You don’t need to spend more than a few minutes in the modest pro shop or around the courts at Tops’l to begin to sense an almost palpable enthusiasm for the game and its players. Drop in unannounced, and the first question someone is likely to ask is not “Can I help you?” but “Are you looking for a game?” You’re made not simply to feel welcome but wanted, even needed. Without actually stepping on the courts you can sense that tennis matters there, and despite competition from an alluring beach, you find yourself nonetheless being drawn back to the racquet club just to be part of the action and camaraderie.
Depending on your perspective, Tops’l is either a tennis resort with a beach or a beach resort with tennis, but either way there is no competition from golf or any other recreational amenity. That alone underscores the high value the resort puts on tennis. But it’s one thing to offer tennis as an amenity, quite another to ensure that guests take advantage. And the entire staff, from tennis director Joe D’Aleo on down behaves as if the racquet club were not so much a workplace as a second home. Their enthusiasm and personal attention helps make Tops’l a haven for vacationers who themselves want to spend hours on the court.
Tops’l opened in 1985 on 52 beachfront acres adjacent to the Topsail Hill State Preserve. The architectural motif throughout is toned down Mediterranean, with rough cream-colored stucco and red tile rooms. There are numerous one- and two-story condos to either side of the entrance road and around the tennis courts. Most of the development, however, is concentrated along the beach, where several tall towers rise behind the primary dune line. These overlook another stretch of magnificent Gulf Coast beach, all white and high dunes. The newest of those towers has 164 2- and 3-bedroom units with balconies and oversize windows. Between it and beach is very large pool with an expansive deck, private bathhouses, and cabanas, whirlpools, and a small poolside restaurant called the Pavilion for lunch and snacks. All of this is linked by an on-property shuttle.
Although I’d prefer not to look up from the beach and see that cluster of monoliths, I am otherwise a huge fan of Tops’l. Part of its appeal is directly attributable to the genuine enthusiasm of its tennis staff, and part to the resort’s focus on tennis. There is no golf course here to divert attention from what’s happening at the 12-court tennis complex. And in fact because that complex also has an exceptionally well equipped and well staffed fitness center—which includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools—the courts are a more than usually appealing place to hang out.
The tennis complex and clubhouse consists of 12 Rubico courts (a kind of clay), one of them a small stadium, and 10 of them with lights. All have been laid out on a series of terraces each protected from the wind by the surrounding townhouses and pine trees. Recent renovations to the club have included a new Club Tiki bar and restaurant next to the club pools. The interior of the clubhouse also received attention in the form of an updated steam room and sauna. Walkways, grass, and shrubs separate one pair of courts from the next. And each pair of courts has a patio covered by a large blue awning for shade and furnished with chairs and tables and water coolers. The club has some 650 members, about 100 of whom live locally.
Tennis Staff: Joe D’Aleo the Director of Tennis has been on staff at TOPS’L for over 19 years. He has an affable personality and devotion to the game, which ensures a great atmosphere and enthusiasm for tennis and tennis players. A USPTA-certified elite professional who played for Georgia Tech, he brings both teaching and playing skills to the position. “TOPS’L is all about tennis and making sure that all of our tennis guests feel like they are members,” he says of his approach. “We always go the extra mile to make sure all of our guests get all the tennis they need during their stay.” Sharing his enthusiasm and approach is head pro Sam Vickroy and Assistant pro Tyler Marengo.
Tennis Programs: Tops’l has a tennis desk whose staff devotes much of their time to setting up games. During the busy summer, there is also an active weekly calendar of clinics, drill sessions, and round robins, including a Play with the Pro clinic and a very well attended Saturday morning mixed social round robin. That last event draws as many as 40 players and is successful because D’Aleo does not simply throw players together but instead invests time and effort in trying to match everyone according to their level. In the spring and fall, TOPS’L has been very successful in recruiting league teams to come down for long weekends by offering a combination of clinics, round robins and tournaments. These have proven to be very popular. All in all, TOPS’L offers 13 different tennis packages, variously for individuals, groups and teams or they can customize a tennis package to fit your needs.
