Tennis Courts Around the World: Matches and Meetups

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Last summer I was standing on a clay court in Marbella, Spain, racket in hand, when a Frenchwoman invited me to a spontaneous doubles game. Two hours later we were sitting over an aperitif in the clubhouse of the Puente Romano Tennis Club swapping travel stories. Playing tennis around the world means far more than just sport: it opens doors to people, cultures and moments I would never have experienced otherwise. On every court, whether in Bangkok, Barcelona or Buenos Aires, a new encounter is waiting.

If you want to play tennis abroad, you'll find a huge network of public facilities, luxury resorts and welcoming clubs today. I'll show you where to find the most beautiful tennis courts internationally, how to easily meet tennis partners abroad and which sports hotels with first-class courts are waiting for you. Everything is based on my own experiences and concrete addresses that I've tried out myself.

Where can I play tennis abroad - concrete places to start

The question of where to live out your racket sports passion while traveling often answers itself once you're there. In many European cities there are public tennis facilities that rent courts by the hour. In Vienna, for example, I booked a court at the Ferry Dusika indoor stadium through the Wiener Stadthallen for $25 an hour, lights included. There I met a local player who regularly trains with tourists and afterward showed me her favorite courts in the city.

In southern countries, clay courts dominate. The Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Biot on the Côte d'Azur offers day passes for adults from $45, and you train on the same courts where international pros hone their technique. I booked a two-hour lesson there and afterward met three Americans who come every spring for a week of tennis.

For spontaneous matches without booking ahead, I recommend the app PlayYourCourt, which is available worldwide and matches players by level and location. In Miami I found a playing partner through it within an hour at Flamingo Park, a public court in the middle of South Beach. The app also shows you the nearest courts and their availability in real time.

Tennis courts around the world - my top 5 destinations

After dozens of courts on four continents, I've picked five places that impressed me especially, both athletically and personally. Each destination offers its own tennis culture and countless chances to make new acquaintances.

Mallorca: Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor

According to a 2023 analysis by the German Tennis Federation, the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Manacor is one of the five most visited tennis facilities in Europe for adult recreational players. I spent a week there at an adult tennis camp and trained on 26 courts, eight of them floodlit clay courts. The camp costs from $1,300 per week including accommodation at the attached sports hotel, full board and four hours of coaching daily.

In the evenings we participants often sat together at "Bar Central," a modern spot on the grounds, trading tips on technique and travel destinations. A Swiss woman told me about her tennis experiences in South Africa, and a Belgian invited me to a match in Antwerp. The atmosphere was familial and open, with no pressure to perform.

Dubai: Emirates Golf Club Tennis Courts

Besides its golf courses, the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai has eight hard courts with perfect lighting. I played there in February at a pleasant 75°F and booked a court through the club website for $40 an hour. After my match, an English expat approached me and invited me to a doubles tournament that weekend.

According to Visit Dubai, the official tourism site, Dubai has over 120 public and private tennis facilities. Many of them offer drop-in sessions where you can show up without a partner and join a group. I took part in a session at the Al Habtoor Tennis Academy and met two American businesswomen there who regularly work in Dubai and use tennis as a networking tool.

Alicante: La Sella Golf Resort & Spa

La Sella Golf Resort & Spa in Dénia, about 55 miles south of Valencia, combines golf, tennis and wellness. The four clay courts are nestled among orange groves with a view of the Montgo Natural Park. I booked a three-day package from $350 with half board and unlimited court use.

The tennis facility is small, but that is exactly why an almost familial mood developed. At breakfast in the club restaurant I arranged a mixed doubles game with a Norwegian couple. Later the Norwegian partner showed me her favorite coves in the area, which I would never have discovered otherwise. Spontaneous moments like these make tennis trips so valuable.

Thailand: Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort in Phuket

In Phuket I visited the Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort, which, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is one of the leading sports facilities in Southeast Asia. Ten courts, six of them covered, are available. I took part in a one-week adult tennis camp, priced from $1,550 including accommodation, meals and three hours of training daily.

