Stanford University Nike Tennis Camp, John Whitlinger sessions Stanford, California
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The Nike Tennis Camp at Stanford celebrates 35+ years of tennis excellence. With the perfect mix of match play, drill work, conditioning, strategy sessions and on and off-campus activities, there’s no better way to spend summer! This summer tennis camp delivers over 30 hours of training through our legendary program directed by John Whitlinger.
Known as the "home of Champions," Stanford University provides the ultimate summer tennis camp experience both on and off the court. Stanford head men’s coach, John Whitlinger, and assistant coach Brandon Coupe, direct these sessions of the Nike Tennis Camps at Stanford, where the camps have been held since 1985.
Throughout the week, the focus shifts between the technical, tactical, physical, and mental aspects of tennis. Mornings focus on the technique while afternoons are geared towards match-play situations. This summer, create memories to last a lifetime. Improve yourself on and off the court and make friends from around the world. Experience the vibrant energy on the beautiful Stanford campus, and feel the pride and tradition at the Taube Tennis Stadium, one of the finest tennis facilities in the country.
Multi-Week Sport Camp Experience!
International or domestic campers seeking a multi-week sport camp experience, can easily combine any of our individual tennis camp sessions at this location with a weekend stay over to create the right camp program to fit your needs!
Dartfish video analysis offered at this camp! See details tab for more info.
Highlights Include
- 25-30 hours of instruction, drills and match play
- Video analysis and personal evaluation
- Nike Camp T-shirt, and prizes given to campers
- Exciting off court, evening tennis activities daily (for overnight and extended day campers)
- Coaching from Head Men's Coach, John Whitlinger and Assistant Coach, Brandon Coupe, along with their accomplished staff
The Stanford campus, located 30 minutes south of San Francisco, features the 17 court Taube Tennis Center, one of the finest tennis facilities in the country.
- Click Here for information on Dick Gould's Junior Day Camp (9:00am-4:00pm) at Stanford University (Ages 9-18 / Half Day Options Available)
- Click Here for information about More Junior Overnight Tennis Camps at Stanford University. (Ages 9-18)
- Click Here for information on Dick Gould's Advanced Tennis School at Stanford University (Ages 18+)
- Click Here for information on Dick Gould's Adult Tennis School at Stanford University (Ages 16+)
- Click Here for information on Lele Forood's Nike Tennis Adult Camp at Stanford University (Ages 18+)
Camp Director
John Whitlinger
- Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 2006
- Former two-time All-American at Stanford
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2010 Inductee into the USTA Midwest Hall of Fame
One of the nation's top collegiate head coaches, John Whitlinger begins his eighth season at the helm of the Stanford men's tennis program.
Since taking over the head coaching duties in 2005 from legendary skipper Dick Gould, Whitlinger has led Stanford to a 93-52 record and five NCAA Tournament appearances while six different players have earned All-America accolades during his tenure.
However, Whitlinger's contributions to the Cardinal men's tennis program extend back more than 35 years, enjoying success as an associate head coach and student-athlete.
For 18 seasons from 1987-2004, Whitlinger served as the program's associate head coach under Gould and helped guide Stanford to a 416-64 record while claiming nine NCAA championships.
Since missing the postseason in 2007, Whitlinger has directed Stanford to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances as the Cardinal continues to improve on the national scale.
The 2010 campaign was especially memorable, highlighted by several team and individual accomplishments. Stanford finished 20-6 overall, registering back-to-back 20 win seasons for the first time since 2002-03, following up on a 20-6 record in 2009. Ranked No. 9 in the final edition of the national rankings, the Cardinal reached the NCAA Championships round of 16 for the second straight year. The Cardinal also captured a share of the Pac-10 title for the first time since 2006, joining USC atop the league standings.
Meanwhile, sophomore Bradley Klahn became Stanford's first NCAA singles champion since Alex Kim in 2000 and 14th overall collegiate singles titlist in school history. Klahn and Ryan Thacher also reached the semifinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships to earn All-American honors.
Following a second round NCAA Tournament exit in 2008, the Cardinal took the next step in 2009 and reached the round of 16 for the first time since 2006. Stanford finished 20-6 overall and midway through the season earned the program's first No. 1 national ranking since 2002. Individually, Alex Clayton earned his second All-America honor while Bradley Klahn was named ITA National Rookie of the Year while becoming just the fourth player in school history to claim both the Pac-10 singles and doubles titles.
In 2006, Stanford closed out the year 18-4 overall and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinal went 6-1 to claim a share of the Pac-10 title and Whitlinger was honored as the Pac-10 Coach of the Year.
Whitlinger guided Stanford to a 14-11 record during his first season at the helm in 2005, as the Cardinal reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
One of the nation's top teaching professionals, Whitlinger was awarded the inaugural ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 1997. He was inducted into the ITA Collegiate Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Fox River Valley (Wisconsin) Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998. Whitlinger is also a member of Stanford's Athletic Hall of Fame.
