Grand Slam Team
Wimbledon's 150th, then the red clay of three countries.
Ask if this trip is the right fit51 summers on European red clay
They go to play.
Match play under real tournament pressure, with the focus on strategy and the mental game, not just hitting.
17 to 25 day red claycourt tournament circuits for players 13–18 — match play, youth exchange, travel and personal growth.
See all the photos → · For players →
Why red clay
The Red Clay Advantage.
What a summer here does that a summer at home cannot.
Camps, academies and local junior clinics give players practice. Tennis: Europe follows up and gives them matches — on the surface that punishes every shortcut, against the players who grew up on it.
- 01
The ball sits up, so you have to build the point
Red clay is slower than green Har-Tru, with a high bounce, so no one can be hit through. It builds strategy and point construction: drop shots, spin serves, patience.
- 02
You learn to slide, and the balance comes home with you
Sliding into the shot builds footwork and balance that carry straight back to the hardcourt.
- 03
More matches than any summer at home
In Europe a player can enter two or three age groups at the same tournament. That adds up: five tournaments in 25 days, three in 17. On some trips, for example those with round-robin draws, we have averaged 20 matches per player.
- 04
Your opponents grew up on it
Czech, Spanish and Dutch juniors who grew up on clay — and will make you play one more ball.
- 05
Friends from all over the USA, and all over Europe
Teammates come from across the country and leave as close friends. The European juniors they play become friends too, through tennis.
- 06
And it comes back with them, onto the hardcourt
The toughness and strategy built on clay come home with them. Every result counts toward UTR.
Watch · two and a half minutes on the red clay
An invitation from Dr. Martin Vinokur, Founding Director
Your chance to see the world like a touring pro.
Here is your chance to improve your tournament mental toughness and strategy on the European red clay, against challenging competition. Follow up on the work you do at your local clinic or camp with the one thing only match play can give you.
Tennis: Europe is a combination of tennis, travel and tournament match play with high-quality coaching. You travel with juniors from all over the country in a genuine team atmosphere, and you meet teenagers from all over the world — making lifelong friends through a shared interest in tennis.
- Small coed teams, about one coach for every five to six players, so your coaches are courtside at your tournaments, chart and analyze many of your matches, and go over them with you afterward
- Like the pro tour — one tournament week per country, three to five tournaments in 17 to 25 days, all counting toward your UTR
- Ages 13 to 18, from school varsity through to ranked players
- Off court: the beaches of Spain, Amsterdam's canals, the Duomo in Florence, and for the Grand Slam Team, Wimbledon's historic 150th year
- Ask us about our Matching Grant scholarships
We're proud of our work
51Summers
5,700+Players
1,778Tournaments
26Countries visited
8American states
Summer 2027
Three junior teams and an Adult Team. Pick the one that fits.
National Team
For ranked juniors. Red clay against claycourt specialists.
Ask if this trip is the right fit
Alps to Rome Team
The Alps, then Bergamo, Florence and the Eternal City.
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Adult Team — Prague to Munich
Two great tennis cities, 21 and over. By popular request.
Ask if this trip fits meIn their words
P. had a fabulous trip and I'm sure he'll be so sad to be back home! He just played his first tournament after getting home from the trip and he won the whole thing!
Mary · Seattle, Washington · Mother
We think the program offered a very nice blend of tennis and other activities. We are blown away by how well the coaches juggled all of the different schedules and locations and made sure all of the kids stayed busy.
Sonya and Andrew Ferris · St Johns, Florida · Parents
I've been on two Tennis: Europe trips and they not only improved my tennis game and fitness but truly strengthened my love for the sport.
Zoe Kava · New York, New York
Growing from “little brother” on my first Tennis: Europe trip to “Big Daddy” on my third trip, and learning from my European host families — all contributed to my confidence in meeting and dealing with people in college and the world thereafter.
Peter Sydney · Armonk, New York · Player, 1981–1984
The relationships that we formed in Europe have lasted a lifetime.
Lisa and Dr. Paul Hoffstein · Merion Park, Pennsylvania · Player 1975 & Staff 1981 · Staff 1978–1981
The experience of traveling to Europe and playing under conditions that were different from the States — while playing competition — helped me prepare for the conditions of playing as a professional. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to play overseas. I would tell anyone that they should sign up for Tennis: Europe.
Mel Purcell · Murray, Kentucky · Player, 1975 & 1977
Looking back, for me Tennis: Europe was one of the greatest experiences of my life. One day at a USTA junior tournament I just mentioned to Coach Martin Vinokur, “Wouldn't it be great to go over to Europe to play tennis tournaments?” A year later — in 1973 — five players and Coach were on our way to Europe. I am amazed at what Coach has developed since that time.
Rob Stein · Los Angeles, California · Player, 1973
A final thought
Where our players end up.
Hundreds of our past participants have gone on to play college tennis, some to the pro tours, and most importantly to remarkable careers — as doctors, lawyers, financial professionals, coaches and political leaders.
Tristan Bradley of Pennsylvania, playing for Bowdoin, won Division III NCAA national singles in 2024. Dr. Michael Johnson, of our very first team in 1973, was honored by the USTA for lifetime achievement in medicine. Andrew Jassy of our 1986 team is CEO of Amazon. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand represents New York in the US Senate. Bill Ackman and Rob Pohly are leading hedge fund managers in Manhattan. James Ashworth of Duke, Tony Bresky of Wake Forest and Dave Schwarz of Middlebury led their college teams to NCAA team championships — and many more besides.
Listen to Martin
Hear it from the directors.
Martin and Mike on the ParentingAces podcast: what a summer on European red clay is really like, and who it's for.
The next step
Talk to us before you decide.
Twenty minutes on the phone will tell you more than any website can. We will talk about your player honestly — whether this is the right summer, and which team fits.