Build Skills, Make Connections, Explore New Places
In the world of tennis, there are countless opportunities for players to improve their skills, make connections, and explore new places. As a club tennis player, I have had the incredible chance to attend six different tennis camps, each offering a unique experience that has helped me grow as a player and as a person.
Often, trips like this are billed as a “Chance of a Lifetime” and in my experience, some of them actually were. Upon reflection, some of these travel opportunities can hardly be thought of as “camps” because they were aligned with ATP/WTA tennis tournaments with a “once in a lifetime” was real because it was just that.
Some of the experiences gave me the opportunity to soak up the excitement of a tournament, enjoy luxury accommodations and experience the energy of the sport of tennis at its highest levels. Other tennis trips I have taken were more of a true “camp” experience where there was more emphasis on playing tennis, instruction from different coaches and the accommodations were more functional rather than luxurious.
Each trip I took had value, even if sometimes there were hiccups along the way. If I was in the right mindset, each trip was an opportunity to learn more about the sport of tennis while developing as a person.
In this blog post I will share my experiences attending different camps and the benefits and challenges of each format. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, this post will provide valuable insights into the world of tennis camps.
First tennis trip, Experience the US Open




I had never thought of New York City as a destination place to play tennis. I was a newbie in the tennis world but the tennis bug had bitten me hard. One day I was checking my email and I saw an offering – a luxury trip to the US Open.
It was intriguing to me. The email advertisement talked about attending the US Open and included transportation to and from the event, playing and receiving coaching at an elite tennis club in Manhattan, staying at the beautiful JW Marriott Essex House right along Central Park, happy hour upon arrival, and a welcome dinner at Tavern On the Green. Who wouldn’t want to take that trip?
While being a lifelong fan of the sport of tennis, I was new to playing tennis as a dedicated club player. I was nervous as I replied to the email, but I did it anyway.
Part of the process of applying to the event was scheduling a phone call with Scott Baxter, from Play Your Court to see if I was going to be a good fit into their group. On the phone we chatted. We talked about tennis. He shared a little bit about his background with tennis. He asked about my tennis habits, also he asked about how often I played and at what level and went on to outline a few of the details of the trip.
While we were on the phone, Scott acknowledged that the trip was not cheap, but he did not apologize for the price of the experience. And he didn’t need to. I knew that I needed to go on this trip. I put down a deposit, and then booked my Delta ticket to New York.
And you know what? It turns out that this trip was worth every cent.
I have always had a deep fascination with Manhattan, and I have watched the US Open on television since I was a kid, so it was a treat to be in New York City, and get to experience the tournament up close.

There were several good things about this trip. First of all, just signing up for the camp felt like a “brave” thing to try. Signing up for this experience was outside of my comfort zone, but finding the strength to stretch and try new things was something I was ready to do. Thanks to this camp, I learned how to travel by myself to a new place and not rely on other people to get me from point to point.
And another benefit – although I was traveling alone, the other people in the group provided me with a nice small group of people to check in with, and I ended up making friends along the way.
Thanks to this trip, I got to experience playing tennis on a clay court, something that I had never done until that day. As a group, we spent time on the clay courts playing tennis, and running drills.
But the things that have stayed with me to this day are experiencing the tournament, the friendships made and the full experience of being alone in a big city.
How to Choose Tennis Experiences?
There are a few things that you should consider before signing up for an experience like this. One, make sure that you do some research on the group or person that is organizing the event. Make sure that they are reputable and that you are clear what the policies are if you have to make a change in plans. Oftentimes, deposits are non-refundable, so check on that before you hand over your credit card.
Two, after all of the camps that I have done, often it is more fun to go with a friend. I chose not to go with friends on some of the trips I have made and then on other trips I have gone with friends. In the case of this trip to the US Open, it worked out fine, but if you can find a friend to go with it can make it more fun.
Additionally, I like to do a little bit of planning before I go to a new location, even if it is an all-inclusive event, like this one was. I always take a minute and save the hotel that I’m traveling to in my maps on my phone so that it is easy and on hand to refer to.
Lastly, I really like to travel without too many pieces of luggage. If I can’t wheel it or carry it all with my two hands, then it is too much. It is easier to manage your possessions if everything is contained.
When you are participating in an event like this, there are a couple of things that I have learned:
One, when you are hitting on a new court, at a new elevation, on a new surface, expect everything to be different. The ball bounces differently, you will move differently on a different surface and you will feel differently with higher or lower levels of humidity. This is to be expected.
Also, in groups of tennis players, you will have different people but similar personalities. You might have the codependent couple that only wants to hit the ball with each other, you might see the social butterfly that wants to chat with everyone and then often you will have the person that wants to “win the warm up” meaning that they are not interested in cooperative play. I suggest that you get your sense of humor firmly in place, otherwise it might be easy to get frustrated.
Most importantly, I have learned that when opportunities to travel as a tennis player arise you must embrace the expression, “Carpe Diem” and seize the day! I am so glad that I took a chance on that first tennis camp and didn’t give myself a hundred excuses not to go, or tell myself that I would, “Do it another time.”
Experiences are often only as good as you make them. Do yourself a favor and show up ready to make it a good one. Be willing to talk to people you don’t know and make a strategy of what things you can control to make it fun. Maybe look for a new tennis buddy, or shop for a cute new outfit. I have learned new recipes while traveling or seen cool ways that designers use tennis in design, like the way the lobby of the JW Marriott Essex House was decked out in honor of the US Open. There were tennis balls in the huge flower arrangements and nods to tennis in the art of the lobby. Seeing this in the lobby made me think of how I can pay tribute to tennis at my house. This inspired me to make this at my own house in honor of the tennis.

