JC FERRERO EQUELITE SPORT ACADEMY

THE HIGH PERFORMANCE ACADEMY OF SOUTHERN EUROPE

C Ferrero-Equelite Sport Academy is one of the best high performance academies in the World, located in Villena, . The academy was J founded in 1990 by Antonio Martinez Cascales and has come a long way Jsince the beginning, more than 25 years ago. Leading by Juan Carlos Fe- rrero, ex world ATP No.1, and one of the three Spanish tennis players who have reached this ranking in the Spanish tennis history (along with Carlos Moyá and ). The academy has not only been important in Spain, but also in China where they promoted their tennis style, the competitions and the growth of the player. In 2017, the academy is setting up a new project in Brazil. 1 JC FERRERO EQUELITE SPORT ACADEMY

The academy was founded in 1990 by THE Cascales. After establishing it, Antonio ACADEMY Martinez Cascales (Head coach) together with Samuel Lopez (Coach) formed a WORKS TO team and started coaching kids there, where became a part TAKE OUT of the team in the main year with the age ALL THE BEST of 10. When the academy first opened its doors to the World, it had only 2 courts, FROM THE nowadays we are proud to announce our PLAYERS. academy as the best high performan- ce academy, with 20 courts of all kinds’ surfaces and many more world-class faci- lities. At the academy you can enjoy your stay in our Equelite Rural Hotel not only with tennis, but also with Padel, a 9-hole golf course, Sauna, Restaurant, Equelite demy staff promotes social and cultu- Sport shop and physiotherapy clinic. ral development of its players by taking care of their growth. Our summer stage Since the beginning, the Academy works is well-known for training tennis players to take out all the best from the players. all around the world, with an adapted Antonio Martinez Cascales’s intention plan depend on the age and the level. was to get the best facilities and condi- Kids take advantage their stay to live tions for the young athletes in order to the experience of training as professio- improve tennis around the area and get nal tennis players do during the year. It into professional tennis world. Juan Car- is an international campus where they los Ferrero came to the hands of Casca- can learn and improve their tennis le- les at the age of 10. Daily practices of his vels, at the same time that they have dad in the tennis club made him take the fun, learn another language or deve- racket and choose the sport he wanted lop social skills. The summer stage also to stay for the rest of his life. The aca- offers the possibility to hit balls with pro-

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THE GOAL OF fessional tennis players and get along Guillermo Garcia Lopez , Maria-Teresa with Juan Carlos Ferrero, ATP no.1 Torro Flor, and . Carreño is THIS ACADEMY the visible face of the academy in the COMPETITION ATP Wolrd Tour, he has been working WAS TO GET The academy highlights its Competition in the academy since November 2015 THE BEST program for players with ambitions of and during this time he has reached has improving their game style. The pro- best ranking, world No.21 (he was No.70 FACILITIES gram has a limited number of places due when he started to train in the aca- AS POSSIBLE to the personalized practices offered to demy). He has got his first two ATP titles the athletes. Players will be supervised in Moscow and Winston Salem. He is the FOR YOUNG by our high quality staff: certified ten- youngest player into the Top 100. ATHLETES nis coaches, athletic trainers, physiothe- esides from this players that have had rapists, doctors, and psychologists. All practices for long years with us, pro- the staff has working experience with fessionals such as Maria Sharapova and professional athletes. During the stay in her team practiced at our academy to competition, a personalized training and prepare her debut at Rolland Garros to tournament plan will be adjusted accor- become a Nº1 in the world in 2005 af- ding to the level and the age of each pla- ter, which she celebrated her win with yer. us; who obtained his first ATP points with us; Justin Henin, Dinara Juan Carlos Ferrero promotes the com- and ’s, Thomaz Belucci, Maria petition program affirming “the objecti- Jose Martinez, Santiago Ventura, among ve is to create a place where we can help others passed through our academy. players to reach the professional tennis”. Every year, the academy holds the ITF In an interview for industriadeltenis.com Junior Grade 1 as well as the Juan Car- he defined the program as a challenge, a los Ferrero trophy, where great players nice sacrifice when you see good results. have got the title and after that they have done a fantastic professional ca- The goal of this academy was to get reer as Pablo Andújar who won in the the best facilities as possible for young year 2003-2004, Nicolás Almagro, Nico athletes, where they could practice, im- Kuhn in 2016, Álvaro López San Martín prove their tennis skills and get into the in 2015, Jauma Munar in 2014 or Konta, professional world such as Juan Carlos Paula Badosa and Eva Guerrero in the Ferrero, Nicolas Almagro, Pablo Carreño, female category. ⚫ 3 JC FERRERO EQUELITE SPORT ACADEMY