Besides tennis, the resort also offered yoga, swimming and cycling. In the evenings participants met at the hotel restaurant "Catch Beach Club" at Nai Thon Beach. There I met an Australian woman who comes to Phuket for a month every year to play tennis and work remotely at the same time. We swapped contacts and today play together regularly online through virtual tournaments.

Portugal: Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy in the Algarve

The Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy in the Algarve has 14 clay courts and is considered one of Portugal's most renowned facilities. I rented a court for $20 an hour and also used the coaching option for $65 per session. The coaches are multilingual and adapt to your level individually.

After my training, a British family invited me to dinner at "2 Passos," a restaurant right at the courts. We talked about travel experiences, tennis tournaments and Portuguese cuisine. The family spends two weeks in Vale do Lobo every summer and over the years has built up a regular circle of friends there made up of international tennis players.

Finding tennis partners - apps, clubs and personal contacts

Finding a tennis partner abroad is easier than many think. Besides PlayYourCourt, there are other digital helpers: the app "Tennis Round" connects players worldwide and shows you available courts near you. I used it in Lisbon and found a local partner within 30 minutes who took me to a court in Parque das Nações.

Many hotels and resorts organize weekly mixed doubles tournaments or open practice sessions. At the Forte Village Resort in Sardinia, which I visited last fall, a "Social Tennis Evening" took place every Wednesday night. Guests of all levels played together, followed by aperitivo at the pool. There I met an Italian couple who took me along to a private beach cove the next day.

If you'd rather make contacts in person, ask directly at the clubhouse. Many tennis clubs have bulletin boards where players post their availability. At the Tennis Club de Paris in the Bois de Boulogne, I found a note from an American tourist looking for a partner for clay court practice. We played two days in a row and afterward explored the Marais district together.

Adult tennis camps in Europe have the advantage that you automatically meet like-minded people. The camps are usually graded by skill level, so you're neither overchallenged nor underchallenged. I recommend the tennis camps from "Tennis-Point Reisen," which have offers in Spain, Italy and Greece from $875 per week. The groups are small, a maximum of eight participants per course, and exchanges between participants come about quite naturally.

Tennis sports hotels - luxury meets court

Luxury hotels with tennis courts around the world combine first-class amenities with exclusive service. I stayed at the Sani Resort in Halkidiki, Greece, which has six clay courts and two hard courts. A week in a double room starts at $1,750, including half board and unlimited court use. The tennis facility is nestled in the pine forest, and the sea is only about 650 feet away.

At the Sani Resort I met a Dutch investor who, through MySugardaddy, takes a relaxed lifestyle dating approach and sees tennis as the perfect way to meet people as equals. We played together on three mornings and in the evenings talked about destinations, business and quality of life. Tennis creates a relaxed atmosphere in which conversations go deeper than at the hotel buffet.

Another highlight was the La Manga Club Resort in Murcia, Spain. The resort has 28 courts, 16 of them clay, and sits on a 1,400-acre property with three golf courses. I booked a package from $1,000 for five nights with breakfast and three tennis lessons. The facility draws many pro players for training, but amateurs feel welcome too. There I met a Spanish entrepreneur who showed me his favorite spots in Cartagena.

According to a Statista statistic, the share of German tennis players who actively play tennis on vacation was 18 percent in 2023, and rising. Hotels are responding with specialized offers: at the "Forte Village Resort" in Sardinia there are tennis packages from $1,450 per week with a private coach, video analysis and match play. I used a three-day intensive training there and measurably improved my backhand.

Best tennis facilities for beginners abroad

Playing tennis abroad as a beginner can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to. Many facilities offer special courses for beginners. The tennis school "Club La Santa" on Lanzarote is aimed specifically at beginners and returning players. I booked a course there for $265 per week with two hours of training daily in small groups. The coaches speak English, German and Spanish and adjust the pace individually.

In Turkey I visited the "Gloria Sports Arena" in Belek, which has 14 courts and, by its own account, welcomes over 5,000 tennis players a year. Beginner courses cost from $200 for five days, and you learn basic strokes, tactics and match play in a relaxed atmosphere. There I met an Austrian woman who picked up a racket for the first time at 52 and was already playing short rallies after a week.