A two-time All-American (1974, 1975) at Stanford, Whitlinger was instrumental in leading Stanford to its first two NCAA championships in 1973 and 1974. The 1974 campaign proved to be Whitlinger's most successful, directing Stanford to an NCAA team title while becoming only the fourth player in program history to capture the NCAA singles and doubles titles in the same season.
After his collegiate career, Whitlinger was an international touring professional for six years and ranked among the top-50 in the world in singles and top-40 in doubles. He also played for the Indiana Loves of the World Team Tennis League. Whitlinger has teamed up with son, J.J., and the duo has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation in the National Father-Son Rankings. In 2002 and 2003, they won the prestigious Agawam Hunt Club Tournament in Providence, R.I., and were quarterfinalists at the National Grass Court Championships in Brookline, Mass., and at the National Clay Court in Cincinnati, Ohio.
From 1981 to 1986, Whitlinger was a head professional at the Racquet Club at Harper's Point in Cincinnati, Ohio. He ranked in the top five in men's singles play in the United States Professional Teaching Association (USPTA).
The Whitlinger family was named the National Tennis Family of the Year in 1986. Whitlinger's father, Warren, has coached numerous junior tennis players in Wisconsin and currently works with players on the mental aspects of the game. His sister Wendy recently retired as the Director of Tennis at Fox Cities Racquet Club in Appleton, Wis. Whitlinger's sister-in-law, Ruth, manages the club and his brother, Kip, has coached tennis at the high school level in Menasha, Wis. His nieces, Teri and Tami, both attended Stanford and currently reside in Tampa. Teri captured the 1990 NCAA Doubles Championship, and Tami was ranked among the world's top-40 players as a professional. Both spent time as teaching professionals following their playing careers.
A native of Neenah, Wis., Whitlinger came to Stanford in 1972 as one of the top junior players in the country. During his high school career, Whitlinger won an amazing 109 consecutive matches en route to four consecutive state singles championships (1969-72). He holds 11 National Junior Titles, including the 1971 Interscholastic Championship and the prestigious International Orange Bowl Championship in 1969 and 1970. He was also a member of the U.S. Junior Davis Cup teams from 1970-74.
Whitlinger and his wife of 30 years, Jan, have two children: 27-year old son, J.J., a 2005 graduate of Saint Mary's and current Stanford volunteer assistant coach and Fremont Hills Country Club teaching pro, and 25-year old daughter, Claire, a 2007 graduate of George Washington and current doctoral student in the Department of Sociology at Michigan.
Co-Director
Brandon Coupe
- Former All-American at San Jose State University,
- Spent 10 years as an ATP Tour Player and participated in 14 Grand Slam events
- 2002 US Open doubles quarterfinalist
- Prior to Stanford, was the Head Professional at the Tiburon Peninsula Club
Brandon Coupe enters his fifth year as an assistant coach at Stanford.
During his time as an assistant coach on The Farm, Coupe has helped guide the Cardinal to a 61-37 record and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2008-10).
Coupe joined the coaching staff following a six-year stint as the Head Professional at the Tiburon Peninsula Club, which he first joined in 2001. He was also a professional coach from 2004-06 and the Tournament Director of the Esurance Tiburon International Tennis Challenger from 2003-04.
From 1994-2003, Coupe played on the ATP Tour and participated in 14 Grand Slam events, including the 2002 U.S. Open where he was a quarterfinalist. During his professional career he played with and against some of the world's greatest players, including Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Boris Becker. Coupe achieved an individual doubles ranking of 61 in 1999 and teamed with Mark Merklein to rank in the top-20 that year.
In addition to playing on the ATP Tour, Coupe coached Justin Gimelstob to the third round at Wimbledon in 2004.
A former All-American at San Jose State, Coupe played at San Jose State from 1990-94 under the tutelage of respected coach John Hubbell. As a senior, he earned All-America honors and received the National Von Nostrum Most Improved Player Award and the Rafael Osuna Senior Player of the Year Award. Coupe also earned All-Big West Conference honors all four seasons of his career.
As a freshman, he played No. 2 singles for San Jose State, losing only four matches during the year and winning the regional Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award. Over his next three seasons, Coupe played No. 1 singles and doubles and holds the school record for most victories. He was a three-time NCAA Championship competitor and a semifinalist at the 1994 NCAA Indoor Championship.
A native of Granite Bay, Calif., Coupe began playing tennis at the age of 10 and entered a number of junior tournaments, including the Kalamazoo National Tournament. In the U-18 division he was ranked as high as No. 35 in the country.
Coupe currently resides in Menlo Park with Natalie, his wife of nine years, and their seven-year-old son Max.
Program
This year we are offering three weeks of Overnight and extended day (8:30am-8:00pm) camps for boys and girls of all ability levels, ages 9-18. (Overnight campers must be 11 or older in all sessions). The second session (7/22-7/27) will be a tournament training session. The tournament training program is geared towards tournament level and ranked players looking to improve their tournament results, learn winning strategies, and work on mental toughness.