Courts Fees. None
Off Court
Beach: Those towers notwithstanding, the resort has been sensitive to the natural environment. The tall dunes along the beach remain intact, and so to reach the broad boulevard of white sand you cross over the dunes on a wooden boardwalk. In spring, scrub magnolias bloom right on the dunes as does purple-flowered Florida rosemary.
Golf Courses: A complimentary 18-hole mini course aside, TOPS’L does not offer on-site golf, though arrangements can be made to play locally.
Spa & Fitness Center: The fitness center at the courts has a large, well-equipped, spaciously laid out, and well-staffed workout room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courts. Other facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a racquetball court. Aerobics, yoga, and water aerobics classes are also available. There is a massage therapist on call at the Racquet Club (there are two massage rooms at the tennis center). Just outside the entrance to the resort is the Blue Heron Spa, an independent operation that offers a more extensive array of services.
A lighted fitness trail (much of it asphalt) with 20 Parcours stations runs from 1¼ miles, from the beach condos around the courts and back.
Children's programs: From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tops’l operates a camp for children ages 5-12. It consists of a variety of activities, mostly outdoors, and runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday (and includes an afternoon junior tennis clinic). Babysitting services can also be arranged.
Dining: The Ocean Club Restaurant at the entrance to Tops’l provides a convenient place for high-quality evening dining, complete with a live band for entertainment. Curiously, however, there is no place on property for breakfast (though the Sandbar Market & Emporium in the TOPS’L Clubhouse does sell some of what you may need to make breakfast), and only one place for lunch, the Blue Dunes Grill next to the pool on the beach. There is also a small outdoor Tiki Bar poolside.
Accommodations
Lodging ranges from suites and studios to 3-bedroom condos variously located on or near the beach or around the tennis courts. Rates vary seasonally, but differ from those in southern Florida by being highest in summer and over Spring Break, lowest in winter.
Getting there
Seasons: High season here is May to Labor Day, when tourists are more prevalent; however tennis teams and groups of players tend to come during spring and fall.
Travel Instructions: By Air: Although there are regional airports in Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport(VPS), 30 minutes west, Pensacola Regional (PNS), 90 minutes west, the new major gateway is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), roughly an hour’s drive to the east in Panama City. Rental cars are available at all three.
Tops’l combines the best of two worlds–a beautiful beach setting with a great tennis facility. It offers an outstanding tennis experience for players of all levels and for individuals as well as teams. Head pro, Joe D’Aleo, and his staff are knowledgeable instructors and offer clinics that are both challenging and fun. Employees throughout the facility are friendly, accommodating, and most professional. The tennis villas are attractive, well appointed, and comfortable. The entire facility is very well maintained. This was my third visit to Tops’l, and I highly recommend it!
CU
I thought this was an incredible place. I went there with 7 other girls from my tennis club and we really enjoyed working with the 3 different coaches, Joe, Scott and Byron. We all felt like we learned more on this one weekend and we were able to take what we learned and apply it on the court. We also enjoyed the round robin matches with the girls from Louisiana and felt like they did a good job of matching us up with different people. We also really enjoyed the tennis villas and the pools, spa and of course the beach. I’ve been before and we are planning our next trip already!
DE
The grounds, staff, accommodations, and food are all superb! We were made to feel like long time members even though this was our first (but certainly not last) visit. Tops’l is a great place to be!
MM
2012 was the 4th year my tennis team has weekended at Tops’l, and we have loved everyone. We are getting better each year and love the clinics designed for us by Joe, Sam, and Byron. We are already taking about next year.
TB
Our tennis team will be back! The instructors were fabulous with clear instruction. Very pleasant experience!
VC
Hey tennis lovers, The instructors (Joe, Sam, and Byron) at TOPS’L are exceptional. We are older players and they did not try to change every aspect of our game in a few days. They worked with us where we are in our tennis journey and we really appreciated their help with our doubles game. Can’t wait to go back next year. Thanks to all of you.
JB
Great everything … accommodations, facility, nearby restuarants & shopping, wonderful beach, several pools, friendly staff … and most of all, great tennis pro(s) / instruction.
