TopCourt has launched the next "MasterClass for Tennis"
A tennis project backed by the Bryan Brothers, Lindsay Davenport, Genie Bouchard, Sloane Stephens, and other world-class players. Tennis drills and instructions are demonstrated by some of the best players and coaches in the world.
Marriage of Tennis and Tech
In 2020, the fundamental way we enjoy our sport gets redefined. Indian Wells was canceled, and suddenly the tennis world found itself having a LOT of extra time on their hands. Equipped with 4K cameras, drones, and a tech-savvy team (led by Harvard and other college tennis alums) - TopCourt was born.
The tennis platform is designed to bring the player and fan right onto the pro's tennis court.
The Hollywood production value and an All-Star lineup will set the new gold standard. We are excited to have direct access to the largest pool of online tennis stars in the world and that TopCourt talent list is growing every month. We provide their latest updates and previews monthly (below).
Our Tennis-Bargains Exclusive Preview -
(Link shared exclusively for our Tennis-Bargains fans)
Two main reasons why we the fans attend pro tennis events
Going to any Major like the US Open, I value these 2 bucket list experiences above all else:
1) Watching the 5th set Grand Slam match live on center court
2) Seeing and *listening* to the Tennis Pros prepare and practice from courtside
For #1, we have ESPN and Tennis Channel for all the big match coverage on our TVs.
For #2, the US Open and other events have and will bar eager fans from their grounds.
Spector sports have been fundamentally changed. We missed all those special moments of exhibition genius and unscripted, off-camera candid insights outside the stadium. Until tournaments can safely reopen, the demand for sports experiences will be greater than the supply for avid fans.
We secretly want to train, feel, and hit like our tennis heroes.
For the lucky few in the crowd who managed to squeeze into a front seat at last year's US Open practice, it wasn't always comfortable. I remember waiting around P1-P5 all day long patiently in a queue. Rows of heads peek behind a wall of fans for a quick glimpse of one or two favorite stars.
Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible at these noisy events to ever catch all the tips thrown around in a drill or understand the coach's subtle advice to the player. Even if you could hear over the crowd noise and not get blocked, it would be really nice for once not to suffer the risk of being suffocated by a giant tennis mob crowding over you!
With COVID-19 in 2020, we found a better way - a safer way for fans to "be there"...
TopCourt's newest episodes are available now:
- Iga Swiatek (2020 French Open Champion)
- Andrey Rublev (winner of 4 Tour Titles in 2020)
- Aryan Sabalenka (Top 10 in singles and doubles)
Good Angles: the view of tennis from up close and personal
The unique first-person experience makes TopCourt so different and special. It is unlike any TV camera position. You literally feel like you're so much on the court you will get hit by the shots.
You are invited to be there as the "fly on the wall"
Overhead drone shots, intimate camera angles, and personalized commentary from the pro speaking directly to you, as if you're the only else there. The one and the only taking the private lesson.
Overhead drone shots, intimate camera angles, and personalized commentary from the pro speaking directly to you, as if you're the only else there. The one and the only taking the private lesson.
TopCourt offers 30+ different pros and coaches
All gathered together, then filmed and mic'd up for one reason - to show you their inner game and experiences that shaped them. Each pro has a different skillset and background. Their unique personalities make the campus of TopCourt so diverse and wide.
All gathered together, then filmed and mic'd up for one reason - to show you their inner game and experiences that shaped them. Each pro has a different skillset and background. Their unique personalities make the campus of TopCourt so diverse and wide.
Upfront and Center is exactly where TopCourt puts the viewers for every video.
Watching the Lindsay Davenport documented series is like following a well-choreographed story with each chapter of her career. During her drills, you never feel the pro is holding back or the shots she explains are too imposing to try yourself. The edits are well done with many enhanced cues (such as the mini-court icon at the bottom revealing where the player and each ball bounce is placed).
You get the benefit of all their combined years of experience on tour, which distills differently with each pro's own style and humor in their teaching role. Chapters are bite-sized enough to absorb a few key ideas. You feel motivated to then go out to implement, without feeling you have to binge-watch it all in one sitting.
Best Episodes of TopCourt (so far)
Best Drills: Bryan Brothers - Doubles Volleys (side to side)
The 16-time GS champions and GOAT of doubles. Great drone footage, clear ideas.
