Tennis Super Fan's Review of Rafa Nadal Academy

Road to Rafa | Super-Fan Tour Guide


Rafa Nadal Statue in front of Mallorca's Stadium Court

View the Summer Camp Photos

I have traveled the "Camino of Clay" across Europe to visit Rafa's homeland.
Now I am showing Rafa fans my road map.
Helping every tennis pilgrim find their way.

The King of Clay, all his Crowns, and Rafa fans gather in Mallorca
Watch Tennis on Grass @ ATP 250 Mallorca Championships near the end of June!

My Summer in Spain - visiting the RNA team and their coaches at the Madrid Open.


Barcelona and Mallorca are perfect for young adults!
Highly recommend a Summer in Spain Vacation.

Rafa Nadal Tennis Camps in the USA


Limited Spaces remain for 2024:
Must checkout with code "JCTENNIS" for the special deal!
Rafa Nadal Academy camp info

Game, Set, Match: Discover the Health Benefits of Tennis and the Thrill of the US Open

Play Tennis - (May) you Live Longer and Prosper

Roger Federer in NYC

Trevor and Roger + Switzerland Tourism
We want to give every American Tennis Fan (man, woman, and child) a chance to experience NYC and Pro Tennis at the US Open this year!

As a USPTA Teaching Professional for over 15 years - I encourage all my students to go at least once in their lifetime!

Watch a live tennis event in person.



US Open Tennis - Buy, Hold, or Sell? (May - Aug)

  • Picking tickets can be an art.
  • With over 15 years of research, I help get fans into the best seats.
  • I have personally attended dozens of years sitting courtside @ California Tennis
  • Travel like a pro @ JCtennis.com

I have friends in Long Island City, family in Astoria, and business colleagues in Manhattan.


2023 Key Dates

When to Go? Who to See?

  1. Pick your dates (weekend vs weekday)
  2. Book your flight and hotels first!
  3. Attend 2-3 sessions for consecutive days/nights to see most players.

Popular Sessions for US Open Tennis

  • Weekends of Labor Day and Finals
    - Buy early! TicketMaster Exchange (resell)
  • Early rounds (1st week, Mon-Wed)
    - Wait: for the Public Sales near June 5th
  • Mid-Week (2nd-week tickets, some nights)
    - Plan: July/Aug to find the best codes.

Sign up for our US Open newsletter. Get the 2023 codes, promos, and email updates.


Sponsors' Swag with Live Fan Reviews

We preview promotions from US Open sponsors like JP Morgan Chase (exclusive front row seats), American Express (snacks and A/C lounges), and HEAD plus Tennis-Point (discount USTA memberships and promo gifts).

Note: tickets you purchase will also indirectly fund the USTA non-profit organization. They support growing tennis in America through memberships and league events.

Affiliate Commission and Disclaimers

We are an affiliate partner with Ticketmaster, so we must provide a disclaimer that a small percentage of all online sales generate profits for us when made through clicking our links.

  • Affiliate commissions pay for our travel expenses and our ticket giveaways.
  • Our buyers never have to pay anything extra over retail.
  • Often they pay less via our discount codes.

  • We don't accept any endorsement money.
  • Our opinions are entirely our own and independent of the US Open.
  • Real scoop reviews from "secret shoppers" - we poll public fans in NY and on Facebook.

Turn ticket fees into charity donations.

A portion of every dollar from ticket fees and profits we collect for the US Open will go back to support American Charities as donation dollars. We have been doing it for over 10 years.

Annual contributions are made to places such as:
American Red Cross, Acing Autism, Tennis Plays for Peace (supporting Ukraine), USTA / USPTA, grassroots tennis programs at the Parks & Rec level, and Wounded Warrior / ThankUSA charities.

Enjoy a summer vacation in NYC. American Tennis at the biggest tennis stadium in the World.

For 2 weeks around Labor Day every late August and early September: Tennis is New York City.

Come join the fun at our annual reunion of friends, family, and friends. We will promote free events like the DNCE Concert and Finals Passes for the true NY Fan Experience. Hope you can join us!

US Open Friends and Fans (Facebook Group of US Open fans)

Professional Tennis and Pickleball Lessons Review - TopCourt Deep-Dive

TopCourt: a golden ticket for Tennis Training Videos

TopCourt is the premier tennis streaming service on the market, offering an extensive library of high-quality tennis videos.

Featuring Hollywood-level production and innovative 4K camera action angles.

More than 56 tennis professional players and coaches. All showcasing their favorite drills and plays.