I wish I would have known before I attended this camp that it was truly going to be a Once in A Lifetime experience. I regret not adding a few extra days to the start or end of the camp.
I also regret not making more of a point of staying in touch with the other campers. I did stay in touch with the one main friend I made at that camp, and I am so grateful. It is really great to make meaningful connections with other tennis players, and at camps like this, you are in the company of other ultra fans of tennis.
I also wish that I would have taken the time to make notes of the tips that resonated in the clinics. I remember thinking that the clinics were meaningful, but unfortunately, because I didn’t record the experience in a more immediate fashion, those tidbits are lost. So sad.
But the overall feeling of freedom in a cool city like Manhattan and the joy at being surrounded with other lovers of tennis made this trip so meaningful.

Getting Around New York
As part of the all inclusive package, we were given Uber cards to use for transportation. It was 2018 and I had heard of Uber but never used it before. It was a great opportunity to experience what everyone was talking about and use the Uber app. To get to the venue, I ordered an Uber ride and our tickets and passes for the venue.
Lisa, my new friend from the camp, and I attended the night match and got to watch Serena Williams play. This was also my first time attending the US Open and it was so fun to explore all of the courts and indulge in some shopping in the huge Ralph Lauren Polo Pop Up shop.


This tennis experience was really unique and I haven’t seen this exact same offering in the last few years. I am not sure if it is because of the era of Covid and times being different, or if Scott and Nate, the people behind Play Your Court have just decided to go another direction.
Hopefully something like this will materialize again, I am always looking for it. I know that Scott and Nate are organizing trips to Indian Wells in 2024. And I am sure that it will be a cool product for a tennis travel fan, like me. They are very knowledgeable coaches and have a happy banter between the two of them.
In life, there can be these amazing, “ah ha moments” and this trip helped facilitate some of this for me. It was scary to travel to NYC by myself, it was intimidating to hit on a clay court for the first time, it was humbling and confidence boosting to learn how to use an Uber and rewarding to learn how to accomplish it all and to be ready to try it again.
My love of tennis was the catalyst that made this growth possible. And that was just the first of my travel tennis experiences.
Because I had never attended the US Open, a trip like this was extra attractive. However, going to the US Open is really not that tricky. Flushing Meadows is where the tournament is held, so if you don’t want to stay in Manhattan, you really don’t need to.
If you are not familiar with getting rides with Uber or Lyft it is a great and safe way to get around the city. It is really easy and makes it so that you do not need to get your wallet out when in the car. I really like getting around a city like New York with Uber but before you go, review how to do it. When you use a service like Uber or Lyft, it is common to leave a tip if you are happy with your ride.
As far as tickets to the Open, like all tournaments, there are tons of matches at the beginning of the tournament, and as players fall out of the tournament, there are less and less every day. For the opportunity for the most matching, try for the first part of the tournament.
Citi Open

You learn very quickly that the tennis world can be a small one. Within six months of the US Open Experience, I got another string of enticing emails inviting me on a tennis trip to the Citi Open, held in the Nation’s capital, Washington D.C.
The Citi Open Experience was put on by Will Hamilton and Fuzzy Yellow Balls https://www.fuzzyyellowballs.com/) .
This trip was truly a once in a lifetime experience and I feel beyond lucky to have jumped. Every year I contact Will hoping beyond hope that this will be offered again, but ever since Covid-19, the type of access that we had at this camp is just not possible.

