One of the members of the traveling junior tennis circuit (or is it circus?) I've missed most in the past year is John Roddick. When, after last year's Australian Open, he decided to travel with younger brother Andy, the days of talking tennis with him at every major junior tournament were over. But his interest in junior development hasn't gone anywhere, and at the Eddie Herr, I had the opportunity to meet Myron Grunberg, John's selection to take over the tennis academy in San Antonio that John established five years ago.
Last month in Carson, I had an opportunity to talk to Myron again, and he was very excited about the re-birth of the academy, now called Roddick Total Tennis. Interested in getting the word out about the new facilities and direction of the academy, John called me from Texas late last week, and we talked about his plans.
I asked him why he decided to continue with the academy, and he said that it's something he's always wanted to do, and continues to want to do. John said that he had an offer on the property last summer that would have allowed him to get out without serious financial consequences, but he couldn't envision letting it go. After Andy's retirement, he'll go back to it, he said; he misses the daily interaction with young players.
The courts have been redone, there have been major renovations to the existing buildings, and when the dormitory accommodations are completed there will be facilities for 22 boarders. John was also enthusiastic about their new alliance with Blessed Hope Academy in San Antonio, where John graduated in 1994. Although internet schooling remains an option, Blessed Hope will be sending teachers and tutors to the academy to conduct classes in a more traditional academic environment.
John said that he continues to visit the academy two or three times a week when he's in town, but he leaves the day-to-day development coaching to Grunberg, who worked for the Canadian Tennis Federation for many years and also traveled with Canadian professionals on the tour. With former Roddick students Nate Schnugg and Jamie Hunt now at Roddick's alma mater Georgia, and Kellen Damico and Tyler Hochwalt elsewhere while they await their entrance to the University of Texas and University of Florida respectively, the marquee players at the academy are Vlad Ignatic of Belarus, who recently won the Grade A Gerdau Cup in Brazil, and Alexey Grigorov of Russia, both whom have been associated with the academy for several years.
This post shouldn't be construed as an endorsement of the academy; I've never been there, and the choice of whether to go the academy route, and which one to select if you do, is a very personal decision. But John wants you to know it's a viable option again, and he's proud of the new and improved version.
For more information, see the Roddick Total Tennis website, or email: info[at]roddicktotaltennis.com
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