La Quinta Resort & Club holds a special place in my heart. Not because it's my preferred place to stay in the Palm Springs area. Or because it's considered one of the best tennis and golf resorts in the country. La Quinta is special to me because it was the first resort I visited and filmed at when I was hired as the host of Destination Tennis (my travel show on Tennis Channel) years ago. I remember stepping into an unknown world, excited about the possibilities ahead, yet unaware how this one show would ultimately shape the course of my career and life moving forward.

I recall being struck by the beauty of the 45-acre property against the Santa Rosa mountains, lined with hacienda-style casitas and citrus trees, which feels you've been transported to a Spanish village. While hitting onto the stunning, sunken stadium court, pretending to be an elite athlete rather than amateur player, one can easily slip away from reality here. I've since become a regular at La Quinta Resort, visiting for the Indian Wells tournament, Coachella or a quick tennis getaway from LA. The awe and nostalgia from that first visit has never faded, I'm pleasantly reminded each time I arrive.