The offerings from this camp were unlike anything I have ever seen before or experienced since. To start out with, we stayed at the same hotel with the players from the tournament. I saw Jack Sock in the lobby and John Isner and his family at breakfast. Additionally, we were able to use the same transportation as the players and press back and forth from the tournament site. I made a point to be respectful of the players’ space and I didn’t talk to them unless they talked to me first. So imagine my delight when Jamie Murray started talking to me on the way back to the hotel after his match. Another time Marin Cilic was in the car, and it was very evident that he was not in a chatty mood. Totally fine with me, I was just happy to be at the tournament and the car was silent all the way back to the hotel.
It was thanks to my experience at the Citi Open Experience and the Citi Tournament that I first became aware of the Taste of Tennis event. The Citi Taste of Tennis is a culinary and tennis event that kicks off major tennis tournaments and features celebrity chefs and the world’s top tennis players.

As part of the camp experience, the group of us attended this exclusive event and we got to try all kinds of food and rub shoulders with some of the players from the tour and celebrity chefs. This was my introduction to The Taste of Tennis event and it is now on my radar. Taste of Tennis is held before the US Open in New York, Indian Wells in Palm Springs and most Grand Slam or high level tournaments.
As part of this tennis experience at the Citi Open, we had photo Identification issued from the tournament that got us not only through the gate into the tournament but also into the same spaces that the players and their coaches spent time when not on court. We got to enjoy the same catering that the players were offered and sometimes sat at the same table. It was surreal and amazing to watch Coco Gauff and her siblings playing ping pong while in between matches in the lounge area.




On the tournament grounds, there were two clay courts set aside for our group. We got to hit some drills with Mike and Bob Bryan, the greatest doubles pair in history, and then as if that wasn’t awesome enough, we had players from the tournament come and hit with us.
Most notably for me is when Jack Sock came on our court and hit with us for a while. Jack Sock was at the baseline and our group was at the net, two at a time hitting volleys. Jack seemed distracted and like (understandably) he didn’t particularly want to be there. I was at the net, and the drill was starting to wind down.
But then, Jack Sock was fed a ball and let one of his huge forehands rip right at me. It was faster than any ball I had ever seen and harder than I had ever felt. The ball left Sock’s racket and pegged me right in the chest and I felt like all of the air was knocked right out of me.
I wanted to cry because it really hurt, but I was so shocked I just laughed, said it was no big deal but I did take the bench for a moment to catch my breath. I know that Sock felt really bad about it. It was a plain and simple mistake, and I should have been ready. To apologize, Sock gave me his monogrammed towel and now I have a fun, albeit painful, story to tell.
Will put on an amazing tennis experience. The next year was 2020, and Covid put a kibosh on so many events. I am hoping that someday something like this can be done again. Between the cool hotel, the Taste of Tennis, the all-access to the event, hitting with the pros, getting to do a coin toss for the start of the match and the box seats for the event. This was an experience that was another life changing event.
In review, what was good about this camp:
*Staying at the same hotel as the players
*having transportation to and from the event. This was the same transportation as the press and players, so it was truly unique to ride with the players and their coaches in the same car
*Opportunity to meet and hit with the players on tour. Even though I got whacked by Jack Sock, I survived
*Getting on court training with Mike and Bob Bryan, the best doubles team in history. Truly a marvelous experience
*Having all access passes at the tournament. The Citi tournament is a smaller tournament, but getting to eat and hang out in the same spaces as the players was so cool
*Box seats to watch the play. We had a perfect view of the matches on center court. It was really great.
*As an extra bonus, I got to participate in the on court coin toss before the match.
*This camp was my introduction to the Citi Taste of Tennis event. It was fun to get dressed up, see the players off the court and enjoy culinary delights from celebrity chefs from the DC Area all while listening to music or watching a tennis player take a stab at trying to cook.
What I learned about traveling to a tennis camp:
*If the opportunity for something like this crosses your path, run, don’t walk to sign up. Of course you want to ensure that it is a legitimate organization, but don’t take too long to decide.
* with anything, you make the experience what it is. Have a good attitude and be willing to be flexible. It was evident to me that if half of what the trip to the Citi Open was promising came together it was a great opportunity. I am so glad that even when I was reeling from being hit by Jack Sock’s forehand, I was able to take it in stride. But if I’m being totally honest, that was a big forehand and I took it right in the chest!
*If you are in a camp that gives access to the ATP or WTA players, be considerate of their space. Sometimes it is appropriate to ask for autographs and sometimes it is not. When the players were in a clinic situation or at the Taste of Tennis, it was natural to ask for autographs or ask questions. When we were in the transport to or from the hotel, it was not. Also, it did not feel appropriate to approach them in the dining hall or in the lounge area.
Here are some things that wish you would have known before the camp:
*It is always a good idea to look at the forecast before traveling to another destination. I should have brought a cooling towel and better clothing to protect from the sun. The weather in Washington D.C. was horribly humid, and I was not very well prepared.
*I wish that I would have taken more time while in the moment, or right after the moment to record all of the players that I met and some of the tips that they gave. I remember meeting Felix Auger Aliassime and of course I definitely remember Jack Sock, but there were other players that I met and I have forgotten some of them. Such a shame.
*I am really sorry that I didn’t push harder for a friend to go with me to this camp. I did meet nice people at the camp, but it was such a special event it would have been really fun to share it with a friend.
From this experience, I would encourage anyone that is interested in attending a tennis experience or a tennis camp, to do some research into the group that is offering the trip. Check the itinerary to make sure you pack the right type of clothing and I highly suggest that you time each day to document your experience by taking notes on what was learned or taking pictures so that you can remember the little details to remember later.
Cliff Drysdale Experience at Amelia Island


