Spire Training Tour to Spain Inspires top GXLTC Academy players

Twenty GXLTC Academy players travelled to Alicante in Spain to receive top class tennis training at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy, Equelite. This training was  made possible by the GXLTC Academy sponsors Spire Thames Valley Hospital whose contribution enabled this Tour to go ahead.

The players received four hours a day on court training plus two hours physical training in the gym.

Director Andy Scholfield was delighted with the players attitude and intensity 'All of the Tour goals were achieved namely

to develop all players tennis playing ability and knowledge, to give them a better understanding of work ethic, independence, self discipline and responsibility in a top performance environment'. There were over 30 full time players training beside GXLTC including Tom Allan (number 4 under 18 in Britain) who has been training at the Academy for four years, and the 'New' Rafa Nadal - Carlos Balouda who showed phenomenal racket head speed and workrate particularly in the gym! The Spanish coaches Amarit Sanchez, Ricci Rodriguez, and Javier Estevef, were very pleased with the overall high ability and attitude and in particular three players stood out. Unfortunately Juan Carlos Ferrero (world number 22 and former number 1) was competing in  and winning the ATP event in Buenes Aires so the players were unable to challenge him to a match !

The only disappointment was the weather (not a surprise); it rained most days but there was excellent back up facilities.