For new director at Riviera Oaks Racquet Club, every match starts with love

In his freshman year of high school, Bladimir Hernandez fell in love with tennis.

In his new role as director of racquets at Riviera Oaks Resort and Racquet Club in San Diego Country Estates, Hernandez is helping others perfect their skills and fall in love with tennis and pickleball.

Hernandez offers private lessons, coaches clinics and leagues and even hosts tennis-themed mixers — all with the goal of reigniting the love of tennis among locals. 

Tennis has a long history in Ramona. In 1973, the first “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match, featuring Bobby Riggs versus Margaret Court, took place at the San Vicente Country Club in the Estates. Riggs’ win set the stage for a rematch later that year in Houston, in which Billie Jean King defeated him.

In the mid-1980s, the San Diego International Tennis Academy in the Estates was established, continuing the tradition of young tennis players coming to Ramona. 

Cliff Drysdale Tennis, a full-service tennis management company, manages Riviera Oaks.

“We’re excited for this new partnership to usher in a new era of racquet sports excellence at Riviera Oaks,” said Alicia Shults, general manager. “Cliff Drysdale’s reputation for professional instruction and community building is a perfect match for our members and guests.” 

Hernandez brings a wealth of experience as both an athlete and coach to the position. After graduating high school in 2002, he received a full-ride tennis scholarship for four years to the University of Springfield, Ill. 

Since graduating college in 2007, he has coached at Loyola University New Orleans, La Costa Canyon High School, San Dieguito Academy and Angelica Gavaldon Academy in Coronado. He spent four years coaching the men and women’s tennis club at the University of Saint Katherine in San Marcos.

Hernandez first began working with Cliff Drysdale Tennis in 2024 at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad. 

At Riviera Oaks, Hernandez teaches tennis and pickleball, from beginners to advanced, and from 5-year-olds to adults. Students don’t have to be a member of Riviera Oaks to take lessons.

He varies his techniques depending on the age of his students; for example, he covers the basics while keeping it fun for youngsters, with lots of challenging games so they are learning while they play.

Hernandez said high school students are his niche. 

“There is a goal for the students, whether they are trying to get reach for the season or for a tournament,” he said. “While I teach techniques, I love the mental part of the game — and it’s so important at that age.”

As part of his training, he first works to build trust and communication with the student, as well as routines, he said. He also asks them to keep a journal, to help them remember and know their goals, and encourages deep breathing techniques. 

His own high school experience gave him insight into what many high school players deal with. Although he made his high school team, he sat on the bench the entire season.

Things took a turn when the No. 1 doubles player became ill during the team’s conference tournament.  

“I was able to get in and had a good tournament,” he said. “My partner and I won the whole championship for our school.”

Since starting the job at the Estates on April 7, Hernandez teaches 15 to 20 lessons a week, teaches eight to 10 clinics a week (both juniors and adults), coaches two women’s tennis leagues and hosts open play for members on Saturday mornings. He is working to bring a men’s team on board.

To beat Ramona’s heat, he starts lessons by 8 a.m. and ends them at 11 a.m., picking up again in the evenings from 5 till 8 p.m.

Corri Harvey, a Riviera Oaks timeshare owner and member of one of the women’s teams, met Hernandez through the club.

She started taking lessons after Hernandez worked with her women’s tennis team so they could play out of Riviera Oaks.   

“He personalizes the instruction and tailors it to whatever goal I am working on at the time,” Harvey said. “He also keeps upbeat music playing in the background that keeps the energy high.”

Having lived in the Estates for 28 years, Harvey said she was on the first Riviera Oaks tennis teams more than 15 years ago. Her kids grew up playing tennis at the club; now, along with herself and her husband, they help run the family business, Harvey Irrigation Pros. 

She’s also attended one of the tennis-themed mixers. 

“You don’t have to have a partner or any skill, just sign up (members attend free while guests pay a small fee). There are tennis-themed fun games, such as King of the Court, and he makes it fair and fun for everyone. It’s a great way to meet new friends and reconnect with old friends in tennis,” she said.

There are 15 tennis courts and eight pickleball courts at Riviera Oaks, with four more courts for pickleball in the works. When renovations are complete, Hernandez plans to form a pickleball league and bring local and national tournaments to the resort through the World Pickleball Association, he said.   

While residents of the Country Estates can use the San Vicente courts for free, Hernandez said there is an advantage to paying the $5 guest fee at Riviera Oaks — guests can reserve a court at any time by using an app. 

“Membership also allows users access to the pool, gym, locker room, sauna, basketball, billiards and corn hole, as well as other amenities,” he said.

In addition to the tennis and pickleball events, members can take part in the Experience Travel program, which provides reciprocal benefits at resort destinations and signature events around the world.

Harvey is hopeful Hernandez’s presence will spur new growth for the tennis club.

“There’s all kinds of new programs for adults and kids and multiple levels of thriving teams,” she said. “We’re hoping it will draw more Ramona residents to the club so we can keep him and keep the program going and growing.” 

When he’s not at the club, Hernandez said he spends time with his wife, Beth Vanderwerken, and their son, 2-year-old Boez, often hiking or participating in other outdoor activities.

To learn more about the tennis and pickleball racquet club, visit: www.rivieraoaksracquetclub.com, the social media pages, 25382 Pappas Road or call: 760-788-0999.