SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY (SMU) – Dallas, TX
5 Stars – Based on 14 User Reviews
Overnight and Day Camp Options

Enjoy an incredible week of tennis this summer at the Wilson Collegiate Tennis Camps at SMU in the heart of Dallas. What has quickly become one of the largest and most popular tennis camps in the US, the SMU camp hosts more than 400 kids a summer. Young players get a chance to train at one of the premier tennis facilities in the world under the direction of SMU coaches Grant Chen (Head Men’s Coach) and Jeff Nevolo (Head Women’s Coach).
The SMU camp is the perfect preparation for young players who are looking to get more involved with playing tennis. Each camper receives personal attention, advanced teaching techniques, intensive drill work, and game/match play, all in a fun and competitive environment. Campers are broken up into small instructional groups with a tailored program for the needs of each level of player.
NEW OVERNIGHT HIGH SCHOOL CAMP: 214 High School Camps
Experience a collegiate style training camp during the USTA Pro Circuit $25K futures Dallas Open tournament series. Exposure to on court training, tennis specific fitness exercises with SMU a coaching staff while watching tournament semifinals and finals.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAMP INCLUDE:
- Small instructional groups to ensure individual attention
- Comprehensive instructional program with daily teaching progressions
- Camp T-Shirt and prizes for all campers
- Camp demo program that includes all the latest Wilson rackets
- Safety prioritized on and off court

