Tennis exchange: the complete guide for parents who want the best for their athlete child
If your child is a serious tennis coach and you want to know how to take their development to another level, this guide has been written for you. Here you will understand how the tennis exchange works, what programs exist, which countries it is possible to go to and what differentiates an elite academy from an ordinary course abroad.
O tennis exchange combines high-level technical training with immersion in English, cultural experience and, in many cases, complete academic training. For young people between 13 and 18 years old with potential and dedication, this experience can open doors that simply don't exist in Brazil: access to American college scouts, scholarships in the NCAA, academies with a proven track record of revealing professional athletes.
What is the tennis exchange and who is it suitable for?
The tennis exchange is a structured program in which the young athlete spends a period abroad focusing on sports training combined with language studies or learning. It's not a tourist trip with a racket in the suitcase: it's a training process.
These programs are suitable for young people who already play tennis regularly, are between 13 and 18 years old and are seeking an accelerated evolution that the local environment can no longer offer. You don't have to be a champion to participate. The main criterion is commitment.
Why does Brazil have limitations in the development of youth tennis?
Tennis in Brazil has good professionals and competent academies. But there is a ceiling that the best young athletes beat at an early age. This ceiling is not technical: it's structural. In elite gyms abroad, young people encounter conditions that are simply not available in Brazil:
- Courts with various surfaces (clay, grass and hard floors) in the same place
- Coaches with a history in the professional circuit
- An environment in which all colleagues also have serious goals
- Physical access to American college scouts attending interschool tournaments
This level of collective demand elevates any athlete much faster than an environment where they are already the best in the class. And access to NCAA scouts doesn't exist while in Brazil. No amount of videos sent remotely replaces physical presence at a gym recognized by the NEPSAC system.
What tennis exchange programs are available?
There are four formats, each designed for a different moment in the athlete's journey.
Summer camp: the ideal gateway
The summer camp lasts for 2 to 8 weeks and it takes place during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere (June to August). It's the most accessible format for those who want a first experience without a long-term commitment.
The routine is intense: mornings of technical training, afternoon of competitive practice or physical conditioning, evenings with cultural activities and interaction with athletes of various nationalities. English is developed naturally, on and off the court.
For many families, the summer camp works as a calibrated test: the child experiences the international level of demand, and the family evaluates much more clearly whether it makes sense to deepen the experience. Often, it is the summer camp that convinces young people to want more.
High school with tennis: gym and sport in the same curriculum
In high school with tennis in the USA, the young person studies at an American school with an internationally recognized curriculum and trains tennis as part of the grade. It is a format of one to two years which combines academic and sports training in an integrated manner.
This model generates the sporting and academic record that attracts the attention of university scouts. Players who perform well in high school are much more likely to receive proposals from NCAA universities. To understand how the American system works at this level: Find out what it takes to go to high school abroad.
Boarding school: total immersion in tennis and academic life
Boarding school is the most complete model. The young person lives at school, trains every day, studies and lives 24 hours a day with other international athletes and students. It is suitable for athletes with clearer goals:
- Enter a prestigious American university
- Win an NCAA sports bag
- Compete on international circuits with academic support
To better understand everyday life in this type of school: What is it like to study at a boarding school?
Scholarships of up to 70%: the program for athletes with a competitive profile
For young people with outstanding performance, it is possible to enter programs with scholarships of up to 70% of the total amount. The application process requires advance planning:
- History of competitions
- Letters of recommendation from coaches
- Game videos
- In some cases, an interview with academy coordinators
Be Easy has more than 200 partnerships with academies and schools abroad and bridges the gap between the athlete's profile and institutions with open vacancies, significantly increasing the chances of approval.
What countries can my child go to to train tennis?
Be Easy works with three consolidated destinations, each with a specific proposal and partners.
United States: professional structure and access to the NCAA
The USA is the most sought after destination for families with university ambitions. The NCAA system generates billions of dollars a year in sports scholarships, and tennis is among the sports with the most seats available.
