nick bollettieri

[babolatisduhbomb]

im just wondering if any one has worked with nick bollettieri and how good of a teacher is he.and is the camp worth the money and what about the tennis season does he have clincs,and is he does how much are they?also what age do you recommend to go it him.

[10isDad]

^^^Wise to search first so people don't flame you for not searching. The topic has been touched on ad nauseum, however I would recommend the following:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=190204

[Loco4Tennis]

i rented a video from net flix about the bollettieri camp, seemed a bit dated but it should give yo a good refernce of some of the stuff there

[Fedace]

He is supposed to be a wizard at teaching you the Sonic Serve. Garanteed to increase your serve speed by at least 20-30 MPH.

[10isDad]

Garanteed to increase your serve speed by at least 20-30 MPH.

eh, right.... hopefully you're being sarcastic. If not, to quote Bill Engvall, here's your sign...

[babolatisduhbomb]

He is supposed to be a wizard at teaching you the Sonic Serve. Garanteed to increase your serve speed by at least 20-30 MPH.
even with a spin or kick serve?

[ayyhwang]

no offense but asking that is just plain stupid. this guy has produced ATP and WTA players. he can help you with any aspect of your game

[BigTennisFan1]

im just wondering if any one has worked with nick bollettieri and how good of a teacher is he.and is the camp worth the money and what about the tennis season does he have clincs,and is he does how much are they?also what age do you recommend to go it him.

It does not get any better and likely never will. You can take that to the bank.

[AT92292]

A lot of people I talk to that have taken lessons from him say he knows absolutely nothing about tennis. One kid said he hit a forehand and bollietierri said, "nice backand"

[AT92292]

kids who go to train at that academy arent coached by him most of the time their tought by the pros there.

[x5150]

kids who go to train at that academy arent coached by him most of the time their tought by the pros there.

Reminds me of the time I went to Byron Scott basketball camp. 1st day of camp, Hi Byron! HI kids! 5 days later. HI Byron! Bye kids!

[BigTennisFan1]

A lot of people I talk to that have taken lessons from him say he knows absolutely nothing about tennis. One kid said he hit a forehand and bollietierri said, "nice backand"

What is the difference between a dwarf and a gnome?

One knows his pick, and the other picks his nose.

[BradBaughman]

has a great eye, is no dummie, has produced , cost alot ,but its worth going if your old enough have the money to the "CAMPS" private are expensive

[GameSetNavritilova]

If you want sizzle, go to Nick. Great players make great coaches.

[BigTennisFan1]

If you want sizzle, go to Nick. Great players make great coaches.

Great teachers make great coaches. Great players may make great coaches only if they have 'it', meaning the ability to take what they can do and teach it to someone with maybe less ability in a manner in which the student individually is able to execute.

I know of many many great mathematicians who could not teach a child to add, never mind higher-level maths.

Same thing in sports in which I competed as a youngster: my coach had no hope of doing the moves, but he sure understood how to break the sequence down and teach it in a way that I could replicate.

I usually agree with you on a lot of issues, but I must respectfully disagree on the last sentence.

[nCode747]

unless you are destin to become a pro go to something less expensive. a week at van der meer is like $1000 bording($700 non) Its still an amazing camp

[brianbrothers009]

The camp is not worth the money at all.







im just wondering if any one has worked with nick bollettieri and how good of a teacher is he.and is the camp worth the money and what about the tennis season does he have clincs,and is he does how much are they?also what age do you recommend to go it him.

[BigBUBBA]

I went and it was amazing. The whole campp + experience was awesome. The coaches were great and Nick Bollettieri knows more about tennis than most of you ever will

~Big Bubbs

[GameSetNavritilova]

Points well taken BigTennisFan.

Unless you have cash to burn, I would not recommend sending your kid to IMG, unless he/she is 16+ years old and is established as one of the nation's elite players in need of competition. In general, I would steer clear of big names, overcrowded, high volume academies. There are some great teachers in Florida that will give you a great value and a lot of personal attention.

Do your homework. Find a coach that teaches the modern game. Ask around. Watch some of the kids that train there and see how they compete, play, and act on the court.

[BigTennisFan1]

Points well taken BigTennisFan.

