The YMCA believes tennis is a game for life! Our tennis programs provide mental and physical development while incorporating the YMCA values of Collaboration, Diversity, Health, and Integrity. Youth will learn these core values in our programs to be used on and off the court.
The YMCA offers tennis instruction to all ages and levels of players, from new players to those who have been playing for years. Tennis programs are offered for youth between the ages of 3-18 and run all year round at Portage and Maple.
Interested in Tournament Play?
The Y hosts USTA Junior Circuit Events (Orange, Green Ball) Tournaments, and USTA Sanctioned Tournaments for all Juniors.
Youth Progression: Ages 3-12
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Tiny Tykes
Ages 3-4
Begin your child’s tennis career here! Tiny Tykes is designed to develop hand-eye coordination and listening skills through fun tennis drills and games.
- Throwing, catching, and handling skills
- Balance and court movement
- Basic stroke shapes and contact points
- Having fun with new friends
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
Futures
Ages 4-6
Your child will learn the fundamentals of all tennis strokes while developing hand-eye coordination and overall athletic skills. Classes are held on 36-foot courts using red balls.
- Throwing and catching patterns
- Court movement (running, jumping, hopping)
- Basic stroke shapes and contact points
- Game concepts and competition
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
Competitors 1
Ages 7-10
This class focuses on developing proper stroke mechanics and swing shapes to allow players to rally consistently with their peers. Players will improve body control, balance, and posture. Classes include drills where athletes practice keeping the score and making in/out calls. Sportsmanship and fair play are stressed. Classes are held on 36-foot courts using red balls.
- Stroke development and swing shapes
- Basic tennis movement and footwork Patterns
- Body control, posture, and balance
- Match play with peers, including tracking score and calling balls in/out
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
Competitors 2
Ages 8-10
This program is for players who can rally and serve consistently with the Red Ball and are ready to transition to the Orange Ball. Classes use 60-foot courts and orange progression balls, with possible introduction to full-court Green Ball tennis. The focus is on building consistency in rallies through proper stroke production and footwork patterns. Participation in USTA tournaments is encouraged. Pre-requisite: Players must have completed one session of Competitors 1 or receive pro approval to register.
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
Competitors 3
Ages 9-11
These players rally consistently and are highly encouraged to participate in USTA tournaments and Junior Team Tennis. They work on developing effective swing techniques, including the use of spin and speed, becoming more aware of their opponent, learning how to structure points in their favor, and refining their serve techniques, including spin on all serves. This program prepares players for USTA Green Ball and Level 7 Yellow Ball tournaments. Pro approval is required.
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
Middle/High School: Ages 11-18
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High School 1
Ages 11-17
For a beginner middle school or high school players. This program focuses on learning skills necessary to construct a rally, keep score, and feel comfortable on the court.
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
High School 2
Ages 13-18
Program consisting of junior varsity to varsity players looking to make a greater impact on their high school team. Focusing on skills used to plan and execute a variety of shots to build a successful rally.
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
High School 3
Ages 14-18
Program consists of advanced high school players. Focusing on skills necessary to hit every variety of shot with adequate speed and spin. Focus and intensity is expected. Minimum requirement: Girls beginning June 1st of the year of transition into 9th grade. Boys beginning January 1st of the year of transition into 9th grade. Minimum requirement allows equal months of preparation into high school season with Girl's season played in the Spring, and Boys season played in the Fall. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
Maple - Days, Times, Register Portage - Days, Times, Register
High Performance
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Tour
Designed for students who have mastered the basic techniques and tactics. Development of stamina and strength through off-court conditioning is a priority. Players will work on flight time, spin, and speed of the ball, and develop a tactical game-plan around attacking and defending. These players will travel to USTA tournaments outside of the Kalamazoo area. Pro Approval required to register. Contact Oak Saad at 345-9622 x170.
Elite I
Players must already prove themselves to be highly motivated. USTA tournament play must be a priority, with an emphasis on USTA National Rankings and UTR/WTN. This program will be based on competitive situations and advanced stroke techniques. Participants should have the desire to play college tennis. Pro approval is required to register. Contact Oak Saad at 345-9622 x170.