A Hoosac School, in the state of New York, is one of Be Easy's main partners. Located in the NEPSAC region, what sets it apart is not only the physical structure, but the integrated model:
- Teachers who know the students' sports routine
- Coaches who monitor academic performance
- Inter-school tournaments with university representatives in the stands
- Consistent track record of referring athletes to prestigious universities
A Sportech Academy is another partner in the USA, focusing on accelerated technical development for young people seeking high performance inside and outside the university circuit.
To understand how student life works in and around New York: Boarding School in New York: What You Need to Know.
England: Nike Tennis Camps with former ATP professionals
England is the right choice for those seeking technical excellence and validated methodology on the world circuit. Os Nike Tennis Camps UK they are operated by former professionals from the ATP circuit, which means that the young person trains with people who have competed at the highest level of world tennis.
The methodology focuses on tactical and mental aspects, not just technical ones. Athletes who undergo this program return with a more mature reading of the game and a different psychological resistance. British English is an added bonus to any young person's resume.
Italy: Lake Garda and the methodology that formed Jannik Sinner
The most sophisticated destination in the Be Easy portfolio for sneakers is Lake Garda, in Italy. The partner academy uses the same technical training methodology associated with the development of Jannik Sinner, currently number 1 in the ATP world ranking.
Training at Lake Garda goes beyond the courts. It's being in an environment where tennis culture is part of everyday life, by the lake, with a Mediterranean climate and a concentration of serious athletes from over 80 nationalities. For those who have the European circuit as their objective, the credentials built there are recognized throughout the continent.
For teens who are still defining their destination and want to compare options: Exchange for teenagers: programs and destinations for 2025.
Summer camp or boarding school: how to choose the right format?
This is one of the most common questions among parents. The answer depends on three factors: the youth's maturity, current technical level, and long-term goals.
Summer camp makes the most sense when:
- It is the young man's first experience outside the country
- The objective is to test the environment without major commitment
- The athlete is still building a technical and emotional base for a long immersion
- The family wants to assess interest and adaptation before making a larger investment
Boarding school makes the most sense when:
- Young people are already clear about the sports or university career they want to pursue
- Is there maturity to live away from family for a long period
- The goal is to build a solid track record for NCAA scholarships
- The athlete has an established technical level and wants the next jump
There is no right answer for everyone. Be Easy makes a personalized assessment of each athlete before recommending the most appropriate program. For a more in-depth look at the differences between the models: Boarding school vs. high school: complete guide.
What do young people develop besides tennis?
That's a point that many parents underestimate. Development is not just technical. See what young people bring in their luggage when they return:
- Fluent English in real context. There is no more efficient way to learn English than to live in an environment where it is the only communication option. In a few weeks, young people who have never left the country start to communicate naturally, on and off the court.
- Autonomy and personal management. Taking care of one's routine, organizing training and solving small everyday problems without the presence of parents develops a maturity that has no substitute. Many families report that this is the greatest benefit perceived upon returning.
- International competitive mentality. Training alongside athletes from other countries expands the gaming benchmark on a permanent basis. The young man who only competed on the same regional circuit has a small sample of what tennis can require.
- Emotional resilience. Dealing with defeats in a high-level environment and recovering without the usual support network forms more psychologically stable athletes. This aspect rarely appears in the folders, but it is mentioned by almost every parent at the end of the program.
- Differentiated curriculum. A period of training at an internationally renowned academy or school counts a lot for Brazilian, American, or European universities. For university scholarships abroad, it's almost a requirement.
What level of tennis is required to participate?
There is no single standard. Each program has its own profile, and Be Easy advises families on which school matches the current level of the young person:
How to prepare your child before boarding?
Preparation before the trip makes a direct difference in the quality of the experience. It's not about technical tennis preparation, which gyms take very good care of. It's about practical and emotional preparation. Four essential points:
1. Basic English helps, but it's not required. Even without fluency, being familiar with basic everyday vocabulary reduces friction in the early days. A few minutes a day on a language app, in the weeks before the trip, already make a noticeable difference.
2. Talk about expectations. An athlete who arrives expecting to train eight hours a day and play professional tournaments in the first week will be frustrated. The exchange has an adaptation curve. In the first few weeks, the focus is on settling in, understanding the methodology, and creating relationships with colleagues. Maximum sports performance comes later.
