Stratton has a long if episodic association with tennis. The John Newcombe organization ran tennis camps there in the 1970s and ’80s and during that period it was the site of a Grand Masters tournament. Later, Andre Agassi first burst into national consciousness in 1986 when as a qualifier he reached the semifinals of the former Volvo International Tennis Championships, which was held at Stratton from 1985-89 (the event moved to New Haven when local property owners refused to allow the construction of a permanent tennis stadium), and Stratton briefly hosted the Acura U.S. Women’s Hardcourts Championships. In the 1984, it further enhanced its tennis credentials by building an impressive sports center with indoor courts, two racquetball courts, a complete fitness area, massage rooms, an indoor lap pool, and a fully equipped tennis and fitness shop. And the resort subsequently brought in the Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT) organization to manage the racquet-sports programming.
Tennis Staff: CDT’s Robert Menzies has run the racquet sports program since 2013. took over as tennis director late in 2013 after spending part of the summer there familiarizing himself with the program. A native New Zealander, he grew up playing tournaments, even qualifying for a national ranking, before committing to academics. He studied Sport and Recreation at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, with a particular emphasis on coaching, nutrition, and sports psychology, and then joined CDT becoming head pro at the Omni Amelia Island Resort in Florida before taking over at Stratton.
The roster of summer tennis option is diverse. There are daily clinics, open play session, and group and private lessons. Those looking for a more structured program can opt for the midweek or weekend tennis camps, which variously devote from 2½ to 5 hours a day of group instruction, live-ball drills, and match play. Groups and teams can tailor their own program.
Junior Tennis Camps and Academy: During the summer months, the facility hosts a large junior rackets camp that features tennis, pickleball, swimming, group games, and other activities. Targeted to 5- to 14-year-olds, the program runs midweek and weekends and is open to players of all levels (the on-court sessions are divided by age group and ability). Juniors who take there tennis more seriously can opt for the Stratton Mountain Academy. Geared to players 11 to 18, it takes a more focused approach, with lower student:pro ratios, private lessons, and instructive match-play sessions. Finally, Menzies has addressed underserved population of players: the 14 to 18-year-olds, especially those hoping to make their high school tennis team. Rather that funnel them into an adult camp, he created a Mountain Strong program specifically for them. It follows the same format and low student:pro ratios as the adult program, while giving teens an opportunity to get together with other teens, with tennis as the common language. “It proved very popular,” Menzies told me.
Court Complex: The sports complex consists of six red-clay courts, four outdoor with blended lines for pickleball, and two indoor tennis courts.
193 Reviews on “Stratton Mountain Resort”
Director is top shelf. A couple of the young just-graduated college instructors were sweet, enthusiastic, and professional, but a tad light on instruction, tips, strategies, etc.
As a local tennis player, I can’t tell how much I appreciate the expertise and teaching ability of tennis pros (Rob Menzies, Billy Simmers, Joe Bob, Cam, etc.). For over 20 years, I’ve been “having a bash” at Stratton Mtn. tennis. I won’t go so far as to claim that with the sure guidance of Rob and his marvelous crew I’ve developed a Rodger Federer-like backhand (at least one in every 10 backhands!)…but what I will say is that Stratton Mtn Tennis has turned me into a life-long fan and lover of the game. They make learning and improving your tennis game fun and a real wonderful challenge. Hopefully, my knees hold out so can be hitting balls at Stratton Mountain for years to come! Highly recommended!
Rob Menzies and his staff are excellent hosts at the Cliff Drysdale Tennis School at the beautiful Stratton Mountain Resort. Rob always insures a great experience and valuable instruction. We live on the resort property and have seen firsthand how everyone is treated with warmth and hospitality and all visitors feel at home!
Rob and his team are the absolute best! A huge benefit for the entire tennis community!
Rob and his staff have been an outstanding help for my tennis game. It has been wonderful playing at Stratton.
Stratton Mountain Resort is nestled in a gorgeous Vermont setting. Director Rob Menzies is not just a stellar coach but he brings amazing energy to the courts. He is a super organizer and creates a great environment with all his tennis/pickle ball programs – a consummate professional with charisma and talent to keep things running smoothly and making sure that everyone has lots of fun! Whether you are indoors or outdoors there are plenty of options for playing. The daily tennis clinics are a great work out and there are a large number of people for open plays in pickleball – all fun and well organized. Not a skier so in the winter months thankfully Rob makes it all happen with the awesome tennis/pickleball options! No matter what time of year, Stratton Tennis Center is well worth the visit – you won’t be disappointed!
The Pro Staff at Stratton Mountain is consistently exceptional. The clinics and tournaments offer options for all levels of players. The outdoor red clay courts in a setting surrounded by the Green Mountains of Vermont is second to none. Highly recommend this for a day or several days.
Great variety in their programs. Excellent staff. Clinics have the right balance of drills that are enjoyable while also providing targeted instruction.
