Juan Carlos, a former ATP top-200 player, boasts an illustrious career with appearances in premier ATP Tour events like Roland Garros, Montecarlo, and Barcelona.
Transitioning from a celebrated playing career, he has shaped the futures of tennis stars, including coaching top 30 players such as Varvara Lepchenko and Maria Antonia Sanchez, and serving as the traveling coach for Sergi Bruguera, a former ATP top 3.
With leadership roles in various tennis academies from 1994 to 2020, his expertise now benefits ASICS as their Project Manager in Spain.
Juan Carlos holds the highest coaching accreditation from the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) and a Sports Director title from the Catalan Tennis Federation.
Since 1997, Miguel has worked at several tennis clubs, organizations and academies in Portugal, Spain, and the US, where he held different positions and worked with players from all levels and ages, from pre-school children to touring pros (ATP, WTA, ITF). He is a member of the USTA Southwest Coaches Commission and Technical Director of Junior Elite Tennis.
Known for his sports-science approach to methodology and periodization, for following the fundamentals of the Spanish tennis methods, and for his ability to motivate and inspire students, his coaching philosophy always put the player first, developing personalized and goal-oriented programs around them.
Miguel holds a masters degree in high-performance tennis and is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Arizona.
Why did you create The Tennis Xperience?
With extensive experience on both sides of the Atlantic, we identified a unique opportunity to support and elevate the journey of tennis players, particularly from North America. We understand the obstacles—whether you’re a high-level junior player lacking access to a consistent ITF tournament schedule, or a college athlete ready to leap into the professional arena, the journey can feel daunting and solitary.
Enter Barcelona: a city unmatched in its concentration of top-tier talent and a bustling competitive calendar with tournaments every week, providing the perfect ecosystem to bridge the gap between ambition and achievement.
Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself for a couple of weeks or commit to an annual endeavor, The Tennis Xperience is your gateway to transforming potential into prowess.
Why is The Tennis Xperience special?
The Tennis Xperience stands apart with a team whose expertise spans the entire spectrum of high-performance tennis. Our deep understanding of the European competitive landscape, from national junior tournaments to Grand Slams, opens doors to unmatched opportunities. We don’t just accompany you; we welcome you into our world, nestled in one of the global tennis epicenters. Here, tennis players of all ages are not only crafted into formidable competitors but also nurtured into well-rounded individuals through tailored experiences, competitive play, and top-tier coaching in a vibrant new setting.
Do you work with local coaches?
In addition to Juan Carlos Báguena and Miguel Coelho, we work with a team of seasoned local coaches, alongside partnerships with various high-performance academies in Barcelona.
Am I a Good Fit for Your Program?
We certainly hope so! Our goal is to ensure that each trip is as impactful and memorable as possible. This means assembling groups of players who are not only ready but also eager for the experience. Beyond tennis skills, we look for players open to embracing new challenges, training routines, and competition in an entirely new environment—immersing in a culture, language, customs, and habits distinct from their own.
More than just a competition-focused training regimen, The Tennis Xperience offers a promise of complete immersion in an experience that mirrors life on the tour as closely as possible.
Where Will We Be Playing?
Given our focus on high-level competition, our training program and base change according to the competitive calendar and the locations of the tournaments each week. The vast majority of our tennis activities take place at local tennis clubs and academies within the Barcelona area. The tennis culture here is not only highly competitive but also warmly inclusive, resembling a large family. We are confident our players will forge new friendships and connections with fellow athletes from across the globe.
How is the level of play?
Our aim is to assemble teams of players with similar skill levels to ensure that they can mutually elevate their game during practices. Leveraging our connections at each tournament, we strive to place players in competitions that best match their abilities, ensuring they engage in challenging matches. Although perfect matchmaking is an art rather than a science, we are committed to ensuring players train and compete at the appropriate level.
The ideal candidates for our programs are nationally ranked players accustomed to a full tournament schedule. If you’re curious about the specific tennis level required, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.
Are flights included?
Given that we collaborate with players from across the globe, we prefer to let players arrange their own flights. Rest assured, players will be picked up from Barcelona airport upon their arrival.
Where will I stay?
Participants will be accommodated in shared apartments, situated in close proximity to our base club, as well as essential amenities such as dining establishments, supermarkets, beaches, and local attractions. Room assignments are made with consideration to gender, ensuring participants only share spaces with members of the same gender. Coaches will have separate accommodations, and each participant is guaranteed their own bed for the duration of their stay.
Other accommodation options, including single rooms and family apartments, are subject to availability upon request for an additional fee.
How does the group travel during the program?
Throughout the program, group transportation to practices and tournaments will be organized via vans, ensuring we move together from the apartments to our designated locations. On days off and during leisure time, participants are encouraged to explore using Barcelona’s safe and efficient public transportation network, offering a great opportunity to experience the city independently.
What if I become sick or injured?
While we always hope for a safe and healthy experience, we are fully prepared for any health-related emergencies. Barcelona’s healthcare services are of high quality, ensuring that immediate and effective medical attention is available if needed. Should any health issues arise, we will promptly arrange for a visit to a doctor or hospital for treatment. Rest assured, we will provide support and accompany players throughout their medical consultations or treatments to ensure they receive the best care possible.
Who can go on the trips?
Our journeys welcome both male and female players aged 16 and older. Regarding tennis proficiency, we invite players with competitive experience ranging from higher-level USTA tournaments (Levels 1 to 3) and UTR tournaments to ITF Junior World Tour, ITF World Tour, and college tennis for those aged 18 and over. Although we do not enforce a minimum ranking, players should, at the very least, be comfortable with and have experience in competitive matches, engaging in tennis throughout the year.
To maximize competitiveness, our trips are meticulously planned to group players by their level, enhancing both practice sessions and tournament play.
How do I apply?
You can apply on our website here.
Why do you require references or videos?
We want to make sure we build the best experience for everyone, and these references are a great way for us to learn a bit more about every applicant to determine if they are the right fit and help us design a tailored program that matches the individual needs of the player.
What is included in the cost of the trip?
The cost of the trip includes accommodations, daily lunches, court fees, tournament and national tennis federation registration fees, staff, pre-planned activities, and transportation to and from accommodations and tennis clubs.
What is not included in the cost?
Not included is breakfast and dinner, additional optional activities, passport/visa fees, laundry, and medical expenses.
Flights to and from Barcelona are also not included in the trip cost.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept ACH, check, or credit card. Credit card payments will be subject to a small convenience fee.