3. Organize documentation in advance. Valid passport, international health insurance, school documentation and, depending on the destination and duration, a student visa. Be Easy provides guidance on all these procedures, but the sooner the process begins, the less stress for the whole family.
4. Prepare yourself emotionally as a parent. Homesickness is on both sides. Establishing a communication routine with fixed times for calls helps young people feel safe and prevents excessive contact from jeopardizing the autonomy process.
How does the application process work with Be Easy?
Be Easy takes care of the entire process, from the initial assessment to the athlete's arrival at the destination. With more than 200 partnerships, the agency has access to vacancies and conditions that families would not be able to negotiate alone. The process follows five steps:
- Initial diagnosis: Talk to the family to understand the athlete's profile, goals, and level of dedication to tennis. Training videos or games are already sufficient for a first analysis.
- Indication of programs: presentation of the options that match the identified profile. It's not a generic list: it's a curation based on what the athlete needs at that moment.
- Application process: Be Easy takes care of the documentation, forms, communications with schools, and visa procedures. The family doesn't have to worry about red tape.
- Pre-shipment preparation: guidance on routine at school, cultural adaptation, and realistic expectations for the athlete and for the parents.
- Follow-up during the program: ongoing support for the family throughout the experience. Any question or unforeseen event has a direct channel to be resolved.
Why can the tennis exchange change your child's trajectory?
There is a fundamental difference between training quality sneakers in Brazil and training at Hoosac School in New York, Nike Tennis Camps in England, or Lake Garda in Italy. It's not just an infrastructure issue. It's the entire ecosystem.
A young tennis player who is going through a season at Hoosac returns with:
- American academic record recognized by the NEPSAC system
- Sports curriculum validated by NCAA college scouts
- Fluency in English built on full immersion
- References from internationally recognized coaches
This set is not replicable in any other way. The same is true for those who visit the Nike Tennis Camps with former ATP professionals, or for those who train in Lake Garda with the methodology behind the development of Jannik Sinner. It's not marketing: it's what these environments deliver in practice.
For talented young people and families with a long-term vision, the tennis exchange is not an expense. It is an investment with a measurable return, whether in a sporting career, in access to prestigious universities, or in developing as a person.
To delve into the debate about the best time and format for a youth exchange: Exchange for teenagers: is high school always the best option?
Frequently asked questions about tennis exchanges
At what age can my child start a tennis exchange?
The Be Easy tennis exchange programs are suitable for young people between 13 and 18 years old. Summer camp is the most suitable format for beginners in this age group, as it has a shorter duration and less autonomy requirement. For longer programs, such as boarding school, starting at age 14 or 15 is the most common time.
Does my child need to be fluent in English to participate?
No. Most programs accept non-fluent athletes, especially summer camps. English is developed during one's own experience. For more prestigious boarding schools or scholarship programs, some basic level may be required, but Be Easy advises families in advance about this requirement.
Is it possible to get a scholarship at tennis academies abroad?
Yes. Be Easy has access to programs with scholarships of up to 70% of the total amount from selected partners. Scholarships are awarded based on the athlete's technical and sporting profile. The application process requires specific documentation, and Be Easy accompanies each step.
How do I know if my child has the necessary technical level?
Be Easy makes an initial assessment of the athlete's profile before recommending any program. In general, training videos or matches are sufficient for a first analysis. The goal is not to eliminate candidates, but to find the right program for each level.
Does the tennis exchange help you get a college scholarship in the USA?
Yes, and in a significant way. Studying at an American school recognized by the NEPSAC system (such as the Hoosac School) and having a history of competing builds the portfolio that NCAA college scouts seek. Be Easy advises families on how to structure this route in advance to maximize the chances of a university scholarship.
Be Easy
Be Easy specializes in sports and educational programs abroad, with more than 200 partnerships with schools and academies in the USA, England and Italy. Each tennis program is set up according to the athlete's profile and objectives, with full support from the family throughout the process. If you want to understand what is the right path for your child, contact us and unlock an extraordinary future for your child athlete.