Best Stories: Lindsay Davenport - "Top of the Mountain"
Origin, World #1, Olympics, Grand Slam Champion, Mom
Best Instruction: Monica Puig - Backhand & Footwork
Very easy on the ears and eyes. Covers A to Z: Grip, Preparation, Shoulder Turn, Stance, Split-step.
Best Background: Fernando Verdasco - The Spanish Way
Growing up in Madrid, Success in Juniors on Hard Courts, Facing Rafa, Davis Cup Champion.
TopCourt Free Trial Offer
Just as with every tennis product that has ever been reviewed on Tennis-Bargains.com, we put our personal money at risk first before we will ask our readers to take the dive.
TopCourt will even send you an email notification 2 days in advance of the trial expiration to remind you, in case you are not happy before the 14 days are up.
No obligation to pay if you are not happy at the end of the trial.
No obligation to pay if you are not happy at the end of the trial.
More players and episodes will be available each month, so stayed tuned as we announce updates.
Use our TopCourt Free Offer for 14 days to test drive the site first. See if you enjoy the pros available currently with no risk.
Feel free to save our free trial link if you want to share with a friend or try it out later!
Feel free to save our free trial link if you want to share with a friend or try it out later!
The Presence of Professors
"The real teaching by Masters is not with words; it is with Presence."
- Don Miguel Ruiz
I'll never forget as I stood next to Rafael Nadal last year. Those few precious moments alone, holding my breath in awe to witness a moment of glory with the Master. Just one single square-foot of real estate on red clay was worth my flight ticket halfway around the World. Last year, I actually found myself on the same court as Rafa (twice) in Spain.
For that rare opportunity, I would gladly travel back to Barcelona or Mallorca without hesitation. My Spanish wasn't even that great - but somehow I understood. Watching Moya and Nadal dialogue back and forth through every tennis ball is like being in a trance. Being there within earshot of your tennis idol will exceed your greatest expectations and worth the journey.
When you get to hang around these top pros on a regular basis, you also begin to receive what can only be described as the education from sheer proximity to greatness.
On TopCourt, Fernando Verdasco retells his personal memories facing Rafa. He recalls the pressure of playing his best against Nadal at the semi-final of a Major in the 5th set. From all his childhood struggles in the juniors to heroic Davis Cup glory days inspired by "Yes We Can" in 2008. He shares insider stories that are simply not broadcasted on TV.
How Pro Players Practice
As a tennis coach, journalist, and photographer, I have covered a lot of pro events. But over the years, even I would prefer to arrive early during qualifier matches or the early first-round days. All the top players are still loose and comfortable. Teams are relaxed and jovial.
When revisiting any of the four Grand Slams, if I could only be there for just one hour, I would beeline straight to the practice court of Federer or Nadal. Hanging out by the side of any Indian Wells practice court during a couple changeovers simply feels so relaxed and natural. Away from the tension and outside the pressures of center court matches - it gives you everything else that is not available on TV.
Play like the Pros
On TopCourt's show court, you learn straight from the pro's own descriptions as he/she demonstrates. It covers not just the nuts and bolts technique, but also the inner intent behind maximizing each shot's potential.
On TV, viewers get fixated on a great play. Then at best, we see one slow-motion replay of the last winner. But does anyone explain the subtle mental mechanics that go into constructing that point? The scoreboard does not tell the whole story. Now, when you see that glamourous play (the Flash), you begin to recognize some of the preparation (and Dazzle) that goes into setting it up.
Beyond the Spotlight and Locker Rooms
Brilliant interviews and background stories.
Be it their parents or coaches' influence at an early age or a major turning point in their career, we see what fueled them early on. The interviews and stories on TopCourt take you beyond the spotlight. Very much like ESPN's 30 for 30 series, it adds a lot of humanity to the player's journey.
Another big bonus is that fans also get to relive the drama of their biggest wins and losses, truer to life than any tennis biography. In this relaxed filming setting, they can speak with a zen-like clarity from the heart, sharing their life's ups and downs with tennis since childhood.
Away from the constant pressures of competition and probing media at tournaments looking for a sound byte, they have the time to reflect deeply and showcase their favorite moments.
TopCourt Academy
Top ATP and WTA players and coaches include many former and future Grand Slam champions. Nearly every player I watched has been in the Top 25 of the world with multiple tour titles.The TopCourt pros practice their craft until they can't get it wrong. For each of them, it is a matter of their own survival. Each must hone and master each set of drills before they will dare put it on the line against the stiffest competition in the world.
