Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were at the official opening of the Patrick Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Sophia Antipolis, 25 km from Nice.
The famous coach opened the impressive 12-hectare complex, which includes a school and 33 courts (clay and green) plus 8 indoor courts. The 3,000 m² Academy building offers a medical centre, restaurant, fitness room and pool.
The American curriculum-based Tennis-Study section boasts a state-of-the-art 2,500 m² campus with 75 double rooms and 10 apartments can house up to 130. The 15 classrooms with 20 teachers accommodate students from grades 6 to 12, looking for entry into American universities.
The sports-study program costs €16,500 for the “core” tennis option or €27,000 for the customised package, which includes additional weekly private coaching and the summer circuit. These figures do not include €11,500 tuition fees or boarding costs, which range from €11,500 for a triple room to €18,500 for a single. The academy also offers training camps for children and adults across the year.
The entirely private project is now Europe’s largest tennis academy and a training centre for Top ATP & WTA players. A Centre Court has also been developed specially for preparing the French Open.
The Academy brings together the Mouratoglou’s Thiverval Grignon training centre and ISP, founded by Charles Auffray, a former tennis pro, who remains director and a shareholder.
Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Patrick Mouratoglou has been exclusively coaching Serena Williams since 2012, helping her win seven Wimbledon titles among countless other titles. Mouratoglou’s father is founder and president of EDF Énergies Nouvelles.
French 2016 Olympic Gold Judo Medallist, Teddy Riner, ATP world No 8 Grigor Dimitrov and DJ Bob Sinclar were also at Monday night’s event.