JD
I would say the coaches here are THE BEST my team has ever encountered. They pick up on the little things that matter so much in your individual game. I would recommend this resort to any tennis team. The facility is well maintained and the condos are perfect. Definately at 5 star tennis facility..
LD
We were thoroughly delighted with the courtesy, efficiency and friendliness of this Resort. The tennis courts are top class and the people are great. Plus, the tennis was excellent with absolutely no problem in getting great games.
SH
Joe runs a great tennis program with well maintained Courts and with excellent instruction. Great tennis community.
MM
Great staff and top notch instruction. Relaxed fun setting with lots of after hours things to do. Beach and nightlife an additional perk
WW
The clay courts are immaculate. Despite the rain during our stay, the surfaces dried quickly and did not cause large delays waiting for drying. The professional tennis staff was friendly and went out of their way to accomodate guests and lessons. There is a very well-appointed health club facility in the tennis club which is a nice plus for those rainy days or if you just wanted a steam or sauna experience. There was a wide variety of classes for clients of all ages. The resort also has beautiful white sand beaches for those non-tennis moments!
RH
My family and I stayed here over spring break and could not have been happier with the resort. It was the perfect combination of close to the beach and a top notch tennis resort. We took several lessons from Joe and he made us feel like there was no one more important to him. I worked with him on getting the right tennis package before we came and was thoroughly impressed with his ability to customize everything we needed down to the actual lessons themselves. While Destin was of course crowded during spring break, the resort felt uncrowded and welcomeing at every turn.
MV
We took a group of 12 ladies down for a girls tennis weekend and we had a great time. We played 9 hours of tennis in 2 days. Joe, Sam and Byron are great in helping us improve our games!
FK
Once again this year, my wife and I enjoyed our vacation at Tops’l. The clinics are instructional and very helpful. We got really good advise on how to improve. The staff makes us feel very welcome and we enjoy the people we meet.
PG
Excellent value for the money. Staff very friendly, conscientious, client oriented. The tennis program is excellent, as is the level of instruction. The tennis instructors know and remember your name after one meeting and greet you thereafter as if you’d been their friend for years. The only concern I would express to friends would be the relative lack of other day long activities should they not wish to play a lot of tennis (it is of course a tennis resort and the Gulf weather during our time there did not favour time on the beach); I also found difficulty in finding hitting partners/ mixed doubles matches during our first days there. Perhaps that is to be expected on a first visit…once we had taken part in a few clinics and met people, that difficulty disappeared (of course, our week was just about up !! Longer stay next year !!)
LW
Great tennis resort with a cozy feel. We’ve been there twice now and have already booked a 3rd trip with friends. Definitely the best value out there with a friendly staff getting you to play tennis rather than trying to maximize profits. This resort is for tennis court junkies who just want to play and hit balls. There’s something to do for everyone whether they play tennis or not in the surrounding community.
LM
director of tennis, joe d’aleo, runs a great tennis experience! interstate team challenges are held both spring and fall….even senior events!…..to the delight of 3.0 – 4.5 level players. it’s awesome! check it out. wonderful tennis, beautiful condos, and amazing ocean…quite a package.
TL
Its a great place at a great location with access to the beach!
JF
Tops’l Beach and Racquet Resort is one of the most consistent places to vacation. Year after year you can count on the quality of the Courts and service by the facility.
DP
Just completed our 11th annual trip to Tops’l. Had over 40 people, and all had a wonderful time. Joe Daleo (head pro) is a great instructor and a fantastic host. Very nice courts; can choose beachfront or courtside condos; lots to do in the area; highly recommend Teps’l.
BK
Great resort with attentive and knowlegeable staff. Perfect place for a tennis vacation.
SG
I have been going to Tops’l for the last eight years for the 4.0 interstate team challenge.The tennis has been outstanding and I’m planing to bring my group back next year.
JK
My tennis team just returned from a great tennis weekend at Tops’l. Joe Daleo and his staff there made it a joy. We have done this many times and always have fun.
