlebrook at my own expense.
TR
Great accommodations, great tennis. Pro staff is first rate. They work you as hard as you want or as little as you want.
LL
Sixteen of us just finished a three day weekend visit to Saddlebrook. The first two started going ten years ago; we think we may balloon to 20 next year. Why? We have a terrific time being punished by a superb group of teaching pros under the guidance of Howard Moore, who is a very hands-on program director. A great way to tune up for the upcoming season!
PG
The Saddlebrook Tennis program is outstanding. I have been playing tennis for less than a year and am a 3.0 player. My 11 year old daughter has been playing for only two months. We both participated in the 5 hour a day clinic for 5 days and learned more than we ever imagined. I learned more from Vlad in five days than what I have learned in the last 10 months taking lessons 3 times per week. Vlad is an excellent communicator and makes everything so simple to understand by the way he explains, demonstrates, and guides. He is an amazing instructor with over 20 years of tennis teaching experience. My daughter has gone from hardly being able to hold the racket to being queen of the court in her group a couple of times. She feels good about her game now and is ready to call tennis her sport. Both of us could not believe how fast the time went. The beds are extremely comfortable, the rooms very nice and clean, and the food was excellent. The only negative thing I can say is that I really wanted to shop till I dropped in the proshop and was only able to buy a few things due to size availability. All of the staff were very friendly, professional, and dedicated to ensuring a positive experience. Bring plenty of bandaids for your fingers and toes and get ready to move!
DH
The pros are great – they really know the game and also know how to teach at the level that fits the group of tennis players best. Instruction is great for beginners as well the very highly rated juniors.
AB
I LOVE Saddlebrook!! Howard and the tennis pros and staff are fantastic, 5 hours flies by on the court, and I learned so much and had a terrific time too! I would go back in a flash. The spa is also very good, restaurants very good, staff very friendly.
SJ
Overall good but….While the staff was always polite and eager to please, I did not enjoy the “one size fits all” approach to the group lessons. As a 55+ league player, I did not benefit from just drills with little individual input. When I explained my problem to admin- Howard- he was most eager to please. He arranged a complimentary private with Larry. Larry redeemed the experience.In my lesson with Larry, we worked with what I had rather than change everything. Larry is an outstanding communicator and teaches with humor and wit. He made our visit worthwhile, and I have experienced lots of coaching(boosting the tennis economy as Larry would say.) He is one of the best. Staff in the tennis shop was polite but not trained adequately, even as non tennis players. Availability of match ups for social play not offered and would have been nice.
EA
Howard, Thank you for a wonderful time at Saddlebrook this week. I rarely have my expectations exceeded. But this week did just that! My pro was a genuine good guy and the one of the best I’ve ever worked with! And I have been taking lessons and playing tennis for 30 years. He was extremely knowledgeable. He explained technique and strategy with patience and clarity (a real gift). You are fortunate to have pros like him on staff. He was basically able to work with the same four guys simultaneously, for several days (all with completely different personalities and wants) and still make it FUN for all. Also my kids had a wonderful time, usually by the 3rd day of a tournament they are done and day 5 at Saddlebrook my kids were still hungry for more. Well done! Thanks again, I look forward to bringing my family back soon
KS
My husband and I just got back from a 3-day tennis stay at Saddlebrook and will definitely go again. I’m a 3.5/4.0 level player and feel as I learned a lot that will help me improve long after leaving the camp. There was just enough mix of drills and live ball play. I was fortunate in that I had a great instructor (Steve) who I had for each of my 3-days. Not every person had the same instructor each day though and others had a harder time with being in a group with comparably skilled players. My husband did have a harder time since he is a 5.0 level player and they really couldn’t find an appropriate group for him. It might have been better if the juniors at the academy weren’t away for spring break. That was the only downside to the trip.
JS
We came to Saddlebrook with 6 kids and 2 adults—Howard and Larry were terrific about getting the kids into the right clinics with great coaches. Jay and Adam kept our 12 yr olds running and learning and the kids benefitted from Larry’s advice on not losing sight of having fun while developing as a player. Eugene and Oscar were great with our 14 yr old and kept him coming back for more each day. Steve was great with the adults and seems to really care about developing each one of his 4 clinic participants. The coaching staff is available, flexible and does their best to accommodate. They handle a diverse group of tennis abilities with ease and good humour and it’s a pleasure dealing with them.
CM
This was my first time participating in the program. The level of instruction was top-notch, exceeding my expectations. The instructors genuinely cared about helping refine everyone’s skills, and the tips and feedback were priceless. I even saw many instructors staying after the classes officially ended to work with the students. It was impressive to see. Overall, Steve was my instructor, and his teaching was outstanding! I greatly appreciated the time and effort he took to help me improve. I would definitely recommend the program to anyone who was interested in enhancing his or her skills. The accommodations were also impressive, and my stay overall was pleasant. The one complaint I have is the food at the resort was definitely a disappointment for such an exceptional resort. Ordering room service appeared to be our best option, which is usually not the case when you are traveling. Gratuity is automatically included in everything, and the wait staff was exceptionally slow and poor without having to worry about a tip. It was the only thing that detracted from an otherwise exceptional trip.