Now featured on Pickleball.com - TopCourt is the e-learning of racket sports.
Growing the global tennis and pickleball communities on multiple platforms. (Android, iOS, web, AppleTV)

Key Features of TopCourt:

  • Hollywood-quality production
  • Innovative 4K camera angles
  • Demonstrations by professional players
  • Access to over 60 professional tennis athletes and coaches
  • The "Netflix of Tennis" – featuring top-ranked players, drills, and documentaries

Perfect Practice by Pros


"Amateurs practice until they get it right.
Pros practice until they can't get it wrong."

Tennis is their livelihood. You witness the skills and trade secrets of their craft. Each player has invested years of their life in mastering their best shots.

Learn the signature shot that each teacher will be best remembered.
If pros could only share one tip with the World, what would that be?



Bruce Lee's method of "fighting without fighting."

Yes - Court time is important. Matches are Important. Practice is Important.
After learning the proper Technique. There is a time and place for mass repetition.

First, the form must be correct.
Then, Perfect practice makes perfect.
Otherwise, bad technique makes you sloppy.

Why not learn from the grand slam champions or a World #1?
They are paid and trained to win at the top levels. Experience counts.

Mirroring proper actions will train the mind.
Avoid risk injury from improper swings or overuse

Even popular YouTube tennis coaches preach these concepts:

  1. Visualization - Imagery training is vital in tennis
  2. Learning by Osmosis - replay only the best examples
  3. Create Mental Snapshots - freeze action at critical points

Willy Wonka and the Golden Ticket - VIP Passes

On Court with TopCourt (filming behind-the-scenes, with a look at taping for Miami and Indian Wells)

In March and October, I took the invite and attended a behind-the-scenes look at the magic that goes into making these high-quality production videos. They offer pickleball VIP events too!

The interviews are the most original and authentic looks at the players. It gives them their true voice to express memories and moments. Shared lunch with Alexander Zverev and Brandon Nakashima between morning and afternoon takes.

You realize these young men are not paid as actors. They are genuine human beings who have a passion for the game. They often surprise you with a clever thought or joke they want to share.
Hearing how they think about tennis will transform and inspire how you play your game.


Better value for your tennis education

  • Train the mind before working on the body.
  • Full access to 56 tennis professionals at $180/year or ~50 cents per day.
  • Hours of content with each player and coach.
  • Before expensive lessons and court fees, learn the basics!
  • Pickleball lessons included, get two for one.

TopCourt is still $15 per month - Typical private tennis lessons cost around $50-85 per hour in the USA. That's very good value, considering you get a year's worth of unlimited access anytime and anywhere. 5% cheaper (if you factor inflation), plus tons more pros with twice the sports than in 2020.

A perfect complement to live coach-led instruction

Yes, private lessons are essential.

If your kid learns faster today with video and YouTube, this is a healthy option that isn't 24x7 TikTok. 

Youtube highlight reels are just eye candy - you need real tennis education.
Taught by pros, demonstrated by people who do it for a living. Not a YouTube celeb.

Inspiring stories are shared by teenagers (Iga Swiatek and Leylah Fernandez).
Both reached their first grand slam a few months after filming. A few genuine and kind words could be all it takes to inspire a young child to work hard at tennis. Hearing someone accomplish such an incredible feat can spark priceless motivation for what is possible.

You get to learn something new from so many teachers. If you are a game fan or student of the sport, it is designed with you in mind. Anyone on YouTube can call themselves a tennis coach these days. How many ATP or WTA championship titles has your coach won?

The annual subscription is a gift of education. A much better souvenir for lasting memories than anything found at the tennis gift shop.


14-Day Free Trial and Offer with CALITENNIS.com

TopCourt with CaliTennis.com has an exclusive 14-day free trial.

Designed for super-fans of the sport, this preview allows full access with all videos instantly unlocked. Prize giveaways are also included for sign-ups.

Allowing you to explore the platform without any financial commitment. You will also receive an email notification two days before the trial expires. Just cancel if you're unsatisfied.


Experience the Presence of Tennis Masters

TopCourt allows you to learn from the best through their words, presence, and body language. Over time, you'll absorb subtle nuances and perfect techniques, bringing your skills to new heights.

Discover What You Can't Get on TV or at Live Events

As part of credential media, I've covered numerous professional events as a tennis coach and photojournalist. TopCourt offers a unique perspective, capturing the relaxed atmosphere and intimate moments that traditional broadcasts and live events often miss.

In conclusion, TopCourt provides an unparalleled platform for tennis and pickleball enthusiasts, offering world-class instruction, exclusive content, and innovative camera angles to bring you closer than ever to the game's top players.



