When people think about high-performance tennis academies, the focus is often on the courts, the coaches, and the players. But at RPS Academies in Port St. Lucie, the mission extends well beyond developing top tennis talent.
Recently, Florida Tennis Magazine’s DJ Mad Linx visited the academy for a comprehensive tour of the campus, speaking with key members of the RPS team to learn more about the academy’s philosophy, academic offerings, player development system, and admissions process.
One of the first stops on the tour was the academic side of RPS Academies, where Principal Stacy Reese explained how the school works hand-in-hand with the tennis program to prepare student-athletes for success both on and off the court.
“We have to make sure that our students are prepared for Division I level schools,” Reese said. “When their athletics are at that elite stage, we need the academics to be equally as elite.”
RPS Academies recently became a Cambridge school, offering students access to advanced coursework while also providing an internationally recognized curriculum that benefits the academy’s large international student population.
According to Reese, one of the school’s biggest strengths is its size.
“We’re small. We have a very small and tight-knit family,” she said. “Our class sizes are anywhere from five to 10 students, which allows teachers to really go into depth about the curriculum and help students understand it at the root level.”
The academy also accommodates the demanding travel schedules of competitive junior players. Lessons are recorded and uploaded online, allowing students to continue their education while competing around the world.
“Our students travel the world, and we know that,” Reese explained. “Wherever they are, whatever tournament they’re involved in, they can still get the lesson for the day.”
On the tennis side, DJ Mad Linx caught up with Juan Abuchaibe, Tennis Director at RPS Academies.
Walking around the facility, it quickly becomes clear that Abuchaibe takes a hands-on approach. Rather than relying on dramatic changes, he believes long-term success comes from consistency, attention to detail, and daily engagement with players.
“I think that simple things, basic corrections, and being on top of the students is the most efficient way to achieve small successes every day,” he said.
That philosophy has helped produce impressive results. Several RPS players have gone on to compete at the highest levels of junior tennis, including athletes currently participating in junior Grand Slam events.
Among them is Srishti Kiran, who recently put together a strong run of ITF junior titles and continues climbing the rankings. Now the world’s No. 1-ranked player born in 2012, Kiran is set to compete in the 14-and-under Wimbledon in July. Another success story is Juan Miguel Bolivar, who joined the academy at age 11 and has developed through the RPS system over the years.
According to Abuchaibe, one of the biggest factors behind those achievements is trust and patience.
“The biggest success we’ve had is that we were trusted to have enough time to work,” he said.
When asked what separates RPS from other academies, Abuchaibe immediately pointed to the culture.
“The atmosphere and the group of people,” he said. “We tell families the truth. We tell you where you are, we design your plan, and from that point on, we execute.”
The academy is also undergoing major facility upgrades, including new courts and infrastructure improvements that will further enhance the player experience.
“The infrastructure plays a huge role in the motivation of the students,” Abuchaibe said. “We want players of every level to come here, and I think that’s definitely going to be an advantage for us in the future.”
The final stop on the tour focused on admissions, where Director of Admissions Daniela Centeno explained how families can begin the enrollment process.
According to Centeno, the process starts with an online application, followed by an interview with the family.
“Once the interview is completed, we send the parents the admission letter,” Centeno explained.
For international students, the academy assists with the documentation required to obtain a student visa.
“We provide the I-20, and most of our students have had a successful visa approval process,” she said. “We have students from all different countries.”
Families outside Florida or outside the United States can complete the interview process virtually, making it easier for international applicants to explore the academy from anywhere in the world.
For those interested in learning more, Centeno encourages families to visit the academy’s website and admissions section.
From its personalized academic environment and international student support to its player-centered coaching philosophy and ongoing facility improvements, RPS Academies continues to establish itself as one of Florida’s leading destinations for aspiring tennis players looking to excel both in the classroom and on the court.
For more information, visit rpsacademies.com.
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Written by Associate Editor Osvaldo Godoy. Photo/video credits: Nathalia Suarez