MM
This is the second year I attended the adult tennis camp at Saddlebrook. Thank god the weather was nicer this year. After two years, I feel I can give a fair assessment of the program and the resort. The resort itself is still in pretty good shape. The grounds are kept in a very nice condition. The rooms themselves are a bit old, even though they are very clean. The thing that really stands out is the supporting staff, from the parking attendant, to the waiters, etc. they are all very friendly and offer great services. In terms of tennis, the overall instructions and drills were pretty good. But the deciding factor is really the instructor you get. I had Rohan this year during one of the sessions and I thought he was excellent. Besides being a great player himself, he offers lots of tidbits about mechanics that I thought was very helpful. Another instructor that was also great was Tony. He was very patient and also offers lots of good advices. It’s fine to go through these drills, but if you are not getting any feedback then the whole exercise is really a waste of time, other than getting you in shape! And this year I had a video analysis session with Larry, which I thought was very helpful. Last year they did not offer this service.
BD
This was the third year in a row where my wife and I have participated in the 5-day Hopman Program at Saddlebrook. The instructors that we’ve had in the past two years – John Fritts and Larry Peterson have been truly exceptional. They both are not only truly outstanding instructors but have endless patience and always add humour to the situations. Although of advncing age, we are fit and enjoy the challnge of the 5-hour a day program. Thank goodness though for the amenities of the fantastic heated pool, hot tubs and the spa where you can get a really high quality massage to ease your aching muscles. We’ll defintely be coming back again in future.
DT
I was very pleased with the tennis program at Saddlebrook. The fast pace and variety of drills provided for a very challenging program. Rohan was our instructor. He was a friendly motivator and encouraged us to move past our comfort zone in every phase of the game.
CB
This is our second year for a family vacation at Saddlebrook. My two children play in the kids tennis and my husband and I play in the adult clinic. The instruction is great and we go home better players with new tips to focus on. The kids enjoy each and every day between the tennis and the pool and the fun active vacation. We think the folks the oversee the programs including Larry and Howard really care to ensure everyone gets something out of the tennis experience. Highly recommend this vacation.
CH
I just got back from 3 days at the Saddlebrook Resort. I am a 50-yr old male, a 3.5 player, and my 14 year old son also attended the junior camp. Saddlebrook was recommended by a colleague who is a very competitive player in Russia who also has a son who is a strong junior. First, the tennis – in the adult program there were about 50 of us. The players were grouped well by ability, so I was always hitting with people at my level. Instruction was excellent. Sean M. was the pro on my court for two of the three days and was superb. Very positive, fun, and offered a good assessment of my mechanics. A few tweaks plus lots of balls helped my forehand, volley, and doubles court positioning. We were video taped & had another pro, Sean, assess our mechanics – very useful. There were 3 or 4 adults plus one pro on each court. There is a half-day and full-day choice, I took the full day, which is 5 hours on the har-tru courts – 3 in the morning & 2 in the afternoon. That is a lot of tennis – be prepared with 2 tennis outfits per day, lots of sunscreen, Motrin, sunglassess and hat(s). Be careful about blisters on feet or hands. The other players were friendly and cooperative – we all played hard but it was very constructive. No jerks, noone with attitude. The food was actually quite good, and the hotel staff was very organized and accomodating. We had a one-bedroom suite, with living room & kitchenette – very clean and everything in good condition. My son attended the junior camp, and had a similar experience. The juniors had 1 pro for every 2 courts, that seemed to be the main difference. Again, my son reported that the other junior were good kids & had positive attitude. There were 20-40 juniors.
AD
Strengths: nice accommodations, beautiful courts, happy with private lessons, and plentiful court time for practice play with companions. some confusion upon check in about schedule, clinics were haphazard and too short
AN
Just got back to the UK after a week at the Hopman academy and have to say was impressed. Strengths – Instruction – first class! Always mixed with people of similar abilty, and coaches very knowledgable (and will push you) Found the video analysis particularly helpful (although this does not happen everyday) Friendliness of staff & coaches. Creates a relaxed atmosphere Weather – was sunny every day and 80 degrees (which coming from the UK in dreary February was definatly appreciated) Weaknesses – I travelled by myself and after tennis there is limited options for an adult on the resort itself and Tampa itself is about 30 minutes drive away… so would recommend renting a car Would recommend and will definatley be going again.
MF
I attended Saddlebrook (Hopman Tennis Camp) in early February 2011. The room (standard hotel type) was well appointed and clean. The beds were very comfortable and the staff was courteous and helpful. The food at the restaurants (I ate at all three of them) was very good and not over-priced. The wait-staff was very friendly. The pool was great although in the cool February weather I did not spend much time in the water. The hot tubs were great after a long day on the courts. The teaching (Tennis) was great. I had the same instructor for my 5 day stay which helped as he could follow my progress during my time at the resort. The courts were in great shape and dried quickly after a number of rain periods that allowed us to get almost all of the time in during a week of challenging weather. There were people there to play at my level but I did not attempt to play outside the instruction time. I spent some time walking along the paths that follow the golf course. Very scenic. The one drawback is the long distance to walk to the fitness centre (which is closer to the courts that juniors use for their instruction) although if you asked they can call for a shuttle bus to drive you there very quickly. Overall – I had a great time and would recommend this place.
CQ
Just got back from my first visit. One word for this program: FABULOUS. I learned more in 5 days, than I did in 5 years from various pros at home. I can’t begin to tell you the difference. I had Tony most of the time and he was great for me-but most of the instructors got great reviews from the other campers I spoke with. My goal was to get from a solid 3.5 to a 4.0, and I achieved my goal. I only wish I had gone sooner. However, 5 full days is not for the faint of heart-it’s a LOT more than playing a round robin for 5 hours. It’s physically demanding. Next time, I would do just mornings or take a couple of days off during the week. All the staff was terrific and the resort was beautiful-nice spa, pool, rooms, main bldg. I would rent a car next time-menu selections were limited if you just stay at the resort.