I am lucky enough to live close to a Cliff Drysdale Tennis Club. As a club player, I noticed that guests would come from all over to spend some time at our beautiful club in the mountains of Utah. That’s what gave my friend, Rose, the idea to organize our tennis team and have a trip of our own.
The winter months of Utah can be very long and very cold, so it was decided that we should do a Doubles Bootcamp at the Cliff Drysdale facility at Amelia Island in January would be perfect.
But we must have brought the cold weather with us because the week that we were there it was freezing – in Florida.
But, we tennis players were undeterred. We layered up and enjoyed several days of drills and the tennis pros did an exhibition match between one of the pros from Florida and our Pro from Utah. It was great to get to play lots of tennis and it is fun to watch tennis as well.
In the past, I had attended tennis travel as a solo traveler. This was the first time that I traveled with the majority of one of my tennis teams. We had a great time playing cards in the airport while waiting on our flights, carpooled back and forth from the venue and went out to eat.
Rose and I scheduled a spa massage while at the resort and that was a real treat. Our rooms were booked at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. We stayed in the Villas of Amelia Island. They are individually owned, so each one was a bit different.
The one we had was very outdated and in need of some repair, but those of us that stayed there refer to our time staying at “The Golden Girls” place with fondness.
The camp that was held at the Amelia Island Omni Resort: amelia-island was a great trip for loads of playing of tennis, low stress, and an opportunity for a large group to travel together.
This is not an all inclusive type of trip, so lodging, meals and transportation are your own responsibility.
I rented a car, plus I rented a golf cart to use while at the resort. I ended up canceling the golf cart rental, it was not necessary since I had a rental car.
I am really glad that I made time in the schedule to get a massage and spend some relaxing time in the spa. This was totally my friend, Rose’s idea, and I am so glad I followed her lead.
Another thing that I am really glad that I did while on this trip was watch the sunrise on the beach. Our place at the Villas was walking distance to the beach. While I am not always a morning person, it was so beautiful to watch the sun rise and see the colors of the day take shape.
The Cliff Drysdale Tennis program was a really great experience. The team of coaches that were at the camp were a great blend of knowledgeable and fun. There were three of us on a court with one pro, so we received a lot of coaching and lots of repetition.
One thing that you will want to check before you attend a tennis camp is the forecast. There are no options for indoor tennis at the courts at the Cliff Drysdale at Amelia Island.
While Florida is usually warm, it is not always sunny and warm, and Amelia Island is in in Northern Florida, almost up against the southern border of Georgia, and it gets a lot colder there than it does in Miami or Tampa.
So I was glad to have some layers, because the cold weather in Florida goes right to the bone. It was cold!
Also, plan ahead if there are things that you want to bring with you to your condo. There is not a lot of shopping close by.
I would recommend this camp or many of the other trips that Cliff Drysdale Experiences offers. I have found the tennis pros to be both knowledgeable and fun to hit with. I think that the instruction is clear and no matter what your level is, there is something to learn.
The tennis facilities are very nice and while the lodging is just mediocre, I did not spend a lot of time worrying about it. Like all tennis experiences, this trip will be as fun or as meaningful as you make it.
If you want to be very serious and learn a lot from your time on the court, that is possible. If you want to have a relaxing trip while also learning some great pointers while having a wonderful time with your team, that is possible as well.
I really liked how customizable this trip was. While the weather didn’t do us any favors, at least it didn’t rain. Every person that attended the camp had the opportunity to glean what they will from the experience.
Cliff Drysdale Experience – https://www.experiencecdt.com/
Cliff Drysdale Tennis With the Stars at Indian Wells
If you were to ask me what my favorite tournament is, I would say Indian Wells. Maybe part of it is because it is a warm weather tournament, when my area of the world is deeply buried in snow. Maybe it is because I can take a road trip to Palm Springs, CA and I love a fun road trip.
But I know that a large part of why I love the tournament at Indian Wells is because the facility is so beautiful and state of the art.