CHAMPION RUNNER-UP DOUBLES

2016 Nicola Kuhn (ESP) Alejandro Matuszewski y Zuc Davidovich (ESP) 2015 Álvaro López San Geoffrey Álvaro López San Martín Martín (ESP) Blancaneaux (FRA) / Carlos Taberner (ESP) 2014 Jaume Antoni Andrey Munar (ESP) Rublev (RUS) 2013 Maxime Hamou Nikola Milojevic (SRB) (FRA) 2012 Alexander Evan Hoyt (GBR) Vasilenko (RUS) 2011 E Esteve (ESP) O Roca (ESP)

2010 A Rumyanisev A Pavlasek (CZE) (RUS) 2009 S Poplavskyy Y Uchiyama (JPN) (UKR) 2008 D Schulz (GER) Pablo Carreño (ESP)

2007 M Sekulic (SWE) Rafael Mazon (ESP)

2006 J Andersen (RSA) Abel Hernandez

2005 M Karpol (CRO) J Sousa (POR)

2004 Pablo Andújar Jorge Montesinos (ESP) (ESP) 2003 Pablo Andújar David Estruch (ESP) (ESP) 2002 Nicolás Almagro David Ollivier (ESP) (ESP)

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CHAMPION RUNNER-UP DOUBLES

2016 Seone Méndez Paula Arias. Amina Anshba y Nika Shytkouskaya

2015 Eva Guerrero Rebeka Masarova Emily Arbuthnott (GBR) (ESP) / Emilie Francati (DEN) 2014 Paula Badosa Ioana Loredana Rosca (ESP) (RUM 2013 Helen Ploskina Darya Kasatkina (RUS) (UKR) 2012 Iva Mekovec Rebecca Peterson (CRO) (SWE) 2011 M Margulis (RUS) J de Sutter (BEL)

2010 A Gamiz (VEN) K Fabikova (CZE)

2009 A Marenko (RUS) D Papamichail (GRE)

2008 B Otashliyska Mª Teresa Torro (ESP) (BUL) 2007 J Konta (AUS) J Goloborodko (UKR)

2006 Maite Gabarrus Y Gavenko (RUS)

2005 Z Linhova (CZE) M Ince (GBR)

2004 A Föhse (GER) Teresa Ferrer (ESP)

2003 Adriana González Nuria Sánchez (ESP) (ESP) 2002 Claudia Jordá K.Hartman (GER) (ESP)

TOURNAMENTS OF THE ACADEMY •ITF junior Grado 1 •Circuito Alicantino •Circuito Mediterráneo •ITF Senior Grado 3 •Marca Jóvenes Promesas •Manuel Alonso fase provincial •Campeonato de España infantil por CCAA •Nacional Junior •Nacional Absoluto •Master Promesas •Master TTK Warriors •Torneos sociales

