Inside Saddlebrook: Florida’s Iconic Tennis Academy

Jun 04, 2025

Saddlebrook Resort, located in Wesley Chapel, Florida, is more than just a luxury destination — it’s a cradle of champions. In a new Florida Tennis exclusive video series, Editor Matt Pressman returns to the courts where he once played in high school to spotlight the people, stories, and training that define Saddlebrook's enduring tennis legacy.

Above: Director of Saddlebrook Tennis Sean McQuillan. Source: Saddlebrook Resort.

Saddlebrook Resort is home to one of the most respected tennis programs in the world, the iconic Harry Hopman Tennis Academy, offering a development pathway for players of all levels — from beginners to touring professionals. According to Sean McQuillan, Director of Saddlebrook Tennis, the variety of talent and opportunity is one of Saddlebrook’s greatest strengths.

"We've got players of all levels of abilities — from touring pros all the way down to entry-level adults and juniors," he explains. "[We] have a great variety of players, so you're always able to hit against someone," explains McQuillan.

Above: Aidan Borosko. Source: Florida Tennis.

That dynamic environment has made a lasting impact on players like Aidan Borosko, a junior at the academy. "They really helped me along my tennis journey — sometimes going to tournaments with me, sometimes here — but no matter what, they've always been there for me," Borosko says.

Lauren Kim, another junior player at the academy, praises the structure of the program, "The format of the week is great, and the overall training is really good."

Above: Lauren Kim. Source: Saddlebrook Resort.

Physical conditioning is also a key focus at Saddlebrook. Mike Santacroce, a sports performance coach at the academy, emphasizes the importance of developing the athlete's body alongside their tennis skills.

"Get what you need out of the weight room," Santacroce advises. "Ultimately, as a junior player, you're in a developmental stage, and you need to build the body that’s going to last you your tennis career."

On court, the values of discipline and consistency are instilled by legendary Saddlebrook coaches like Alvaro Betancur, who says: "I always tell the boys to give their 100% every day — work, intensity, and focus, which is very important to see progress."

Above: Students at Saddlebrook. Source: Saddlebrook Resort.

Saddlebrook’s tennis legacy is nothing short of remarkable. As McQuillan proudly recounts, the resort has produced and hosted some of the sport’s most iconic figures.

"Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Martina Hingis, Mardy Fish, James Blake, Andy Roddick — they all went to school here. More recently, John Isner, Hubert Hurkacz, Dennis Kudla… we even had the Davis Cup tryouts here a couple years ago," notes McQuillan.

He continues, "During the offseason, we have a lot of players come in — from Thanksgiving to Christmas before Australia. Misha and Sasha Zverev, for example — Sasha has been here since he was 11 years old."

Above: ATP world No. 3 Alexander Zverev. Source: Corinne Dubreuil for ATP Tour.

Another legendary coach at Saddlebrook, Rick Crockett, sums up the magnitude of the academy’s influence: "We've had the fortune of hosting a lot of WTA and ATP players — former champions, Grand Slam winners — who have called this their home."

This new Florida Tennis series will give viewers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the daily grind and inspiring stories at one of the sport’s most respected training grounds. From its top-tier coaching and athletic development to its long history of excellence, Saddlebrook continues to shape the next generation of tennis stars.