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| PAC vs Salem Tennis and Swim Club |
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Duel Match, Portland vs. Salem at Willamette University |
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Pro Anthony Blackburn and Assistant pro Nathan Ramos work on the line-up |
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PAC Traveling Team |
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Perfect Form |
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Watching and cheering on teammates |
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Group huddle! |
"I have been taking lessons with Anthony for almost 9 years now. I started at his group lessons at Nike WHQ and then transitioned to year-round classes at his club. He is knowledgeable about the mechanics of tennis and is good at helping me to develop my own strategies for match play. He asks what my goals are for my game and helps me focus on them (he kicks my butt when I come to class with low energy!) throughout the lesson. All in all, Anthony is an excellent teacher and pro. He brings a huge breadth of knowledge about the game and combines that with in-class drills and exercises to support his lessons."
-Maya Broadfoot
NFL Demand Planning
“I decided to pick up that racquet again after many years without playing tennis. Lucky for me, I found Anthony Blackburn to help me bring back my game. He quickly recognized what worked from my ‘old school’ style and updated my game with important ‘new school’ skills.
He is patient, but firm. He encourages you to improve on your strengths but also makes you work on the weaknesses you would prefer to forget! If you are committed, he will work hard with you to meet your goals. His group classes are fun and fast paced - his private lessons focused and intense. Having Anthony's guidance has helped me love the game of tennis again and I look forward to playing forever!”
-Maria K.
"Anthony Blackburn has been a fantastic pro for me to learn, play and think the game. I started as a 2.5 (beginner) and now I'm on the verge of 4.0 under his tutelage. Not only am I being taught the correct stroke/swing techniques and footwork that works for me, but also how to play smart during a match.
I've received a lot of compliments on my game from friends and opponents, and I've been asked by several opponents to team up to play in tournaments, or to play on their league teams. That, to me, is high praise.
Since I've started taking lessons from Anthony, I've really enjoyed tennis and in turn, tennis has made me a fitter, healtheir, happier person. So a big 'thank-you' to Anthony for my improved game and overall well-being."
-Hoover Li
"If you're interested in improving your tennis game, or just picking up a racquet for the first time, Anthony Blackburn is who you should turn to. I have taken both clinics and semi-private lessons from Anthony for 4 years and have come a long way under his tutelage. He listens to what you want to work on and provides a consistent feedback throughout the lesson. He works you as hard as you want, but will push you to work harder. Anthony encouraged my tennis partner and me to enter more tournaments, and in 2010, we achieved an NTRP ranking of #1 in the 3.5 Combined Women's category in our region. This was a direct result of our semi-private lessons and Anthony working hard with both of us on our game and improving our doubles strategy. He helped us to correct bad habits and strengthened our confidence on the court."
-Rochelle Hart
“I started playing tennis under Anthony's guidance - I knew nothing about the game except for what I had seen on TV. His passion for teaching and watching his students improve is infectious, and he is committed to teaching his students to be solid tennis players. He taught me to play ‘smart’ tennis using technique that is repeatable and consistent under pressure. His lessons and clinics are fun but some serious work.”
“Anthony has been a part of my 'tennis' life for over 20 years! I picked the racquet back up when I needed a sport after having children. He has been my inspiration, my coach…and he is my brother! I get no special treatment either! I started out as a 2.5 player. Under his coaching I quickly rose to the 4.0 level. His understanding and knowledge of the game is beyond words. He challenged me to work on my weakness. As a baseline singles player, my game has become an even stronger force to reckon with!
He has an innate ability to provide his students the skill of strategizing for matches. He doesn't just teach you how stroke the ball, he teaches HOW to play a match! I have been around many pros in the city and I can say that what Anthony brings to the court is like no other pro that I have been around. In the words of BTP – ‘Keep Swingin'!”
-Nikki Blackburn
"I have been playing tennis since I was 7 years old. I have been taught by four coaches who were all good, but Anthony is just great. He is hard on me, but always calmly insists on making my serve consistent, groundstrokes steady, and volley game up to high standard. He believes that all parts of my game must be excellent and insists that I have advanced game strategy as well. At 14, I need to work hard and be positive, and Anthony has made me believe that anything is possible, on or off the court."
