1260 Menomonie St, Eau Claire, WI 54703

Year-Round Hours - May close early if no reservation

• Monday-Friday: 8 AM - 10 PM

• Saturday: 8 AM - 8 PM

• Sunday: 10 AM - 8 PM

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Holiday Hours:

• New Years Day: TBD

• Easter: Closed

• Memorial Day: Closed

• Independence Day: Closed

• Labor Day: Closed

• Thanksgiving: TBD

• Christmas Eve: TBD

• Christmas: Closed

• New Years Eve Day: TBD

The John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center has junior programming starting with Red Ball 4-5 year olds to the ACE program for high school varsity players. The Tennis Center Director Matt Boughton (USPTA Elite Professional), Jon Pickett (USPTA Elite Professional), or Meg Minton (USPTA Elite Professional), will be happy to assist you in placing your child in the most appropriate group. Please take note that although most groups are categorized by age, ability and maturity are considered in placing youth in the best group for them.

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To register for the ACE program, participants must get approval from an instructor. Online registration is NOT available for this program.

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Lesson Information

• A group lesson must be paid in full to secure a spot in the class

• Lesson participants can make up for missed lessons in a similar group lesson in the same session if OK'd by the Tennis Director, Head Pro, or the instructor of the lesson

• Players will receive a class recommendation form on the second to last class of the session

• Tennis racquets are provided if needed from the demo racquet pro shop

• Call the Tennis Center Director to be rated/categorized by proper skill level and not by the player's age

Upcoming Sessions:​​​

• Fall 1: September 8-October 19 (No classes the week of October 6)

  • Registration: Members & Non-Members: August 1

• Fall 2: October 20-November 30 (No classes November 27)

  • Registration: Members & Non-Members: August 1

Lesson Offerings:

• Red Ball 1 | 1 lesson per week - For children ages 4-5 or the proper skill level. A fun, engaging program to teach the fundamentals of tennis including hand-eye coordination, back and forehand strokes, simple games where points are scored, cooperative activities, basic rules, care of equipment, and sportsmanship.

• Red Ball 2 | 1 lesson per week - For children ages 6-8 or the proper skill level. Children will continue to improve on the form taught in Red Ball 1. Players will also begin to learn basic rules of the game, to keep score, make shot decisions, and basic tenets of doubles.

• Orange Ball | 1 lesson per week - For children 12 and under or the proper skill level. Children will continue to develop what they learned in Red Ball 2 while learning to: play and apply rules of individual or doubles play, practice, encourage and support others, and continue their development of being a good sport.

• Green Ball | 1 lesson per week - or tennis players that have been through the Red/Orange ball programs and are ready to transition to the 78-foot court.

• Ace III | 2 lessons per week - Competitive Junior High to Junior Varsity level players. This class is designed to be fun and interactive, all while meeting the current needs of the player. We’ll teach core concepts such as correct techniques in ground strokes, volleys, serves, overheads, and specialty shots such as drop shots and lobs. Tennis strategy and point construction is introduced as well as sportsmanship and integrity on the court. Online registration is NOT AVAILABLE. Players must have instructor consent before registration.

• Ace II | 2 lessons per week - Junior Varsity level players. This class focuses on the fundamentals of match play, having fun, and making friends. Students will learn the importance of each point and be given strategies to develop their natural skills in both singles and doubles match play. Online registration is NOT AVAILABLE. Players must have instructor consent before registration.

• Ace I / High Performance | 2 lessons per week - Varsity players. There will be intensive workouts with singles and doubles strategies and mental toughness for match play scenarios. Online registration is NOT AVAILABLE. Players must have instructor consent before registration.

Register Here

Location: John & Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center

The John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center offers an extensive range of group lessons (drills) to meet a variety of ability needs. Whether you are a beginner looking to pick up a new, fun activity, or a seasoned veteran of the game who wants to polish up their skills, our staff can help find a spot for you! Meg Minton or the Tennis Center Director will be happy to assist you in finding the correct class for your abilities.

Lesson Information Adult group lessons are intended for 3-12 participants and are separated by the United States Tennis Association’s NTRP Rating System. This system assigns a number rating according to ability and raises in value in .5 increments. Our adult beginners start at a 2.0 level, with the highest level being at a 4.0 level. Please ask our staff for help with placement.

• Lessons must be paid in full to secure a spot.

• Lesson participants can make up for missed lessons in a similar group lesson in the same session if approved.

