Bollettieri serves up lessons to MAC tennis aces
October 18, 2012
MANCHESTER, MA — Nick Bollettieri, the legendary tennis coach linked to 10 number-one world-ranked players including Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova, visited with hundreds of players during his annual visit to Manchester Athletic Club. The energetic octogenarian is one of the sport’s most well-respected and influential tennis experts. His visit marks the 10-year anniversary of collaboration between Bollettieri and Manchester Athletic Club’s MAC Tennis Academy, home to many top juniors on their own tracks to winning national and international tennis acclaim.
Bollettieri gave private lessons, group drills and motivational speeches to adult players, parents and the Academy’s junior players, including Meghan Kelley, of Falmouth, ME, who recently earned a Gold Ball after winning a national tournament in Girls 16s doubles at the USTA National Clay Court Championships. Jerry Lopez of Mexico, who along with Kelley trains with the Academy and is part of the Academy’s Travel Team, just came back from the Dominican Republic with an International Tennis Federation (ITF) singles championship. Kelley, Lopez and hundreds of other players from cities and towns all over New England were energized by the opportunity to spend time on the court with their high profile mentor.
“Nick is a prime example of the virtues and rewards of discipline, commitment and hard work,” said Todd Carpenter, Director of Tennis at Manchester Athletic Club. “He has spoken all over the world about how to become and stay number one. Invaluable lessons for our program and for the next generation of tennis players.”
Bollettieri’s visit comes on the eve of the release of his biography, It Ain’t Easy, which will be published around Thanksgiving. The book, written by David Legge, is the uncensored, unabridged, authorized story of his life, including what he has taught and what he has learned both on and off the court.
Manchester Athletic Club is located in Manchester by-the-Sea, MA, and is one of only 24 USTA regional training centers in the country. The full service health club features 11 tennis courts, the Gymazing! Child Center for preschool-aged children, iXl programs for young teens, a fitness and strength training center staffed with certified professional trainers, indoor aquatics center, multiple group exercise studios, and an outdoor pool with playground. For additional information, contact Todd Carpenter, Director of Tennis, at Manchester Athletic Club: 978-526-8900 ext. 238 or [email protected].