My tip: as a beginner, choose clay courts over hard courts. Clay is more forgiving of technical mistakes, the ball bounces more slowly and gives you more time for the shot. Most southern European facilities play on clay, while hard courts dominate in the US and Asia.

How tennis enriches my travels

Playing tennis around the world has changed the way I travel. Instead of just ticking off sights, I immerse myself in local sports communities. At a match you get to know people as they really are: focused, fair, sometimes frustrated, but always authentic. After a game it's easy to start a conversation, have a drink together or make plans for the next day.

If you travel alone, you quickly find your place on the tennis court. Unlike at wine tastings abroad, where passive participation often dominates, tennis demands interaction and creates shared experiences. I've made friendships on courts in Melbourne, Madrid and Marrakech that last to this day.

Tennis is also perfect for spontaneous short trips. With the right clothing packing list and a compact racket in your luggage, you're ready to play at any time. Many facilities also rent equipment, so you don't have to lug everything along.

Lifestyle dating on the tennis court

Tennis offers a casual way to meet people with similar interests. Especially around luxury resorts and exclusive clubs, an atmosphere develops that also suits lifestyle dating. I've experienced several times that playing sports together sparks conversations that go beyond small talk.

On MySugardaddy you keep finding profiles of tennis enthusiasts who see sport as part of their lifestyle. A match on a beautiful court in the evening sun can be the perfect start to an encounter, with no pressure or artificial setup. Tennis connects people in an honest way: you see the other person in action and get to know fairness, perseverance and humor.

Practical tips for tennis while traveling

• Book courts in advance through the facility's website or apps like PlayYourCourt, as popular courts fill up quickly, especially in high season
• Bring tennis shoes with a grippy sole for clay and hard courts, as many facilities ban running shoes on their courts
• Ask about the dress code beforehand, since white outfits are required at some exclusive clubs
• Use the early morning hours or late afternoons in hot destinations, because midday heat makes intense play impossible
• Find out about local etiquette, as some clubs expect you to drag the court yourself after the game

Frequently asked questions about tennis around the world

Where can I play tennis abroad without a membership?

Many public facilities and resorts rent courts by the hour without membership. In cities like Barcelona, Vienna or Dubai, you can find public courts to book spontaneously through Google Maps or the PlayYourCourt app. Prices are usually between $15 and $40 per hour. Many sports hotels also give guests free access to their tennis facilities.

How do I find tennis partners abroad?

Apps like PlayYourCourt, Tennis Round or local Facebook groups help you find playing partners. Alternatively, you can look for bulletin boards at the clubhouse or ask staff whether regular playing sessions take place. Adult tennis camps automatically guarantee you training partners at your level.

How much do adult tennis camps in Europe cost?

Prices vary by destination and what's included. Basic camps in Spain or Portugal start at $875 per week including accommodation, meals and training. Exclusive camps like the Rafa Nadal Academy cost from $1,300 upward, but offer professional coaching and first-class facilities.

Which tennis courts are best for beginners?

Clay courts are ideal for beginners, since the ball bounces more slowly and leaves more time to prepare the shot. Facilities like Club La Santa on Lanzarote or Gloria Sports Arena in Turkey offer special beginner courses with patient coaches. Make sure the facility offers small groups so you get enough individual attention.

Can I rent tennis equipment on site?

Most resorts and larger tennis clubs rent rackets and balls. The rental fee is usually $10 to $25 per day. You should bring your own tennis shoes, though, since rental shoes are rarely available and fit is crucial for your game.

Conclusion: tennis around the world opens doors

Playing tennis around the world has intensified my travel experience and given me countless encounters I would never have had otherwise. From a spontaneous match in Miami to an organized camp in Mallorca, every court tells its own story and brings you together with people who share your passion.

The next time you travel, pack your racket, find a facility nearby and dare to simply ask whether anyone wants to play. Chances are good that you'll not only get a good match but also make new friends. Tennis is more than a sport, it's a universal language that overcomes borders and opens doors. Start your next adventure on the court, I promise you: it's worth it.