Clinics
Players of all ages and abilities are invited to learn new skills. The Highland Park Tennis Club is proud of the diverse community of players in our clinic programs.
HPTC currently offers clinic programming for children, youth, and adults, including adaptive programming for players who are blind, visually impaired, or use wheelchairs for mobility. All clinic programs are FREE, racquets are provided, and two sport wheelchairs are available.
Under the leadership of clinic director Frederick Crawford and head pro David Dilettuso, the coaching team promotes new and seasoned players' love of the game, and assists each individual in developing their tennis skills.
The HPTC offers the community a full 12-week schedule in the Spring and Summer of . The clinics run every Saturday (weather permitting) from May to July. Please check the Events page for details on clinics for 2025.
Clinic Times:
Adult & Children: 9:30AM-11AM EST
Wheelchair: 11:30AM-1:30PM EST
Blind & Visually Impaired: 11:30AM-1:30PM EST
Children & Youth
Children and youth programming is offered for players from 5 to 17 years old. Coaches strive to promote a positive experience for all - from children stepping onto the court for the first time to youth developing basic tennis shots and beyond. Fun and developmentally appropriate drills are used to introduce and practice strokes. Junior tennis balls are used to support early success.
Adult
Adult tennis programming is organized by skill level. Players are invited to join the most suitable group - beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Sessions are geared toward particular skills at different levels, including learning and perfecting basic strokes (serve, forehand, backhand, volleys, and the overhead smash), footwork, and strategy. If you're interested in improving your game, making new friends, and taking your tennis skills to a whole new level, HPTC invites you to join!
Wheelchair and Adaptive Programming
Wheelchair
Wheelchair tennis programming for children, youth, and adult players is organized as one clinic. Under the direction of leading wheelchair athlete and coach Jake Schmalzriedt, players are provided beginner to advanced-level instruction in the sport, based on their previous experience and skill. Wheelchair players are allowed two bounces before hitting a return shot. HPTC has two sport wheelchairs available for interested players to use during clinic hours.
Blind and Visually Impaired
Blind and Visually-Impaired (BVI) tennis programming for children, youth, and adult players is organized as one clinic. Under the direction of David Dilettuso, Dana Costa, and Jen Roth, each player is assigned a coach. HPTC’s BVI program is the premiere tennis team of the United States Blind Tennis Association (USBTA). Friendly, competitive matches are a popular part of all clinic sessions. BVI tennis is played with foam balls that make sound. Shorter tennis racquets are used and verbal calls begin play. The ball may bounce 1-3 times before the player must hit a return shot, with allowable bounces based on a player’s sight classification.