The Playa Tenis Center

I have agreed to start writing articles for a new local English newspaper called the Playa Times.  Given I am quite busy with work and sometimes struggle with even keeping up with my blog, we will see how it goes.  For my first article I have decided to write about the quite impressive Playa Tenis Center (the "PTC") near the Coke plant just north of Playa.

The PTC was started a few years ago as a dream of Claudia Rios de Arana and her husband Architect Luis Arana.  As an avid tennis playing family they wanted to create a world class facility for learning and playing tennis, starting on the ground level, working on tennis fundamentals, in order to perhaps bring the level of tennis training up to the level of other parts of Mexico.  Although there are many tennis players in Playa, and quite good coaching, before the PTC there was no one central organized facility with proper structured training, first class courts, video cameras taping classes for teacher and student review and hosting facilities for national and international tournaments. They are really looking to set a very high level of professionalism and training at a national and world class level.

Just a couple of weeks ago the PTC hosted the Nike Junior Tour where some of the best youth players from all over the country unified to play in Playa.  It not only helped to put Playa on the tennis map but also helped to show local players how they rank on a national scale.  It gives motivation to help improve one's game.  This week the PTC is holding qualifications for Mexicans in the international Futures Tennis Tournament being held near Tulum at the Palladium Hotel.

The coaching at the PTC is also fantastic. Coach Rafael Gutierrez Perez ("Coach Rafa") was the number one player in Mexico from the age of 10 to the age of 18, and even played in South Africa at the age of 14 against former World No. #1 Player Rafael Nadal.  At one point in time, Coach Rafa was ranked around 400 in the world.  Choosing to split his time between school and tennis, in the end he opted for school and became an architect by day and tennis coach in the mornings and evenings.

The PTC currently has 3 hard courts (which can be converted to 4 singles courts), and they are installing an additional court which might be grass or clay.  They are also in the process of building a swimming pool.  I'm going to start classes next week and am excited to finally have my lessons video taped and posted on a secure link online so I can actually see how I am playing.

Here is a link to the Playa Tenis Center: https://www.facebook.com/PlayaTenisCenterAC.

Playa Tenis Center A.C.

Ave. Universidades Esq. Calle Langosta L-8 Mza. 4 Fracc. Arrecifes C.P. 77712

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

01 984 109 0507

Claudia and Coach Rafa at the PTC.

One court at the PTC.

The Playa Tenis Center