Wimbledon’s wonderful, but it can leave you yearning to smack Federer-esque forehands, serve like Jo Konta or fine-tune a Murray-style defense. If so, how about combining tennis with travel at one of these specialist hotel or resort getaways?
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The Headland, Cornwall
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One bad shot at The Headland hotel and your ball could end up in the Atlantic. A member of Pride of Britain Hotels, the four-star Cornish retreat has a trio of hard courts thrillingly positioned on a clifftop overlooking Fistral Beach, with rather distracting 360º ocean views. There’s no tuition here: you just play as you please, borrowing rackets and balls for free. Any post-match tennis elbow can be soothed in the hotel’s spa and its Cornish salt steam room, hot tub or indoor and outdoor pools.
Find out more: headlandhotel.co.uk
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(Image credit: Roger Méndez Fotógrafo, S.L.)
Pine Cliffs, Algarve
Perched on red cliffs on the southern tip of Portugal’s Algarve, Pine Cliffs is the perfect location for anyone hoping to hone their tennis skills after being inspired by Wimbledon. New for summer 2017 is the resort’s Tennis and Pilates package combines 10 hours of group tennis coaching at the on-site Annabel Croft Tennis Academy with three hours of private one-on-one pilates classes.
Find out more: thehealthyholidaycompany.com
(Image credit: Dario Sequi)
Forte Village, Sardinia
Six-time Wimbledon champion Mark Woodforde (17–25 July) and Andy Murray’s former coach Jonas Bjorkman (24–31 July) are among the star coaches leading intensive doubles-training weeks at Forte Village this summer. Concentrating on the four-person format, lessons are open to players of all abilities, and include tournaments. A large and luxurious resort, beachside Forte Village accompanies its 12 floodlit tennis courts with numerous other sports academies and a vast spa.
Find out more: fortevillageresort.com
La Manga Club, Spain
Located near Murcia in sunny south-eastern Spain, La Manga Club is currently the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) official overseas training base – no wonder, given its outstanding 28-court centre. You might even see Andy Murray and Jo Konta practising here as you undertake one of the various training academies. Leisurely week-long courses feature two hours’ daily coaching, whereas intensive weekends pair six hours’ worth with four hours of matchplay.
Find out more: lamangaclub.com
Curtain Bluff, Antigua
One of the Caribbean’s gems is Curtain Bluff in Antigua, a luxury resort nestled between two beaches. Its world-renowned tennis academy has four championships hard courts, and resident professional instructors to cater to a range of aptitudes. Tennis events are hosted throughout the year including the Annual Tennis Challenge and an Annabel Croft Perfect Match Academy. Guests may also partake in water sports ranging from scuba diving to water skiing, or relax in a hammock on the beach.
Find out more at: curtainbluff.com
Mark Warner, Greece
Along with numerous other activity options, all five of Mark Warner’s European resorts boast excellent tennis facilities, including complimentary use of Head rackets during your stay. Also universal are light-hearted knock-around sessions with coaches, free ‘tipsy tennis’ during evenings (tiebreaks are accompanied by a snifter) and LTA-accredited courses and lessons (from £80 per person). Only the Greek pair at Lakitira Beach Resort on Kos (13 September) and Rhodes’ Levante Beach Resort (7 October) offer specialist ‘intensive tennis weeks’ (£250 per person).
Find out more: markwarner.co.uk/sun-holidays/greece
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Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa, Mauritius
If you’re likely to suffer post-Wimbledon withdrawal at the absence of Andrew Castle’s commentary, here is some good news: the former British number one will, in cahoots with The Private Travel Company, host a six-day Mauritius Tennis Week this autumn in the Indian Ocean. Drill sessions and tactics workshops are promised utilising six floodlit hard courts, before tournaments and an awards dinner. As well as a Q&A with ‘Andy’, lures include tropical gardens, a nine-hole golf course, extensive watersports and perfect beaches.
