Aspirations

When we embarked upon building The TenniSphere, we were guided by big ideas and mighty aspirations. Gary and Heather firmly believe that tennis is a great sport that strengthens the mind, body, and soul and can bring people together in ways that can deepen bonds.

In addition, as the project started to take shape, we realized that it also has the power to bring people together in life-changing ways and create powerful memories. Here are some of our aspirations for those who visit The TenniSphere.

Tennis:

The goal is to produce a powerful gravitational pull for tennis devotees and groups of people sharing a common bond by connecting in an incomparable environment that fosters play, spectating, socializing, and luxurious living.

The court (“The Eleven”) will be a magnet for excellence and put on display the best of what tennis can bring forth: 

  • Beauty
  • Artistry
  • Creativity
  • Physical Prowess
  • Skill
  • Determination

Those fortunate to see such mastery in action will experience moments of wonder, awe, and great joy.

When those brought together by their love of tennis or any common bond finally disperse, great memories will be formed, and those who came in as strangers will leave as friends.

  • Gary Carmell and Billy Tienowitz
  • Heather Carmell and Chapman ladies
  • Gary Carmell and trainer Justin
  • Women relationships on tennis court

Relationships:

It’s been said that relationships are the most fundamental aspect of existence and that relationships rule the world. We firmly believe strong relationships can dramatically improve one’s health and well-being. As such, we wanted to ensure that The TenniSphere was a place where old relationships can be solidified and new ones formed.

And while every decision was made to ensure an incredible tennis playing and viewing experience, it was done to foster deep connections.

The property is quite expansive, which enables it to accommodate a large number of people. At the same time, it has been purposely designed so that smaller groups of people can easily break off into spaces that can allow for opportunities to socialize on a very intimate level. The combination of these smaller gathering spots and a feeling of peace and serenity enveloped by a beautiful internal and external environment allows those connecting to do so in a very open, intimate, authentic, and trusting manner.

  • The TenniSphere at night
  • Friends at the Blue Zone
  • Heather and friends
  • Relationships by pool

A Place to Be Bold:

“The spirit of evil is negation of the life force by fear. Only boldness can deliver us from fear. If the risk is not taken, the meaning of life is somehow violated and the whole future is condemned to hopeless staleness.”

-Carl Jung

We want The TenniSphere to be a place that catalyzes boldness and helps people live fearlessly. 

What does Jung mean when he says, “deliver us from fear”? It is an appeal to be freed or protected from feelings of fear, dread, or anxiety. Here are a few perspectives on what it could mean. As you read these, please know that Gary and Heather genuinely believe that The TenniSphere can be a place that helps defuse the inevitable fears with which we all contend.

Religious/Spiritual context: In specific prayers or religious texts, asking to be “delivered from fear” means requesting divine help in overcoming fears, worries, or lack of faith/trust. It represents a hope for inner peace, courage, and freedom from tormenting fears.

Psychological context: Fear can cripple people mentally, emotionally, and behaviorally. Being “delivered” from unhealthy fears allows one to live more freely, confidently, and happily without being controlled by anxieties, phobias, or excessive worries.

Safety context could refer to being rescued or protected from real threats, dangers, or harm that would otherwise incite fear. Being “delivered” means being shielded from objective reasons to be afraid.

Philosophical context: Fear limits human potential and experience of the present moment. Transcending fears and being “delivered” from them provides liberation to perceive reality undistorted by anxieties.

In essence, the phrase expresses a desire to be emancipated from the constraining, distressing, and inhibiting effects of fear in one’s life—whether those fears are psychological, physical, spiritual, or existential in nature. It represents attaining a state of freedom, security, and peace of mind.

One of The TenniSphere’s overriding goals is to be a place that helps deliver people from fear. According to Carl Jung, however, only boldness can make this happen. This is where tennis and other ways of connecting deeply can help play an integral part in catalyzing boldness.

We have seen first-hand and experienced it ourselves that tennis can inspire people to act boldly and courageously. We want those who come to The TenniSphere and play on The Eleven to exercise their muscle of courage and to act with boldness. And if you are here to be part of a retreat with the goal of going deeper within yourself or with others, then we hope that this environment and your experience here help catalyze such boldness. 

Prosperity requires courage, boldness, and risk-taking. What are boldness and its attributes? With the help of a handy AI assistant, here they are. 

Boldness refers to the quality of being brave, confident, and willing to take risks. Some key characteristics associated with boldness include:

Courage: Bold individuals are not afraid to face challenges or difficult situations. They dare to take actions that others might find daunting or intimidating.

Confidence: Bold people strongly believe in themselves and their abilities. They are self-assured and do not shy away from expressing their opinions or standing up for what they believe in.

Risk-taking: Boldness often involves a willingness to take calculated risks. Bold individuals are not paralyzed by fear of failure or uncertainty; they are willing to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new opportunities or challenges.

Assertiveness: Bold people are often assertive in their communication and actions. They are unafraid to speak up, make their presence known, and advocate for their goals or beliefs.

Decisiveness: Boldness is associated with the ability to make decisions quickly and with conviction. Bold individuals do not hesitate or second-guess themselves excessively; they trust their judgment and act decisively.

Resilience: Bold individuals tend to be resilient despite setbacks or obstacles. They have the determination and perseverance to bounce back from failures or challenges and keep pushing forward.

Authenticity: Boldness often involves being true to oneself and embracing one’s unique qualities or perspectives. Bold people are not afraid to be authentic and stand out from the crowd.

It’s important to note that boldness should be balanced with wisdom and consideration for others. Reckless or thoughtless behavior is not true boldness. 

In summary, boldness is about having the courage to take calculated risks, express oneself authentically, and pursue one’s goals with confidence and determination. When it’s finally time to leave The TenniSphere, we hope you will become a little less fearful and a lot more bold.

  • The Blue Zone tennis experience
  • The Blue Zone Community Experience

A Blue Zone

In 2000, journalist Dan Buettner set out to study areas of the world with strikingly high longevity and identify what common characteristics they may have.

He coined the term Blue Zones to describe these areas. There are nine common attributes within four different categories. These categories are:

  1. Activity
  2. Outlook
  3. Diet
  4. Connections

Here is more detail about the Blue Zone categories from the NIH

Our goal is to have The TenniSphere be a place that possesses all of these Blue Zone characteristics.