DH
Saddlebrook is an older facility, but very well maintained. It is inside a gated community away from the hustle and bustle, and totally dedicated to golf, tennis, and athletic endeavors for both the beginner and serious (and professional level) athletes. The pros at the adult tennis camp are outstanding and provide coaching and instruction at a level well beyond what can be had at your local club. From Howard who runs the place, to Sean who handles the adult camps, to Steve who was our pro for this session – everyone is enthusiastic about tennis, happy to have you as a guest, and go out of their way to make sure you get the most from your visit. I continue to go back because it’s become my vacation destination – I can’t imagine having a better time anywhere else.
CK
We loved staying at the resort. Friendly and professional staff. We enjoyed the tennis camp. We received excellent instruction from Larry Peterson and have told all of our tennis friends about it and encouraged them to plan a trip to Saddlebrook. The best thing – others have noticed the the subtle improvements in our game!
AD
Beautiful place with excellent court time and superb instruction
EH
I highly recommend the Hopman Tennis Program at Saddlebrook Resort near Tampa FL. I have been to many tennis camps over the years and this is right up at the top. I was only able to stay for 3 nights/4 days but played 5 hours on the full days I was there and 3 hours the day I left. The staff made sure I met the other players off the court for a drink when I arrived and for a single woman that was appreciated. The pros and drills were wonderful and my play improved considerably. I look forward to going back and making this an annual trip.
PF
had a great time. Pros were nice, knowledgable and enthusiastic. Courts were beautiful. Couldn’t ask for more.
OS
My fifth or sixth visit in the last three years, for a week this time. For those looking for a hard core tennis vacation, you could not ask for more. Five hours of instruction/drills per day with excellent instructors. And when not on the court, you can enjoy the pools and grounds. The rooms are comfortable and the four restaurants on the property serve good food. But if you’re staying for more than a few days, you will want to sample some of the restaurants in the surrounding area.
CS
I can’t say enough good things about the tennis staff at Saddlebrook. They are extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. Every time I come here, which is at least once a year, my game improves. As a bonus, once in a while we see pros training at the resort. This year we got to see James Blake practice in a nearby court.
TB
The place to go to improve your game. I have been to Saddlebrook many times and it never disapoints. Be ready to work hard. All the pros are great but I spent 4 days on the court with “Tony”, a dedicated, enthusiastic tennis pro. Howard and Curly continue to design and master an effective, efficient tennis program.
GR
I have been to Saddlebrook 7 times in the last 5 years. It is an excellent place for great tennis holiday and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a challenging tennis program. The 5-hour per day program is the best I have ever experienced and helped me improve my game. All instructors are very friendly, skilled and make the program both challenging and pleasant. I have always had great time at Saddlebrook, which makes travelling all the way from Athens, Greece very much worthwhile.
JS
I visited Saddlebrook for the first time this year based on some friends’ recommendations. I booked a 5-day, 6-night tennis package with 5 hours of instruction per day. The tennis instruction was phenomenal – Steve was great! I was paired with same-level players and the one-on-one coaching was quite a surprise to me (especially for a camp atmosphere, where people are constantly coming and going). Steve was able to identify and build upon my strengths, while pointing out and correcting my weaknesses. The video analysis is a tool that I’ve never used before, but which sheds a whole new light on viewing first-hand what you’re doing right and wrong. All in all, this was one of the best vacations I’ve ever booked. As much tennis as you can handle, and lavish accommodations abound. Although I’m not much for the resort/spa scene and would just as well prefer more humble accommodations, I did enjoy the convenience of nearby dining and social gathering places onsite. There’s also a fair amount of off-site attractions nearby if you just want to get out for a while. 2 thumbs up!
LS
My recent Thanksgiving visit was my fourth or fifth time at Saddlebrook and was once again, fantastic. The pro, Amy, really challenged me and raised my game in several levels. The personal attention from Howard and the pros is unmatched. I will go back each year, more often if I can.
MH
The tennis instructors were great. They analyzed and helped with strokes and all aspects of play. The video was great as they were able to stop in mid stroke to show you how you could improve your play, etc. Great time and I will definately go back.
PD
I popped in first week in December. Didn’t really know what to expect. Had a terrific experience. Weather was cold but did not interfere. Not too many campers so got lots of 1 one 1 instruction. It’s a no-frills approach and very strong technically. They deconstruct the swing and put it back together again. Mark was an excellent technician of the game and very focused on seeing me improve. After hours is pretty mellow. Dempsey’s food is expensive and the main restaurant is so/so. Massages in spa were excellent. Overall..a great experience if you want to focus on showing real improvement and concentrating on those specific aspects of your game that need work.
SB
This was my third visit to Saddlebrook and the Hopman tennis program and I have found it to be consistently strong. The instructors are excellent, professional, and perceptive. Curly Peterson, in particular is very adept at integrating both technical and strategy elements of improvement into your game while identifying what you are doing correctly! Highly recommend!