SY
Definitely the “Tops” as far as tennis concerned in NW Florida! Joe, Sam and Byron are great pros who are always looking to have you involved. Another great vacation, thanks guys!
BM
I cant say enough good things about the tennis staff and accomodations at TOPS’L. We actually chose TOPS’L for our 15 year anniversary!!! Within a month of leaving, we returned for more tennis and great instruction. What a great place–we are currently planning another trip for October 2011.
TW
Tops’l is the ideal place for tennis and beaches. The pros are amazing and the beach and gulf are unbelievable. I would go no where else.
CB
The Helen Drake tourney was great this year like always. It is my favorite tourney every year and I look forward to playing again in 2012.
LK
Great tennis at Tops’l. Pros are super. Always able to find a partner. Friendly. Nice Accomodatins.
MD
Our experience at Tops’l has been top notch every year. The Helene Drake Tournament is the best tournament in the Southeast. The facilities are great and the accommodations are always very nice. Good job!
MM
Great facilities and very hospitable staff. I played in the Helen Drake Invitational there for the first time and found the experience very enjoyable. With the facilities very accommodating to wheelchairs and the ease to get to all courts allows for everyone to enjoy the facility as much my family did.
BJ
Great weather, great beach, friendly and knowledgeable teaching staff.
JC
Awesome instruction! Even though we were in a group of 5, each of us thought our instruction was personalized.
CB
Strong on accomodations right next to court and tournament organization.
RW
TOPS’L is a quiet resort in a beautiful setting of natural beauty, incredible beaches, and contemporary architecture. For my purposes, it offered an outstanding venue for competitive tennis played on outstanding soft surfaces, which were well maintained and lighted, nestled between cottages and majestic tress. The accomodations were outstanding and convenient to any chosen activity. The professional staff and the tennis participants makes this a preferred destination, year after year. We will return again next year, and hopefully more often.
SA
I went originally for the popular and competitive Helen Drake Tennis Tournament and now go between tournaments during the year to work out with head pro Joe D’aleo and his amazing instructors. I like to spend 2 or 3 days there taking private lessons (excellent instruction at great rates) and playing matches with the local and visiting players. Joe works hard to match up players to make sure you are getting all the tennis you can handle!
WS
My wife and I recently participated in the Helen Drake Tournament at Tops’l. My first visit to Tops’l was in February of 2011 for an Interstate 4.5 Men’s Doubles Tournament. My wife and I decided that we had to return for the Helen Drake. Tops’l is a tennis mecca with wonderful amenities! Twelve clay courts, sauna, heated pool, steam room (my personal favorite!) and fitness facility. Joe D’Aleo, the Director of Tennis at Tops’l, knows how run a tournament and create a wonderful social and tennis experience. I look forward to my next visit to Tops’l with great anticipation. Highly recommended!
VL
I keep going back, that says it all. Friendliest people, beautiful courts, walking distance from the beach.
MP
Great Resort best time Ever!!!
PL
Tops’l is the best Tennis Resort in the country. The staff does an outstanding job of making your tennis and beach vacation the best that it can be.
JM
The TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort represents the ultimate tennis/beach vacations. Not only are the beaches the best you can find, but the tennis is also superb. Nothing illustrates the tennis superiority better than the Helen Drake Tournament held each April. Joe D’Aleo and his outstanding staff prepares for and conducts one of the largest tournament in the Florida and Southern Regions. This tournamentattracts the the top rated players from all over the southeast. Also, you can plan tennis events on other occasions that will offer the best clinics designed around your specific needs and you can enjoy the beach, the club and the outstanding recreation and dining facilities located in the area.
NE
Great tournament,great staff especially Scott Harrison &Joe D’leo.My members alays looking forward to the event every year.
MA
Very, very clean,easy access to all the courts and health club and the beach which is gorgeous.Everything up to date, all staff very friendly and hospitable.Tennis Pros energetic,and supportive with practical, workable lessons
CM
Joe and the crew: I had a great time this week at The Helen Drake tournament. As usual, the staff and facilities were superb!