Unless you have cash to burn, I would not recommend sending your kid to IMG, unless he/she is 16+ years old and is established as one of the nation's elite players in need of competition. In general, I would steer clear of big names, overcrowded, high volume academies. There are some great teachers in Florida that will give you a great value and a lot of personal attention.

Do your homework. Find a coach that teaches the modern game. Ask around. Watch some of the kids that train there and see how they compete, play, and act on the court.

Navratilova would sure make a good coach

[TennisCoachFLA]

Points well taken BigTennisFan.

Unless you have cash to burn, I would not recommend sending your kid to IMG, unless he/she is 16+ years old and is established as one of the nation's elite players in need of competition. In general, I would steer clear of big names, overcrowded, high volume academies. There are some great teachers in Florida that will give you a great value and a lot of personal attention.

Do your homework. Find a coach that teaches the modern game. Ask around. Watch some of the kids that train there and see how they compete, play, and act on the court.

100% correct. We are fortunate in Florida to be able to visit the major academies regularly, and also see every other training option....from public park programs to all sorts of tennis coaches. We see the results of the kids from all these various levels of tennis instruction. Amazing players come out of all different training experiences.

The experience at an IMG for their 5 favorite juniors is worlds away from what the rest of the kids there experience.

Your advice is excellent.

[10isDad]

I think it's just a summer camp, but what about Carlos Goffi's Tournament Tough camp @ Rollins College?

My son used to train with Carlos' son Josh and we were fortunate enough to have Carlos come to Arizona and host a small camp. We were pretty impressed with his knowledge and ability to relate to the kids.

No idea if his normal camp is the same, but if so I would highly recommend him.

[Gob_]

Bollettieri's kicked Goran and Safin out of his academy. Goran may have been kicked out because of something like having girls in his room, I don't really remember, but with Safin he didn't see any talent. Safin, who is one of the most naturally talented tennis players of all time. And that's not just my opinion, ask Pete Sampras. By the way, after rejecting Safin for his lack of talent, Bollettieri chose Anna Kournikova to train at his academy. To paraphrase Safin, Bollettieri is an old man who doesn't know anything about tennis.

[Gob_]

By the way, I have one of Bollettieri's books. In it, I specifically remember that he says Pete Sampras serves with an eastern forehand grip.

[GameSetNavritilova]

Keep in mind, I'm not a huge fan of IMG but, in all fairness to Nick, he's not going to be on the money all the time. I don't believe for 1 minute that Safin's abilities were ever in question. Safin's lack of commitment, discipline and McEnroe-esque behavior have clearly been a barricade to success. On a positive note, there are so many great lessons to be learned from Safin's negatives.

[BigTennisFan1]

Keep in mind, I'm not a huge fan of IMG but, in all fairness to Nick, he's not going to be on the money all the time. I don't believe for 1 minute that Safin's abilities were ever in question. Safin's lack of commitment, discipline and McEnroe-esque behavior have clearly been a barricade to success. On a positive note, there are so many great lessons to be learned from Safin's negatives.

Indeed ... there could have been many other reasons. Even Warren Buffet sometimes buy a stock that ends up a loser. He is still the greatest investor of all time.

In Nick's world, the analogy would be thinking someone wont make it who ends up making it or the other way around. Everyone makes mistakes, if you call not coaching Safin a mistake: remember, there were other students around who may not have had as much emotional baggage or required extra time or who were just perceived as risky.

In terms of stocks: If you tell me about a stock and it is highly volatile, and I pass: and the stock goes up 100-fold, is that a mistake or just being prudent?

It is better to stick working on kids who are coachable first and foremost.

[BradBaughman]

Indeed ... there could have been many other reasons. Even Warren Buffet sometimes buy a stock that ends up a loser. He is still the greatest investor of all time.

In Nick's world, the analogy would be thinking someone wont make it who ends up making it or the other way around. Everyone makes mistakes, if you call not coaching Safin a mistake: remember, there were other students around who may not have had as much emotional baggage or required extra time or who were just perceived as risky.

In terms of stocks: If you tell me about a stock and it is highly volatile, and I pass: and the stock goes up 100-fold, is that a mistake or just being prudent?

It is better to stick working on kids who are coachable first and foremost.

