Game. Set. Match. Do these words make you weep with joy when your player has won? Do you fancy becoming the next Paes, Bhupathi or Mirza? If you are in Chennai this dream can be made into a not-so-distant reality. For, dotted with several tennis academies, Chennai can be aptly termed as the “cradle of tennis in India”.

Ramesh Krishnan, the former tennis champion, runs his own academy called the Krishnan Tennis Centre. Equipped with nine clay courts, two synthetic courts, a clubhouse, and fitness instructors, this academy imparts coaching to beginners as well as to state and national-level players.

The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) is yet another professionally-run organisation that conducts coaching classes. The TNTA classes are held at the International SDAT Tennis stadium and the Egmore Stadium. TNTA has three coaches and ensures that not more than eight children are taken in under their wings. Availability of courts, easy access to coaches, and reasonably-priced classes make this academy a popular one.

Srikanth Wilson, who runs the St Bede’s Tennis Academy, conducts classes six days a week for beginners and advanced players.

Another centre is the Ace Tennis Academy that holds programmes for beginners, intermediates and advanced. While most academies don’t follow any selection procedure, the Ace Tennis Academy conducts interviews to primarily gauge a child’s build, thus making this academy a class-apart.

The Competitive Edge is a residential academy programme. Some of the facilities offered here are lodging, home-schooling, and other activities like swimming. The holiday and summer camps are very popular with kids.

Go sign up and see your dream come true!