Fifteen of the world’s best tennis hotels and resorts

(Image credit: ROSS WOODHALL)

last updated 5 July 2019

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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