5 JC FERRERO EQUELITE SPORT ACADEMY A PROJECT TO SUPPORT THE INNOVATION C Ferrero – Equelite Sport Academy This is an international academy so we offers different study programs for have players all around the world: Autralia Jyoung Spanish and foreign athletes (Caitlyn Portela u-14 Top3), England (Mar- in order for them to be able to combine ni Banks, u-14 No.1), Belgium (Alex Van their studies with tennis, and the tourna- Hool, u-14 No.1), USA (Andrew Puscas), ments that will be organized throughout Russia (Matvey Minin), Thailand (Chanon the school year. Phunsawat), Japan (Mikihiro Osada), Ka- zajstan (Tamirlan Teberikov), Bulrgary No matter whether the player speaks (Aleksandra Zlatarova, u-14 Top3), Chi- Spanish or English, he/she will be able na, Holland, Germany, India….and Spain. to carry out the distance learning in our facilities. Spanish speakers will be JCFerrero-Equelite is the unique tennis studying through the online program academy in Spain, and one of the first (CIDEAD). Along the same line, the in Europe, which has implemented in its well-known King’s College – The Bri- courts this latest technology system: tish School of cooperates with The smart court. Defined as a central- the academy in order to allow English data-base, PlaySight offers you statistics speakers to continue with their studies of all kind, including the effect that you without putting aside their practices. put on the ball, the distance from the Both programs are supported by the net, correct and missed shots, and kind teachers of the academy that adjust of stroke used. All this with and easy and their schedule for the players, helping dynamic interface that let even the pa- them even while they are travelling be- rents enjoy in the distance the practice cause tournaments. of their children ⚫

6 JC FERRERO EQUELITE SPORT ACADEMY INTERVIEW JOSÉ MANUEL MADRONA José Manuel Madrona is the manager of the academy, he has promoted a dynamic development with visión over the médium and long-term.

daily hard work and the illusion of n the Valencian Region, the being able to see how our players tennis competitiveness is very are growing up every day. strong either in the training or the competition, so What makes Up to two decades working at the Equelite Juan Carlos Ferrero highest level, How is a big project different to others? like this keeping? IAll our workers and members show Making a big effort and adapting passion in tennis, which is a basic ourselves to new times. Nowadays, point for us. Since the beginning the academy is quite different tan 10 of the academy we all could stand years ago, we have tried to progress and work together with Juan Carlos but keeping our essence. We take Ferrero when he reached the world care of our players so they can feel No.1. This is not only a key element themselves like at home. We should but several others such as the keep in mind that we spend with familiarity shown to our players, the them the whole day, every day in a

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WE SHOULD week that is why we are the closest Which projects are you developing thing to a family for them. Everyone for 2017? KEEP IN can notice this feeling day to day, besides, the fact that a world No.1 as We have started a new project MIND THAT Juan Carlos Ferrero can share with in Brazil but we are still working them their daily training routine is a on it. Also, we are supporting WE SPEND great experience too, and then they new technologies and innovation can have good advices and support to improve our quality including WITH THEM from him. He acts as their guide so Playsight, an exclusive technology THE WHOLE they can follow his paths. (no one in Spain has it) SVTA or Velowing. In addition, we pay DAY, EVERY One of your objectives for attention to the social point that is medium-term is to convert the going to reinforce the social tennis. DAY IN A academy in a reference not only as WEEK THAT a tennis academy but also a social The ITF Junior Grade 1 is one one in the region, What are your of your flagships, What kind of IS WHY WE projects? resources put the academy aside to carry it out? ARE THE Since 6 years ago, the social part of the academy has been getting We should do everything possible CLOSEST more and more importance for us. to carry the ITF out. Unfortunately, It is so important for the region to there are just 10 ITF tournaments THING TO A gets to know that in Villena there in Europe, and in Spain this is the FAMILY FOR are great facilities. For that, we have only one with Grade 1. These kinds built more paddle courts so this of tournaments do not have the THEM. field has made us known as one of support of the administrations, the best possibilities for the paddle so it is very difficult to get private world. All this, accompanied by a sponsors and the academy has selection of the best tournaments to bear around 90% of the total both in tennis or paddle for all budget of 35.000 euros. It is not levels (professionals and social only the economic cost, but also tournaments). Nowadays, we are the strong involvement of our staff, holding over ten tennis and paddle since we are happy to welcome all tournaments respectively. players, trying to make their stay as comfortable as possible. This is