WC
This is my favorite tennis vacation spot to date. This trip is probably my 7th trip to Saddlebrook and it never disappoints me. I also took my 12 year old daughter to the junior tennis camp on this trip (her 3rd trip overall). We spent 5 days doing the full day adult and junior tennis camps. At this time of the year, the weather is gorgeous for tennis and not too busy. I had good coaching and was with a good group of players. As always, the staff was very responsive to players needs and concerns…Upon request, I was moved to a better level group of players after being put with a group of players who were too low during my 1st morning session. I also had a 2 hr semi private with Vladimir which was excellent. The drinks/fruits during the breaks in the morning and afternoon sessions were very welcomed. I had a very good tennis workout for the 5 day there. The junior camp for my daughter was also good although she mentioned that the coaches were a mixed bag, partly due to the level of English. She said that sometimes she could not understand their English!! Larry who runs the junior program was excellent. In addition, Howard Moore, program director, as always, provided excellent feedback/instruction to my daughter on how to fix her flawed forehand (Thank you, Howard!!) Saddlebrook grounds are pleasant. You always feel that you are away from it all and can relax. We will be back and I highly recommend this place!
PT
The facilities are outstanding and the instruction was excellent. Pat really helped me with my serve and my forehand. They setup me up with matches everyday that I was there. You will definitely get your money’s worth at Saddlebrook.
BR
My husband and I discovered Saddlebrook Tennis in the mid 1990’s and have returned here at least six times for a week of tennis and relaxation. The tennis at Saddlebrook is what draws us back here and was the main motivation behind our decision to purchase a condo here. Strengths of the program include: 1. Tennis instruction is exceptional. Pros are highly qualified, highly experienced and committed to their guests. We’ve been more than happy with each pro we’ve had and have been especially happy with Steve Getchell whose technical tips, challenging drills and big personality make the experience pretty special. 2. Organization of the clinics is exceptional. 3. Hopman staff make you feel welcome and valued and go above and beyond to accommodate your needs. 4. Instruction involves a perfect blend of tennis technique, strategy and fitness. 5. Clinics are challenging but as the pros like to say “you’re not coming here to be coddled are you?!” 6. You know it’s a good sign when you look at your watch at 2:45 in the afternoon and realize there are only 15 minutes left in the clinic but you wish there was another 45! I can’t identify any weaknesses of the program. Some people may find the accommodations not high end enough but we’ve travelled extensively and find the condos are tasteful and all we need after a tough day on the courts. Well done Saddlebrook Tennis!
EN
Just returned from Saddlebrook Resort where my doubles partner and I went for 2 full days of tennis instruction. We had an instructor whom we requested, but have had many other good instuctors there also. We have been going once a year for the past 5 years. I think the instruction is very good for adults, focusing on working with what you have to improve your game, rather than trying to revamp all your strokes and change your whole game. They also have a fantastic pool and beautiful grounds to make the whole experience a great getaway.
JP
The entire tennis staff was excellent, rooms very nicely appointed and the Fall Special at the resort was a great reason to come. My coach of 3 out of 4 days was Steve Getchell and I would request him again. I will return to this camp. Everyone on my court each day felt his instruction connected to our personal learning style and game, all with a great sense of humor. Other returning players had requested Steve again…
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732 Reviews on “Saddlebrook Resort”
As usual Saddlebrook tennis staff exceeded my expectations. Rohan Singh is a fabulous, energetic, positive and hard working pro. He’ll push you beyond your limitations, while making sure that you are getting something out of each and every drill. He recognizes that you can’t change a player’s game in just a few days but finds key things that can be fine tuned.
The resort may not be what it was 20 years ago but if you come for tennis you will not be disappointed. The staff seems genuinely interested in your development and they do an amazing job of matching skills and personalities with instructors.
This is my 7th time at Saddlebrook and each one is better than the previous! They greet you as returning friends and somehow seem to remember you from year to year. We request Steve as our coach each year – he makes the five hours of court time extremely fun with great instruction that I take home with me! He always gets us through to the fifth hour even when it is +100 degrees on the court. The best tennis vacation ever! Rusty from Nova Scotia!
Great tennis instruction. Everything is close by on The campus. The food could use improvement and the resort is a bit dated. That being said we think the tennis may outweigh it.
This was our 3rd visit to Saddlebrook, and we were impressed with the junior tennis program again (we did not participate in the adult program). Both of my daughters (age 11 and 10) participated in the full day (5 hour) tennis program. They were placed with kids at their ability level and were given great instruction on all aspects of the game, including both singles and doubles strategy. The program is well run–be on time for the 7:30am start because they begin promptly with a warm-up run around the courts. They also adhere to playing only 4 kids on a court which is crucial for each child to have enough hitting time. (Some other clubs will let 5 or 6 on a court which is ridiculous.) Larry, who oversaw the junior program was very accommodating and inspiring, and Howard was everywhere managing the overall program and infusing energy into the players. They see the strengths and weaknesses of the players and try to help them improve. The international group of pros were great providing insightful instruction. They did a good job at balancing positive feedback with suggested improvements, and they managed to make 5 hours in the hot sun a lot of fun for the kids. While 5 hours is a lot of time on the court (4 hrs in the morning, a lunch break, then 1 hr of match play), the time flies by. Typically about 1 hr is dedicated to fitness including strengthening exercises, stretching and running. They ask different kids to help lead the exercises providing an opportunity for leadership. During match play, my daughter had the chance to play a match against one of the academy kids. Lunch is a great time to take a dip in the pool or to see what current tennis pros are playing Lakeside. The other parts of the resort vary. The food is adequate with slow service and the rooms could use some updating.
