Students looking to comprise their tennis game now have several new options. Tennis clinics are available Monday through Thursday at 5:30 p.m. under the tennis coach Rich Chappuis. All levels of players are welcome to come to clinics at Shaw Park that are best suited for them.

Advanced tennis players who are experienced in tournament playing can come either once a week or twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Most of the players in this clinic are varsity high school players as well as a few middle school players with high playing ability.

Less experienced players can go on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time. This clinic mostly includes middle school players, but there are also novice high school tournament players.

Players who have never touched a racket in their lives and are just beginning to play tennis can go to the Clayton Center, where they will assign a pro for players, including Bobby Vodicka, Rich Chappuis, and Manuel Prado. Vodicka tends to work with beginners, while Chappuis and Prado teach all levels, including adults.

No matter what level a player is, they are bound to fit anywhere in the Clayton tennis program

“There are a lot of beginning programs in Clayton through staff members of Clayton Shaw Park,” Chappuis said.

Chappuis coaches the clinic through both drills and live ball drills, where players play points out with a purpose. A purpose being practicing certain types of shots, including the forehand, backhand, slice, volleys, and serves. Conditioning is also part of the clinic, so staying in shape is no problem for tennis players who attend.

Prices are also very reasonable at Shaw Park compared to other tennis clinics and private lessons. Private lessons are around $40 to $50 and clinics with the Clayton Program are $90-$130 per session (six clinics) for residents and $110 to $150 for nonresidents. However, if clinics with the more experienced players are wanted, Chappuis’ program is $150 for a single session.

Chappuis also said that clinics mix serious play with fun drills.

Participating in the programs also increases one’s chances of getting into the varsity tennis team.

“The clinics are not all serious, but depending on the level, we are more in depth with the more advanced players than the mediocre players,” Chappuis said. “Of course, if you are trying to improve you need to find opportunities to get better. There isn’t a guarantee to get into varsity, but if you participate in the clinics, you’ll have a higher chance in getting into the varsity team.”

Sophomore Ali Rangwala has played tennis for a year and a half.

“The clinic is helpful because it helps my all around game and I get to experience different levels of players and learn what I should do,” Rangwala said. “I have improved a lot because the coaches guide you in how to improve your game”

Sophomore Dylan Schultz, who has played tennis seriously for 4 years, plays tennis because he likes the sport and likes the individuality.

“The clinic is only one hour and a half and it is not that time consuming,” Schultz said. “It’s a fun way to spend some nights after school to get some breaks from homework.”

Though the first session has already started, one can join at any time, even in the middle of a session, because the clinics go year round.

“The clinic is pretty cheap compared to other clinics and it’s not too late to join,” Schultz said.