BTA as a family of players

The idea of a court as a safe space of special meaning carries over to the key principle behind the academy as a family of players, a home away from home. When the academy started in 2010, the goal was to create for the players a home-like setting, a family-like environment where they can feel emotionally secure and well taken care of. A place where coaches are not only authority figures, but also psychologists and friends, who know their players very well, understand them and thus can help them improve as both athletes and individuals.

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAY

VIDULA REDDY

Dear Rapha, 

There's still not a day where I don't miss you or Spain. The memories are still so fresh in my mind. The early morning of practice the fitness all the traveling, the amazing dinners. I cried so much when I was leaving, I never wanted to leave. I would like to thank you for all the times you pushed me when I couldn't push myself, for all the times when you pulled me back up when I fell, for all the times you put up with me when I was so annoying haha. Even though I annoyed you, I was hard to put up with you always stuck with me. Thank you so much for everything. I miss you guys so much 
😊❤

DANIELLA DIMITrov

Me and Rafa have special relationship because we worked together when I had just moved to Spain from the United States when I was just 10 years old! I was at BTA for four years when my family and I decided it was time for a change. When we got back in contact a few months ago and started a plan to work together for the upcoming year, it’s as if we never separated. Our relationship is so much stronger and we’ve both got an understanding for each other that I haven’t had with many other coaches, I believe it’s because he was there when I was growing up and it’s something very special to me. I’m very grateful to be working with him once again and I know we’ll achieve great things the way we’re at it 👊🏼🙌🏼

PAIGE WISE

BTA - a place which welcomed me with open arms and made me feel right at home. For the 15 months I was at BTA, it became my family where they helped me grow so much not only in my game but in who I was too, the personal connections developed, skills and memories could never be forgotten, I couldn’t be more grateful for the lifetime opportunity and experience they gave me.

KERSTIN GRESSMANN

My one and a half years being a part of the BTA family was a great experience and learning curve in my life. Countless of valuable lessons, an abundance of laughter and happy memories, on court and off. Lots of these on court improvements, in my game and mentality, were enabled by the clear and thorough way Raphael was able to communicate what he was teaching, making the game of tennis easy to understand. He was also always very encouraging, positive, and supportive, so it was never difficult to give my best during training sessions and during matches.

TEBATSO DUBA

Rapha is coach that you need depending on what you need. He can be the coach, advisor, joker and the shoulder to cry on when it is necessary. I know that he always wants what's best for us and I have learned so much from him. I will carry this through a myriad of facets in my life. I am forever grateful x

TANAY MEHTA

It was difficult being away from family for months but being here with the BTA family made it easier for me. Rapha has helped my tennis a lot and also helped me grow as an individual. I am grateful to the entire team for making their best efforts to help me reach my full potential.

ALINA QURESHI

This 8-year journey with BTA has been AMAZING! Time flies when your having fun... I can put this phrase in this situation! The coaches, the players, Karolina, and rest of the staff are all unbelievable! The best tennis family anyone could wish for! Rafa, the head coach, and all other coaches are simply THE BEST! Their coaching styles are extraordinary and they have improved our games as well as groomed our personalities in a VERY positive way. They have always got our back and the love we all share cannot be expressed in words! Thank you, BTA!

ELIJAH BURNS & HIS PARENTS

As parents when we started looking for an academy we had two priorities; excellent coaching and secondly in many respects more importantly, the culture of the organisation. The reason we remain at BTA 3 years on; isn’t simply because he has improved on the court, rather it’s the person our son is becoming, the character that is being formed through the coaches who inspire him each day. Tennis has the ability to form character but that can only be achieved with the right people and a nurturing environment and at BTA we have found that.