For the Love of Clay

Red Clay Courts. Is there anything more alluring than a well maintained pile of crushed red dirt & crisp white court lines when you 1st see it? I don’t think so. Ever since I was 8 yrs. old and my tennis bestie invited me to practice with her at the Philadelphia Tennis Club I felt overwhelmed by how regal clay courts present themselves. Their texture, so organic and alive. To play on this soft cushy surface that can transport me to a ball out of reach by sliding to grab it almost 2 meters away? I was hooked completely🥰. But the reality is there are very few red clay courts in the US. Certainly not in abundance. Green clay sure, but Har-Tru are common & still play fast. Har-Tru, a brand name, plays closer to a hard court in terms of speed. I had my eye on the red stuff, because it feels special. Turns out, red clay courts also require special attention, maintenance even the right clay.

clay court maintenanceRhonda CostaMarch 16, 2023Costasportclay courts, clay court trainingComment

Summer Tennis Camps 2023 (Spain & Florida)

Summer tennis camps in 2023 are here again parents! The difference this year is that you’ve been hearing about the travel slowing down due to the scary economy. Telling you no one would travel & flights would be too expensive. It’s true flights are expensive. But I can tell you writing from this from the island of Mallorca, Spain, European tennis is on the move! So much so that currently the top training academies are requesting playing videos because they’re that full for their annual programs. They likely won’t request playing videos for entry during Summer months but the academies have suggested Summer 2023 is proving to be one of their most promising Summers in decades. Accommodations for Summer tennis camps are filling fast! It’s surprising a lot of parents just how limited spaces are, as I write this in early March.

Laterality in Tennis

Laterality as a core concept gives importance to the different sides of our body and how we use them. In sport and tennis specifically there’s preference between right and left hand / right and left foot. Jofre Porta uses laterality a lot because obviously the foot and hand is the obvious one in a game like tennis. With that there’s obviously an effect on footwork within tennis for example which your dominant leg will affect your footwork and what you can do to prevent that. It’s all very nature & very biomechanical, so it’s something steeped in biology.

tennis training, junior tennisRhonda CostaDecember 6, 2022Jofre Porta, lateralityComment

How DOES Spain Stay on Top in Tennis?

Tennis in spain is back in the spotlight thanks to Carlos Alcaraz. But has spanish tennis ever really slowed since the late 80’s? Growing up playing juniors back then, players went to 1 academy - Bolletteri’s in Florida. It was THE place for tough, intense - dynamic tennis training. Not IMG. I’m talking about Nick Bolletteri’s in Bradenton, Florida. You knew if a player went there they had Professional tennis on their radar. It seemed like any player who came out of there had a story to tell. OR became a pro player. It wasn’t just American kids either. It was the junior tennis academy known around the world where top players could reliably find the best sparring partners, period. If you know anything about junior tennis, you know a junior tennis academy is only as good as the lead coaches & players training there. As Bolleteri’s became a distant memory, so did American tennis. In came an avalanche of spanish super hero’s that dominated the Pro tour, certainly the men’s game. Tennis in spain got a huge marketing boom known as the “spanish system” in early 2000’s. It wasn’t true, but it sounded good. As it stands in late 2022, 6 men sit in the top 50 ATP. The top 2 players are spanish. With Nadal coming in behind Carlos Alcaraz. The spanish continue to excel in tennis training & competition making it the smartest place to test yourself anytime of year (including, Winter or preseason). Not to mention it’s a gorgeous country with terrific beaches, welcoming people and fair prices. Find out more about tennis in Spain …

Want to Improve Your Tennis Game? Pick the right coach, here's how.

Finding a good tennis coach takes discernment. I hired a local tennis coach to look at my game when I was 31. I quickly lost 50 minutes of my time & $85 on a coach who didn’t give a shit about my tennis game. And I knew it. No corrections, no visuals, and 1 major tip after I pressed him why my balls soared past the green curtain on repeat. Turns out, I was in the wrong grip. Excuse me? 50 minutes & $85 later I find out I was in the wrong grip! I knew exactly what happened. I was an adult & not as interesting a prospect to coach as a junior. This particular coach figured shits & giggles tennis would pacify me. Little did he know my history in the game or that I was looking to potentially coach. I wanted my money & lessons taken as seriously as any junior they would develop. That underwhelming experience taught me so much. The game that made me feel special as a junior was lost on me as an adult. That experience drove me over the moon to develop an adults game towards becoming the player they wanted to be. At any age. At any level. The right tennis coach will get you where you want to go -as a team.

Online School: Student athletes take a practical approach & keep on going

I'm a tennis director for adults. I place junior tennis players in the right tennis training academy for both American & international families. Being independent means I don't have to talk about any 1 junior academy. I vet each academy hard (for years actually) and then meet families for academies. I believe it’s as important to vet the best online school program for student athletes. More specifically here, junior tennis players. Student-athletes CAN have a flexible, less stressful & time saving life using the right online school program that suits their lifestyle & sport. And as the the stigma of online school fades off into the sunset, tennis players & student-athletes are taking full advantage of a private online education. Taking this practical approach to an players lifestyle & education let's athletes keep going. It’s certainly time to be having the discussion.

