Offering a smashing good time for big servers
Top-ranked resorts feature facilities to teach players the art of the ace
Like a Milos Raonic serve that explodes off the opposing service line at 225 kilometres per hour, the game of tennis is again on the rise, with a recent jump of more than 30 per cent in participation among Canadians. Winter weather doesn’t have to be match point for the Canadian game — there are plenty of warm weather resorts where you can learn the art of the ace.
Here are some of the best.
The fame game The Saddlebrook Resort outside of Tampa, Fla., has long been a magnet for tennis superstars. In the past, Hall of Famers, Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Martina Hingis have trained here.
The current crop of major-leaguers include Jack Sock, the Bryan brothers and American No. 1 John Isner.
Part of the appeal is the variety. Saddlebrook features 45 courts, including all four Grand Slam surfaces. The resort also offers plenty of other distractions including two Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses. (Baseball fans should keep an eye out for New York Yankees who often tee it up at Saddlebrook during spring training.)
Down under in Texas John Newcombe is one of Australia’s tennis heroes. “Newc” won a total of 25 Grand Slam titles and for a time was the world’s No. 1 ranked singles player.
More importantly, after the match, he was the first one in the bar buying pints for his opponents. He established the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in Texas hill country back in 1968 and has been overseeing its highly rated teaching facility since. March 3-6, 2016, at the Ranch’s Fantasy Camp, it’s possible to trade forehands and swap stories with Newcombe and fellow Aussie legends Fred Stolle, Roy Emerson and Mark Woodforde.
Desert hideaway California’s La Quinta resort was originally built in the 1920s as a desert getaway for Hollywood celebrities and became the playground for everyone from Greta Garbo to Clark Gable.
The Palm Springs classic, which is tucked along the edge of the rugged Santa Rosa mountains, is now home to a new generation of headliners — both Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic have played here.
The resort now boasts 23 courts, 41 separate swimming pools and multiple golf courses.
(Fans looking for inspiration will want to attend the BNP Parabas Open, which takes place March 7-20 at nearby Indian Wells. Canadian Vasek Pospisil along with partner Jack Sock are the defending doubles champs.)
Local hero While it doesn’t really qualify as a tennis resort, Cromlix House on the outskirts of Dunblane, Scotland, is worth a pilgrimage.
The five-star hotel, which features 15 bedrooms and has roots that stretch back nearly 500 years, is owned by local hero Andy Murray. The Wimbledon and U.S. Open champ and Olympic gold medallist purchased the estate in 2013 and reopened Cromlix in the spring of 2014.
The House has its own private chapel, although Murray, who married long time girlfriend Kim Sears in April, opted for Dunblane Cathedral for the ceremony. The couple and friends did retreat to Cromlix for the wedding reception.
Albert Roux, the celebrated Michelin-starred French chef, is a family friend and his catering company oversees the House’s restaurant.
Cromlix is home to a first-class tennis court which, painted in Wimbledon colours, is where guests can book tennis lessons.
Just the facts Saddlebrook offers tennis instructional packages that start at $170 (U.S.) per person, per day and include five hours of instruction daily, video analysis, fresh fruit and juice breaks and additional complimentary court time.
Call 800-729-8383 or visit, saddlebrook.com. Ian Cruickshank is a Toronto-based writer who dreams of owning Stan Wawrinka’s backhand. His trip was subsidized by Visit Florida.