Htel Cap Estel
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Even mid-match, it’s hard not to stare distractedly at the sea or sky, so picturesque is this Mediterranean seaside pitch. The hotel’s proximity to Monaco means that visiting coaches are of professional calibre, though they and the surroundings somehow exude a more discreet and understated charm. capestel.com/fr/
Ladbroke Square
London
My secret garden where work and time just stop. Here I watch the seasons change, my children grow up and occasionally listen to music while practicing my serve solo. My kind of party.3 Ladbroke Sq, London W1
Ballymaloe House Hotel
near Cork
Ballymaloe is famous for its cookery school and the epic beauty of the surrounding landscape. The tennis court is framed by wild roses and ivy, just beyond the turquoise swimming pool in the style of 80s peanuts. balleymaloe.ie/
Hotel 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 run from court to cabana and back. Raymond Py and his son Enzo are the coaches who know it’s a family affair.oetkercollection.com
Gleneagles
Perthshire
Most of my trip to Gleneagles was spent on horseback or walking, but the estate's five tennis courts (plus two paddle courts) are ideal for both the ultra-competitive player and the more interested in a post-match whisky.gleneagles.com
Golden Eye
Jamaica
Octopus is the only Bond film I can think of that has a tennis moment (with Indian pro Vijay Amritraj), but I can imagine Ian Fleming at his desk at GoldenEye overlooking the court and the ocean behind him, Martini in hand, a plot twist. 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. Stockholm’s historic Royal Tennis Club, originally in honour of keen player King Gustaf V, is still thriving and boasts the rock ‘n’ roll fame of hosting concerts by Bowie, The Rolling Stones and more over the years. kltk.se
Belmond Hotel Cipriani
Venice
Tennis in Venice wasn’t my thing during all my modeling trips to the city; I was busy with cards and churches and Bellinis and boys. When I applied to the Venice Film Festival a few years ago, I innocently asked the chambermaid if she knew anywhere I could find a match. Turn around, she said, as we climbed up and there was the court, all peachy watercolor grace.belmond.com/hotels
The city's tennis club
New York
I lived in New York for most of my twenties and never picked up a racket; I was a latecomer, I only learned tennis because my kids had natural talent and I didn’t want to be left out. I must have walked or biked past The Town Tennis Club a hundred times with no idea what lay behind and above it. Imagine going up to play on a rooftop surrounded by skyscrapers, stern white guys on a grand piano and a prayer.towntennisclub.com
Soneva Fury
Maldives
Forget the cliché of the paradise honeymoon. For the tennis fanatic, the added appeal of Soneva Fushi is playing in the shade of the palms at sunrise or sunset, and the permanent coaching residence of Swedish doubles legend Jonas Björkman. He is adored in the international tennis community and is generous with his time and advice.soneva.com/resorts/
The San Pietro of Positano
True romance is a course on the Amalfi Coast, as if designed for Sophia Loren. When I wasn’t playing for three hours a day, I’d just stare out at this bay, a glorious spot hugging the cliffs and framed by terraced gardens and Aperol-orange loungers. (Travelers in the know seek out the equally stunning, family-run community courts On the seventh floor (on the other side of town, in perhaps the most beautiful parking lot in the world.) ilsanpietro.com
Sports centre Verbier
My best friend, who has Swiss roots, knows that the best way to get me to her fast is to lure me in with a dream job or two. This sports centre in Verbier offers epic views of the Alps and runs the legendary resort’s lesser-known off-season attractions. It’s the kind of summer camp you could only imagine in novels and movies. verbier.ch/ete
The lawn at the British Embassy
Paris
For diplomats, playing tennis here is a must, but the tranquility of the lawn and surrounding gardens, right in the middle of Paris, alone makes it worth coming to see.35 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honor, 75008 Paris
Barbican Lawn Tennis Club
London
These jobs are shared by residents of the Barbican Estate and the City of London School for Girls, and are an urban magic trick in the heart of London, where all worlds collide. clubspark.lta.org.uk
Monte Carlo Country Club
Monaco
Grace Kelly's tennis dream. Not only one of the most beautiful clubs in the world, but also home to many top players and a favorite pit stop on the tour. I invested heavily in post-match merchandise.mccc.mc/en
Brijuni National Park
Pheasant
Croatia's rich tennis history has produced an abundance of fantastic tennis courts, but if I could play anywhere it would be here, on an island near Pula, surrounded by the nature 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, carved from Harris stone in the rugged landscape of the Outer Hebrides, is a perennial favourite. It feeds the fantasy of a simpler life, a cabin in the wilderness and the kindness of strangers. Sure, it’s now a sought-after location for commercials and more, but this most remote of tennis clubs is still about community. I have a diary entry to Just Do It by train.From the B887, Isle of Harris HS3
Cavalry Tennis
Paris
The first time I played here I felt like I had entered a cult, thanks to the gift of a sunrise rendezvous. A private rooftop terrace, the Eiffel Tower winking behind it and a single indoor court that feels like a church68 Rue de la Cavalerie, 75015 Paris
Amanzoë
Greece
On the eastern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula, Amanzoe is an ideal base camp for adventure and exploration. I have fond memories of day trips to Spetses or Hydra, and sunset tennis nights with an aragtag team of teenagers. Some like it hot.aman.com
Daydream Island
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
My friend Adrian Calvert, founder of the international tennis community brand All Court Tennis Clubcalls Daydream Island the ultimate Australian tennis experience. I was six months pregnant when I first went to Australia, so it's one for my bucket list. daydreamland.com
Heights Casino
Brooklyn, New York
It’s April in New York and I’ve been in the city for less than 24 hours. My one night in inevitably ends late. At 8am, my boyfriend arrives at my Lower East Side hotel and we head over the Brooklyn Bridge. I’ve heard of the Heights Casino, but playing here is a spiritual revelation. This extraordinary club was founded in 1904 to promote physical advancement, fun and relaxation, and it’s still winning, more than a century later. heightscasino.com
Raffles Grand Hotel in Angkor
SiemReap
My trip to Cambodia was full of action, adventure and sightseeing but if I were to go back 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 Cortésin
Get married
This is where I send friends who want a tailor-made tennis (and/or padel) camp alongside a family holiday, with the emphasis on aprs-sport. It’s also a chic European escape if you don’t fancy chasing a ball at all, just Slim Aarons arty pastels plus a pool of dreams. fincacortesin.com
Do you have a favorite tennis court? Tell us in the comments below and we'll publish a selection in an upcoming article.
