Wimbledon is starting, and as players and fans from around the world flock to London for the world’s oldest tennis tournament, you may consider your own tennis aspirations. You may be eyeing up that forgotten racket in your closet and considering clever ways to up your skill levels this summer. What if you could do this while staying at a glamorous hotel and train with some of the world’s top tennis talent? Just imagine how good it would feel to return home sporting both a tan and a professionally approved backhand. Game, set, match. Behold our list of this summer’s most exciting luxury tennis holidays.
Soneva Stars, Soneva Fushi, Maldives
You would be hard pressed to find a tennis court more intertwined with nature than Soneva Fushi’s, which is uniquely situated in the Baa Atoll Unesco Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. This summer Bob and Mike Bryan will be coaching at the resort, sharing the secrets that helped the twin brothers secure 16 grand slam doubles titles and an Olympic gold, and kept them as the top doubles team on the ATP tour for a record 10 seasons.
Private villa at Soneva Fushi
A bedroom in one of the villas at Soneva Fushi
Soneva Fushi has a long history of bringing in tennis talent to work with its guests: past clinics have been run by the nine-time grand slam doubles winner Jonas Bjorkman. After a day on the courts with one of the Bryans you can relax at the sustainably minded resort, which is set on one of the largest islands in the Maldives and has oceanfront villas with private gardens, sandy white beaches, a spa and visiting top chefs from around the world. soneva.com
Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, Sani Resort, Greece
Located on the Kassandra Peninsula in Halkidiki, the five-star Sani Resort offers five different sustainability minded hotel experiences on its 1,000-acre nature reserve. They’re all beachfront, so you can admire the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea on your way to the resort’s Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre. On its eight clay courts the centre offers personalised training for players of all ages and skill levels based on a programme developed by the tennis legend himself. Nadal called the facility “spectacular”, and you can take his word for it.
A junior suite at Sani Resort
Rafa Nadal at Sani’s Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre
If you’re feeling extra sportive while you’re there you can also stop by the Sani Football Academy, which is run in association with Chelsea FC, or its Bear Grylls-approved Survival Academy.
sani-resort.com
A bungalow beachfront suite with private pool at Sani Resort
Tennis and yoga retreat with Annabel Croft, Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
Interested in turning your visit to Portugal’s Algarve into an opportunity for self-improvement? Look no further than Annabel Croft’s tennis and yoga retreat at the Pine Cliffs Resort. You can hone your skills while enjoying the country’s dramatic southern coastline in a programme run by Croft, the TV presenter and former British No 1, and her team. The camp, which is open to all skill levels and takes place over four days at the five-star resort, includes six hours of drills and lessons as well as two daily yoga sessions and daily morning meditations.
Annabel Croft at Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve
Pine Cliffs Resort exterior
When you’ve completed your court activities, you can try one of the resort’s 11 restaurants or the Mimo Algarve cooking school, drop by the spa or visit the beach, where you can show off your newly toned arms. pinecliffs.com
Tennis coaching at 7Pines Resort, Sardinia
Combine a visit to this Italian island haven with a week of coaching from the Dutch tennis star Paul Haarhuis, who spent over a year ranked as world No 1 doubles player and is considered one of the best of all time, having won all four grand-slam events. The resort has a history of attracting great talent for coaching experiences — previous instructors have included the Czech tennis champion Karel Novacek, once ranked No 8 in singles in the world.
Tennis court at 7Pines Resort Sardinia
7Pines is located on 15 hectares bordering a nature reserve, with views of the archipelago of La Maddalena. It has 76 rooms, a spa and three restaurants, as well as a host of activities once you’ve put down your rackets for the day, including a beach club, kids’ camp and yacht excursions.
A room at 7Pines Resort Sardinia
If you’d like to return later in the summer to continue expanding your sports repertoire, you can also sign up for a week of football coaching with Gianluca Zambrotta, the Italian World Cup hero, or calisthenics with the former Olympic gymnast Jury Chechi. 7pines.com
Lux Tennis Coaching, Cap Juluca, Anguilla
Lux Tennis Coaching works with 31 luxury resort partners globally to offer ATP/WTA-level coaching as well as tailored programmes. The company also teams up with tennis stars throughout the year so you can learn how to be the best player you can be directly from your heroes. It helps that these also take place at extremely glamorous hotels. The next event is in August at the picturesque Belmond Cap Juluca hotel in Anguilla, where the German Tommy Haas, a former world No 2, and the Spanish star Nicolás Almagro will be playing in an exhibition match as well as leading private lessons and clinics, and hosting a meet and greet.
The five-star Cap Juluca has 64 rooms, 44 suites and a host of private villas with up to five bedrooms. There’s also a full spa and four restaurants where you can kick back after a long day spent honing your skills. belmond.com/capjuluca