With Kei Nishikori and Sloane Stephens winning this year’s CitiOpen tournament and the US Open just around the corner, tennis is in the spotlight! This exciting sport, enjoyed by both players and spectators worldwide, also makes for an excellent vacation activity.
From personalized lessons and courtside seats in the Caribbean to form analysis and match-play in the Colorado mountains, here are some top destinations where tennis enthusiasts can hone their skills while enjoying some relaxation.
Legends Camp at Rosewood Little Dix Bay (Virgin Gorda BVI)
This renowned Caribbean resort hosts the fourth annual Legends Tennis Camp with Premier Tennis from November 29 to December 3, 2015. Over five days, tennis enthusiasts can train one-on-one with famous coaches and pros like Wayne Bryan and Murphy Jensen on the resort’s new courts. The camp concludes with the Necker Cup Charity Pro Exhibition, where guests can watch tennis stars such as Martina Navratilova, Kim Clijsters, Tracy Austin, Donald Young, Brad Gilbert, and Marion Bartoli, followed by Sir Richard Branson’s famous “End of the World” party featuring Grammy Award-winner Sean Paul.
The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs, CO)
The Broadmoor’s Adult Tennis Camps offer intensive instruction, fast-paced drills, Dartfish video analysis, and supervised match-play. Managed by the resort’s professional staff, who have been rated as the #5 Resort Teaching Staff in the country by Tennis Magazine, these camps provide top-notch training on various courts, including clay ones.
Wild Dunes (Isle of Palms, SC)
Located minutes from Charleston, which was named the best tennis town in the country by the United States Tennis Association, Wild Dunes features 17 Har-Tru courts, including a stadium court. Guests enjoy daily complimentary court time, a full-service Pro Shop, and top-tier instruction from pros like Charly Rasheed, author of “Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus in Tennis.”
The Sea Pines Resort (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Led by past Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Stan Smith, the “Stan Smith Super Series” at The Sea Pines Resort includes 9-hour daily classes with video analysis of serves, strokes, and strategy, along with personalized lessons and practice drills.
Rancho Valencia Resort (San Diego, CA)
After a $30 million renovation that included resurfacing all courts, Rancho Valencia offers a picturesque setting with bougainvillea and citrus groves surrounding 18 plexi-pave championship courts. The resort’s experienced USPTA and USPTR certified tennis professionals, led by former U.S. Open winner Robin White, provide top-notch instruction.
Saddlebrook Resort (Tampa, FL)
With 45 courts, Saddlebrook Resort’s Harry Hopman Tennis Program caters to players of all ages and skill levels. Known for its peaceful, private, and exclusive environment, Saddlebrook has been a training ground for many top players, including Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Martina Hingis, James Blake, and currently John Isner, Jack Sock, and Bob and Mike Bryan.