AB
TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Club is an awesome tennis resort. My husband and I go every year in April for the Annual Helen Drake tournament. We actually go to several tournaments each year and this tournament is 1 of, if not, our very favorite. We stay in the same condo each year, right on the courts. The facilities, condos, courts are all beautiful and the staff is great!!!! Last weekend was our 7th year in a row. If you get a chance, I highly recommend Tops’l for your next tennis vacation 😉
AH
TOPS’L is tennis paradise! My tennis buddies and I have been beating the New England winter blues by making an annual early spring trip for the past 5 years. The staff is GREAT, the courts are GREAT, the accommodations are GREAT, and, oh yeah, there’s the SPECTACULAR beach!
CN
A must go to tournament year in and year out! Staff, accomodations and people make you feel very welcome! This is a superbly run tournament, I rave about this event to friends and family each year!
RP
tennis courts are well kept. Tennis pros are very knowledgeable and professional. Accomodations are first rate. The resort responds quickly to any issues with the lodging accomodations. Beach is well kept.
JH
Just returned form our bi-annual trip to tops’l for the 8th year in a row. Joe the pro makes it a fun trip every time. I’ll be back in the fall for more good times.
MM
A GREAT place for tennis and beach fun! I play in the Tops’l spring and fall Interstate Tennis tournaments and have found them to be competitive and fun. Joe runs a great tournament and we love to dance at the player party!!
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302 Reviews on “TOPS'L Beach & Racquet Resort”
Tops’l combines the best of two worlds–a beautiful beach setting with a great tennis facility. It offers an outstanding tennis experience for players of all levels and for individuals as well as teams. Head pro, Joe D’Aleo, and his staff are knowledgeable instructors and offer clinics that are both challenging and fun.
Employees throughout the facility are friendly, accommodating, and most professional. The tennis villas are attractive, well appointed, and comfortable. The entire facility is very well maintained. This was my third visit to Tops’l, and I highly recommend it!
I thought this was an incredible place. I went there with 7 other girls from my tennis club and we really enjoyed working with the 3 different coaches, Joe, Scott and Byron. We all felt like we learned more on this one weekend and we were able to take what we learned and apply it on the court. We also enjoyed the round robin matches with the girls from Louisiana and felt like they did a good job of matching us up with different people. We also really enjoyed the tennis villas and the pools, spa and of course the beach. I’ve been before and we are planning our next trip already!
The grounds, staff, accommodations, and food are all superb! We were made to feel like long time members even though this was our first (but certainly not last) visit. Tops’l is a great place to be!
2012 was the 4th year my tennis team has weekended at Tops’l, and we have loved everyone. We are getting better each year and love the clinics designed for us by Joe, Sam, and Byron. We are already taking about next year.
Our tennis team will be back! The instructors were fabulous with clear instruction. Very pleasant experience!
Hey tennis lovers, The instructors (Joe, Sam, and Byron) at TOPS’L are exceptional. We are older players and they did not try to change every aspect of our game in a few days. They worked with us where we are in our tennis journey and we really appreciated their help with our doubles game. Can’t wait to go back next year. Thanks to all of you.
Great everything … accommodations, facility, nearby restuarants & shopping, wonderful beach, several pools, friendly staff … and most of all, great tennis pro(s) / instruction.
I would say the coaches here are THE BEST my team has ever encountered. They pick up on the little things that matter so much in your individual game. I would recommend this resort to any tennis team. The facility is well maintained and the condos are perfect. Definately at 5 star tennis facility..
We were thoroughly delighted with the courtesy, efficiency and friendliness of this Resort. The tennis courts are top class and the people are great. Plus, the tennis was excellent with absolutely no problem in getting great games.
Joe runs a great tennis program with well maintained Courts and with excellent instruction. Great tennis community.
Great staff and top notch instruction. Relaxed fun setting with lots of after hours things to do. Beach and nightlife an additional perk
The clay courts are immaculate. Despite the rain during our stay, the surfaces dried quickly and did not cause large delays waiting for drying. The professional tennis staff was friendly and went out of their way to accomodate guests and lessons. There is a very well-appointed health club facility in the tennis club which is a nice plus for those rainy days or if you just wanted a steam or sauna experience. There was a wide variety of classes for clients of all ages. The resort also has beautiful white sand beaches for those non-tennis moments!
