Resources
Austin Tennis Academy
The Austin Tennis Academy is located inside the West entrance to the exclusive Spanish Oaks community of Austin luxury homes. This makes the site very convenient for the local residents. Although the advanced programs are for invited players, the basic classes have open enrollment. Court time for the youngest players is restricted since their muscles, joints and stamina need time to develop sufficiently to withstand the rigors of the sport. The most advanced junior players, on the other hand, are encouraged to play every day and to participate in cardio and strength training in the fitness center. The instructors strive to teach the students the value of persistence, fitness and competition, which are attributes that will help them succeed as adults, whether or not they become professional players.
Purpose
This Certified Regional Tennis Center strives to develop character as well as future tennis champions. Programs focus on junior players, and youngsters as young as five years old can take classes. Academic counselors advise the prospective college student on classes and colleges that would provide the best opportunities for collegiate tennis and future professional ranking.
Facility
The Austin Tennis Academy has 12 lighted hard-surface tennis courts, a pro shop and a fitness center. The mild winter weather allows members to play on the outside courts all year long, and the lights enable players to remain on the courts late in the evening. The pro shop sells and repairs equipment, and the Academy students who alternate fitness workouts with tennis practice are the primary users of the fitness center.
Programs
There are four programs available to the junior players. For young children ages 5-8 that are eager to learn the basics of the sport, the QuickStart program meets in the afternoon for 45 minutes. Students can attend four days a week, but the school recommends that they limit their play to two days. The Junior Development program is for children ages 7-15 who are interested in improving their skills, learning tactics and receiving fitness training. These students meet two days a week for a two-hour evening session during the school year, and the instructors encourage them to join one of the tennis teams and start competing in beginner's tournaments. The Junior Academy program is for serious players who are already playing on a school team, or who want to qualify for a team. Admission to this program is competitive and by invitation only, and students are expected to participate in local tournaments on a regular basis. The program meets two evenings a week for two hours each night. The classes are intentionally limited in size to allow the coaches to provide the students with individual instruction. The full-time Academy program is the flagship program of the school. These students are on the fast track to becoming part of a college team and earning a national ranking. The students must pay for a full year's tuition, which does not include the recommended private instruction. Different schedules are available, but one of the most popular is a three-hour session for five days a week and on Saturdays when they aren't playing in a tournament. Coaches travel with the students to the tournaments, and parents are advised to remain home in order to develop independence in the players.
Camps
Students continue to play during the winter and spring breaks as well as during the summer. The five day winter session has programs for all children. There's a QuickStart 90-minute session in the morning for the youngest players, a 3-hour morning session for older children and 2 camps for tournament players; one is a 3-hour afternoon session, and the other lasts all day. The spring break camp is similar except an intensive two-day training camp, which is only open to tournament players at the Champ and Super Champ levels, replaces the all-day class. In the summer, an Adventure camp is added to the list of options. This camp combines morning tennis lessons with afternoon trips to bowling alleys, movie theaters, zoos, putt-putt golf courses and museums.
Women's Program
The Academy provides tennis lessons and coaching for women of all ages and goals. The coaches can assist with the skills necessary to succeed in league play, or provide tips that will help you beat your best friend during a friendly game. Cardio workouts that combine fast-paced tennis drills with music are a fun alternative to a more conventional fitness routine. The cardio participants end their session in the fitness center with a 30-minute Pilates workout. If you're an interested female, contact the Academy for additional details.
