This summer, a select group of RSJ campers signed up for something a little different, that is five days of focused training and non-stop movement. The RSJ Residential Tennis Camp, led by elite coach Bosko Tesic, offered not only a deeper dive into tennis but also a powerful lesson in discipline and determination.
Each day challenged pupils physically and mentally. The goal? To help players of all levels – from enthusiastic newcomers to experienced competitors – level up their game. But behind every backhand and rally was something more: a chance to explore resilience, build community, and experience the deep satisfaction of hard-earned progress.
Building Technique and Character
Campers began each morning with technical drills designed to sharpen their core strokes. Whether mastering the mechanics of the serve or refining groundstrokes and volleys, pupils learned the value of repetition – how muscle memory is forged through consistency, and how great form is not born, but built.
From there, the focus shifted to skill-building, where players worked on footwork, coordination, and tactical thinking. These sessions acted as a bridge between technique and match readiness, helping pupils make smarter decisions under pressure and read the rhythm of a game.
Afternoons brought match play, where theory met unpredictability. Playing against peers in real-time situations demanded quick thinking, emotional control, and a steady focus, all in a low-stakes, high-energy setting. Here, pupils not only tested their new skills but also learned to win (and lose) with grace.
More Than a Sport
Throughout the week, pupils were reminded that tennis is more than just a game. From serving aces to supporting one another courtside, campers discovered that personal growth is not always loud or immediate. Sometimes, it is felt quietly, in the growing confidence of a corrected grip, or the shared smile after a hard-fought point.
The week culminated in a friendly tournament, where pupils put their full toolkit to the test. It was a chance to showcase their development, celebrate one another’s progress, and reflect on how far they had come in just five days.
Serving the Whole Point
The RSJ Residential Tennis Camp was not just a crash course in technique; it was an invitation to stretch beyond comfort zones, to sweat for success, and to support others along the way. As with everything we do at RSJ, the aim was not perfection, it was growth.
And as campers packed away their rackets at the end of the week, they left not only as better players, but as stronger teammates, more confident individuals, and young people beginning to understand that dedication, joy, and character are what really make a champion.