The second time around was so pleasantly, different. I definitely would consider a spring booking over summer in Florida, at this resort. The difference: no tennis injuries, fewer children, more fun. My 3 women friends and I agree that the facilities are outstanding, even the stretching routines, prior to the tennis clinics, are less grueling and geared for the adults, than the summer clinics, which were populated with children, and enveloped in 90%+ humidity. Kudos to the resort staff for their well-organized and scheduled sessions. Great tennis staff, experienced restaurant servers, and attentive spa therapists and attendants make this resort. They raise the standards for other resorts, and should all be recognized.
I’ve been to Saddlebrook Tennis (Hopman) several times. Mark Magone is an exceptional instructor whom I request for each visit and lucky enough to have for the whole week I’m there. He’s insightful, gives lots of instruction without overwhelming me. He emphasizes consistency, technique and control. I like the 4:1 ratio of students/instructor and get a lot of personalized tips.
The accommodations are wonderful and the staff is so pleasant. I plan to return many more times.
Wonderful program aimed at all levels of play.
great lessons – small group – individual attention
This was my third time at Saddlebrook Hopman tennis camp and each time keeps me coming back for more. The tennis instruction is excellent and the staff…including the resort staff, are very accomodating and very friendly. I’ll def be back ! My only complaint is that they no longer serve nachos and wings in the sports bar…what kinda sports bar is that ?
My group included 2 moms (age 65) and 2 daughters (age 40) — all 3.5 players. We had a great time. For the first 2 days, Shaun Pilling was our coach and he provided great instruction and great “take-aways” — tips and analogies we could remember. For our last day, Oscar Sanchez provided good drills and a thousands of chances to hit balls. He helped my daughter with “new school” tennis strokes and she really refined her game. Five hours of tennis was great — that’s what we came for — and even the moms could keep up. Nice spa, good accommodations.
We had an exceptional experience staying at the Saddlebrook Resort. The staff was wonderful – thank you Darren Royal for working with our daughter – she had a great time training with you. Also a big thanks to Howard Moore for taking such great care of us and our 4 year old daughter.
Do not go to Saddlebrook Tennis without four equally leveled players. When our group of four women lost one player to a child’s illness, we decided to go with three people and hoped that Saddlebrook would add a player at our 4.0 level. Our first day Saddlebrook added a low level 3.5 player to our court and while we were disappointed, she was leaving later that day and we did not complain about her play. On our second day, a fourth player was assigned to our court, but she did not attend the clinic. On our last day a 3.0 player was assigned to our court. She was clearly overmatched and we asked to have her removed from our court. Despite our request and a request from the pro on our court, this player was never moved. It was dangerous to this player and a waste of our time and money.
The pro on our court (we spent three days with him) was friendly and tried to be helpful but he was average at instruction and did not improve my game despite over 10 hours of clinic instruction. I won’t be going back to Saddlebrook at my own expense.
Great accommodations, great tennis. Pro staff is first rate. They work you as hard as you want or as little as you want.
Sixteen of us just finished a three day weekend visit to Saddlebrook. The first two started going ten years ago; we think we may balloon to 20 next year. Why? We have a terrific time being punished by a superb group of teaching pros under the guidance of Howard Moore, who is a very hands-on program director. A great way to tune up for the upcoming season!
The Saddlebrook Tennis program is outstanding. I have been playing tennis for less than a year and am a 3.0 player. My 11 year old daughter has been playing for only two months. We both participated in the 5 hour a day clinic for 5 days and learned more than we ever imagined.
I learned more from Vlad in five days than what I have learned in the last 10 months taking lessons 3 times per week. Vlad is an excellent communicator and makes everything so simple to understand by the way he explains, demonstrates, and guides. He is an amazing instructor with over 20 years of tennis teaching experience.
My daughter has gone from hardly being able to hold the racket to being queen of the court in her group a couple of times. She feels good about her game now and is ready to call tennis her sport. Both of us could not believe how fast the time went. The beds are extremely comfortable, the rooms very nice and clean, and the food was excellent.
The only negative thing I can say is that I really wanted to shop till I dropped in the proshop and was only able to buy a few things due to size availability. All of the staff were very friendly, professional, and dedicated to ensuring a positive experience. Bring plenty of bandaids for your fingers and toes and get ready to move!
The pros are great – they really know the game and also know how to teach at the level that fits the group of tennis players best. Instruction is great for beginners as well the very highly rated juniors.
I LOVE Saddlebrook!! Howard and the tennis pros and staff are fantastic, 5 hours flies by on the court, and I learned so much and had a terrific time too! I would go back in a flash. The spa is also very good, restaurants very good, staff very friendly.
Overall good but….While the staff was always polite and eager to please, I did not enjoy the “one size fits all” approach to the group lessons. As a 55+ league player, I did not benefit from just drills with little individual input. When I explained my problem to admin- Howard- he was most eager to please. He arranged a complimentary private with Larry.
Larry redeemed the experience.In my lesson with Larry, we worked with what I had rather than change everything. Larry is an outstanding communicator and teaches with humor and wit. He made our visit worthwhile, and I have experienced lots of coaching(boosting the tennis economy as Larry would say.) He is one of the best.
Staff in the tennis shop was polite but not trained adequately, even as non tennis players. Availability of match ups for social play not offered and would have been nice.
Howard, Thank you for a wonderful time at Saddlebrook this week. I rarely have my expectations exceeded. But this week did just that! My pro was a genuine good guy and the one of the best I’ve ever worked with! And I have been taking lessons and playing tennis for 30 years. He was extremely knowledgeable. He explained technique and strategy with patience and clarity (a real gift). You are fortunate to have pros like him on staff. He was basically able to work with the same four guys simultaneously, for several days (all with completely different personalities and wants) and still make it FUN for all.
