And its latest graduate - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova - is well on the road to superstardom.

When Maria was just seven years old her father, Yuri, took her from their native Russia to the Bollettieri Academy in Florida - risking everything in the hope that she could realise her potential.

Sharapova revels in victory

A decade on, his faith has been repaid in spectacular fashion, and Sharapova joins the likes of Andre Agassi and Monica Seles on the growing list of Bollettieri stars.

The Bollettieri Academy was founded in 1978 as a full-time tennis boarding school.

Its programme is based around three guiding principles: discipline, responsibility and effort.

Bollettieri, now 72, was a former paratrooper and his pupils follow a tough, disciplined regime from an early age.

They're taught to believe in themselves, dictate the game and chase down every point with dogged determination.

Sharapova is the latest Grand Slam winner to emerge from the Academy, but even Britain has tasted success courtesy of Bollettieri.

Agassi has won eight Grand Slams

Miles Kasiri was this year's runner-up in Wimbledon boys' singles and has spent two years at the Academy.

While each player has own their own style, they all share the classic Bollettieri traits of power, conditioning and incredible mental toughness.

The Sport Academy's tennis coach, Dan Thorp has analysed Sharapova's game. He believes her self belief is one of the main reasons for her success.

"Sharapova has followed a very carefully structured physical conditioning programme from a very young age," says Dan.

"As a result she is in fantastic condition and - importantly - she knows it.

"She uses her condition to intimidate her opponents, by chasing, hitting hard and being relentless in her efforts."

And having made light work of Serena Williams at Wimbledon, it looks as though Bollettieri's latest star will be at the top of her game for many years to come.

Did you know?

Sharapova's father, Yuri took her from Russia when she was just seven years old Sharapova is the second Russian woman to win a Grand Slam this year, following Anastasia Myskina's win at the French Open

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