Real Estate Photographer in Spicewood, TX

Kapil Rajurkar and Coach Vince Casariego share insights on the expansion, goals, and vision behind the new facility.

Spicewood, TX — The recent boom in tennis has meant more demand for facilities and programs across Texas. In Spicewood, Kapil Rajurkar and Vince Casariego have been working hard to meet that demand with the construction of a Central Texas tennis facility: Legend Tennis Academy.

They expect that when it opens, the new facility will not only enhance the Academy's offerings but also cater to players of all ages and skill levels.

The project has been supported through facility grants, including partnerships with USTA Tennis Venue Services and USTA Texas, providing crucial funding and expertise. With these resources, the Academy has been able to help make its vision for a top-tier tennis facility closer to becoming a reality..

Why Spicewood?

When asked about the motivation behind expanding, Rajurkar, co-owner of Legend Tennis Academy, explained that the community had expressed a strong desire for more tennis coaching, particularly for junior and adult programs.

“The impetus to expand came from numerous inquiries from the community, and we wanted to build something where we could operate without constraints,” said Rajurkar.

They hope to foster tennis growth within the community, which includes not only junior team tennis but also to expand to wheelchair tennis and to host social events for all ages.

The Spicewood location was chosen not only because of its growing residential and educational developments but also due to the lack of tennis facilities in the area. Rajurkar explained that the area’s population growth — with new housing developments, schools, and more — made it the perfect place to build a facility that could support tennis in the community.

“We are excited to be a part of this growing area and provide the community with a top-notch facility that fosters tennis for all ages,” said Rajurkar.

A Facility Built for the Future

Construction on the new Spicewood facility began in October 2024, and it will be fully operational by May 2025.

Rajurkar said a key feature that will set this facility apart from others in the region is the inclusion of a covered court, which addresses Texas’ sweltering summer heat. Additionally, the facility will boast indoor courts in Phase 2, a rarity in the area, providing players with an all-weather training option.

“The covered court will be the highlight,” said Rajurkar. “We wanted to ensure that both kids and parents could enjoy tennis without worrying about the weather.” Their plan is for the facility to also offer ample shade for spectators, encouraging parents to engage with their children’s progress while also staying active themselves.

Building the new facility hasn’t been without its challenges. Rajurkar shared that the permitting process was lengthy, and they had to navigate complex technical reviews to ensure the facility met USTA standards.

“We learned that the permitting process takes time and costs tend to exceed expectations,” he said. “But the support we received from the USTA, both financially and in terms of guidance, has been invaluable.”

Catering to All Skill Levels

The new Spicewood facility is designed to accommodate players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced athletes. Coach Vince Casariego emphasized that the facility would cater to a broad spectrum of players, noting that most other tennis academies fail to connect the developmental stages from beginner to advanced levels.

“We want to show parents how each level progresses, from a 2-3 UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) player to a 13 UTR athlete,” Casariego explained. “We are also committed to making our facilities wheelchair accessible to serve a diverse range of players.”

Rajurkar added that one of their major goals is to run more Austin-area tournaments for beginner-level players. Currently, families in Texas often have to travel to cities like San Antonio or Dallas for these events, and they hope the new facility will allow them to fill this gap by offering more local tournaments.

Looking to the future, they hope the facility will be able to host a variety of tournaments and special events at the new facility, including L7 tournaments and wheelchair tennis events.

“We want to bring these types of events to Spicewood to gauge interest and continue expanding our offerings,” Rajurkar said.

Innovative Training Methods and Technologies

In addition to the state-of-the-art courts, the new facility will offer innovative technologies to enhance player development. They noted that one unique feature will be the use of Rainfield technology, which records players' sessions and provides video feedback to both players and parents.

“This technology will allow us to capture a player’s performance during training and share those videos with parents,” Rajurkar said.

Coach Casariego also highlighted the Academy’s new curriculum, which integrates mental toughness training and pressure simulations to better prepare players for competitive situations. “We want to give parents insight into how their children perform under pressure, both in practice and during tournaments,” he said.

Passion for Tennis

Both Rajurkar and Casariego have a deep passion for the sport of tennis, which serves as the foundation for their vision at Legend Tennis Academy. For Rajurkar, who picked up tennis as an adult after excelling in other sports, tennis has become his sport for life. “Tennis is a complete sport,” he said. “It’s a lifelong game, and that’s what makes it so special.”

Coach Casariego’s passion began at a young age when he first picked up a racket and discovered the value of tennis not only as a competitive sport but as a tool for personal growth. “Tennis teaches kids work ethic, discipline, and the importance of community,” Casariego shared.

As construction wraps up and the duo prepares for the grand opening of Legend Tennis Academy in Spicewood, Rajurkar and Casariego remain focused on their long-term mission: to grow the game of tennis and create a positive, supportive environment for players of all ages.

“We want to be a place where people feel welcomed and inspired to improve,” Casariego said. “Our goal is to offer a place where both kids and adults can thrive and enjoy the sport.”