Also my kids had a wonderful time, usually by the 3rd day of a tournament they are done and day 5 at Saddlebrook my kids were still hungry for more. Well done! Thanks again, I look forward to bringing my family back soon
My husband and I just got back from a 3-day tennis stay at Saddlebrook and will definitely go again. I’m a 3.5/4.0 level player and feel as I learned a lot that will help me improve long after leaving the camp. There was just enough mix of drills and live ball play. I was fortunate in that I had a great instructor (Steve) who I had for each of my 3-days. Not every person had the same instructor each day though and others had a harder time with being in a group with comparably skilled players.
My husband did have a harder time since he is a 5.0 level player and they really couldn’t find an appropriate group for him. It might have been better if the juniors at the academy weren’t away for spring break. That was the only downside to the trip.
We came to Saddlebrook with 6 kids and 2 adults—Howard and Larry were terrific about getting the kids into the right clinics with great coaches. Jay and Adam kept our 12 yr olds running and learning and the kids benefitted from Larry’s advice on not losing sight of having fun while developing as a player. Eugene and Oscar were great with our 14 yr old and kept him coming back for more each day.
Steve was great with the adults and seems to really care about developing each one of his 4 clinic participants. The coaching staff is available, flexible and does their best to accommodate. They handle a diverse group of tennis abilities with ease and good humour and it’s a pleasure dealing with them.
This was my first time participating in the program. The level of instruction was top-notch, exceeding my expectations. The instructors genuinely cared about helping refine everyone’s skills, and the tips and feedback were priceless. I even saw many instructors staying after the classes officially ended to work with the students. It was impressive to see.
Overall, Steve was my instructor, and his teaching was outstanding! I greatly appreciated the time and effort he took to help me improve. I would definitely recommend the program to anyone who was interested in enhancing his or her skills.
The accommodations were also impressive, and my stay overall was pleasant. The one complaint I have is the food at the resort was definitely a disappointment for such an exceptional resort. Ordering room service appeared to be our best option, which is usually not the case when you are traveling. Gratuity is automatically included in everything, and the wait staff was exceptionally slow and poor without having to worry about a tip. It was the only thing that detracted from an otherwise exceptional trip.
This is the second year I attended the adult tennis camp at Saddlebrook. Thank god the weather was nicer this year. After two years, I feel I can give a fair assessment of the program and the resort. The resort itself is still in pretty good shape. The grounds are kept in a very nice condition. The rooms themselves are a bit old, even though they are very clean. The thing that really stands out is the supporting staff, from the parking attendant, to the waiters, etc. they are all very friendly and offer great services.
In terms of tennis, the overall instructions and drills were pretty good. But the deciding factor is really the instructor you get. I had Rohan this year during one of the sessions and I thought he was excellent. Besides being a great player himself, he offers lots of tidbits about mechanics that I thought was very helpful.
Another instructor that was also great was Tony. He was very patient and also offers lots of good advices. It’s fine to go through these drills, but if you are not getting any feedback then the whole exercise is really a waste of time, other than getting you in shape!
And this year I had a video analysis session with Larry, which I thought was very helpful. Last year they did not offer this service.
This was the third year in a row where my wife and I have participated in the 5-day Hopman Program at Saddlebrook. The instructors that we’ve had in the past two years – John Fritts and Larry Peterson have been truly exceptional. They both are not only truly outstanding instructors but have endless patience and always add humour to the situations.
Although of advncing age, we are fit and enjoy the challnge of the 5-hour a day program. Thank goodness though for the amenities of the fantastic heated pool, hot tubs and the spa where you can get a really high quality massage to ease your aching muscles. We’ll defintely be coming back again in future.
I was very pleased with the tennis program at Saddlebrook. The fast pace and variety of drills provided for a very challenging program. Rohan was our instructor. He was a friendly motivator and encouraged us to move past our comfort zone in every phase of the game.
This is our second year for a family vacation at Saddlebrook. My two children play in the kids tennis and my husband and I play in the adult clinic. The instruction is great and we go home better players with new tips to focus on. The kids enjoy each and every day between the tennis and the pool and the fun active vacation. We think the folks the oversee the programs including Larry and Howard really care to ensure everyone gets something out of the tennis experience. Highly recommend this vacation.
I just got back from 3 days at the Saddlebrook Resort. I am a 50-yr old male, a 3.5 player, and my 14 year old son also attended the junior camp. Saddlebrook was recommended by a colleague who is a very competitive player in Russia who also has a son who is a strong junior.
First, the tennis – in the adult program there were about 50 of us. The players were grouped well by ability, so I was always hitting with people at my level. Instruction was excellent. Sean M. was the pro on my court for two of the three days and was superb. Very positive, fun, and offered a good assessment of my mechanics. A few tweaks plus lots of balls helped my forehand, volley, and doubles court positioning. We were video taped & had another pro, Sean, assess our mechanics – very useful.
There were 3 or 4 adults plus one pro on each court. There is a half-day and full-day choice, I took the full day, which is 5 hours on the har-tru courts – 3 in the morning & 2 in the afternoon. That is a lot of tennis – be prepared with 2 tennis outfits per day, lots of sunscreen, Motrin, sunglassess and hat(s). Be careful about blisters on feet or hands. The other players were friendly and cooperative – we all played hard but it was very constructive. No jerks, noone with attitude.
