Swing Kids

Inside Mar-a-Lago’s new junior tennis academy

By Kerry Shorr

Last summer, The Mar-a-Lago Club officially launched a junior tennis academy for its members’ progeny. The academy — in session during the season and from June to August — is the brainchild of Tennis Director Max Meade, 27, and his older brother, Rich, 31, a former Division I college player with ATP Tour experience who coached Florida Atlantic University’s women’s tennis team. In his spare time, Rich coaches at his Boca Raton-based facility, Trademark Tennis.

Today, the northeast Kentucky natives are teaching the world-beloved sport with loads of essential life lessons included to a fresh crop of budding racket enthusiasts.

Here, the court-savvy siblings talk everything tennis for kids.

Congratulations on the new academy! Why did you start it?

Max: We started holding clinics in June after seeing a need for kids’ tennis in Palm Beach. It made sense since the club’s closed through mid-October, and our clay courts are empty.

Rich: We also wanted to bring back the development side of the sport. Many coaches place emphasis on getting lots of students and making money. We’re here to facilitate the dream, not sell it. We think kids should have buy-in and be able to make their own decisions about what they want to accomplish.

When do students play?

Max: During the season, there are two sessions three days a week from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a group lunch in between. In summer, we bump it to five days.

Rich: Having the opportunity to play nearly five hours a day is unique. There aren’t many places you can get that.

Does everyone play together?

Rich: Kids play in one of three levels — beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Once we’ve determined what they know and how much they’ve played, they’re placed in a group where they’ll thrive.

Max: With experienced players, we find out if they’re training, actively playing in tournaments, or have a USTA [U.S. Tennis Association] ranking so we can create a plan that’s geared towards enhancing their abilities.

What happens on the first day or week?

Rich: We begin by getting to know each individual, and they learn about us and how we operate. Then, everyone’s assigned to a group and court to play on. Sessions kick off with a

10-minute warmup to prepare muscles for play. A lot of time is devoted to the developmental aspects of the game. This includes practicing forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves. We only focus on one or two strokes a day so kids aren’t paralyzed with too much information.

What else will students learn?

Rich: Beginner groups are very straightforward. There’s nothing that’s going to overwhelm kids or make them feel they shouldn’t be out there. In addition to basic techniques like grips, stances, and swings, we teach match formatting and keeping score.

Max: With intermediate and advanced players, we work a lot on directional control, court coverage, developing a game plan, and other tactics that win matches. Depending on what players need to improve, we might focus on doubles-related drills or match play for singles.

Will you get more from a private or group session?

Rich: You’ll get more one-on-one time with a pro during a private, but I take an individual approach to groups. For instance, if someone keeps struggling with the same issue, I’ll work with him or her separately for a while. Unfortunately, you can’t apply a cookie-cutter approach to problem-solving because everybody’s problems are different. I can guarantee that kids will have a great experience and learn more quickly than they would in a traditional tennis program.

How long before students see improvements in their game?

Rich: Typically, it takes one to two weeks to see results, but I can give everyone something to take away on their first day — and that doesn’t mean if you’ve been wrestling with your backhand, it’s suddenly going to be better. I’m really good at identifying where the problem is, then sorting it out.

Why is tennis a good sport for young people to play?

Rich: In tennis, we’re all on our own island, which means what you put in coincides with what you get out. Being a good player requires discipline, hard work, and the ability to overcome roadblocks. These are important lessons you can apply on the court as well as in life.

What aspects of coaching do you most enjoy?

Rich: When I see my students’ goals come to fruition. I also enjoy working with a mixed bag of people who might be playing for the first time or are participating in tournaments every weekend. I like not being in one kind of mode as a coach.

How’s playing on red clay different from other court surfaces?

Rich: From a coaching perspective, we like teaching on red clay because the ball moves slightly slower. Playing on grass and hard court can be very discouraging because they’re so fast. Having those extra seconds to focus on the technical aspects of the game can be critical.

Is there a dress code for players?

Max: The club has a “90 percent white” policy that applies to shorts, shirts, and socks. Everything else can have colors and prints. I recommend clay court shoes because they help you slide and won’t tear up the court. I also advocate that kids bring their own rackets, but the pro shop has demos in case they don’t have one.