League Tennis: Do you have the nerve to play?

League tennis is THE perfect excuse to wear cute matchy-matchy outfits (if you’re into that sorta thing 😉)and get adult players out on court. If you’re a newer player, experienced, young or old, the more players the game has, the more opportunities you have. League tennis gives you a reason to play more tennis. Period. There’s zero excuse around age because it’s offered to over 18, over 40 and over 55. It gives you a reason to improve and put your tennis lessons to work. To play with more confidence, get invited to more socials, or travel with your teammates. And if competition was something you did in your youth, now you have a whole new reason to compete. League tennis gives you an opportunity to test your tennis chops - for real.

Tennis Strings: Beginners, have you popped yours yet? A beginner's guide to tennis strings

When I put myself in the shoes of a beginner tennis player my head spins. There’s a lot to break down, including the tennis strings in your racket. From how to play tennis to the gear involved, it’s impossible to keep things simple when you compare yourself to your favorite touring pro. While you may want to know what they play with or how they hit the ball, it’s overkill in the beginning and leads to frustration. Gear overwhelm will lead you into a financial mistake. If you’re learning to drive, do you need a Ferrari? Same idea. Keep tennis strings, simple. In this post I speak to tennis coach, Mark Sansait. Mark’s transparent & over the moon on his YouTube channel about tennis strings. Together we keep you aware of only what you need to know at the beginner stages around tennis strings. You’ll learn the basic lingo, find some great string options, and how to ultimately save money replacing your tennis strings. It’s a big deal to pop your 1st set of strings! A real badge of honor for a tennis player. From there it gets annoying & expensive if you’re not careful.

Is Tennis the Best Sport? Adults, prepare to be courted

If you already play tennis, you know tennis is the best sport for adults looking for an exciting & healthy way to grow older. If you’re a new player curiously lurking how to get started, prepare to be courted - hard! Adults looking for an athletic charge, a way to improve yourself & engage in friendly competition with other adults will agree, tennis is the best sport. THE sport that offers adults; movement, momentum, connections & longevity. 4 things that motivate adults on the road to a long, fun life. You don’t have to compete to enjoy tennis. It’s beauty are the ways the sport connects people, organically. The fact that it’s played year round helps maintain those connections. Adults can play the sport into old age. The added longevity tennis adds to an adults lifespan is the sweet spot. A game that’s ever evolving, just like you.

Adult Tennis Lessons: The little things that change your life

The cost of lessons, a certified coach, private lessons or group clinics you can find anywhere, in any country and I´ll show you where to look. The important thing is to get out and play. A new lifestyle is waiting. It’s fun, exciting and if you play your cards right, involves you in an action packed lifestyle. When adults come to play tennis in Mallorca on holiday, they always leave with new travel buddies in tow. Having had a great time with new international tennis friends that last a lifetime. Mallorca, Spain is destination travel at it’s finest. An island for active adults looking to improve their tennis games & explore a new side of themselves in a destination so beautiful, natural and welcoming they naturally change for the better.

How to Serve in Tennis: For a consistent & reliable serve {serving rules included}

So here you are learning to play tennis and you’ve reached the serve. You’ve heard ALL about the difficulties & importance of the serve. And it really IS an important tennis shot. What makes it difficult for beginners is using the continental grip. Most beginners try to pull a fast one & revert back to the forehand eastern grip. Don’t do it! You’ll put yourself in a straight jacket out the gate! If you use the wrong grip you’ll have zero variety, lack power and won’t have as much fun! Why? Because all the hype around how hard the serve is will come true. Build your beginner serve using the continental grip, simple progressions, a dose of patience, and you’ll be great!

If you’re going to play tennis with other people you’re going to have to serve. Put the idea of power aside for now and let’s get you comfortable building a consistent & reliable serve. {Serve rules included}

Single Tennis Holiday Mallorca: For the adventure lover in you

Itching for adventure in a new game? In a new place, with local sights and sounds different than yesterdays? Make a single tennis holiday in Mallorca Spain a complete adventure. And a great kickoff to adding a new sport to your life. You better believe it’s a bold move.♟

As the security of your usual lifestyle beckons you to stay put. You instead move towards the unknown, the unfamiliar, and the exciting! That solo carpet ride calling you, lures you straight into the arms of Mallorca, Spain. The best of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is easy to get to. Safe for female travelers, and a destination for tennis lovers & travel. But this one’s for Beginners …

From Balls to Walls: Are Pádel and Pickleball the new game in town? Where does it leave Tennis??