I have attended the Cliff Drysdale Tennis with the Stars at Indian Wells two times. Both times were such fun and completely memorable.
The first time I attended, I did so by myself. This year, 2023, I took my daughter, Kenzie with me. Since we live in Utah and California is so close, we drove to Palm Springs instead of flying.
This camp that was a great blend of hitting on the court with the coaches, attending the Paribas Open Indian Wells Masters, getting to attend the Taste of Tennis event and the special event, the “Tennis with the Stars” where stars from the tour come for a visit and some playing of games on the court.
At the “Tennis with the Stars” event we had a great opportunity to talk with some of the tennis players and I had Caroline Garcia, Belinda Bencicand Madison Keys sign my tennis visor. I usually am shy to ask for an autograph, but these ladies were so nice and approachable, they seemed happy to oblige.
Here are some great things about this tennis experience:
*The Paribas Open in Indian Wells is commonly thought of as “Tennis Paradise” and it exactly that. Timed on the calendar when some sunshine and warm weather is very welcome I look forward to attending this tournament every year.
*If you attend through a camp like this one, you get some great perks. Transportation to and from the event is included. While parking is free at the event, it is also a pain. If you can get a ride to and from the event. Take it! It is so much easier.
*A really cool perk that we got this year at the tournament is the suite access on Court 1. Court 1 is the largest venue on the grounds and this suite was amazing. I might be permanently spoiled because of the delicious food and open bar, the air conditioned suite, the immaculate bathrooms and the special hospitality from the staff. This perk was a really special treat.
*Ever since I attended the Citi Taste of Tennis, I jump whenever I get the opportunity to attend another Taste of Tennis event. The Taste of Tennis event is a party, held at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells and it is held to showcase local celebrity chef and where the players from the tour can socialize and sometimes you can see a presentation of a chef teaching a player how to cook or as in the case of last year, Nick Kyros showed the crowd a pasta recipe from his mother’s kitchen. Most of all, the Taste of Tennis event is the opportunity for local eateries to share a sample of their menu while players, coaches and lucky people like me, get to socialize and enjoy the beginning of the tournament.
*A perk of this camp is getting to play tennis at the beautiful Omni Rancho Las Palmas. All tennis drills are held at this stunning tennis club that is walking distance from where you stay at the Omni.

*A very unusual and great perk of this camp is the “Tennis with the Stars” event. It is held on the same Omni Rancho Las Palmas courts that we drilled on during the day. The tennis club was set up to host the event and attendees are able to hit with several members of both the ATP tour and the WTA tour. There were games and contests and the Bryan brothers, Mike and Bob plus their dad were there to act as MC for the event. It was full of action and fun.
My favorite part was watching the exhibition match that was very high level tennis, but relaxed. There was a beautiful spread that was put out for dinner and of course, a bar. I had the opportunity to have Belinda Bencic, Caroline Garcia and Madison Keys sign my visor. It was such a treat to relax in the beautiful surroundings, at the tennis courts, while the sun was setting and just enjoy the perfect day.
*Another great part about this experience is that this event with Cliff Drysdale Experiences is available to sign up for. This is a recurring event, and they even extended the event into two parts. The second week looks a bit different with different offerings but still, a really cool tennis experience.
*What really made this camp set apart for me were the great coaches that we spent time with on the court. These coaches give great instruction while also making the time playing tennis so fun. I loved the way that they would bring music to the court to keep the mood fun and lively, the coaches seemed to be eager to take photos or even be willing to be in some pictures. The coaching staff seemed to be happy to be there and friendly to all of the participants. The coaches and staff were also very knowledgeable in the game of tennis and patient teachers with participants of all levels. I really appreciated the time and attention that the group at Cliff Drysdale Experience gave me both at the Tennis with the Stars event in Palm Springs and the Doubles Boot Camp at Amelia Island.
Cliff Drysdale Experience – https://www.experiencecdt.com/
Here are a couple of things to consider before attending this camp. If you are attending the camp where Taste of Tennis is being offered, bring something nice to wear. You will see players from the WTA often wearing a nice dress and the players from the ATP tour that I have seen there often wear a dress shirt, and often a dress coat. There is no dress code to follow, but it is held in the evening so take the opportunity to clean up a bit and pull on something nice.
When attending this event, take them up on transportation to and from the event. There is parking, but it is a hassle. If you have transportation, do yourself a favor and take it.
Another thing to consider when attending this camp is that is, and is not allowed to bring into the Indian Wells Garden.
When you are at the ‘Tennis with the Stars” event, take the opportunity to get autographs or talk with the players. They are in a relaxed mood and it is really easy to talk with them. I was wearing a white visor to the event and one of the campers had the idea to have the players sign the visor. I am so glad that she suggested it. I wear the visor all the time and it is a great memory of a fun event.
Since this was the second year attending this camp there were a couple of things that I was prepared for. I knew that while I was at the camp I would not be able to do extra fun things in Palm Springs. If you are wanting to explore the Coachella Valley, it is better to add some extra days onto your trip. Palm Springs has a reputation for cool mid century architecture, high end shopping and art stores galore. It is definitely worth a look.
If you are preparing for a trip like this that includes loads of time both watching tennis and playing tennis, you will need different types of clothing for each occasion. When considering what to pack, keep in mind that Palm Springs is a desert. It can be very hot during the day and very cold when the sun goes down. Remember to pack a blanket or an extra layer when attending the tournament.
The best way to prepare for a camp like this, is to be familiar with the itinerary, it will be sent to you before you attend. Also, remember that these adventures are what you make of them. Before attending the camp, take a minute and consider what you are needing from the camp and time away from life.
Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar

Again, my inbox was getting flooded with marketing emails promoting a Rafa Nadal camp that was hosted both in the United States and abroad.
One of those camps was being held before the big tennis tournament in Madrid. I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t tempted. The thought of going to a training camp that went alongside the Madrid Open was appealing, but the logistics were just too difficult.
There were camps that were held in different cities in the United States, so I looked at the calendar and saw a camp that was being held in Atlanta, Georgia.
I realized that this camp was not going to be like the luxury experiences I had with my other tennis travels experiences, but I have a friend in Atlanta, and the thought of visiting my friend, spending some time in the south, and hitting for a few hours over the course of four days sounded fun.
I am really glad that the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar was not extremely expensive, because it didn’t go like most of the tennis experiences I’ve talked about so far.
I flew into Atlanta on Monday and the camp was scheduled to start at six.
I was there early and had plenty of time to change my clothes and watch the Junior Camp that was going on all day.
As part of the requirement of the camp, I received instructions from an email, saying that we must wear the camp uniform or we will not be able to participate. So I purchased the camp shirt, only to find out later that others did not bother buying one. Apparently the shirt requirement was more for the youth camp. Grr, strike one.
When the camp started, they let us know that they might have issues with the weather and that there was rain in the forecast. We were advised that there would be email communication each day as to whether or not the camp would be allowed to run, due to bad weather.
Also it was proposed that if they were not able to hold the camp due to rain, there would be additional hours offered on days that could be played or there could be a day added on Friday.
Unfortunately, I was scheduled to fly home on Friday, so I knew I was going to be shorted if we had rain outs. Strike two.
When I arrived, the whole thing felt awkward. The director was not very friendly and the coaches seemed tired and wanted to be done for the day; which is understandable, they had been dealing with the kid’s camps all day.
Almost all of the coaches were from Spain, or Europe and for many of them, english was their second language. I love to try to speak Spanish, but they didn’t seem very eager to talk with me. I had a very difficult time understanding the instructions they were giving.
It would have been helpful if the coaches had a name badge or their name on their shirt to help with communication.
When we finally went on the court, I was paired with a couple that came to the camp together and a single man. I like to think that I can hit with anyone, but this experience stretched that belief.
The mood was somber. The instructions were not clear. At one point, the pro on my court kept scolding me because I would sometimes hit my forehand in an open stance and I guess that is not what he was wanting.
Then he stopped the drill in the middle of it and explained that the methodology of the Rafa Camp was to involve: Intensity, Repetition, and Feedback. He then asked if I was taking his feedback?
The truth is, I was trying really hard, but at that point I was just glad that I didn’t cry and call it a night. I looked down at the court, willing myself not to cry and then I noticed that my instructors shoelaces were not tied. I looked over at the other court, and that coach also had his feet just slid into his shoe.
I thought to myself: If intensity was one of the three points to be highlighted at this camp, then these two were falling through the cracks.
Totally underwhelmed by my first two hours at the camp and my feeling was, boo… strike three.
But life isn’t baseball, so even though they had three strikes against them, I willed myself to come back the next day and try again.
I spent the day with my friend in Atlanta which was great. They had been experiencing epic rainfall so it was not a shock when I received the news that the camp was canceled that night due to rain.
Wednesday brought more rain, but I did not get a cancellation email – that is, I didn’t get the cancellation email until I had already driven half of the way there.
I turned my car around and drove back to my friend’s house.