Upcoming Sessions:​

• Fall 1: September 8-October 19 (No classes the week of October 6)

  • Registration: Members & Non-Members: August 1

• Fall 2: October 20-November 30 (No classes November 27)

  • Registration: Members & Non-Members: August 1

Lessons Offered:

• Advanced Doubles - This is a fast-paced, high-intensity, strategic doubles drill for players looking for advanced tactical doubles skills. The drill focuses on communication, movement, strategy, and point play. Players will learn new techniques of modern doubles as well as practice tried and true methods. Players should expect a mix of instructional drill and coached point play.

• Beginner | <2.5 level - This class will cover basic strokes, serves, service return, ground strokes and volley. Proper footwork and all judgment skills will be taught. Ratio is 5:1.

• Intermediate | 2.5-3.0 level - The basic strokes will be refined, and strategy will be introduced. Proper grip and stroke production will be stressed. This class will introduce the patterns of play and working a point. Ratio is 5:1.

• Advanced | 3.0-3.5 level - Intended for players who want to improve their strokes and learn important strategies of the game. Half of the class time is spent on improving stroke production, and the other half is spent on strategies. Ratio is 5:1.

• Singles Drill | 3.0-4.0 level

• Adult Doubles DRILLS | 3.5+ level - Drill is open to all players rated 3.5 and above. Players will drill for the majority of the time.

Register Here

Location: John & Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center

• Indoor Tennis Courts

• Group Exercise Classes

• Locker Rooms

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Adult Sport Leagues

• Youth Sport Leagues

• Locker Rentals

FREE COURT TIMES

The John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center offers free court time to all members from 7-10 PM on specific Fridays throughout the year. You can call 6 days in advance to schedule your court time. Members can bring 1 guest with no charge.

• Read the newsletter above to see upcoming dates!

CARDIO TENNIS Cardio Tennis is a fun group activity, featuring drills to give players of all abilities the ultimate high-energy workout. Taught by a teaching professional, it includes warm-up, cardio workout, and cool-down phases. If current or new players are looking for a great new way to get in shape and to burn calories, they must give it a try!

• Offered Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 10:30-11:30 AM. No registration is required.

• Fee: Member FREE | Non-Members: $10

ADULT & JUNIOR LADDER LEAGUE

WHEN: Sundays, 3:30-6:00 PM

• September 7, 14, 21, & 28

• October 12, 19 & 26

• November 2, 9, 16 & 23

• December 7 & 14

WHERE: YMCA Tennis Center

COST: $15 | No membership required. REGISTER HERE

DROP-IN DRILLS

Drop in Drill will be going until the end of the year.

WHEN: Mondays & Wednesdays

TIME: 9:00-10:30 AM

WHERE: YMCA Tennis Center

COST: Member $15 | Non-Member $25

No registration required

Member Services | (715) 836-8470

Matt Boughton, USPTA Certified Tennis Professional

Tennis Center Director

mboughton@ymca-cv.org

• 2011 USPTA Industry Excellence Award and 2012 USPTA Wisconsin Pro of the Year

• Professional 1 certified USPTA teaching pro

• 15 years of teach experience

• 2011 Wisconsin Tennis Pro of the Year

• 2011 USPTA Industry Excellence Award

• 2 time NJCAA National Qualifier

• 4 time region XIII champion in both singles and doubles

Jon Pickett, USPTA Certified Tennis Professional

Youth Tennis Coordinator

jmpick421@gmail.com

• Has worked for the Eau Claire Y since 2004 and the Tennis Center since 2008.

• USTPA Elite Professional and USTA High Performance Coach

• 2016 USPTA Wisconsin Tennis Professional of the Year

• 2022 USPTA Midwest Tennis Professional of the Year

• 3 Time State Tennis Qualifier at Eau Claire Memorial High School

Traci Balts

Tennis Professional

tlitsch22@gmail.com

• I am a USPTA Certified Tennis Professional with 9 years of teaching experience.

• I played Division 1 college tennis at UW-Milwaukee under scholarship.

• I ranked as high as 7th in the Northern Section by the USTA as a junior player.

• In my high school career, I held the school record for the most wins with 122 total wins. I was the state runner-up in doubles 2 years in a row in high school.

• I was also inducted into the Eau Claire Memorial High School Hall of Fame in 2013.

• I was named the 2023 Midwest Pro of the Year