Nick decision about Safin shows how smart he is ,, Safin one of the most talented, with unbelievable low results compared to the talent,, look at that Australian Open against Fed and uncommitted guy goes 5 sets and ends up winning, Fed goes home,he put balls right through Fed but in the end all that talent does nothing overall !!! good eye nick

[BigTennisFan1]

Nick decision about Safin shows how smart he is ,, Safin one of the most talented, with unbelievable low results compared to the talent,, look at that Australian Open against Fed and uncommitted guy goes 5 sets and ends up winning, Fed goes home,he put balls right through Fed but in the end all that talent does nothing overall !!! good eye nick

As I said: One knows his pick, and the others pick their nose

Nick does not look to me like a person who would spend hours upon hours upon hours with someone unless there is something to it that he sees and wants to be a part of.

[Gob_]

Keep in mind, I'm not a huge fan of IMG but, in all fairness to Nick, he's not going to be on the money all the time. I don't believe for 1 minute that Safin's abilities were ever in question. Safin's lack of commitment, discipline and McEnroe-esque behavior have clearly been a barricade to success. On a positive note, there are so many great lessons to be learned from Safin's negatives.

I wouldn't have said Safin was kicked out for his apparent lack of talent if he wasn't. That's why Nick kicked him out. Besides, Safin's emotional outbursts are mostly due to the fact that he knows he can play perfect tennis. As a young teenager, Safin didn't have a perfect US Open final to live up to.

[Wondertoy]

A waste of $$$. If you are not getting a scholarship then you are one of the patsies paying full fare so the kids with promise can get in free. Find yourself a good all court coach. Saddlebrook has better development.

[Julieta]

I think it's just a summer camp, but what about Carlos Goffi's Tournament Tough camp @ Rollins College?

My son used to train with Carlos' son Josh and we were fortunate enough to have Carlos come to Arizona and host a small camp. We were pretty impressed with his knowledge and ability to relate to the kids.

No idea if his normal camp is the same, but if so I would highly recommend him.

Tons of people recommend Carlos. Those camps have a great reputation.

[Tallahassee_Technifibre]

Bollettieri is just a mean drill Sergent that knows how to hire good help. I would suggest the camp but not because of him he has a great staff.

[halalula1234]

he doesnt like you using two handed both sides :( he likes to turn you all into those identical 2HBH and 1HFH...no individuality. that what made seles left him because he doesnt appreciate her talent and try to switch her techniques

[oneguy21]

A lot of people I talk to that have taken lessons from him say he knows absolutely nothing about tennis. One kid said he hit a forehand and bollietierri said, "nice backand"


hahaha that is funny

[TennisLover17]

By the way, I have one of Bollettieri's books. In it, I specifically remember that he says Pete Sampras serves with an eastern forehand grip.

Lol

10 char.

[fuggy]

Bollettieri holds weekly camps. There must be thousands of kids who can say "his $500 private lesson is well worth the money because he improved my backhand tremendously".

Don't be shy. If you had the private lesson with him, tell us what you learned!

[IMSPONSOREDBYDUNLOP]

big acadamies are only good for really top juniors I mean top 10 USTA

[IMSPONSOREDBYDUNLOP]

i personally go to a small acadamy called tier one tennis (tieronetennis.com)

[BigBUBBA]

I wish you all would stop bashing Nick...he is a great guy and has helped me out before. His decisions were all made for reasons-respect that. And his academy isn't just for the best players-i'm top 200 in the south and high in my state but not very much so in the nation but I improved tons there...

[tonyg11]

I went to bollettieri’s in 1992 just after Agassi won wimbledon. He was even there training and playing a few warm up matches with some pros there. Iva Majoli was there and so was Anna Kournikova but she was like 10 years old.

I played in one of the advanced group with mostly eastern European players. A couple of Russians and some Swedes. Very high level of play and very competitive.

If you’re only there for a few weeks or even a month you learn very little but the experience is invaluable. The amount of top ranked world class players I got to play with could not have been replicated anywhere else. You live, breath, eat and sleep tennis. It really gives you an idea of what it takes to play at a high level.

Like someone said earlier. The people that will most likely take a lot away from the academy are advanced players. If you’re going there looking to improve your strokes or learn to hit a better backhand it’s really not worth the money. I’ve seen far better coaches at local clubs. Go for the experience.