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a very intense week where we all will try to be on the front line of “THE MAIN work a lot of hours to ensure that everything that tennis involves, everything goes perfectly. so why not touch tennis or beach WAY TO tennis? I am pretty sure we will be What projects are you currently able to enjoy it in the academy very FOLLOW HAS planning for the summer stage? soon. Has the economic crisis affected ALWAYS BEEN the assistance? Are you going to continue to THE HIGH- expand internationally the The perspectives are goes, it is true academy after the China’s project? COMPETITION that a few years ago, the number of Spaniards who came to the summer Because of the great global TENNIS stage reduced, but we have kids recognition that the academy has, from all over the world so it was we have had the opportunity to AND IT WILL great to keep doing it. The academy expand ourselves, but we have ALWAYS BE,” is well known worldwide so we have shown some prudence in this had to adapt to these new situations respect having in mind that we that is the clue to keep being one of must do a great work wherever the best academies in the world. we are. For this reason, we have carried our just these projects with What is the way you are following? enough warranties to meet tour And after this, are you going expectations of Antonio Martínez to continue to gamble on new Cascales y Juan Carlos Ferrero. disciplines as touch tennis? During this year, as I mentioned before, we are initiating a new The main way to follow has project in Brazil as well as we are always been the high-competition researching other possibilities. We tennis and it will always be, but must do things well, so when we it is obvious that we should go can guarantee the quality which further without forgetting our main defines our brand we could mention objective that is why the academy them explicitly.⚫

9 JC FERRERO EQUELITE SPORT ACADEMY INTERVIEW JUAN CARLOS FERRERO Juan Carlos Ferrero is the visible face of the academy. He is among the select group of Spanish tennis players that haven been world No.1, it is a privilege shared with Carlos Moyá and Rafa Nadal. In the academy Juan Carlos has found the perfect transmission belt to share with young players his knowledge and passion for tennis

f you look back, would you have imagined the academy Equelite Juan Carlos Ferrero would have accomplished all of its goals?

No, it is something impossible to imagine, as well as to have reached world No.1. Luckily, I could stand out in the ATP circuit and along with my coach IAntonio Maritnez Cascales decided to invest in the academy. We have worked very hard to get what we have now.

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One of your what they have and invest in hallmarks is to keep themselves. the competition Which are the basic principles character over the that a player should follow to join years, What does it the Equelite Juan Carlos Ferrero require? academy? The academy does not profits by its We are an academy, players own, we have huge come here to learn. Our task is to facilities and a educate them so we work very personal treatment hard 365 days a year. We cannot to the players (the admit that players don’t take their annual player / job seriously. worker ratio is 1/1) this adds costs What is the teaching philosophy which are difficult day-to-day in the academy? to balance out. Our objective is to create Each player is different so they a place where we need different attentions, in the are able to help work and in the play. We analyze athletes to reach the that and create a personalized professional tennis. training trying to adapt our work It is a very gratifying to the player needs. The higher sacrifice when we they reach, the higher is the see players getting personalization. their goals. The ITF Junior Grade 1 is one of What means for your hallmarks, Do you consider Equelite to have as a next step forward, to organize players as important a tournament? as Carreño, or promising young Sure, we always work to keep players as Kuhn, growing. The tournament is so “THE MOST Sánchez or Izquierdo? important for us, 10 days so nice holding players from all over the IMPORTANT When one of our players gets the world showing us their great levels. THING FOR ATP circuit is something special We are working to get the grade for us. All our players are doing A; it is difficult but not impossible. ME IS THE a great job and although most of them are still young, they are You are establishing synergies HUMILITY making a big effort and hard daily between the academy and work. other clubs as the Helios from AND THE Onteniente, How did you set up HARD In Equelite, you are like a mirror this project? where many players can look at, WORKING” What do you try to transmit them? The Helios tennis club from Onteniente is growing so fast, and Well, the most important thing I am always pleased to help them. for me is the humility and the I discovered tennis there, is my hard working. We must have our home too. We have done some feet firmly on the ground and clinics, tournaments etc. We have go forward step by step. Each recommended them some of our player is different, so they should players for taking part of their keep improving. Besides, the team. They gained promotion to academy changes every season the second division last year, so trying to learn from our mistakes, our idea is to keep growing with we improve our facilities too so that team and collaborate with players must do the same, value them as much as possible. ⚫

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Extra editado y diseñado por industriadeltenis.com y Sports Online Consulting (SOC)

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