As Covid hit the world FULL throttle and lingers into what seems like eternity. I came back to tennis vaccinated, boosted, ready to play TENNIS with adults. But I quickly noticed empty tennis courts in the USA. Worse yet, tennis courts were marked with more lines than a zebra’s coat to showcase, Pickleball! Adults were clamoring around tennis courts waiting for their turn to play. Doesn’t take an astute observer of humanity to see players engaged, smiling, bantering back & forth - all in good fun! I’d recently returned from Spain where Pádel had again grown leaps & bounds solidifying THE racket sport in Spain. But Pádel’s been ticking up for years.

As an adult tennis coach, I had to understand, “why not tennis”?

Tennis Etiquette: For beginner tennis players to blend in nicely

As a beginner tennis player you’re coming into a great game and knowing the in’s & outs of basic tennis etiquette will help you navigate newcomers waters. While no one expects anything from you as far as match play and learning the game. Players will most certainly expect you to know basic tennis etiquette. Not everyone will follow along but it sure would help. Basic common decency is still at large around the courts. I MOST CERTAINLY appreciate & follow these simple rules to ease player personalities, practice sessions and even water cooler talk. You and I both know it’s just easier to play nice.

Tennis for Beginners: Key tips to get you started

Tennis gives adults a healthy excuse to keep PLAYING in life. Get ready for a workout and say goodbye to anxiety. You’ll take it ALL out on the ball. Prepare for a new adventure coming including; social events, travel, friendships, group lessons and tennis gear. Having played the game since age 7 with humble beginnings in Philadelphia, I got started with a $0.50 racket purchased at a flea market and got hitting fast using a wall.

You’re not too old. The game’s not too expensive. And you don’t need to be a star athlete. You will need to come into the game with patience, an open mind and real curiosity. Everyone starts from the beginning and with the right coaching & guidance you quickly decide what you want from the game and how to get there. Just get started. You have a lifetime to play.

Rhonda CostaMay 30, 2022Comment

Beginner Backhand: Why 2 hands are better than 1

A lot of beginner players ask me on an adult camp 2 questions when it's time to learn the backhand. Why is a two-handed backhand better than 1. And what grip do I use? The backhand seems to throw people when it’s time to turn away from the forehand. But you should know the backhand may be your more intuitive, easier shot over the forehand - it was mine. This is your next step before you’re out there rallying balls. Once you’re rallying balls, you’re officially playing tennis! As always, tennis isn’t something to be learned but experienced. So be sure to get out on court and feel a ball on the strings. That’s the only way to learn this game. Especially the 2-hand backhand!

Beginner Overhead Tennis Smash: Your technique with options

The overhead smash is the last tennis core tennis stroke you´ll learn as a beginner. Best to learn this one after learning the serve since the motions are identical. The smash is more a psychological thriller than anything. When you’re comfortable and confident to use a true overhead smash to end a point, it’s effortless. When you’re first learning the overhead smash, it’s bizarre to see that spiraling green ball pummeling down at you. It’s a shot that needs your timing to be clean, coordination on point and you’ll want hit it to the open court. If the thought of an overhead makes you queasy- there’s options. These options help you keep going when you’re getting started in tennis. I always fire off some big lobs to test these options with new players on a tennis holiday.

Beginner Tennis Volleys: Half the Work of a Powerful Punch!

Ready for a change of scenery? It’s time we move you from the baseline where you’ve been hitting groundstrokes (forehand & backhands) to the net where you’ll only hit balls out of the air, called volleys. A place that feels more intense because your closer to the action, literally. You’ll have less time to react, no time to swing. You’ll end points quickly up at net. Using nothing more than the sensation of high 5’ing someone with gusto! And you’ll use THE CONTINENTAL grip on your forehand & backhand volley.

Beginner Tennis: A five star forehand & quick fix when you're in trouble

Regardless the playing level, everyone playing tennis is out to have a good time. That rush happens fast when you hit your first beginner forehand on the sweet spot and it lands in the opposite court. That 1st time is like noooo other! YOU WILL come back for more. But to do it again you’ll need to improve your beginner forehand to get into your first tennis rally. I love teaching the forehand & fixing adults on day 1 of an adult camp. Sets a terrific tone & energy for players to quickly see improvements to the #1 fan favorite shot in tennis, the forehand.

The Right Racket for Beginner Tennis Players

To choose the right racket for adult beginner tennis players, here’s a couple pro tips to put YOU in the driver seat to make the right racket purchase. There’s an overwhelming amount of racket choices and it can all sound very technical and be an expensive mistake if you don’t study racket technology. Picking your best beginner racket comes down to how the racket feels in YOUR hand making contact with a ball.

Get the right racket from the start and you’ve scored a new love affair & saved money. I can’t tell you how many beginner players I introduce to intermediate rackets simply because they’re better made, use better materials and feels more like adulting. Players love their rackets. You will too.

Beginner Tennis LessonsRhonda CostaMay 2, 2022beginner tennis racket, Yonex, Wilson, BabalotComment

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