Our Tennis-Bargains Exclusive Preview -
Extended trial link is exclusive for our Tennis-Bargains (and now CaliTennis) fans.


Step-by-step instruction with personal attention

  • Education: Drills, Exercises, and Instructional episodes all in 4K format.
  • Entertainment: Hottest pro players on men's and women's pro tours.
  • Expertise: Tennis concepts guided by tour-level professional players and coaches.
Hollywood production value sets up an All-Star lineup. Each month we get treated to new videos from more than 56 online tennis stars on the ever-growing talent list. New features include the Andriod/iOS mobile apps, webTV sync, and personalized drill recommendations.

Close-Ups Camera Angles

The unique first-person experience makes TopCourt so different and special. It is unlike any TV camera angle. You feel like you're so close on the court that you might get hit by the shots.

 I saw several times when the cameramen did get hit during one of their film operations for special behind-the-scenes peeks in March (Miami) and October (Indian Wells).

The players swing full speed at the rovers and multiple body cameras that are live filming footage on the actual playing surface. The realistic perspectives are unmatched.

Overhead drone footage, courtside camera angles, and personalized commentary from the pro speaking directly to you at home. You feel as if you're the only student taking the private lesson.

3 reasons why fans go attend pro sports events

When attending Tennis Majors like the US Open, I value these 3 experiences above all else:

1) Matches - Watching the Big 5th set Grand Slam match live on the center court.
2) Practices - Seeing the Tennis Pros prepare with their team from the courtside.
3) Emotions - Real human joy. Sharing the thrill of victory with thousands.

Spector sports have been fundamentally changed. We missed all those special moments of exhibition genius and unscripted, off-camera candid insights outside the stadium.

TopCourt allows touring pros to share their favorite tennis drills and retell treasured moments.

TopCourt offers the feeling of a personal conversation.


Pro players are gathered together, then filmed while being mic'd up for one reason - to show you their inner game and key life experiences that shaped them into who they are today. Viewers are offered the perspective of a "fly on the wall," - allowing home viewers to witness those rare moments.

Each tennis player/coach presents you with unique skills and training regimens. The campus of TopCourt is very diverse and cross-generational.

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 are 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. Front and center for every moment.

Free Pickleball Lessons are now included.

For 2023, it now includes free lessons for pickleball too. Featuring teachers like World #1 Ben Johns and #3 Jessie Irvine. Think of this as the new 2-for-1 racket sports library (more tennis and pickleball videos are coming).

So you can share with family members who want to try Pickle, or can't play active singles - like elderly parents. It's ok; we won't tell anyone if you watch along too!

Seriously, Pickleball

For my tennis students transitioning or recovering from tennis, using pickleball as a fun "mini-tennis" alternative to play with kids or seniors is more fun than I originally expected. I've tried indoors and outdoors with earplugs and without (just kidding!).

As a USPTA coach, I still play 4x tennis a week. But now, I save pickle for the "social" days - or whenever I host a wide mix of ages and skills. Just stay competitive about it so that everyone can enjoy the fun. Try it with food or drinks while relaxed with no pressure to ace someone!

San Diego Open Fan's Guide to the WTA 500

World's Best Female Tennis Players Star in San Diego!

San Diego usually has picture-perfect weather in October. It welcomes fans ready to enjoy more tennis with its warm beach climate. The WTA will showcase most of the World's Top 20 female players.

Use our SeatGeek discount code for tickets, parking, and even MLS Padres Games!

SeatGeek Tickets are up to 40% OFF
using promo code "TENNISBARGAINS"
(New accounts on 1st purchase only)


Who is Playing in the WTA 500 San Diego Open?

  • Coco Gauff leads the field!
  • Ons Jabeur is also playing in solid form.

"Surfin' Swiatek" in Style - San Diego Open's 2022 Championship Team

Congrats to Iga for sealing her win at San Diego Open WTA 500!


Thank you to all the SeatGeek fans who used our promo code. Together with the Tennis United community, we tallied up and doubled our donated amount to Tennis Plays for Peace. Many thanks to all the fans and tennis charities involved! Let's double it again at the next event.



How to sit front row at the US Open - 10 best free perks

Chase Reserve Seating - learn how I got to sit front-row for free and filmed on Netflix

  • American Express Presale (Projected Dates) - Late May, Monday @ 9AM EST
Read our ticket-buying tips, articles, and credit card discount codes
  • Public Ticket Sales - June 3 @ 9AM EST
  • Buying early is most useful for securing round 1 tickets.
  • Less stress if you have committed to travel dates and lodging.
  • For week 2 seats 9/3-9/7, plan for July to see any (BOGO) buy one, get one free promo.

