Respect, Discipline, and Effort: The Emilio Sanchez Academy Philosophy

The sun beats down on the courts at the Emilio Sanchez Academy, a renowned tennis training hub nestled in Naples, Florida. Recently, the academy was buzzing with excitement as they hosted the USP College Tennis Showcase, a unique event aimed at connecting aspiring tennis players with college opportunities. The event, now in its fifth year, draws in young talents, eager to take their tennis skills to the next level. “We have been doing this event for the last five years,” says Lucas Regas, the academy's tennis director. “Our kids are working together with Thomas (Anderson) [USP’s CEO and Founder] and his team to get our players to the best college possible.”

At the heart of this partnership is the belief that college tennis serves as a critical stepping stone for most players. Regas explains, “99% of the players are probably going to go to college. Only 1% may turn pro, so we focus on giving kids opportunities to go to a great college, get a degree, and continue growing.” For the Emilio Sanchez Academy, success is measured not only by on-court accomplishments but also by helping players transition to the next phase of their lives.

What sets the Emilio Sanchez Academy apart from other training programs? Regas points to the academy’s deep-rooted philosophy, which emphasizes the fundamentals of tennis, especially footwork. “Emilio Sanchez was one of the pioneers of tennis academies in Spain,” he says. “He started the academy in Barcelona 25 years ago, focusing on understanding footwork and how to build points—from defense to transition to attack. This methodology is key to shaping well-rounded players.” According to Regas, the focus on clay court training is especially important. “Clay players transition much easier to hard courts,” he notes, underscoring the value of developing on this surface as a foundational aspect of their training system.

Above: Lucas Regas. Source: Emilio Sanchez Academy - Naples.

The academy’s sprawling campus in Florida, featuring 38 courts (33 of them clay), is a testament to their commitment to comprehensive player development. Regas adds, “We host 27 tournaments a year, from $15,000 men’s events to junior competitions. This allows us to track players’ progress, see how they perform under pressure, and provide targeted feedback to help them improve.”

While the academy’s dedication to building strong tennis players is undeniable, the approach is holistic. “We instill good values in our kids—respect, discipline, and effort,” says Regas. “We don’t just teach tennis; we shape future leaders.” It’s this balance between tennis technique and character building that makes the Emilio Sanchez Academy a standout.

Regas’s journey with the academy is a personal one, too. As a young player, he trained under Emilio Sanchez. He recalls, “I was a 15-year-old player trying to make it in the professional circuit. I trained with Emilio, and at 16, I even had the opportunity to hit with Arancha Sánchez Vicario, who was winning the French Open at the time.” Though Regas had aspirations of turning pro, he eventually pivoted to coaching, finding his passion in helping others achieve their tennis dreams. “Eventually, I came to the U.S. when Emilio started the academy in Naples, and I’ve been here for 12 years.”

Above: Emilio Sanchez and Lucas Regas. Source: Emilio Sanchez Academy - Naples.

Regas has witnessed firsthand the incredible impact the Emilio Sanchez Academy has had on players, both on and off the court. Players like Andy Murray and Grigor Dimitrov have trained at the academy and reached impressive heights. 

A key philosophy at the Emilio Sanchez Academy is the focus on footwork, which is a hallmark of the Spanish playing style. “Footwork is critical,” Regas emphasizes. “In Spain, players grow up learning how to move efficiently on the court, and this is something American players often miss.” 

While American tennis culture is known for its emphasis on private lessons, Regas explains that in Europe, group training is prioritized, with players learning to work together to build skills and strategies. “In tennis, 70-80% of the power comes from your legs, core, and hips. Only 20-30% comes from hand acceleration and technique,” he says. “If you don’t have proper positioning and footwork, your technique will fall apart when you’re forced to run and hit on the move.”

Above: Lucas Regas. Source: RPTenis/Twitter.

As American tennis continues to make strides, Regas sees room for improvement in the overall approach to training. “American tennis is doing great right now,” he admits. “But tennis here is still ranked below football and basketball. In Spain and many parts of Europe, tennis is one of the top sports. The key is to continue pushing hard, staying passionate, and focusing on the right things.”

When asked for a piece of advice for budding players, Regas doesn’t hesitate: “In life and in tennis, you must be passionate about what you do,” he says with conviction. “Without passion, you won’t be able to keep pushing through the tough moments.”

Whether it’s the intense training or pursuing college or pro tennis, the Emilio Sanchez Academy remains a beacon of excellence in the world of tennis. With a commitment to building well-rounded athletes both on and off the court, the academy continues to shape the next generation of tennis stars, one passionate player at a time.

Interview with Lucas Regas

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Written by Osvaldo Godoy. Video: Florida Tennis.