The world’s most beautiful tennis courts
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Hôtel Cap Estel
Èze
Even mid-match it’s hard not to distractedly gaze out to sea or skywards, so picturesque is this Mediterranean coastal court. The hotel’s proximity to Monaco means that visiting coaches are pro-level, though Èze and its surroundings still somehow exude a more discreet and low-key charm. capestel.com/fr/
Ladbroke Square
London
My secret garden – where work and time simply stop. It’s here I watch the seasons change, my kids grow up and, occasionally, listen to music while practising my serve solo. My kind of party. 3 Ladbroke Sq, London W1
Ballymaloe House Hotel
near Cork
Ballymaloe is famous for its cooking school, and the epic beauty of the encompassing countryside. Its tennis court lies framed by wild roses and ivy, just beyond the ’80s-style peanut-shaped turquoise pool. balleymaloe.ie/
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Antibes
The Riviera dream: hot raked clay in the shade of whispering umbrella pines. Racket, tennis shoes and swimsuit in my locker, the better to dash from court to cabana swim and back again. Raymond Py and his son Enzo are the coaches to know – it’s a family affair. oetkercollection.com
Gleneagles
Perthshire
I spent most of my trip to Gleneagles on a horse or hiking, but the five tennis (plus two padel) courts at the estate are perfectly set up either for the ultra-competitive or those more interested in a post-match whisky. gleneagles.com
GoldenEye
Jamaica
Octopussy is the only Bond film I can think of with a tennis moment (featuring Indian pro Vijay Amritraj), but I can imagine Ian Fleming at his desk at GoldenEye with a view of the court and the ocean beyond – Martini in hand, plot twisting. One for the wannabe Bond girls (me) who want to beat James at his own game. goldeneye.com
KLTK – Royal Tennis Club of Stockholm
Sweden is rich in tennis folklore – Stefan Edberg was my childhood pin-up. The historic Royal Tennis Club of Stockholm, originally honouring enthusiastic player King Gustaf V, remains thriving, as well as boasting the rock ’n’ roll kudos of hosting concerts by Bowie, The Rolling Stones and more over the years. kltk.se
Belmond Hotel Cipriani
Venice
Tennis in Venice was not on my mind in all my modelling trips to the city; I was busy with maps and churches and Bellinis and boys. Checking in a few years ago for the Venice Film Festival, I innocently asked the chambermaid if she knew anywhere I might find a game. “Turn around,” she said, as we climbed upstairs – and there was the court, all peachy watercolour grace. belmond.com/hotels
The Town Tennis Club
New York
I lived in New York for most of my 20s and never picked up a racket; I was a late starter, only learning tennis because my kids had natural talent and I didn’t want to be left out. I probably walked or cycled past The Town Tennis Club a hundred times without a clue as to what lay beyond and above. Imagine heading up to play on a roof encircled by skyscrapers, strict whites packed on a wing and a prayer. towntennisclub.com
Soneva Fushi
Maldives
Forget the paradise honeymoon cliché. For the tennis fanatic the additional allure of Soneva Fushi is playing in the shade of the palms at dawn or dusk, and the regular coaching residency of Swedish doubles legend Jonas Björkman. He is adored within the international tennis community, and generous with his time and tips. soneva.com/resorts/
Il San Pietro di Positano
True romance – a court on the Amalfi coast as if designed for Sophia Loren. If I didn’t want to play three hours a day I’d simply stare at this cove, a sweet spot hugging the cliffs and framed by terraced gardens and Aperol-orange deckchairs. (Travellers in the know seek out the equally jaw-dropping family-run community courts – Al Settimo Piano – on the opposite side of town, on top of possibly the most beautiful car park in the world.) ilsanpietro.com
Centre Sportif de Verbier
My best friend, who has Swiss roots, knows that the best way to fast-track me to her is to lure me in with a dream court or two. This sports centre in Verbier boasts epic Alpine views, and leads the lesser-known off-season attractions of the fabled ski resort. It’s the kind of summer camp one only imagines in novels and movies. verbier.ch/ete
The grass court at the British Embassy
Paris
Playing tennis here is the golden ticket for visiting diplomats, but it’s worth gawping at simply for the serenity of the lawn and surrounding gardens, in the centre of Paris. 35 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris
Barbican Lawn Tennis Club
London
Shared by residents of the Barbican Estate and the City of London School for Girls, these courts are an urban magic trick in the heart of London where all worlds collide. clubspark.lta.org.uk
Monte-Carlo Country Club
Monaco
The Grace Kelly tennis dream. Not only one of the most beautiful clubs in the world but the home turf of many top players and a favourite pitstop on the tour. I invested heavily in post-match merch. mccc.mc/en
Brijuni National Park
Fazana
Croatia’s rich tennis history has spawned a plethora of fabulous courts, but if I could play anywhere it would be here, on an island near Pula, immersed in the wildlife of the national park on the Adriatic coast. np-brijuni.hr/en
Bunabhainneadar tennis court
Isle of Harris
Both Tim Henman and Judy Murray tell me that this court, hewn from Harris stone into the rugged landscape of the Outer Hebrides, is a forever favourite. It fuels the fantasy of a simpler life – a cottage in the wilds and the kindness of strangers. Of course, it’s now a much sought-after location for commercials and more, but this most remote of tennis clubs is still all about community. I have a note in my diary to Just Do It by train. Off the B887, Isle of Harris HS3
Tennis de la Cavalerie
Paris
The first time I played here I felt like I’d infiltrated a cult, thanks to the gift of a dawn appointment. A private rooftop terrace, the Eiffel Tower winking beyond, and a single indoor court that feels like a church… 6–8 Rue de la Cavalerie, 75015 Paris
Amanzoe
Greece
On the east coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula, Amanzoe is an ideal basecamp for adventure and exploration. I have glorious memories of day trips to Spetses or Hydra, and home to sunset tennis with a ragtag team of teens. Some like it hot. aman.com
Daydream Island
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
My friend Adrian Calvert, founder of international tennis community brand All Court Tennis Club, cites Daydream Island as the ultimate Aussie tennis experience. I was six months pregnant the only time I went to Australia, so it’s one for the bucket list. daydreamisland.com
Heights Casino
Brooklyn, New York
It’s April in New York and I’m in town for less than 24 hours. My one and only night ends inevitably late. At 8am my friend pulls up to my Lower East Side hotel and we head over the Brooklyn Bridge. I’ve heard of the Heights Casino but to play here is a spiritual epiphany. Founded in 1904 to encourage “physical advancements, enjoyment and recreation”, this extraordinary club is still winning more than a century later. heightscasino.com
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
Siem Reap
My trip to Cambodia was all action adventure and sightseeing, but if I were to return, I now know where to play. The two pro-level courts at Raffles Siem Reap are spectacular – imagine playing there and seeing Angkor Wat in the same day! raffles.com/siem-reap
Finca Cortesin
Casares
This is where I send friends who want a bespoke tennis (and/or padel) camp on the side of a family holiday, with an emphasis on the après-sport. It’s also a chic European getaway if one had no desire to chase any kind of ball at all – all Slim Aarons arty pastels plus a pool of dreams. fincacortesin.com
Do you have a favourite tennis court? Tell us about it in the comments below, and we’ll publish a selection in an upcoming article.
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