Brad Gilbert (August)
Brad recounts his coaching experience with his former #1 students: Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray. Brad gives out on-court coaching tips and advice to Eugenie Bouchard.
If we did not put up our own money to research and try it first, we would not expect you to do so either.
At any later time, if a better product eclipsed it or felt it hasn't lived up to hype or expectations over the long run, then it would not stay on this site very long.
This is Tennis-Bargains and we stand by the products we recommend.
If you take private tennis lessons, those are typically at $50-$65 per hour. That is the average price to hire certified teaching professionals. Once you get 30+ solid professionals in the lineup to watch, this price pays for itself.
With 3 hours of coaching time, you can expect optimistically to get a few fixes on your shots if you find a tennis coach who is good AND you go home to practice what they teach you. Check out our tips for getting the most out of TopCourt and other distance learning videos.
Here are some of the top players:
- Genie Bouchard
- Genie Bouchard
- Fernando Verdasco
- Lindsay Davenport
- Taylor Fritz
- Belinda Bencic
- Sloane Stephens
- Monica Puig
- Bryan Brothers- Lindsay Davenport
- Taylor Fritz
- Belinda Bencic
- Sloane Stephens
Top Coaches paired together with Rising Star Players
Brad Gilbert (August)
Paul Annacone (September)
A former coach to Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, he works with Taylor Fritz to give you the American Dream Team of player-coach pairing. Taylor has reached his career-high ranking this summer.
Who's Next?
Every 2-3 weeks, fans can expect another player video chapter released including former champions in the line-up:
- Sofia Kenin - 2020 Australian Open Champion
- Bianca Andreescu - 2019 US Open
A former coach to Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, he works with Taylor Fritz to give you the American Dream Team of player-coach pairing. Taylor has reached his career-high ranking this summer.
Who's Next?
Every 2-3 weeks, fans can expect another player video chapter released including former champions in the line-up:
- Sofia Kenin - 2020 Australian Open Champion
- Bianca Andreescu - 2019 US Open
- Petra Kvitova
- Nick Kyrgios
- Chris Evert
- Venus Williams
- Nick Bollettieri
- Amanda Anisimova
- Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
- Sam Querrey
- Elina Svitolina
- Sam Querrey
- Elina Svitolina
- Jelena Ostapenko
- Tommy Paul
- Reilley Opelka
- and many more
- Reilley Opelka
- and many more
The Value of an Annual Membership
The price is $180/year, but for a limited time - we as official TopCourt Ambassadors can provide our own free 14-day trial link this week exclusively to our fans. Interested to try?
The Gold Membership gives even more perks and a chance to see the tennis stars privately in person if you upgrade.
With no fans allowed into the US Open this year, this was the closest experience we can offer to replicate the experience from a professional tour player's practice.
As our valued reader, we have been so proud to offer our free trial - as the #1 "TopCourt Ambassador" since its June launch. We signed up with our own company credit card to test the sauce and it doesn't disappoint.
Reviewing every product firsthand is the only way to give the Tennis-Bargains seal of approval - on every racket, string, ball, event ticket, or tennis gadget.
If we did not put up our own money to research and try it first, we would not expect you to do so either.
At any later time, if a better product eclipsed it or felt it hasn't lived up to hype or expectations over the long run, then it would not stay on this site very long.
This is Tennis-Bargains and we stand by the products we recommend.
Is TopCourt worth the $15/month membership?
It is still a bit too soon to tell! It depends on your goals as a Fan and/or as a Student of Tennis. Will your favorite players appear on the site? Do you enjoy tennis documentaries and instructional videos such as On Court with USPTA?
For the Tennis Fan: TopCourt is loaded with all the extras. If you already subscribe to the Tennis Channel or TennisTV and want more exclusive content (not just match play), then this gives you private content and personalized access.
For the Tennis Fan: TopCourt is loaded with all the extras. If you already subscribe to the Tennis Channel or TennisTV and want more exclusive content (not just match play), then this gives you private content and personalized access.
Streaming content is hot right now. If you want some first-hand insights about the players, then likely you can consider it as another kind of Netflix or Hulu or ESPN/Disney+ streaming service. Disclaimer, I only pay for Netflix but recently have been cutting back on other media in order to go outdoors more.
