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Camp Teaches 'Love' Of Tennis

WATKIS SERVES LESSONS FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Nine-year old Jerika Rudolph is a first timer to the tennis courts and shows off a nice backhand during Tuesday’s instructional camp at Country Club of Sebring.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: June 12, 2008

SEBRING — Avon Park senior-to-be Melissa Tullo braved a humid Florida morning on Tuesday as sweat poured down her determined face.

It's months away from the varsity tennis season, but for Tullo, the season to improve is in full swing.

"I'm moving up to No. 2 singles next season, and I want to win districts real bad," Tullo said. "I'm trying to break old habits, and I'm very competitive, so I hate seeing myself making mistakes I shouldn't on the court."

Tullo and kids of all ages are taking advantage of the Junior Summer Tennis Camp that Horace Watkis that has organized at the Thakkar Tennis Center at the Country Club of Sebring.

"I just want to get better and this is the perfect opportunity for me to improve my game," Tullo said.

Watkis, who is certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association, is in his third year running the camps, which teach everything from the fundamentals to the advance strategies needed at the higher skill levels.

Former Blue Streak tennis player Chris Pinson, along with Sebring's Mary Midence, work with the advanced players and enjoy watching them improve over the course of the camp.

"Working with kids at this level, we're just fine-tuning their techniques or working out certain quirks in maybe their swing or approach," Pinson said. "This is where you can work on more specific areas that you might not be able to during the tennis season."

The high school kids in attendance were put through drills that worked on approach and body positioning, which can help gain an advantage against advanced players, as well as repetition of skills they already have.

The camp has drawn a dozen players this week, with more expected in the coming weeks.

The smaller camp size allows for more individual instruction than larger-sized camps. Camp generally works on tennis knowledge for the first four days, where players get tutelage on everything from game strategy to the tips that will help them raise their game to the next level.

Not to be outdone, the younger kids raced around the court perfecting the simple forehand and backhand shots, while Watkis smiled and encouraged them during the sessions.

"You have to keep the camp interesting for the kids," Watkis said. "You put them through some simple games that are fun for them and holds their interest. Eventually, they begin to pick up what you're trying to teach them, and they don't even know it. They just think they're having fun."

The younger kids work on hand-eye coordination, gripping the racquet and how to approach the ball and working on basic shots.

Nine-year old Lyndsey Griffin and seven-year old Carson Angel, both of Sebring, are back for their second year at Watkis' camp and could be seen laughing and smiling while putting some hard shots down the baseline.

"I've always wanted to play tennis," Angel said. "I love running around trying to hit the ball harder each time."

"I just want to be a tennis player," Griffin said. "Coach [Watkis] is a good teacher and keeps us doing different things so it never gets boring."

Newcomer Jerika Rudolph, a nine-year old from Sebring, didn't know what to expect when she came to camp for the first time, but was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was for her to pick up.

"I really thought the camp was going to be hard and I'd be lost," Rudolph said. "The game has come easy to me. It's really fun to come out and learn a new sport and make new friends as well."

But for Watkis, what's more important than the kids becoming tennis champions is that they gain an appreciation for the sport.

"These camps are their introduction to the sport," Watkis said. "But this is also the age where they develop the love for the sport."

The camp is for players age 6-18 and costs $100 per week and runs through Aug. 8. For more information, call Watkis at 863-414-2164.

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