Eligibility Requirements: Reach out to Oak Saad at osaad@kzooymca.org with any questions on eligibility requirements.
Private Lessons & Restringing
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Private Lessons with a Pro
Lessons are scheduled based on individual tennis professionals' available times and court space. To schedule a lesson, contact any of the tennis professionals listed below via email.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation of a private lesson must be made at least 8 hours prior to the scheduled lesson time, via e-mail or phone directly to the private lesson coach. Failure to notify the coach 8 or more hours prior to the lesson will result in the lesson being charged in full.
Individual Private Lessons:
Full Time Staff
Oak Saad (USPTR) |
Association Tennis Director |
Email: Oak Saad |
Zach Fink-Craig (USPTA) |
Team Training Coordinator |
Email: Zach Fink-Craig |
Dan Roller (USPTA) |
Adult Tennis Coordinator |
Email: Dan Roller |
Brittany Johnson (USPTA) |
Community Tennis Coordinator |
Email: Brittany Johnson |
Corbin Wallace (USPTA) |
Youth Progression Tennis Coordinator / Portage Site Coordinator |
Email: Corbin Wallace |
Part Time Staff
Matt Olsen (USPTA) |
Tennis Professional |
Email: Matt Olsen |
Jack Jellison |
Tennis Professional |
Email: Jack Jellison |
Patrick Smoker |
Tennis Professional |
Email: Patrick Smoker |
Group lessons for 2, 3, or 4 players per hour available. Call Oak Saad at x170 for pricing and availability.
Tennis Racquet Stringing & Regripping
Break a string? Need a new grip? We have a variety of strings and grips to choose from. Call Oak Saad at (269) 345-9622 x170. We do not restring racquetball racquets.
Wilson NXT Comfort (Multifilament 130mm) |
$38.00 |
Wilson Sensation Comfort (Multifilament 130mm) |
$33.00 |
Luxilon ALU Power - Silver (Poly 125mm) |
$38.00 |
Luxilon 4G - Yellow (Poly 130mm) |
$38.00 |
Wilson Revolve Spin - Black (Poly 130mm) |
$31.00 |
Solinco Hyper-G - Green (Poly 125mm) |
$31.00 |
Solinco Confidential - Grey (Poly 125/130mm) |
$31.00 |
Wilson Synthetic Gut - White (Standard 130mm) |
$25.00 |
Own String - Labor |
$18.00 |
Cushion- Air Classic Sponge |
$12.00 |
Wilson Over grip (white) |
$3.00 |
Own Bumper Guard - Labor |
$5.00 |
Turn Around Time: Maple YMCA 3-5 Business Days / Portage YMCA 5-7 Business Days (We do not restring racquetball rackets) |
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Tennis Court Rental
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Online Court Sheets for viewing!
View our tennis court sheets online to find available courts for rental before calling us to reserve and pay. All court fees are due at the rental time. To rent a court, call us at 269-345-9622 up to 7 days in advance of when you would like to play.
Maple Tennis Court Sheets Portage Tennis Court Sheets
Indoor Tennis Court Rentals
| Ages | Day | TIme | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 years - Adult | Sunday-Saturday | Open - Close | $20/hr |
| 10 years or under | Sunday-Saturday | Open - Close | $10/hr |
10 years and under court rates apply to any court time used with a member10 years of age or under.
September through May: Full price for all reservations and walk-on.
June through August: All indoor court fees are $10 per hour and walk-on.
Outdoor Clay Court Use: Clay Courts at Portage are available for $10 per hour.
Must be a YMCA member to reserve tennis courts. All Non-Member Tennis Court Partner fees apply to anyone playing tennis only a non-member.
Reservations can be made 7 days in advance. All court reservations must be paid for in full at the time of reservation.
Tennis Court rentals are non-refundable and non-transferable.
To reserve a court, call Maple (269) 345-9622 or Portage (269) 324-9622.
USTA Tennis Tournaments
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The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo hosts a variety of adult and youth USTA sanctioned and unsanctioned tennis tournaments. Click here to view all current USTA tournaments and to register.