My family and I stayed here over spring break and could not have been happier with the resort. It was the perfect combination of close to the beach and a top notch tennis resort. We took several lessons from Joe and he made us feel like there was no one more important to him. I worked with him on getting the right tennis package before we came and was thoroughly impressed with his ability to customize everything we needed down to the actual lessons themselves. While Destin was of course crowded during spring break, the resort felt uncrowded and welcomeing at every turn.
We took a group of 12 ladies down for a girls tennis weekend and we had a great time. We played 9 hours of tennis in 2 days. Joe, Sam and Byron are great in helping us improve our games!
Once again this year, my wife and I enjoyed our vacation at Tops’l. The clinics are instructional and very helpful. We got really good advise on how to improve. The staff makes us feel very welcome and we enjoy the people we meet.
Excellent value for the money. Staff very friendly, conscientious, client oriented. The tennis program is excellent, as is the level of instruction. The tennis instructors know and remember your name after one meeting and greet you thereafter as if you’d been their friend for years.
The only concern I would express to friends would be the relative lack of other day long activities should they not wish to play a lot of tennis (it is of course a tennis resort and the Gulf weather during our time there did not favour time on the beach); I also found difficulty in finding hitting partners/ mixed doubles matches during our first days there. Perhaps that is to be expected on a first visit…once we had taken part in a few clinics and met people, that difficulty disappeared (of course, our week was just about up !! Longer stay next year !!)
Great tennis resort with a cozy feel. We’ve been there twice now and have already booked a 3rd trip with friends. Definitely the best value out there with a friendly staff getting you to play tennis rather than trying to maximize profits. This resort is for tennis court junkies who just want to play and hit balls. There’s something to do for everyone whether they play tennis or not in the surrounding community.
director of tennis, joe d’aleo, runs a great tennis experience! interstate team challenges are held both spring and fall….even senior events!…..to the delight of 3.0 – 4.5 level players. it’s awesome! check it out. wonderful tennis, beautiful condos, and amazing ocean…quite a package.
Its a great place at a great location with access to the beach!
Tops’l Beach and Racquet Resort is one of the most consistent places to vacation. Year after year you can count on the quality of the Courts and service by the facility.
Just completed our 11th annual trip to Tops’l. Had over 40 people, and all had a wonderful time. Joe Daleo (head pro) is a great instructor and a fantastic host. Very nice courts; can choose beachfront or courtside condos; lots to do in the area; highly recommend Teps’l.
Great resort with attentive and knowlegeable staff. Perfect place for a tennis vacation.
I have been going to Tops’l for the last eight years for the 4.0 interstate team challenge.The tennis has been outstanding and I’m planing to bring my group back next year.
My tennis team just returned from a great tennis weekend at Tops’l. Joe Daleo and his staff there made it a joy. We have done this many times and always have fun.
Definitely the “Tops” as far as tennis concerned in NW Florida! Joe, Sam and Byron are great pros who are always looking to have you involved. Another great vacation, thanks guys!
I cant say enough good things about the tennis staff and accomodations at TOPS’L. We actually chose TOPS’L for our 15 year anniversary!!! Within a month of leaving, we returned for more tennis and great instruction. What a great place–we are currently planning another trip for October 2011.
Tops’l is the ideal place for tennis and beaches. The pros are amazing and the beach and gulf are unbelievable. I would go no where else.
The Helen Drake tourney was great this year like always. It is my favorite tourney every year and I look forward to playing again in 2012.
Great tennis at Tops’l. Pros are super. Always able to find a partner. Friendly. Nice Accomodatins.
Our experience at Tops’l has been top notch every year. The Helene Drake Tournament is the best tournament in the Southeast. The facilities are great and the accommodations are always very nice. Good job!
Great facilities and very hospitable staff. I played in the Helen Drake Invitational there for the first time and found the experience very enjoyable. With the facilities very accommodating to wheelchairs and the ease to get to all courts allows for everyone to enjoy the facility as much my family did.