The food was actually quite good, and the hotel staff was very organized and accomodating. We had a one-bedroom suite, with living room & kitchenette – very clean and everything in good condition.
My son attended the junior camp, and had a similar experience. The juniors had 1 pro for every 2 courts, that seemed to be the main difference. Again, my son reported that the other junior were good kids & had positive attitude. There were 20-40 juniors.
Strengths: nice accommodations, beautiful courts, happy with private lessons, and plentiful court time for practice play with companions.
some confusion upon check in about schedule, clinics were haphazard and too short
Just got back to the UK after a week at the Hopman academy and have to say was impressed. Strengths – Instruction – first class! Always mixed with people of similar abilty, and coaches very knowledgable (and will push you) Found the video analysis particularly helpful (although this does not happen everyday) Friendliness of staff & coaches. Creates a relaxed atmosphere Weather – was sunny every day and 80 degrees (which coming from the UK in dreary February was definatly appreciated) Weaknesses – I travelled by myself and after tennis there is limited options for an adult on the resort itself and Tampa itself is about 30 minutes drive away… so would recommend renting a car Would recommend and will definatley be going again.
I attended Saddlebrook (Hopman Tennis Camp) in early February 2011. The room (standard hotel type) was well appointed and clean. The beds were very comfortable and the staff was courteous and helpful. The food at the restaurants (I ate at all three of them) was very good and not over-priced. The wait-staff was very friendly. The pool was great although in the cool February weather I did not spend much time in the water. The hot tubs were great after a long day on the courts.
The teaching (Tennis) was great. I had the same instructor for my 5 day stay which helped as he could follow my progress during my time at the resort. The courts were in great shape and dried quickly after a number of rain periods that allowed us to get almost all of the time in during a week of challenging weather.
There were people there to play at my level but I did not attempt to play outside the instruction time. I spent some time walking along the paths that follow the golf course. Very scenic. The one drawback is the long distance to walk to the fitness centre (which is closer to the courts that juniors use for their instruction) although if you asked they can call for a shuttle bus to drive you there very quickly.
Overall – I had a great time and would recommend this place.
Just got back from my first visit. One word for this program: FABULOUS. I learned more in 5 days, than I did in 5 years from various pros at home. I can’t begin to tell you the difference. I had Tony most of the time and he was great for me-but most of the instructors got great reviews from the other campers I spoke with. My goal was to get from a solid 3.5 to a 4.0, and I achieved my goal. I only wish I had gone sooner.
However, 5 full days is not for the faint of heart-it’s a LOT more than playing a round robin for 5 hours. It’s physically demanding. Next time, I would do just mornings or take a couple of days off during the week. All the staff was terrific and the resort was beautiful-nice spa, pool, rooms, main bldg. I would rent a car next time-menu selections were limited if you just stay at the resort.
Saddlebrook is an older facility, but very well maintained. It is inside a gated community away from the hustle and bustle, and totally dedicated to golf, tennis, and athletic endeavors for both the beginner and serious (and professional level) athletes. The pros at the adult tennis camp are outstanding and provide coaching and instruction at a level well beyond what can be had at your local club. From Howard who runs the place, to Sean who handles the adult camps, to Steve who was our pro for this session – everyone is enthusiastic about tennis, happy to have you as a guest, and go out of their way to make sure you get the most from your visit. I continue to go back because it’s become my vacation destination – I can’t imagine having a better time anywhere else.
We loved staying at the resort. Friendly and professional staff. We enjoyed the tennis camp. We received excellent instruction from Larry Peterson and have told all of our tennis friends about it and encouraged them to plan a trip to Saddlebrook. The best thing – others have noticed the the subtle improvements in our game!
Beautiful place with excellent court time and superb instruction
I highly recommend the Hopman Tennis Program at Saddlebrook Resort near Tampa FL. I have been to many tennis camps over the years and this is right up at the top. I was only able to stay for 3 nights/4 days but played 5 hours on the full days I was there and 3 hours the day I left. The staff made sure I met the other players off the court for a drink when I arrived and for a single woman that was appreciated. The pros and drills were wonderful and my play improved considerably. I look forward to going back and making this an annual trip.
had a great time. Pros were nice, knowledgable and enthusiastic. Courts were beautiful. Couldn’t ask for more.
My fifth or sixth visit in the last three years, for a week this time. For those looking for a hard core tennis vacation, you could not ask for more. Five hours of instruction/drills per day with excellent instructors. And when not on the court, you can enjoy the pools and grounds.
The rooms are comfortable and the four restaurants on the property serve good food. But if you’re staying for more than a few days, you will want to sample some of the restaurants in the surrounding area.
I can’t say enough good things about the tennis staff at Saddlebrook. They are extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. Every time I come here, which is at least once a year, my game improves. As a bonus, once in a while we see pros training at the resort. This year we got to see James Blake practice in a nearby court.
The place to go to improve your game. I have been to Saddlebrook many times and it never disapoints. Be ready to work hard. All the pros are great but I spent 4 days on the court with “Tony”, a dedicated, enthusiastic tennis pro. Howard and Curly continue to design and master an effective, efficient tennis program.
I have been to Saddlebrook 7 times in the last 5 years. It is an excellent place for great tennis holiday and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a challenging tennis program.
The 5-hour per day program is the best I have ever experienced and helped me improve my game. All instructors are very friendly, skilled and make the program both challenging and pleasant.