Find out more: theprivatetravelcompany.co.uk
Gstaad Palace, Switzerland
This grand hotel offers cinematic views of the Swiss Alps and world-famous tennis camps. The Roy Emerson Tennis Weeks offer intensive personal coaching from the former world number one tennis player himself, along with other professional trainers. Built in 1913, the luxury hotel has 90 rooms, a sprawling spa and health club and an Olympic-sized pool. Guests can also access nearby ski slopes or visit the famous GreenGo nightclub.
Find out more: palace.ch/en/
Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire
In the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside sits Stoke Park, a classic English mansion with a renowned tennis club. It annually host a pre-Wimbledon tennis tournament, The Boodles, which sees tennis stars from around the world come to play. In previous years Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have warmed up for Wimbledon here. The hotel has several Wimbledon-standard grass courts as well as clay and indoor court options. It offers tennis lessons for guests as well as a camp for juniors, and also has a golf course and spa.
Find out more: stokepark.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife, Spain
This Moorish-inspired resort in Tenerife is surrounded by palm trees, Atlantic ocean views and a secluded beach. Famous for its Championship golf course, the resort also boasts an Annabel Croft tennis academy with seven courts and tennis coaches available. The resort is well-equipped, with seven pools and an extensive spa offering yoga, massages and access to a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and hammam, to name a few. Unwind after a day on the courts at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants.
Find out more: ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/spain/abama#RESORT
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Puente Romano, Spain
Play a match at the tennis club of Puente Romano in Marbella, and you’ll be doing so on courts that have been graced by Boris Becker, John McEnroe, and Bjorn Borg. The extensive club boasts 10 courts, with lessons available for all ages. Try your hand at paddle tennis on one of the four synthetic grass courts that has hosted tournaments and top players from around the world. Located on the “Golden Mile” in Southern Spain, you can also enjoy private pools, stunning Mediterranean beaches, and beautiful gardens on site. This hotel has a large selection of eating options, including a branch of the popular Nobu chain of restaurants, and a stylish open air nightclub.
Find out more: puenteromano.com
Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives
Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean is private spa island Cheval Blanc Randheli in Mauritius, featuring white sand, turquoise sea, and its own tennis island Maakurandhoo, accessible only by boat. Stay in one of Cheval Blanc Randheli’s 46 villas and venture out to Maakurandhoo, which hosts two full-sized courts. Players have the option to take private or group lessons, or play leisurely with family and friends.
Find out more: randheli.chevalblanc.com
St Michaels Resort, Cornwall, UK
Next to Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, St Michaels Resort is equipped with four tennis courts and offers complimentary lessons with a qualified LTA coach. The resort’s impressive spa features the UK’s first Cornish sea-salt steam room, an outdoor Swedish hot-tub and barrel sauna and the largest hydro pool in the South West. Guests can take part in a range of classes including yoga on the beach.
Find out more: stmichaelsresort.com
La Reserve Geneva, Switzerland
Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, this luxurious five-star resort has two tennis courts and private training sessions with professional coaches. Surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped gardens, La Reserve offers an outdoor and indoor pool and an extensive spa, equipped with a sauna, hammam, and fitness room with personal trainers.
Find out more: lareserve-geneve.com
Carlisle Bay, Antigua
If you’re looking for some sea, sun and tennis at any time of year, Carlisle Bay on the Caribbean island of Antigua has it all. The 87-suite resort has nine tennis courts onsite, including three floodlit courts. For those wanting to sharpen their skills, the resort offers complimentary tennis clinics led by tennis pro Ken Gonsalves. After a day on the court guests can unwind with yoga and Pilates classes or a massage at the Blue Spa.
Find out more: carlisle-bay.com
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hawaii Island, Hawaii, United States
This family friendly resort resort overlooks one of Hawaii’s stunning white sand beaches. It’s Seaside Tennis Club has 11 courts and offers group or private lessons, along with programmes for children during the summer and school holidays. Relax on the beach, play on the 18-hole golf course, or take part in free Hawaiian culture lessons.
Find out more: maunakeabeachhotel.com