CAMP DETAILS
CAMP DATES:
- Session I: June 5-9, 2023
- Session II: June 12-16, 2023
- Session III: June 19-23, 2023
- Session IV: June 26-30, 2023
- Session V: July 17-21, 2023
High School Camps:
- 214 High School Camp: Boys – July 14-16, 2023
- 214 High School Camp: Girls – July 28-30, 2023 – SOLD OUT
FEES:
- Full Day Option – $730 per week
- Half Day Option – $520 per week
- 214 High School Camp – $695 per week
TIMES:
- Full Day Option: 9am – 4pm daily
- Half Day Option: 9am – Noon daily
High School Camp:
- TBA
AGES:
- Boys and Girls ages 7-18 of all skill levels. Camps are open to any and all.
- HS Camps are for 8th grade and above
Camp Discounts
Discounts are available for the following:
Faculty / Staff Discount (must email office from smu.edu email address)
- $50 off all camp options (Overnight, Full, or Half Day). Please email the office from smu.edu email address to receive the coupon code.
- * No Discounts available for High School Boys or Girls weeks of camp
NOTES:
*Campers that use the code and are not eligible will be responsible for the full amount.
* Limit 1 coupon per camper week.
MORE INFORMATION
Camps Types: Traditional Tennis Camp
Our traditional tennis camps are designed to focus on the fundamentals and swing techniques of modern tennis strokes. We tailor the instruction to the skill level and experience of each level of player. Some of the areas of focus for each level include:
- Beginners: The beginning-level player will be introduced to the basics of the game. Emphasis will be placed on stroke production and the technical aspects of the swing to teach these young players sound fundamentals from the ground up.
- Intermediate: Intermediate-level players will also focus on stroke production (to ensure proper technique) and be introduced to gameplay situations to introduce these players to the competitive side of the game.
- High School / Tournament: High school (both varsity and JV) and tournament players will focus on the strategic and competitive aspects of the game. Although swing fundamentals are featured, emphasis will also feature point building, court positioning, patterns of play, and live ball drill work.
Note: A skills evaluation is done on the first day of camp, and we will assign students to small instructional groups with kids of similar age, ability, and experience levels. Players will continue to be evaluated throughout the week, and coaches will move kids into situations to push them and help ensure they are in a comfortable learning environment.
Camps Types: 214 High School Camp
Experience a collegiate style training camp during the USTA Pro Circuit $25K futures Dallas Open tournament series. Exposure to on court training, tennis specific fitness exercises with SMU a coaching staff while watching tournament semifinals and finals.
Meals
- Full Day Campers: Please pack a lunch each day. Snacks will be provided daily
- Half Day Campers: No meals provided. Snacks will be provided daily
Inclement Weather
In the case of inclement weather, SMU has 6 indoor courts and we will have full use to these courts. As the camp runs better outdoors, we will shift our daily schedule in anticipation of rain to ensure we maximize our court time outdoors. Camp will proceed rain or shine each day.
FAQ's
Q: Are there Skill Requirements for this camp?
Per NCAA rules, our sports camps are open to all entrants. Enrollment is limited only by age, grade level, gender, and capacity restrictions as specified by each camp.
Q: What type of campers attend this camp?
Our camps are open to all levels of tennis players. We have players from absolute beginner to high school / Tournament level.
We design our camps to teach the technical basics and love of the game to the beginning player, to introduce strategical decision making, and more advanced technique to the intermediate player, while building on their current stroke production, and to put the advanced players into pressured, strategical and competitive situations.
Q. What is the ratio of campers to staff?
Groups will be divided into small instructional groups of approximately 5-6: 1 camper to coach. Some camps/sessions offer higher or lower ratios based on the curriculum.
Q. If the camp is full, do you have a waiting list?
To be added to the waitlist, please register here (there is no fee to join the waitlist).
Q. Should I purchase camp/cancellation insurance?
We recommend all families purchase camp/cancellation insurance if they are concerned about the investment they are making in the camp. Kids do get injured, sick and family plans change from the time of registration leading up to the camp. Camp insurance allows peace of mind and has many benefits in any of these events. Please review our policies page for more information about camp/cancellation insurance. Click Here
Airport Transportation
Airport transportation may be available upon request for those flying into camp.
Pertinent Camp Information for Check-in
Forms / Balance Due
Camp Waiver (required):
Your Liability Waiver was signed during the registration process and is complete as long as your registered online.
Medical Form (required):
Each camper must have a completed and signed medical form brought to check-in on the first day of camp. – Download Form here
A physical exam is not required for campers. If the camper needs medical or disability accommodations, including significant food allergies that require special meals, please email the office.
Balance Due:
To check if you have a remaining balance, you can access your account here.
Check-In / Check-Out Information
SESSIONS I-V:
Check-in / Drop off:
- Check-in / Drop off Time: 8:45-9am daily
- Check-in / Drop off Location: Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex
- Check-in / Drop off Address: 5669 N Central Expressway Dallas Texas 75205
Check-out / Pick up:
- Check-out / Pick up Time: 4:00pm daily for Full Day Campers / 12:00pm daily for half day campers
- Check-out / Pick up Location: Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex
- Check-out / Pick up Address : 5669 N Central Expressway Dallas Texas 75205
Meals Included:
- No meals provided. Full Day campers should pack a lunch daily
214 High School Camps:
Check-in / Drop off:
- Check-in / Drop off Time: 9:00am daily
- Check-in / Drop off Location: Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex
- Check-in / Drop off Address: 5669 N Central Expressway Dallas Texas 75205
Check-out / Pick up:
- Check-out / Pick up Time: 4pm on the first day / 12:00pm on the second day
- Check-out / Pick up Location: Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex
- Check-out / Pick up Address : 5669 N Central Expressway Dallas Texas 75205
Meals Included:
- Lunch provided on the first day
Packing List
- Tennis Racket
- Tennis Shoes
- Sun Screen
- Hat / Visor
- Water bottle
- Snack (if desired)
Session Notes
N/A
MEET YOUR COACHES

