Wimbledon might be over for this year but budding tennis players looking to hone their skills in time for the 2020 Championships (you can only dream) can head to some top-notch European locations for a tennis holiday in the sun.
We’re not talking any old tennis-themed escape either. These beautiful resorts offer only the best in coaching: think tennis centres developed by Rafael Nadal, lessons with the Judy Murray and luxury hotels that allow you to pack in as many sessions as possible into a week-long retreat.
Here are four of the best tennis holidays in sun-kissed European locations – all close to the beach, of course, so you can rest up on the sands after perfecting your serve.
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The one for the kids
Take a trip to Portugal’s sporty south coast and you won’t just find sprawling golf courses in Quinta do Lago, but terrific tennis courts too. There’s a newly opened multi-sports centre with a tennis club so good that even legendary coach Judy Murray is offering expert coaching.
This October, Judy will teach youngsters how to play tennis in a fun and stimulating environment at a tennis camp for kids that you can book as a day or week-long course. It’s likely she’ll run an adult camp in 2020 so keep your eyes peeled. Check into the Magnolia Hotel*, just steps away from Quinta do Lago, for free transfers to The Campus. BOOK NOW
The one with non-stop tennis
From group sessions to one-to-ones and access to the courts so you can practice whenever you wish, a week at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus will give you all the time you need to return to the UK with serious skills. There’s a mixture of plexi-cushion hard courts and red clay courts, giving you high quality surfaces to improve your game.
Ideal for couples who are partial to a little relaxation along the way (there’s an incredible Elemis spa), this tennis holiday in Paphos offers everything you need for a Mediterranean getaway in the sun – delicious Cypriot food included! Plus, you’ll want to explore the region, which includes the must-see Troodos Mountains nearby. Jet off for eight days to make the most of your active break. BOOK NOW
The one designed by a tennis superstar
Greece’s stunning Sani Resort in Halkidiki is home to one of only three Rafa Nadal Tennis Centres in the world, with facilities that range from expert coaching to different intensity programmes. Developed by Nadal, you’ll find eight clay courts that both beginners and pros will love.
The Tennis Centre uses the same training methods that took Rafa all the way to the number one spot, so you can rest assured you’re in the right place to learn like a megastar. All this, while you get to enjoy a wonderful resort with five hotels, including the fabulous Sani Beach, overlooking the Aegean Sea to choose from*. BOOK NOW
The one for winter
What better way to escape the cold British winter than with a tennis holiday in the sunny Canaries? The five-star Ritz-Carlton Abama in Tenerife is a great place for short-haul winter sun and offers tennis for singles, couples and groups looking to improve their skills.
It’s a terrific spot for foodies too as it’s home to not one, but two Michelin-starred restaurants. Stargazing, relaxing in the spa and spending time on the secluded beach are other ways to spend your time at the luxe resort. When it comes to the tennis*, the seven courts have Flexi-Pave surfaces like the US and Australian Open courts and have even been used for various ATP and ITF Tour matches. BOOK NOW
*Use of tennis courts, coaching costs extra