After a less than great first day, and two days of being rained out, I decided to take my joy into my own hands. I didn’t want to sit around Casey’s house waiting to be told that it had rained out again or to show up and have a repeat of the lackluster first day.
So Casey and I got tickets to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, North Carolina and drove up there to see the house and the gardens.
The camp did go forward that day and they added an hour to make up for a bit of the rain out from earlier in the week. In the email, they said that they would also hold a make up camp on Fri to help make up some of the time lost due to the rain.
I replied to the email, letting them know that I would be flying out Fri and asked them to give me a partial credit to another camp. After waiting for over 24 hours, the director of the camp finally got back with me and said no.
So after flying all that way, getting a rental car, not enjoying the camp at all, finding it hard to learn from instructors, and not being very accommodating when issues arose with the weather, and not communicating with us very well, I have to say that this camp was a bust, and I would not recommend it to anyone and I certainly won’t be going back.
I understand that none of us can help bad weather, but I was shocked that they did NOTHING to alleviate concerns.
The good part of the story is that I got to spend a lot of time with my dear friend. I did not have to spend money on a hotel and if this is the way that the European experience and learning would be, I am very grateful to not have spent the money to go overseas or pay the higher cost for the experience along with the Madrid Open.
Perhaps if this camp is in your city and you attend with some friends or teammates the risk would be low and maybe it would be worth it. But for me, I don’t think I will be going to a Rafa Camp anytime soon. And that makes me really sad, because I adore Rafa as an athlete. I have read his book link to Rafa on Amazon and consider him to be one of my favorite sports figures to watch. But the camp was not one that I would recommend.
You can check their website to see if they have a camp near you, but I would hesitate to travel to this camp. I cannot believe that I wasted $550 on this ridiculous camp. That money would have been better spent at my local club towards weeks of private lessons.
What I am saying is, as far as a “tennis experience” it was not a great use of time and money.
USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS
In 2020, right before Covid hit, I attended a camp for players in the Intermountain Region that was held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.
We got to hit on clay courts and right off the bat it was evident how differently the ball bounced in Florida as compared to the mountains of Utah.
The USTA National Campus offers all different types of camps and it is worth a look at their website to see what would fit your needs best. When I attended, we did not stay anywhere close to the facility and drove in each day.
Whether you are looking to get coaching as a singles player or as a doubles player there are camps available to register for. Camps are usually held Monday through Wednesday, but it looks like with a bit of communication many needs can be addressed.
When attending as a camper, you can expect lunch vouchers, a private lesson with a camp pro, free racket demos from the Campus Pro Shop, free open play on tennis courts the day before your camp date starts and a gift from the National Campus.
In my experience, it was really fun to travel with a new group of people and play tennis at the beautiful USTA National Campus. I would love to attend again and bring a group of tennis friends with me.
Check out their website to learn more about their pricing and offerings.
USTA National Campus – https://www.ustanationalcampus.com/en/home/play/camps.html
John Newcombe Ranch