Please note: Sessions run Sunday-Friday. Lunch and dinner are included for Extended Day Campers.
Our camps are open to any and all entrants. For your safety and benefit, we recommend that you choose a camp that fits your particular skills and level of development. Upon arrival, all participants are evaluated by the staff so that their own instructional needs can be addressed throughout the week.
Dartfish video analysis will be used during the camp to analyze and improve your strokes. See your strokes compared to a top playing professional! Your Dartfish Mediabook will be posted to a private player locker on Dartfish.tv and reviewed with you by the staff at camp (click here for an example). You will receive a printout showing key positions with corrective comments. After camp, these Dartfish interactive analyses are available for purchase. For $19.95, the package includes:
- Stroke Analysis: your Dartfish Mediabook contains videos of your strokes, plus side-by-side comparison with a pro, along with comments.
- Pro Stroke Library: one month access to Pro Stroke Library, featuring hundreds of strokes in both real and high speed
NOTE: Regardless of whether you purchase the post-camp package, all campers will be filmed at camp, see their mediabook, and go home with a printout.
Check-In
• Overnight campers Sunday from 12:00-1:30 pm at the dorms.
• Extended Day Campers: Sunday from 1:00-1:30 pm at the dorms. (Extended Day Campers will depart that evening after dinner and a camp meeting at 8:00pm)
Check-out
A graduation ceremony that parents are encouraged to attend wraps up the week at 11:30am on the last day of camp at the Taube tennis courts. Check-out immediately follows at 12:00 Noon.
Dorms
Campers will be housed in the dorms on campus. There 2 campers in each room (No triples). Rooms are assigned by age & roommate requests.
Evening Activities
Off-court activities during all sessions may include field games, a trip to Malibu Grand Prix, a camp dance, and watching popular movies.
Weekend Stayovers
Weekend stayovers are offered between weeks for an additional fee of $75 per night.
Designated Airport: San Francisco International Airport
Airport Transportation
Nike Tennis Camps does not provide transportation to/from camp from airport, train stations or bus depots. If you fly into camp, we recommend that you fly into San Francisco International Airport. For ground transportation, we recommend using VIP Shuttle. You can make your reservations by calling 1-800-235-8847, or email: service@VIPtransportgroup.com; website: www.VIPairportshuttle.com
If you have a camper arriving by air who is deemed an “unaccompanied minor” by the airlines and must be met by a camp staff or shuttle company employee, there will be a fee that needs to be paid in advance of camp. You will still have to arrange transportation to/from camp. Please call 1-800-645-3226 two weeks prior to camp to provide camper’s flight and shuttle information.
Registration Packet
A detailed camper registration packet containing check in location, health/release forms, emergency contact info, and a list of things to bring will be emailed to all registered campers in the Spring. Our health and release forms do not require a doctor's signature and they will be collected on the first day of camp.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 7:00am Wake-up and breakfast
- 8:30am Stretching
- 8:40am Agility conditioning
- 9:25am Serve, serve return, serve and volley
- 10:10am Ball machine practice (groundstrokes and net play)
- 10:55am Active drilling
- 12:00pm Lunch
- 1:00pm Off court: tennis-related activities, fitness testing, speaker
- 2:25pm Singles play
- 3:45pm Doubles situation and drills
- 5:15pm Dinner
- 6:30pm Team tournament (two nights)
- 8:00pm Special evening activities / camp dance
- 10:00pm Campers to rooms
- 10:15pm Lights out
International campers - please note, that there is no language program offered with this program. Additionally, there are no early arrivals permitted at this camp or extra night stays unless you are staying for the next session. International campers must arrange for their own transportation to and from camp, although our customer service representatives can assist you with contact information and recommendations.
Read camper reviewsIrina W.
Making New Friends
I really enjoyed the camp this year. I especially liked being able to see how much I've improved my game over the year. Each day was the same routine, yet with something new to learn or do each time. My favorite part of the camp was the team competitions. It was also very nice making new friends and seeing old ones from the previous year.
Two Thumbs Up!
Aaron D.
I had a great time at camp and I recommend it to others even for people who are just starting tennis. They would really improve during the week. See you next summer at camp. Thanks!
Parent of Camper
3rd year veteran!
This is Jessicas 3rd year and we think it is a fabulous camp both for tennis instruction, sportsmanship and life skills. She will be back next year!
Parent of Camper
All around improvement!
Excellent program and staff. My daughter Rachael improved in all areas of the sport with great take aways. Staff was enthusiatic, inclusive and great role models. Thank you again for providing a great program.
Barri M.Junior Overnight Tennis Camper
Fine Tuned My Game!
The active drilling was challenging and helped fine tune my game. The staff was helpful and really took the time to help me. Evening activities were fun. Made a lot of new friends. See you this summer