Great weather, great beach, friendly and knowledgeable teaching staff.
Awesome instruction! Even though we were in a group of 5, each of us thought our instruction was personalized.
Strong on accomodations right next to court and tournament organization.
TOPS’L is a quiet resort in a beautiful setting of natural beauty, incredible beaches, and contemporary architecture. For my purposes, it offered an outstanding venue for competitive tennis played on outstanding soft surfaces, which were well maintained and lighted, nestled between cottages and majestic tress. The accomodations were outstanding and convenient to any chosen activity. The professional staff and the tennis participants makes this a preferred destination, year after year. We will return again next year, and hopefully more often.
I went originally for the popular and competitive Helen Drake Tennis Tournament and now go between tournaments during the year to work out with head pro Joe D’aleo and his amazing instructors. I like to spend 2 or 3 days there taking private lessons (excellent instruction at great rates) and playing matches with the local and visiting players. Joe works hard to match up players to make sure you are getting all the tennis you can handle!
My wife and I recently participated in the Helen Drake Tournament at Tops’l. My first visit to Tops’l was in February of 2011 for an Interstate 4.5 Men’s Doubles Tournament. My wife and I decided that we had to return for the Helen Drake. Tops’l is a tennis mecca with wonderful amenities! Twelve clay courts, sauna, heated pool, steam room (my personal favorite!) and fitness facility. Joe D’Aleo, the Director of Tennis at Tops’l, knows how run a tournament and create a wonderful social and tennis experience. I look forward to my next visit to Tops’l with great anticipation. Highly recommended!
I keep going back, that says it all. Friendliest people, beautiful courts, walking distance from the beach.
Great Resort best time Ever!!!
Tops’l is the best Tennis Resort in the country. The staff does an outstanding job of making your tennis and beach vacation the best that it can be.
The TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort represents the ultimate tennis/beach vacations. Not only are the beaches the best you can find, but the tennis is also superb. Nothing illustrates the tennis superiority better than the Helen Drake Tournament held each April. Joe D’Aleo and his outstanding staff prepares for and conducts one of the largest tournament in the Florida and Southern Regions. This tournamentattracts the the top rated players from all over the southeast. Also, you can plan tennis events on other occasions that will offer the best clinics designed around your specific needs and you can enjoy the beach, the club and the outstanding recreation and dining facilities located in the area.
Great tournament,great staff especially Scott Harrison &Joe D’leo.My members alays looking forward to the event every year.
Very, very clean,easy access to all the courts and health club and the beach which is gorgeous.Everything up to date, all staff very friendly and hospitable.Tennis Pros energetic,and supportive with practical, workable lessons
Joe and the crew: I had a great time this week at The Helen Drake tournament. As usual, the staff and facilities were superb!
TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Club is an awesome tennis resort. My husband and I go every year in April for the Annual Helen Drake tournament. We actually go to several tournaments each year and this tournament is 1 of, if not, our very favorite. We stay in the same condo each year, right on the courts. The facilities, condos, courts are all beautiful and the staff is great!!!! Last weekend was our 7th year in a row. If you get a chance, I highly recommend Tops’l for your next tennis vacation 😉
TOPS’L is tennis paradise! My tennis buddies and I have been beating the New England winter blues by making an annual early spring trip for the past 5 years. The staff is GREAT, the courts are GREAT, the accommodations are GREAT, and, oh yeah, there’s the SPECTACULAR beach!
A must go to tournament year in and year out! Staff, accomodations and people make you feel very welcome! This is a superbly run tournament, I rave about this event to friends and family each year!
tennis courts are well kept. Tennis pros are very knowledgeable and professional. Accomodations are first rate. The resort responds quickly to any issues with the lodging accomodations. Beach is well kept.
Just returned form our bi-annual trip to tops’l for the 8th year in a row. Joe the pro makes it a fun trip every time. I’ll be back in the fall for more good times.
A GREAT place for tennis and beach fun! I play in the Tops’l spring and fall Interstate Tennis tournaments and have found them to be competitive and fun. Joe runs a great tournament and we love to dance at the player party!!