Camp Director:
Grant Chen
Head Men’s Tennis Coach
SMU
Camp Director Grant Chen is in his fourth year leading the Mustangs and is building a national contender in the Metroplex of Dallas.
Chen comes to the Hilltop from UCLA, where he served Bruin Head Coach Billy Martin for over 15 years in a multitude of roles, ranging from team manager to associate head coach.
For the past three seasons, Chen has served as Associate Head Coach, and, prior to that, he served as Assistant Coach for three years. During Chen’s six seasons on Martin’s coaching staff, the Bruins registered a 149-28 record (.842) and reached the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championships five times. This past season, UCLA posted its third semifinal-round appearance of the stretch and totaled 30 wins for the first time in Martin’s tenure. The Bruins also collected four Pac-12 regular-season titles and three tournament trophies during Chen’s time on staff.
Chen is recognized as one of the nations top camp directors with over 20 years of tennis camp experience having directed Bassett/Martin Tennis Camp in Big Bear, California as well as UCLA Summer and Holiday Tennis Camps before starting his .highly successful camp at SMU. He also heads the SMU Tennis After School Junior Program

Camp Manager:
Ben Johnson
SMU
Johnson is entering his second season (2018-19) as the assistant coach of the SMU men’s tennis team after spending seven years as the head coach of the Richmond men’s tennis team.
In his first year on the Hilltop, Johnson helped develop a group of seven newcomers under legendary head coach Carl Neufeld.
Johnson has extensive experience working with junior players from his time at Birmingham’s Elite Tennis Academy (2008, 2009, 2010). In addition, he founded Revolution Tennis Academy in Summer 2007, coached and has developed over 20 juniors awarded division 1 scholarships

Jeff Nevolo
Head Women’s Coach
SMU
Jeff Nevolo was named Head Coach of the SMU Women’s Tennis team on July 3, 2019.
Nevolo comes to SMU from South Carolina, where he was the Associate Head Coach for the women’s tennis program since 2014, and the 2018 ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year. In his five seasons at USC, the Gamecocks reached at least the NCAA Second Round each season. The 2019 team won the program’s first SEC Tournament title and reached the NCAA Quarterfinals.
DAILY SCHEDULE
The following schedules are sample schedules of our camps. These are provided to give a rough idea of how each camp is programmed throughout the day.
TRADITIONAL WEEKS – DAILY SCHEDULE: | |
---|---|
9:00 am | Registration, Check In, Opening Remarks |
9:15 a.m | Warm Up & Dynamic |
9:30am | Practice & Drill Session |
10:45 am | Snack Break |
11:00 am | Patterns, Match Strategy & Point Construction |
11:30 am | On Court Fitness Session (Tennis shoes fine) |
12:00 pm | Lunch |
1:00 pm | Team Huddle |
1:30 pm | Doubles Match Play |
2:15 pm | Singles Match Play |
3:45 pm | Cool Down & Closing Remarks |
4:00 pm | Departure |
The following schedules are sample schedules of our camps. These are provided to give a rough idea of how each camp is programmed throughout the day.
FACILITY

SMU TENNIS COMPLEX
To ensure the future success of SMU’s historic tennis program, a new SMU Tennis Complex, Turpin Stadium & Brookshire Family Pavilion opened in 2015. The new complex is a preeminent, top-tier facility located prominently on the south side of Mockingbird Lane at the corner of North Central Expressway, formerly the site of Mrs. Baird’s Bakery.
The new complex provides both indoor and outdoor courts as well as a training center for student athletes and coaches, ensuring that Mustang players can train year-round on campus. In addition, patron accommodations optimize comfort and viewing and include special guest amenities and a club area, providing an enhanced spectator experience.
Match-day parking for the SMU Tennis Complex is available on campus in the Binkley and Moody Parking Centers. We ask that visitors not park in the residential areas surrounding the facility or in Park Cities Plaza.
- Brookshire Family Pavilion including the six Ruth & Ken Altshuler indoor courts
- Turpin Stadium with six outdoor courts
- Permanent spectator seating that can be expanded to accommodate conference, national and professional tournaments
- The Styslinger Family Grand Viewing Terrace with VIP seating overlooking the outdoor courts
- Edwin L. Cox Club Suite with viewing access to the outdoor and indoor courts
- Training facility that includes team locker rooms, training and fitness rooms, meeting rooms and offices for coaches and staff