Buying late or last minute? You risk paying a bit more for resell.
The trade-off by August after the draw is out. Everyone already knows who's likely playing when and where. There will be a mad dash for the best matches.

How long to stay for the Open? 2 days or more if sightseeing NYC.
Cover your bases by attending at least 2 days consecutively (day and/or night sessions). That's the best way to see most of the players on the field. The dates 8/29-8/31 will be a good bet for Rounds 3 and 4.

US Open Fan Week - Week 1 Scouting Report

Tennis-Bargains has returned from NYC after spending the first 8 days of the US Open scouting. We recruited readers to share their stories. We post our real photos, seat shade maps, and impressions on the grounds for all the best goodies to experience.

Secret shoppers helped us sample all the food and shops this year, along with their honest feedback.


Our VIP Chase Lounge Guests on week 1 in 2023. Welcome to NYC!
We supply free VIP lounge passes to visiting fans and followers each year (perk #2).



During Fan Week, the Chase DNCE Soundcheck offered users an in-person experience at this sold-out concert.

We were among the first to sign up and tell the public about it.

The 2022 DNCE music concert was completely sold out in just hours! We gifted four very lucky fans a seat later. They were big fans of "Cake by the Ocean".

During the US Open, check Facebook and IG for our giveaways and extra ticket releases.

Sold-out 8/26 DNCE and Joe Jonas - Chase Sound Check concert tickets.
Our 4 lucky winners all got to go. Sent via Ticketmaster seat transfer emails!



Disclosure:
We are not sponsored by the US Open, USTA, JP Morgan, Amex, or any of their paid advertisers.
All opinions below are my own as a "Tennis super fan" for over 15 years.

I will not endorse any perks I haven't personally tested, and even then, only if I would use it myself.

To support USA Tennis and Charities:
We dedicate a small percentage of our ticket profits back to growing the game whenever fans buy tickets directly from our links. You help us continue to operate independently and contribute to charity work each year.

US Tennis is funded with each ticket you buy. Along with Humanitarian and Hurricane relief we donate each year. We also collect dollars from the ticket fees to put them back to support worthy causes responsibly.

Charities we have funded with tennis ticket fees: "Tennis Plays for Peace", "The American Red Cross",  "Aceing Autism," and "USTA with Tennis United."


Tennis travel fans can also follow us on Instagram or join our "US Open Fans and Friends" Facebook Group.

US Open Freebies: some luck, some skill - all good!

US Open Fans and Friends - advance info for savvy fans

Arriving at 9:30 each morning, I discovered some lesser-known perks that even US Open ushers and their supervisors needed to learn.

Our email VIP subscribers (a VIP is anyone who regularly opens and clicks our links) will get priority access to our previews.

Last month, we revealed this fantastic, all-new 2022 feature called "Chase Pass," which offers only 100 daily bracelets for exclusive access and reserved seating.

Sponsor Faceoff: Chase vs. Amex Perks. Chase Wins 3-2

  1. Chase Pass gets you into Grandstand Reserve Seating @ Section 2, Rows M-O (front baseline seats with Chase Logos). Great shade after 4pm! I invited fans and fellow tennis coaches.

    Each day, lucky friends (new and old) joined me in watching players like Felix AA.
    These seats were so good that one guy even suggested I shouldn't tell anyone else!

  2. Chase Lounge - advance RSVP required. It gets you A/C, fruit cups, ice cream, and more. You can bring up to 3 guests. Enjoy! For a standby waitlist, show up at the door at 10AM to register.

    Best Snacks: Free fruit cups, Kind Bars, popcorn, refreshments, ice cream, hat, and A/C!!

  3. Chase Terrance - Great Snacks and Views

    Elevated side-court viewing just behind the Grandstand


    Spreading the joys of tennis; Famous World's Fair globe background

  4. Chase Pass for Reserve Seating at Grandstand
    I often sat here watching players like Matteo Berrettini and Felix Auger-Aliassime from the baseline. For Day 1, I had just paid over $180 for a similar grandstand seat just a few rows away. I discovered the specially-branded Chase logo seats in Section 2! Four daily single matches played here during week 1.


    With our seats, you may get a cameo on Netflix while filming Break Point.

    Buying these seats separately will cost you a pretty penny.


    After some investigative research and asking around several US Open ushers and supervisors, I discovered the special Chase Pass (limit 100 per day) grants you a bracelet that allows you to sit in the first 3 rows (M-O) of the baseline at the Grandstand court for free!

    It was actually outlined on the usher's papers, but many were still learning about it. Most fans had no idea why these seats were all branded "Chase" on the front.

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