I have always had great time at Saddlebrook, which makes travelling all the way from Athens, Greece very much worthwhile.
I visited Saddlebrook for the first time this year based on some friends’ recommendations. I booked a 5-day, 6-night tennis package with 5 hours of instruction per day. The tennis instruction was phenomenal – Steve was great! I was paired with same-level players and the one-on-one coaching was quite a surprise to me (especially for a camp atmosphere, where people are constantly coming and going). Steve was able to identify and build upon my strengths, while pointing out and correcting my weaknesses. The video analysis is a tool that I’ve never used before, but which sheds a whole new light on viewing first-hand what you’re doing right and wrong.
All in all, this was one of the best vacations I’ve ever booked. As much tennis as you can handle, and lavish accommodations abound. Although I’m not much for the resort/spa scene and would just as well prefer more humble accommodations, I did enjoy the convenience of nearby dining and social gathering places onsite. There’s also a fair amount of off-site attractions nearby if you just want to get out for a while. 2 thumbs up!
My recent Thanksgiving visit was my fourth or fifth time at Saddlebrook and was once again, fantastic. The pro, Amy, really challenged me and raised my game in several levels. The personal attention from Howard and the pros is unmatched. I will go back each year, more often if I can.
The tennis instructors were great. They analyzed and helped with strokes and all aspects of play. The video was great as they were able to stop in mid stroke to show you how you could improve your play, etc. Great time and I will definately go back.
I popped in first week in December. Didn’t really know what to expect. Had a terrific experience. Weather was cold but did not interfere. Not too many campers so got lots of 1 one 1 instruction. It’s a no-frills approach and very strong technically. They deconstruct the swing and put it back together again.
Mark was an excellent technician of the game and very focused on seeing me improve. After hours is pretty mellow. Dempsey’s food is expensive and the main restaurant is so/so. Massages in spa were excellent. Overall..a great experience if you want to focus on showing real improvement and concentrating on those specific aspects of your game that need work.
This was my third visit to Saddlebrook and the Hopman tennis program and I have found it to be consistently strong. The instructors are excellent, professional, and perceptive. Curly Peterson, in particular is very adept at integrating both technical and strategy elements of improvement into your game while identifying what you are doing correctly! Highly recommend!
This is my favorite tennis vacation spot to date. This trip is probably my 7th trip to Saddlebrook and it never disappoints me. I also took my 12 year old daughter to the junior tennis camp on this trip (her 3rd trip overall).
We spent 5 days doing the full day adult and junior tennis camps. At this time of the year, the weather is gorgeous for tennis and not too busy. I had good coaching and was with a good group of players. As always, the staff was very responsive to players needs and concerns…Upon request, I was moved to a better level group of players after being put with a group of players who were too low during my 1st morning session.
I also had a 2 hr semi private with Vladimir which was excellent. The drinks/fruits during the breaks in the morning and afternoon sessions were very welcomed. I had a very good tennis workout for the 5 day there.
The junior camp for my daughter was also good although she mentioned that the coaches were a mixed bag, partly due to the level of English. She said that sometimes she could not understand their English!! Larry who runs the junior program was excellent. In addition, Howard Moore, program director, as always, provided excellent feedback/instruction to my daughter on how to fix her flawed forehand (Thank you, Howard!!)
Saddlebrook grounds are pleasant. You always feel that you are away from it all and can relax. We will be back and I highly recommend this place!
The facilities are outstanding and the instruction was excellent. Pat really helped me with my serve and my forehand. They setup me up with matches everyday that I was there. You will definitely get your money’s worth at Saddlebrook.
My husband and I discovered Saddlebrook Tennis in the mid 1990’s and have returned here at least six times for a week of tennis and relaxation. The tennis at Saddlebrook is what draws us back here and was the main motivation behind our decision to purchase a condo here.
Strengths of the program include: 1. Tennis instruction is exceptional. Pros are highly qualified, highly experienced and committed to their guests. We’ve been more than happy with each pro we’ve had and have been especially happy with Steve Getchell whose technical tips, challenging drills and big personality make the experience pretty special. 2. Organization of the clinics is exceptional. 3. Hopman staff make you feel welcome and valued and go above and beyond to accommodate your needs. 4. Instruction involves a perfect blend of tennis technique, strategy and fitness. 5. Clinics are challenging but as the pros like to say “you’re not coming here to be coddled are you?!” 6. You know it’s a good sign when you look at your watch at 2:45 in the afternoon and realize there are only 15 minutes left in the clinic but you wish there was another 45!
I can’t identify any weaknesses of the program. Some people may find the accommodations not high end enough but we’ve travelled extensively and find the condos are tasteful and all we need after a tough day on the courts.
Well done Saddlebrook Tennis!
Just returned from Saddlebrook Resort where my doubles partner and I went for 2 full days of tennis instruction. We had an instructor whom we requested, but have had many other good instuctors there also. We have been going once a year for the past 5 years. I think the instruction is very good for adults, focusing on working with what you have to improve your game, rather than trying to revamp all your strokes and change your whole game. They also have a fantastic pool and beautiful grounds to make the whole experience a great getaway.
The entire tennis staff was excellent, rooms very nicely appointed and the Fall Special at the resort was a great reason to come. My coach of 3 out of 4 days was Steve Getchell and I would request him again. I will return to this camp. Everyone on my court each day felt his instruction connected to our personal learning style and game, all with a great sense of humor. Other returning players had requested Steve again…