Ball’s in Your Court: A Tennis-Playing Bucket List
Not everyone can be an F1 driver or regatta captain. However, many of us can, and have, picked up a tennis racket and learned to enjoy the game on some level. If you’re a player, here’s a quartet of unparalleled places where you can luxuriously over-shoot your serve.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
Tennis and timepieces have enjoyed a hand-in-hand (err, wrist) relationship for many decades. Since Rolex became the official timekeeper of Wimbledon in 1978, that profound connection rooted in performance and excellence has grown to encompass additional tour sponsorships and a multitude of pros serving (no pun intended) as ambassadors and fans for many brands seeking to create a desirable lifestyle association.
Certainly Rolex (with Roger Federer to name one), Hublot (think Novak Djokovic), Richard Mille (who has collaborated with Rafael Nadal), TAG Heuer (um, Naomi Osaka anyone?), and Audemars Piguet (Frances Tiafoe, the last American man standing in singles at this year’s French Open, is a Royal Oak wearer) are among the watchmakers that have aced that serve.
While some of those names may have had the opportunity to play some very exclusive, unique tennis in their careers, there is nothing stopping you from creating your own magic moment on the court. And these four unique places to play prove that enjoying a game of tennis is made even better when it comes with some bucket-list bragging rights.
The Court at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
Dating back to 1910, the single clay court at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como is a coveted tennis venue not only for its idyllic Italian lakeside setting, but also for its charming backstory.
As the story goes, Mariuccia Gandola, the young daughter of the resort’s founders, just loved to play tennis. In fact, the Grand Tremezzo was among the first estates on Lake Como to feature a tennis court, bucking societal opinions that tennis wasn’t exactly an appropriate activity for women. Mariuccia took that bull by the horns, and her stylish tennis activities at Grand Hotel Tremezzo helped break down those barriers.
Today, the very same clay court built for Mariuccia (surrounded by fragrant jasmine and boasting majestic lake and mountain views) is where the hotel’s current guests are invited to play.
Room rates start at $1,000 to $1,400 per night, but can run significantly more in high season.
Vanderbilt Tennis Club, New York City
Did you know that you (or anyone, really) can play a thrilling match of tennis inside New York City’s bustling Grand Central Station? Well, you can!
Located inside the high-ceilinged fourth floor of the historic train terminal, the Vanderbilt Tennis Club’s single regulation hard court (and two ball-machine-equipped practice courts) are hidden Gotham gems that do not require club membership to enjoy.
The club opened for public use in 2011 after the space’s previous lives as an art gallery, radio studio, and private sporting facilities (including a stint with an astro-turf artificial ski slope in the 1960s) fizzled out. But it’s easy to imagine how easy your post-game commute will be; you’re just an elevator trip away from one of the busiest rail stations in the country.
Hourly court rates range from $95 for off-peak late-night play to $380 during peak times and dates.
Serengeti House Court at Singita Sabora Tented Camp, Tanzania
Does the idea of knocking a ball around with expansive safari-worthy views (and the possibility of spotting the occasional feline predator, giraffe, elephant, or wildebeest crossing your vista) hold some potential bragging rights for you?
The Serengeti House villa’s private court within hospitality brand Sangita’s Sabora Tented Camp resort in Tanzania offers a very rare opportunity to make that dream come true.
In addition to unforgettable tennis moments, you and up to 7 guests can also enjoy the four-bedroom villa’s dedicated staff, private-use safari vehicle, and exclusive game drives and walking safaris for prices that range from $12,285 to $27,340 a night, depending on season and number of guests you bring along for the magical journey.
Puente Romano Tennis Club, Marbella, Spain
Certainly, getting to play where the pros have played has some natural appeal for creating once-in-a-lifetime tennis moments. Well, sunny Marbella’s Puente Romano Tennis Club has hosted official ATP, WTA, Fed Cup, and Davis Cup tournaments on its ten immaculate courts (8 clay, two modern plexipave-surface).
Iconic history runs deep on these courts; the club was opened in 1979 (along with the resort itself) under the direction of tennis legend Björn Borg. Meanwhile, modern stand-out champions, like Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Serena Williams (to name just a few), have also played here.
In addition to adding your sweat to these hallowed grounds, you can also enjoy the many amenities of one of the Spanish Med’s most luxurious playgrounds, including an award-winning cuisine program that incorporates over 20 diverse restaurants and bars. Standard room rates range from $400 to $,1500 a night, with additional court charges for non-member guests.