to newks we go

vinouspleasure · 05-01-2007, 08:40 PM

I lost track of 100K of frequent flier miles (its a long story), so we're using some of them to fly into san antonio for a thurs-sun stay at newks. Surprisingly, there were only two rooms left when we booked.

I do have some questions for those that have been:
- How does instructor assignment work? Can we request an instructor?
- If so, I've read (here) that the instructors are uneven in terms of talent. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Geezer Guy · 05-02-2007, 01:04 PM

I've not been there on a weekend, but have been there for 4 week-long stays (over 4 years - and I'm going back for week #5 in November). I'd say the main instructors I've had have been very consistent as far as teaching skills go. What varies is that sometimes the Pro's will bring in someone to help them with a specific drill, and the talent of THOSE guys does vary - but you usually only have them for a couple of hours.

However, the personality of each of the main pro's IS different. You may find that you "click" better with one than another - but I seriously doubt you'll be disappointed.

As far as requesting an instructor, I know you can request a private from a certain pro, but I don't know if you can request that all your drills be with a certain one.

The last time I was there, Chris and Ryan did most of the adult sessions. Both are great teaching pro's. Ryan is a little more outgoing and funny, Chris is a bit more intense. Both give very solid instruction. Graham used to teach the adults, but now works with the academy kids.

I predict you'll have a hoot!

Chicane · 05-06-2007, 04:18 PM

Spent 2 weeks there... one week as an adult camper and another week with the academy kids. i clicked the best with Sal and I thought he's got a nice game. we played to 11's and i got like 7 and 8 games but I have never taken a set from him

i thought the aussie Chris is a great coach... i really really had a great time there and i still keep in touch with the people that i have met... so many good memories dude

Geezer Guy · 05-07-2007, 11:09 AM

Yeah - I forgot about Sal. I enjoyed Sal as well. Sal hits pretty heavy topspin off both sides. We played a TON of points, and I don't think he EVER hit a ball long.

We played a lot of 11's as well. I think I actually extended him into extra tie-break points a couple times, but I never beat him. (And you never know how hard those guys are really trying, either.)

Can't wait to go back.

mark rodgers · 05-17-2007, 06:53 AM

I have been to Newks on the weekend after Fantasy Camp for the last four years. I have to confess though that I go only to have a long tennis weekend with friends once a year. I don't go there for the quality of tennis. The instructors aren't all pro quality players. I'd say they are 4.5 to 5.5. Because they are an academy, they give some the older academy kids (16 to 19 years old) an opportunity to earn some extra cash and run some drills. Most of the people that come to the camp are 2.0 to 4.0 players so you can see that the person running the drill doesn't need to be that good. They just have to be able to feed balls. They do offer advice but the object is to have you hit many, many, many balls and you do. In the years I've been going I've concluded that Newk's is not the place to get high end technical advice. But if you want to hit balls, participate in spirited competition (team USA vs team Australia), drink a lot of beer (they make a great frozen margarita too), and basically socialize and have fun, then Newk's fits the bill just fine.

lovin'it · 05-17-2007, 07:41 AM

thanks for the info, I have been looking at that, but, I really want some good instruction, and preferably in the Texas area, any advice on that??

Geezer Guy · 05-17-2007, 10:45 AM

I've not been there on a weekend, but if you go for a week you certainly CAN get good instruction.

brtennis · 05-18-2007, 09:09 AM

I'm going there in two weeks (June 3-7), along with two kids doing the junior camp. Has anyone been there during June? I'm a little worried about the heat. It's funny that I've never had problem putting my kids under torturous sun and yet when it comes my turn, I worry. I guess that tell you what a father I am....

brtennis · 05-18-2007, 09:35 AM

Oh, and I agree in general what Mark said about Newks. I've been to two week long and one weekend camp. The bulk of the time is spent hitting ton of balls. The pros that feed you the balls receive instructions from either Chris or Ryan (two head pros there) about what kind of drills to do. And they are usually not particularly good in giving out advice. Even if they are, they don't have lots of time for one person anyway. This is certainly the case for weekend camp where there are often big groups participating.

It is, however, possible to get some quality instruction from Chris or Ryan, as both of them are often part of rotating drills. Now if you're lucky enough to be one of the only camper, like in Geezer's case, that would be another story. I was in a week-long camp (the week before Christmas) where there were only 6 people. Unfortunately, neither Chris nor Ryan were there.

Matt_MS · 05-18-2007, 11:45 AM

I heard Newks is a lot of fun. A friend of mine (Keri Wong) goes there and she said it's really good instruction and when they take you to tournaments it really helps.

Chicane · 05-18-2007, 02:02 PM

The Newks Experience is really what you make of it. I went during the Xmas week for the adult camp and the adult camp has 20+ players. I was playing tennis nonstop. 2 sessions during the day, a match before dinner, and 3 more hours of tennis after dinner. There was a juniors camp going on simultaneously and the campus was poppin'. I met a lot of junior tennis players and I hit with some of them (most of them are better than the Adult campers). You can just go back to your room, go to the bar or go to the Sauna. Or you can also hit the indoor courts and pick up a match with the juniors.

My best moment at Newks was when Chris arranged an exhibition doubles against the top juniors players. We played a tiebreak and we lost 5-7 but the atmosphere was unreal. Afterwards, we hit for another 4 hours and my arms were about to fall off, but it was the best feelin that I ever get from playing tennis

brtennis · 05-19-2007, 12:41 PM

Matt,

Oh wow, Keri Wong is your friend? She is featured in the Newk's most recent newsletter for winning a big tournament in March. How old is she and where is her ranked nationally?

I'm sure she has no complaints about Newks....

Matt_MS · 05-20-2007, 08:43 AM

brt,

Yeah she is from my hometown, and went to a school about 10 minutes away from me, so I know her from tennis and stuff. She is a junior (class of 08') and is ranked 6 nationally.

She said it is really great there, but she may come home next year for her senior year to be with all of her hometown friends and such. Where we live our tennis program is fairly strong (not as strong as Newks obviously) so she wouldn't be missing out too much and I'm sure she would either do a post grad year, or just go and play college tennis (she could play wherever she wants pretty much).

05-01-2007, 08:40 PM	#1
vinouspleasure Rookie Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 323	to newks we go I lost track of 100K of frequent flier miles (its a long story), so we're using some of them to fly into san antonio for a thurs-sun stay at newks. Surprisingly, there were only two rooms left when we booked. I do have some questions for those that have been: - How does instructor assignment work? Can we request an instructor? - If so, I've read (here) that the instructors are uneven in terms of talent. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode