Atlas Tennis: Travel, Training, Tourneys ft. Ben Shapiro

Summary

Ben Shapiro of Atlas Tennis describes his company’s international travel-and-tennis program for junior players ages 13-18. Now entering its third summer, Atlas Tennis organizes 2-3 week trips to Europe combining training at academies, tournament play, cultural experiences, and pro-player access. The episode covers logistics (group sizes of 10-15, 2-3 coaches, $10K-$12K pricing), the selective application process, how they accommodate a wide range of playing levels (from high-JV to 10+ UTR), and their 2026 lineup of 4-5 summer trips plus spring break options. Co-founders include Megan Moulton-Levy (USTA board), Eric Buderak (U.S. Open executive), Sam Duvall (player agent), and Andrew Chamora (Grand Slam Tennis Tours).

Guest Background

Ben Shapiro is the founder of Atlas Tennis. He previously worked in the tennis industry before co-founding Atlas two years ago. He personally handles enrollment conversations, travels with trips, and gets on court with players. His co-founders bring connections across USTA leadership, the U.S. Open, player management, and tennis travel. He previously worked as a coach on similar international tennis experiences after college.

Key Topics

• Program structure: 10-15 players per trip, 2-3 coaches traveling 24/7, three countries over three weeks. Extensive application process including essays and references (tennis and non-tennis) for both players and coaches.
• Level accommodation: Trips balanced by UTR range, with European tournaments offering level-based draws (not just age-based). Coaches trained to design practices for mixed levels, informed by a visit to JTCC where Francis Tiafoe and Robin Montgomery trained.
• Coach vetting: Three times more extensive than player applications. Requires USTA Safe Play certification, experience with juniors, multiple references, and demonstrated travel experience.
• 2026 trip lineup: (1) Signature trip: Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland (Verbier academy with Federer’s former doubles partner). (2) Bucket List: Wimbledon, Spain, Netherlands. (3) Castle to Coast: Scotland (Murray brothers’ club), Southern France (French Touch Academy), Portugal (plus ATP Estoril tournament). (4) Legendary: Wimbledon, Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Good to Great Academy outside Stockholm. (5) Potential fifth trip TBD.
• Spring break offerings: School team trips (Florida, Barcelona) plus an open-enrollment Miami trip ($2,300 for 5 days including Miami Open access).
• European tournament culture: Dutch and other European tournaments are remarkably welcoming and well-organized, with level-based draws that give players of all abilities competitive matches. Lisa notes U.S. tournament directors should visit to learn.

Actionable Advice for Families

1. If your child is between 13-18 and interested in international tennis experiences, the primary requirement is eagerness and willingness to step outside their comfort zone — not a specific UTR level.
2. Sign up early for better pricing; costs rise closer to departure.
3. Airfare is separate from the trip fee ($10K-$12K), allowing flexibility for points/miles.
4. Parents interested in chaperoning or coaching alongside may be accommodated — Atlas encourages conversations about creative arrangements.
5. Spring break trips ($2,300 for Miami) offer a lower-commitment way to experience what Atlas offers before committing to a full summer trip.

INTENNSE Relevance

Moderate relevance. Atlas Tennis represents the type of premium tennis experience company operating in the junior tennis ecosystem INTENNSE monitors. Their model of combining international tournament play with cultural enrichment and pro-player access demonstrates a market segment beyond traditional academy training. The JTCC connection (Megan Moulton-Levy) and the co-founders’ USTA/U.S. Open network positions are notable for understanding industry relationships. The European tournament structure discussion (level-based draws accommodating all abilities) offers a contrast to U.S. tournament design that could inform INTENNSE analysis of competitive pathway reform.

Notable Quotes

“We want to truly change lives through tennis. And we do that by exposing people to these new experiences.”

“The number one factor that we need to figure out before we go further is: is your child eager for this experience? Are they ready to push themselves? If they are, we will make it happen.”

“Every tournament director in the U.S. should go over there and do a site visit just to see what it looks like to accommodate a tournament with over 500 people.”