Five Seasons Burr Ridge Lands Michael Thompson as New Junior Tennis Director

Tennis has taken Michael Thompson all over the world-the native of South Africa began competing internationally when he was 13, played in all but one of the junior tennis Grand Slams, and went on to be a key member of a resurgent University of Alabama program.

After a four-year stretch coaching in Michigan, his next destination is Burr Ridge, where he will be the Junior Tennis Director of Five Seasons Family Sports Club. His arrival at the club, 6901 S. Madison, will happen for the fall season.

Already, he has made a strong impression, starting with an instructional session with some top junior tennis players earlier this month.

Among those struck by Thompson's energy and insight is Shuling Lee of Hinsdale. Her son, Kenny Chan, has trained at Five Seasons the past two years and is ranked in the top 30 in the Midwest, and top 10 in Chicago, for 12-and-under, though he is only 11 years old.

"I've never seen a coach move around so much on the court," she said. "He was also quick to notice something about Kenny's forehand and gave advice on how he can make an adjustment. He'll be great for Five Seasons."

For Thompson, the position represents the latest opportunity to bring a highly competitive spirit that propelled him to the #1 ranking in every age group as a junior player in South Africa.

During his career, he represented South Africa in three Africa Cups and two Junior World Cups. As an 18-year-old, he climbed to an International Tennis Federation junior ranking of 55th in the world, competing along the way in all the junior tennis Grand Slams except for the Australian Open.

Playing for the Crimson Tide, Thompson was instrumental in leading the 'Bama program to its best season ever and a top 10 national ranking. Now 27, his own success on the court helps capture youngsters' attention: "They understand that I have been through what they're going through."

However, he noted, that playing pedigree is only part of the picture.

"The best coach I ever had, I never saw him hit the ball," said Thompson. "He wasn't a great player, but he was an excellent coach. The key is building trust, and building a positive relationship. That's what I look forward to doing with junior players, and building on the great relationships that have already been built by staff at Five Seasons."

In his four years coaching at the Midland Tennis Center in Michigan, where he has served as its junior tennis director since July 2016, Thompson helped develop players who went on to play at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Arizona State University and Michigan State University.

Five Seasons Tennis Director Annette Cremin described Thompson as "very likeable, a clear communicator, and someone who understands what the kids need to get to where they want to go." During a recent visit, he led an informal instructional session with a half-dozen of the top 10- to 14-year-old players from the area.

"He's the real deal," said Cremin. "I'm excited we could bring such a high-caliber person and high-caliber player and coach to our club and to the community at large."

Another parent who looks forward to Thompson's impact is Andrea Dollens of Hinsdale. Her 13-year-old daughter, Katie, is a top junior player who competes on the national circuit.

"By all accounts, he is highly qualified," Dollens said. "For the high-level junior players, this is a perfect sweet spot for us to start with a new junior coach to go forward cultivating their talents."

Since its opening over 15 years ago, Five Seasons has emerged as one of the foremost junior tennis hubs in the region. The club has 16 courts, eight indoor and eight outdoor, with four of the outdoor courts a clay surface and all of them under lights that allow for play until 10 p.m.

"There are plenty of young tennis players there with a ton of potential," said Thompson. "I look forward to creating one of the best junior programs in the country."

Discipline and hard work are essential, as is "developing the ability to solve problems during matches and learning how to fight for every point," he added. "We will find ways to get better day after day and enjoy the process of developing and improving."

Thompson's next open house-style drill session will be on Saturday, Aug. 19th, from 10 a.m. to Noon, at Five Seasons Burr Ridge. The free event is open to members and non-members. To register, please contact Five Seasons Tennis Director Annette Cremin at acremin@5ssc.com.

Five Seasons is the premier year-round high-energy, high-touch sports club focused on family leisure and entertainment, improving sports performance and maintaining overall health.

The club is at 6901 S. Madison in Burr Ridge and online at http://www.fiveseasonssportsclub.com/burrridge/. Phone: 630-570-5200. Facebook: www.facebook.com/FiveSeasonsBurrRidge. Twitter: www.twitter.com/FiveSeasonsBurr.