Moscow, Russia

Spartak Tennis Club also known as Shiryaevka, is a far cry away from the modern facilities and comfortable accommodation of the tennis academies in Florida. It is situated on the outskirts of Moscow and owing to the weather its 15 clay courts are open for only four months of the year; the rest of the time, students undergo their rigorous, old-fashioned training indoors. The academy’s success speaks for itself. Notable alumni include Grand Slam champions Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Anastasia Myskina and Marat Safin, as well as former top-ranked doubles player Anna Kournikova and singles number one Dinara Safina.