For parents eager to help their kids pursue professional tennis, enrolling in an academy can be appealing, though it comes with a significant financial investment.
This trend isn’t new; renowned players like Novak Djokovic, the Williams sisters, and Andy Murray all trained at academies during their formative years. However, for every success story, there are many aspiring players who never reach the professional level.
Below are some of the most prestigious tennis academies worldwide, along with their tuition costs:
The Mouratoglou Tennis Academy – Biot, France
Patrick Mouratoglou, a well-known tennis coach, founded his academy in France in 1996, initially named after Bob Brett, his mentor. The name changed in 2002, and in 2016, the academy relocated to Biot on the French Riviera, just 15 minutes from Nice Airport.
The academy touts an impressive 320 sunny days annually, with sprawling facilities encompassing 12 hectares, 33 clay and hard courts, and additional sports options. With 50,000 students passing through its doors, it has expanded to locations in China, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, and the UAE, but attending this picturesque academy will set you back.
A full academic year costs about €38,000, plus an additional €14,000-€25,000 for accommodation.
Total: €63,000
Notable alumni: Holger Rune, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Rafa Nadal Academy – Manacor, Spain
In 2016, tennis fans had the chance to receive coaching from one of the greatest players of all time when Rafa Nadal launched his academy in his hometown, Manacor, in partnership with his uncle Toni.
The facility features 45 courts, with 23 hard and 22 clay. Although Nadal isn’t there every day, the coaching team has collaborated with him to create a distinctive training approach focused on quick decision-making, emphasizing visual, mental, and physical training.
Accommodations are somewhat student-oriented, and meals are included, with costs amounting to €56,000.
Cost: €56,000
Notable alumni: None yet, as the academy opened in 2016.
IMG Academy – Bradenton, Florida, USA
Given that 25.7 million Americans play tennis, it’s no surprise that one of the largest tennis academies is in the United States. IMG Academy, located in Bradenton, Florida, spans over 600 acres and was established in 1978 by Nick Bollettieri, offering various sports programs beyond tennis, including football, hockey, and basketball.
The tennis facilities consist of 62 courts (35 hard, 18 clay, and 9 indoor) and a specialized Tennis Center equipped for performance analysis. IMG’s peak year was in 1987 when 32 alumni participated in Wimbledon. Notably, famous players like Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova have trained there.
Prices fluctuate between $51,100 and $53,300, which covers tuition and tennis coaching; additional fees such as US health insurance apply.
Cost: $53,300 (€45,545.65) + fees
Notable alumni: Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova.
Emilio Sánchez Academy – Barcelona, Spain
Emilio Sánchez Vicario and Sergio Casal opened their academy near Barcelona in 1998. The Emilio Sánchez Academy features 27 courts, including hard, clay, and grass surfaces.
With noteworthy alumni like Grigor Dimitrov and Juan Monaco, Andy Murray also trained there when he was 15. However, the privilege of using these facilities comes at a cost of approximately €50,000.
Cost: €50,000
Notable alumni: Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, and Juan Monaco.
Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy – Villena, Alicante, Spain
The Ferrero Tennis Academy, located near Villena, boasts Carlos Alcaraz as a notable former student. The academy includes 12 clay courts, 13 hard courts, and a grass court, alongside eight padel courts.
Prioritizing personalized training, the academy allows limited spots each year and offers 33-38 hours of training per week, leaving weekends for recovery. The annual cost here is around €58,392, which includes accommodation.
Cost: €58,392
Notable alumni: Carlos Alcaraz, David Ferrer, and Pablo Carreño.
Swiss Tennis Academy – Bern, Switzerland
Despite his significant impact on the sport, Roger Federer does not run his own academy, but there’s one named in his honor. The Swiss Tennis Academy, led by Tom Simmen, offers a more intimate environment, focusing on individual student development.
The goal is for juniors to either represent their country or earn scholarships at prominent American universities, and with a cost of €35,340, it is one of the more affordable options available.
Cost: €35,340
Notable alumni: None yet.
