Training facility top choice for several professionals
By Kyle LoJacono
Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel is a place for the everyday person looking for a day of recreation, but several professional tennis players have picked it as their No. 1 training facility.
The tennis program lists five current ATP professional players who use the facility for training. Tampa resident John Isner is the highest ranked player at No. 19 as of July 29.
“It’s a great place to train,” Isner said. “I’ve played at a lot of places and the facilities at Saddlebrook are some of the best I’ve been on.”
Also using the facility are professionals and Tampa residents Mardy Fish and James Blake and Wesley Chapel residents and No. 3 men’s doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan.
The tennis facility opened in 1986 and has 45 courts, which include clay, grass and hard surfaces. The tennis program has adult clinics, junior camps and a tennis academy.
“Saddlebrook is a Class A place to learn how perfect your tennis game,” said Saddlebrook tennis program director Howard Moore. “That’s apparent by the number of professionals who come and train here … We also have something unique with our preparatory school.”
Saddlebrook Preparatory was founded in 1992 in conjunction with the Pasco County School Board, but has since become a private institution. It is a full-accredited college preparatory school that has around 100 students in third to 12th grade from 20 countries. The students get a traditional education while improving their tennis and golf skills.
“They get the best training to further their skills while going to school,” Moore said. “We’ve had a lot of kids grow up with the program now and soon you’ll be seeing them on the professional tour.”
The golf at the resort includes two 18-hole courses — the Arnold Palmer and Saddlebrook courses. Other attractions at the resort include a half-million gallon swimming pool, five restaurants, a spa and room for meetings.
“Saddlebrook was built as a meeting resort, therefore, our primary business is hosting meetings and conferences,” said Saddlebrook’s director of marketing Alberto Martinez-Fonts Jr. “We host small board meetings of 10 people and large conferences of up to 1,000 people. These meetings are (for) corporations and associations throughout North America.”
The golf courses, spa, pool and restaurants are open to the general public. The resort, which opened in 1981, has 540 hotel rooms. It is located on SR 54 about one mile east of I-75.
Saddlebrook Resort
- Main resort www.saddlebrook.com (813) 973-1111
- For meetings www.saddlebrookmeetings.com
- Saddlebrook tennis www.saddlebrooktennis.com
- Saddlebrook Prepatory www.saddlebrookprep.com