If you are looking for a tennis experience where the experience is affordable and the instruction is great, then take a look at The John Newcombe Ranch.
Even in the case of rain, there are covered courts so there is little occurrence of delay due to poor weather.
Last year, I was invited by the captain of my new team to join the group at the John Newcombe Ranch in New Braunfels, TX. I didn’t know what to expect, but I gratefully said, “yes” and purchased a flight to San Antonio.
I rented a car and arranged to go a day early in order to visit the Lululemon Outlet in San Marcos, TX. If I have learned one thing from going on these tennis adventures, it is to pad the trip with an extra day at the beginning or end of the trip in order to experience the offerings of the city beyond the set itinerary of the camp.
Newks Camp is off the beaten path, located in New Braunfels, Texas, nestled in a large grove of gigantic live oak trees. I was the first to arrive at the camp and had loads of time to look through the main lodge and check out the John Newcombe tennis memorabilia from years past.
The main building, or lodge, is the place that you check in, have all your meals and where all of the off-court entertainment happens. I attended the camp in the late fall, so the oppressive heat and humidity of Texas in the summer was not applicable, thank heavens!
The main building doubles as a dinning hall and gives a true camp vibe as opposed to a resort feel, the rooms are clean but not luxurious. But the price is great and it was so much fun to travel as a team and have a great time at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch.
Because I was there with my whole tennis team, and we were a large group, we were put in suites that could accommodate 8 people in each unit.
Some of the ladies in our group brought their significant other and they stayed in a different building. When checking in, I was told what time and at which courts to arrive.
Our first meet up was a great blend of fun music, encouraging coaches and the general introductions that go along with the kick off of the camp.
We were quickly put on the courts as to our general levels of experience and then started to hit. The humidity in the air foretold the rain storm that was brewing.
When the rain started to fall, play was moved to a part of the ranch that has several covered courts. It was really nice that the rain didn’t end the day, and that we were able to continue to run drills and learn from the coaches.



At the conclusion of our first hitting session, we returned to our rooms, got cleaned up and then showed up to the main building that was turned into a mess hall for dinner. We had a delicious meal provided that was fresh and nutritious.
There were activities held after dinner, but all of the ladies from my suite wanted to go back, relax, play games and hang out in our rooms. We had a great evening with snacks, laughs and time with some really good friends.
The next day was a full day of play and instruction. I really enjoyed the coaches and most especially the opportunity to get to know the ladies on my team better.
There was a pool and a hot tub that some people liked to use, but since it was November in Texas, and could be a bit chilly at night, I decided to pass.
My experience at the John Newcombe Ranch was really great. The price is great and gave me an opportunity to travel with the ladies from my home club.
True, it is not a frilly, luxurious type of experience, but it is an opportunity to enjoy tennis travel while not breaking the bank. The coaches were great, the food was simple but delicious, and the accommodations were clean and safe.
I loved getting to hang out with the ladies on my team that I had known for years, but never got to be on a team with. As a Texan, I also love a reason to go home to the Lone Star State.
The price was so affordable and it was so much fun to travel as a team and have a great time at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch.
If you are interested in a tennis adventure that is full of instruction, socializing in the evening and comfortable, clean, but no frills, this is the place. I liked this camp so much that I signed up for this trip the same day that I heard my team captain announce that she was organizing another trip. Let’s go 2023!
I am already signed up to attend the same camp, with the same group this year and that action speaks louder than any other words that I can write.
Check out https://newktennis.com/adult-tennis/ if for availability and pricing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right tennis camp is a deeply personal decision. However, sometimes taking a chance on a once-in-a-lifetime experience can be incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to travel to tennis camps that may never be available again.
While it can be disappointing when certain trips or experiences are not currently available, it is important to remember that there will always be other opportunities that arise. By understanding what aspects of the experience are most valuable to you, it is easier to make informed decisions and ensure that you don’t miss out on great opportunities when they arise.
So, whether it’s an annual tradition or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, it’s important to take advantage of the chances we have to explore new places, meet new people, and grow as tennis players and individuals.
About the Author –
Katri is an avid club player and certified tennis junkie. Katri lives by the tennis mantra of, “Do whatever it takes to keep tennis fun. Sometimes it is playing more, sometimes it is buying a new tennis skirt.” Sportsmanship and fair play are utmost important and promotion of the game of tennis is paramount. Follow along for further tennis fun and friendship while keeping your head in the game.