The Saturday Morning Crew
Every Saturday morning at 9 AM, four strangers-turned-friends show up on Court 3.
They call themselves “The Saturday Crew,” and they’re one of my favorite success stories—not because they’re the most skilled group I’ve ever taught (they’re not), but because of what tennis gave them beyond backhands and volleys.
It started 18 months ago.
I posted on the local community board: “Beginner adult tennis group forming. Small class, big results.” Four people signed up—ranging from age 28 to 61, from a software engineer to a retired teacher. None of them knew each other. Most had never held a tennis racket.
Today? They’ve played in a local recreational league together. They organize weekend doubles matches.
They showed up at my birthday dinner last month with a cake shaped like a tennis ball. When one member’s father passed away unexpectedly, the other three attended the funeral—not because they had to, but because somewhere between learning serves and fixing footwork, they’d become family.
That’s what group training does. It teaches tennis, yes—but it also creates community. And in a world where adults struggle to make meaningful connections, that might be even more valuable than a killer forehand.
Why Group Training Works (Especially for Adults)
There’s a myth that private lessons are always better than group lessons. It’s not true. Private lessons are more personalized, but group training has unique advantages that some students actually need more:
Built-in practice partners. Tennis is a two-person game. In private lessons, I’m your only partner. In groups, you have three others who become training buddies, weekend opponents, and lifelong tennis friends.
Social accountability. It’s easy to skip a private lesson when you’re tired or busy.
It’s harder to let down three other people who expect to see you. Group members show up for each other.
Peer learning. You learn as much watching others as being watched yourself. When I correct someone’s grip, you absorb that lesson. When someone asks a great question, everyone benefits.
Cost efficiency. Let’s be honest: private lessons are expensive. Group training gives you professional coaching at a fraction of the cost, making tennis accessible to people who otherwise couldn’t afford regular instruction.
How My Group Training Works
👥 Small Groups (Maximum 4 Players)
I cap my groups at 4 students. Why? Because I refuse to run those giant 12-person “clinics” where you stand in line for 10 minutes waiting for your turn to hit three balls.
With four people, I can watch each person’s technique, provide individual feedback, and create drills where everyone stays active. You’re not paying to stand around—you’re paying to learn and play.
Skill-Matched Groups
I group students by skill level and learning pace. Beginners train with beginners. Intermediate players train with intermediate players. This ensures everyone is challenged appropriately—not bored, not overwhelmed.
If you outgrow your group (congrats!), I’ll promote you to the next level. Progress should be rewarded, not held back.
🎯 Structured Curriculum
Every session has a focus: serves one week, groundstrokes the next, volleys and net play after that.
We build systematically so you develop complete game skills, not just random drills.
But I also stay flexible. If the group struggles with something, we spend extra time on it. If everyone masters a skill quickly, we move forward. The curriculum serves you—not the other way around.
🏆 Game Play & Competition
Every session includes match play. We do drills for 40 minutes to build skills, then play games for
20 minutes to apply those skills. This keeps training fun and gives you experience playing under pressure.
For groups that want it, I organize friendly round-robins and mini-tournaments. Competition brings out the best in people—and reveals what needs work.
Available Group Training Options
🌅 Adult Beginner Group
Who: Adults 18+ with little to no tennis experience
Focus: Fundamentals, technique, building confidence, social play
Pace: Patient and encouraging—no pressure, lots of laughs
🎾 Adult Intermediate Group
Who: Adults who can rally and want to refine their game
Focus: Strategy, consistency, match play, competitive skills
Pace: Faster-paced with challenging drills and regular match play
👶 Kids Group (Ages 6-10)
Who: Children learning tennis basics
Focus: Coordination, fundamentals, fun games, social development
Pace: Energetic, playful, with clear structure
Current spots: max 4 per kids group
Junior Competitive Group (Ages 11-16)
Who: Young players interested in tournaments and competitive play
Focus: Advanced technique, match strategy, mental toughness, tournament prep
Pace: Intense and goal-oriented
💪 Cardio Tennis / Fitness Group
Who: Adults seeking tennis-based fitness (all skill levels welcome)
Focus: High-energy drills, continuous movement, calorie burn, fun
Pace: Fast-paced workout with great music
Current spots: max 8 for cardio tennis
Can’t find a group that fits your schedule? If you can gather 4-6 people interested in training together, I’ll create a custom group for your schedule and skill level. Email me and let’s talk.
Group Training Pricing
90 minutes/2 players
- Maximum 4 players per group
- Skill-matched participants
- Professional coaching throughout
- Structured drills + match play
- All balls and court time included
- Bring your own racket (or borrow mine)
90 minutes/3-4 players
- Attend ANY group session, unlimited times
- Mix and match groups based on your schedule
- Priority booking for special events
- Access to Saturday round-robins
- Best option for serious learners
Kids & Juniors
- Maximum 4 kids per group (ages 6-10)
- Age and skill-appropriate training
- Fun, engaging, educational
- Equipment provided for beginners
- Progress reports every 8 weeks
What Group Members Say
“I joined Olga’s Saturday group to learn tennis. I stayed because these people became my friends.
We play tennis together, but we also grab coffee, text each other, and support each other’s lives.
Tennis was just the beginning.”
“I was worried I’d hold the group back since I’d never played before. Olga matched me with other
beginners, and we learned together. Now we’re all playing in a local league. Best decision I made this year.”
“My 8-year-old son is shy and struggled to make friends after we moved. Olga’s kids group gave him
confidence and friendships. He looks forward to tennis more than anything else all week.”