Tennis + Pickleball Home Court Advantage

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE

Hilton Head Island’s tennis scene is designed for champions.

With its newest Stan Smith sneaker, Adidas has brought sustainability to the court. The sustainable Stan Smith shoe takes a step toward ending plastic waste with innovative materials like Primegreen and Primeblue, both created, in part, with recycled materials.

Long before his iconic white and green Adidas hit the scene, Stan Smith was famous for his serve. That some only know him for his shoe — worn by celebs from Pharrell Williams to

Gisele Bündchen — instead of his tennis career is just fine with the legend. In fact, he even wrote a book about it, Some People Think I’m a Shoe.

Smith is proud to call Hilton Head Island home. “We are known for world-class tennis,” says

Smith, a former world No. 1 player and Wimbledon champion. Smith has a lot to do with the island’s reputation for the game. He has been associated with the island since the 70s, when developer Charles Fraser hired him as the touring pro for The Sea Pines Resort.

Hilton Head Island’s reputation for tennis is part of its DNA. The island is even shaped like the profile of a tennis shoe — Smith couldn’t have planned it better. Today, the area is home to more than 300 courts, plus tennis academies and clinics for all ages and skill levels, taught by some of the best instructors in the game. Hilton Head Island is the ideal place to take your game to the next level.

For a list of local tennis courts or clinics, turn to p. 165 and visit HiltonHeadIsland.org/tennis STAN SMITH: SOME PEOPLE THINK I’M A SHOE

Local legend Stan Smith has two claims to fame: his iconic sneaker and his status as former world champion. Get the full story in this coffee table book, available at the Sea Pines Racquet Club.

PICKLEBALL, ANYONE?

Learn to play the country’s fastest-growing sport.

This lively game — with an equally fun name — combines tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It’s a fast-paced game, with an underhand serve, played on a smaller court.

Pickleball is perfect for all ages.

At Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, nationally ranked tennis and pickleball player

Sarah Ansboury leads clinics and academies.

Palmetto Dunes’ director of tennis and pickleball

John Kerr says learning the sport with Sarah is the perfect complement to a family vacation.

“The learning curve is short, so people catch on really fast,” says Kerr. “Many families today are traveling with multiple generations, and pickleball puts grandparents and grandchildren on a level playing field.” HOW DID IT START? Pickleball was invented more than 50 years ago by three dads hoping to entertain their kids on summer vacation in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Its name is a reference to the non-starters — those leftover rowers who would race for fun in local “pickle boat” crew competitions. Before long, the sport caught on in all 50 states.

WHAT DO YOU NEED? Instead of tennis racquets, pickleball uses paddles that are lightweight and easy to swing. The ball is also different from a tennis ball. It’s plastic, perforated and about the size of a softball. It’s similar to a whiffle ball but sturdier. A pickleball moves about one-third the speed of a tennis ball.

HOW DO YOU PLAY? Pickleball serves travel diagonally cross-court. Like tennis, the ball must bounce once after the serve before it can be returned. When you score a point, you continue to serve. Games go to 11 points and must be won by two points.

Did you pick up a pickleball paddle while visiting the island? Show us your photos by tagging #LowcountryLife.

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Train to Win

Led by Stan Smith, former No. 1 player in the world and former USTA director of coaching, and B.J. Stearns, former top nationally and internationally ranked player, the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy is uniquely designed for individual junior player development.

Located within The Sea Pines Resort, the Academy’s coaches are trained in the Smith Stearns approach to help committed youth reach their full potential — both on and off the court.

Year-round programming includes full-time, holiday and summer camps taught in a family atmosphere that promotes intense training, camaraderie and fun. Private lessons and college placement programs are also offered, with the goal of giving Smith Stearns players the edge they need to take their game to the next level. The Academy is open Monday–Saturday and offers morning and afternoon sessions; contact info@smithstearns.com for more information. smithstearns.com • 843.363.4789 F d smithstearns

PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT

Tennis and Pickleball Center

The award-winning Palmetto Dunes Tennis and Pickleball Center offers 19 clay tennis courts and 24 pickleball courts, and invites players of all skill levels for recreational and competitive play. Shop at the island’s largest tennis pro shop, take part in daily round-robin tournaments and finesse your skills with an array of instructional programs. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take a lesson or clinic with their director of tennis instruction, Eric Wammock, or their director of pickleball instruction/ touring pro, world-ranked Sarah Ansboury. Plan your tennis and pickleball getaway at palmettodunes.com. 877.567.6506 F palmettodunes d palmettodunessc

Play Like a Legend

Besides world-class golf, Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club is an award-winning tennis destination. Ranked as one of the Top 50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Courts by Tennis Magazine, Port Royal Racquet Club is better than ever. The Racquet Club’s eight new Har-Tru clay courts are a joy for beginners and advanced players alike, thanks to the beautiful natural setting and an innovative hydro watering system that ensures seamless maintenance. Take your game to the next level with top-notch instruction and customized packages for individuals and groups. Two new pickleball courts are the draw for pickleball aficionados eager to finesse their skills. hiltonheadgolf.net 843.681.1750 F portroyaltennis d portroyalracquetclub