After my husband retired we moved to Bondville, VT which is nearby to Stratton Mountain. We liked this ski resort because it had a fitness center, golf course and tennis program. It is a wonderful community and we love every season there. I do tennis clinics during the week with many of my local friends. Rob Menzies is my favorite pro ever…I have learned many tennis techniques and doubles strategy from him and he ALWAYS makes it fun and he himself is a fun guy! Every year he hires many young pros and I look forward to meeting all of them. Great job, Rob!
Rob Menzies is exceptional! He’s taught our daughter for years and has always given 100%. Highly recommend!
The pickleball experience at Stratton is fabulous! Such a great facility (can’t wait to play outdoors on their terrific new outdoor courts again this year!) and the best staff! Cameron and Rob are superb pros and so nice, accommodating and excellent teachers!
Can’t be happier with the Stratton tennis program. I’m an avid tennis player and the range of clinics offered is impressive. Rob and the pros, Cam and Billy are amazing, they make the clinics challenging and fun. Private classes are outstanding as well. Highly recommended to any tennis lover, especially during the summer. The outdoor facilities are well kept and in a beautiful setting. Come play!
Under the leadership of Rob Menzies, the Tennis and Pickleball programs are thriving. The summer program is exceptionally well run with counselors who bing skill and fun and energy to the kids every day. The location in the mountains is so beautiful. Great value for a wonderful experience every time.
I believe the tennis staff is exceptional. Rob is a high energy and fun presence who also happens to be a very strong tennis player and teacher. The clinics are quick paced, competitive, and great fun. All levels are integrated in the competition and I leave tired but energized, ambitious to get better. One leaves the clinics tired having hit many balls. Technique is taught but without too much talk and down time. The mix is perfect. That’s not easy to do. Cam has been a superb but, unfortunately, short term addition. I am not a pickleball player but am told he is a great teacher and player. He is a really excellent tennis player and coach with great patience and calm. He plays in clinic frequently and plays at about 70% of his ability with the guests. Which is more than enough for most of us.
Rob is by far the best tennis coach I have ever worked with and he has taught me so much more than the game of tennis.
Nestled in nature’s embrace, this fantastic tennis resort is a vibe! Serving up epic courts for tennis pros and pickleball champs, it’s the ultimate getaway spot. With great facilities and chill vibes, you’ll ace your game while soaking in those beautiful surroundings.
My family has been coming to Stratton for years. My sons play tennis with Rob and Cam and have always had a great experience. It’s a very welcoming place. Rob always goes out of his way to work with our schedule and arrange for the best possible experience. Absolutely our favorite vacation destination! Programs are great for the tennis players and lots to do on the mountain for the rest of the family!
Stratton is the best, especially Rob Menzies, an incomparable tennis instructor for all levels!
We just got back from VT for a girls’ trip. We had the BEST time at Stratton. We loved all the instruction we got from Rob, Justyn and Sam. You have a very talented staff. Rob was a great instructor and kept everything fun and competitive. We loved all the drills he came up with especially because there was such a wide range in levels. It was very cleverly done. Justyn was so much fun on court and kept us laughing. He had great instruction/pointers and was patient with us when we were trying to figure out how to hit a pickle ball. It was a great time playing with him. Sam was so much fun with the pickle clinics (and his amazing GO! drill on the tennis court). He had great energy, great instruction and lots of patience with our lack of experience on the pickle court.
Rob and Houston do an outstanding job!
Rob Menzies is a true pro at tennis instruction and managing large groups of people while finding their individual strengths. His clinics are a lot of fun and offer lots of opportunities to improve your game.
I have visited the Stratton Tennis Facility several times over the past few years. Rob and his staff are all excellent pros, I feel like my game improves every time I play there. I’ve enjoyed both clinics and social events at the tennis facility. I participated in my first pickle ball clinic a few months ago. Rob and Houston were exceptional instructors, I am now officially hooked on the sport!
Rob Menzies, Director of Tennis at Stratton is excellent running the program and I have done it for many years. Rob always enthusiastic, friendly, a great teacher and pays attention to details. Houston, his assistant pro has done a fine job as attendance at clinics has grown in size.
Both Rob Menzie and Houston were terrific. Great energy at all events. Ran a great clinic that I would highly recommend 5 star
Rob Menzies and his team are absolutely top shelf!
Speaking strictly from a ‘locals’ perspective, Rob and his staff run a vibrant tennis program that provides a wonderful off-season, indoor option for racquet enthusiasts in Southern Vermont. The clinics are exciting, fast-paced, entertaining and appropriately instructional. I’ve met a lot of terrific players from outside the area and there is to be a genuine winter tennis community at Stratton. For those looking for an off-season option when the snow conditions are subpar, Rob’s program offers a terrific alternative.
Exceptional coaching for all levels. Vermont cannot be beat — any time of year. The coaches are professional, responsive, and attentive to adjust games and drills to individuals and group dynamics for maximum engagement and inclusiveness.
Just spent the week playing at Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center in Stratton, VT and it was amazing! We were there for the adult instructional clinics and spent 3 hours every day playing tennis. Every teacher was excellent — my personal favorites are Houston and Dakota who were so helpful and patient with me — and gave a lot of great tips and feedback that I find to be super relatable! Rob and his entire staff are great and the kids summer camp program was really stellar as well. All the pros are excellent and the energy there is professional and friendly. Can’t say anything better honestly — just sorry we didn’t stay long and now we can’t wait to go back next year! Thank you for everything!
The program at Stratton is top notch year round. We are lucky to have such a great facility in beautiful southern Vermont. Rob and his staff do an exceptional job with clinics and lessons. I’ve played in numerous clinics with the team there and it’s always great. Some times I’m the strongest player in the group, other times not, and yet I’ve never felt like I wasn’t getting my time and moneys worth. The coaches always find a way to make sure everyones’ level is respected and pushed. We are so sad to see Valeria leave but I’m confident any coach Rob brings in will be a welcome addition. The courts are great to play on…the indoor structure could use a little love and upkeep as the Vermont weather can be unforgiving. But that’s a very minor critique. Looking forward to much more tennis up at Stratton.
Tennis at Stratton is always a pleasure. The staff is amazing, kind and motivating. The summer tennis program for kids and teens is exceptional. The kids have a great time every day and the value can’t be beat. Highly Recommend!!
The strength of the program is a combination of the excellent and fun tennis pros led by Rob Menzies and the truly exquisite natural surroundings of Vermont. It is very quiet!
The tennis pros are unusually good. They are superb players and superb teachers. There is a joy and excitement to the clinics that makes all of them great fun as well as good competition. To be hitting balls outside with a view of the mountains nearby…it’s something very special.
I visited the Cliff Drysdale Tennis school at Stratton Vermont with 4 friends from my tennis team for a 3 day tennis getaway. It was an absolutely perfect experience because of the excellent instruction, beautiful setting and fun atmosphere. I contacted head pro Rob Menzies and told him I was coming with 4 friends who were a 4.0 level and he replied to me right away with ideas of how to best maximize our 3 days at Stratton. He arranged a private 2 hour clinic with excellent pros, we did the morning 2.5 hour Escape clinic and worked with Joe Bob who was high energy, entertaining and arranged great drills to keep us moving. We all felt we had many good takeaways and tips from the 3 days at Stratton. The setting is perfect- the red clay courts, cool breeze and view of the top of the ski mountain makes it. Rob also arranged for local similar level players to meet us one afternoon for fun mixed doubles play. I can’t say enough about how impressive all the pros are- Rob, Joe Bob, Lorena and Daniel made the trip memorable and very helpful! Thank you Stratton- we are already talking about next year!!
Rob M was so helpful and fun. I will recommend him to everyone I know and hope to take another course with him.
Rob and JoeBob are an asset to your company. They really went above and beyond and really gave detailed instruction along with praise . It was a great weekend and ended too soon. We will be back.
My wife and I had just an excellent experience at Cliff Drysdale at Stratton. Of course, the weather there is phenomenal, but Director Rob Mendes has put together a great program of fun, enthusiasm, instruction and just good tennis that everyone can enjoy. The instructors are all friendly and great — not too overbearing, not too shy, but just right. We strongly recommend the camp and will definitely be coming back each year to come!
A friend had to twist my arm to sign up for tennis 101 but I was so glad I did. All of the tennis instructors were amazing. I had never picked up a racquet before and I left wanting to learn more.
I loved tennis camp 101 at Stratton! I’ve never played tennis before and wanted to learn a new sport. I’m continuing on to 201! Great instructors and really fun!!
This past month (May 2018), I participated in Tennis 101 Clinic at Stratton Mountain Vermont. It had been 35 years since I held a tennis racquet and attempted to swing a racquet at a tennis ball. I am delighted that I decided to take a chance and participated in the clinic. Both Rob and Joe are great instructors. We learned to hold the racquet, forward and backhand swings (both single and two handed), volley, and serve. We were taught how to keep score, where a serve must land to score, and how to rotate when playing doubles. Useful tips and suggestions were given to all. The individuals that participated in the clinic with me were friendly, kind and always encouraging. I always felt comfortable being on the court with my Clinic peers. Racquets were available for all. My experience was so wonderful, I have bought a racquet of my own and I am looking forward to signing up for the Tennis 201 Clinic. Thinking about trying to learn how to play tennis? I recommend that you give Cliff Drysdale Tennis School at Stratton a try!
Rob and his team are amazing. Their level of experience is outstanding. Their passion for tennis clearly shows through in their teaching abilities. They make all feel welcome and their animation throughout the lesson keeps it fun and fast paced. I have often felt intimidated in other group type lessons but Rob and his team are professional, courteous and even in a group setting can offer personalized instruction to help each person better their skills. I look forward to going back!
This clinic was perfect! The instructor, Rob, has a great sense of humor along with the ability to keep everyone on task. Even though this was a “101” clinic there wer a few different levels represented. Rob showed patience and skill in bring out all abilities. I will definitely be taking another clinic from Cliff Drysdale and Rob!
It was great. The teachers are amazing and made it fun. We learned a ton and I can’t wait to go back.