Membership vs One-time Rental Prices
Fans should decide if they enjoy having the widest collection of players to sample, or if they only want to view the content of just one coach on another platform (Serena on MasterClass, Agassi on Udemy, Sharapova on theSkills). Each of the 3 offers a one-time fixed price to watch the instructor's complete tennis course - they each last about 1 hour in total length.
Membership vs One-time Rental Prices
Fans should decide if they enjoy having the widest collection of players to sample, or if they only want to view the content of just one coach on another platform (Serena on MasterClass, Agassi on Udemy, Sharapova on theSkills). Each of the 3 offers a one-time fixed price to watch the instructor's complete tennis course - they each last about 1 hour in total length.
This is similar to a NetFlix subscription vs a one time Amazon Video or Google Play rental night.
Personally, I think it is actually fine to do both - especially with the free trial period to test the waters before committing. For myself, I have watched every single TopCourt video published to date. There is plenty to choose from and I ever don't feel stuck if I am in the mood for a different title or episode.
The membership also makes sense for me as a coach and as a hardcore fan because I enjoy knowing I have a full library available and can even recommend specific videos in the tennis collection at any time to a new student.
For the Tennis Student:
Doing the math, $15 x 12 months is $160 - definitely a very good value for a year's worth of access anytime and anywhere. I see it as a perfect complement to live instruction these days during covid.
Doing the math, $15 x 12 months is $160 - definitely a very good value for a year's worth of access anytime and anywhere. I see it as a perfect complement to live instruction these days during covid.
Knowing that the Bryan Brothers have a much better volley than me - I can free my own ego to admit it and refer them to the best. I also find that some students are much more excited and eager to attempt a certain drill if they watch it being performed well by the best #1 doubles team in tennis history.
If you take private tennis lessons, those are typically at $50-$65 per hour. That is the average price to hire certified teaching professionals. Once you get 30+ solid professionals in the lineup to watch, this price pays for itself.
With 3 hours of coaching time, you can expect optimistically to get a few fixes on your shots if you find a tennis coach who is good AND you go home to practice what they teach you. Check out our tips for getting the most out of TopCourt and other distance learning videos.
Could your own tennis coach ever win a set from anyone on the TopCourt team?
As a USPTA coach, I will provide my own honest opinion about lessons. If I give lessons in ideal conditions and can cover just the forehand OR serve in just 3 lessons, we are both happy and that's a great success. But realistically that is pushing it even when coaching a talented athlete.
TopCourt just has a lot more variety of talent at the ATP/WTA Pro Tour level - the very best out of the best. From each pro's 3 drills or lessons, I would say expect about 2 out of 3 to be moderately useful and accessible for both juniors and adults. Take your time to go through and review the videos before and after you play.
I would watch the Stories and Training videos before viewing the Drills and Instruction sections so that you get some background on the TopCourt coach and their mindset.
YouTube Tennis Channels
YouTube has a lot of free content but their creators' quality advice can be very scattered. YouTube allows anyone in the world to claim they can teach you tennis, even if they themselves have never played at the tour level.
YouTube Tennis Channels
YouTube has a lot of free content but their creators' quality advice can be very scattered. YouTube allows anyone in the world to claim they can teach you tennis, even if they themselves have never played at the tour level.
It doesn't mean the content is bad, but sometimes the explanations and view the watcher sees are actually not explained in full. Sometimes steps are skipped without the best viewing angles. Other times, they gloss over or oversimplified topics so it fits into a video.
There are some notable exceptions to show you one stroke really well - example: Tour-level forehand (Rick Macci), just look at those basic videos first. When you are ready for something more modern and demonstrated by a 2020 pro then look at TopCourt.
I would not recommend a brand new beginner to hop onto TopCourt and expect to improve right away - lots of practice on the court is more valuable. For every 1 hour lesson, expect to perform 2-3+ hours of practice for maximum results.
There are some notable exceptions to show you one stroke really well - example: Tour-level forehand (Rick Macci), just look at those basic videos first. When you are ready for something more modern and demonstrated by a 2020 pro then look at TopCourt.
I would not recommend a brand new beginner to hop onto TopCourt and expect to improve right away - lots of practice on the court is more valuable. For every 1 hour lesson, expect to perform 2-3+ hours of practice for maximum results.
Comparing TopCourt to other Online Tennis Videos
*NEW* See our free direct comparison of TopCourt vs YouTube and other online programs.
