Several resorts around Europe offer tennis packages that allow you to play tennis during the day and spend time around the pool in the afternoon, yet the ultimate destination to live out the dream is at The Racquets Club in La Manga Club, Spain.
Many of the world’s best players have trained at La Manga down the years, with Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz among those who have played on the world-class clay courts that are open to the public.
Britain’s LTA has used La Manga as a training base and a strong Academy set-up is in place at the recently revamped Racquets Club, where elite juniors train in perfect conditions as they look to take the next step on their tennis journey.
The Racquets Club is Europe’s biggest open tennis club in Europe, with 28 courts including clay and hard surfaces combined with a state-of-the-art gym that is available for all visitors.
Here is what you can expect if you sign up for The Racquets Club experience.
THE ACADEMY
The coaching team led by the infectiously passionate Miguel Dios have the task of putting players in groups approbate to their abilities.
It quickly becomes clear that there is a variety of levels on display, with the number of British voices in the large group of players gathered on clay courts adding to the challenge faced by the coaching team as they look to create groups of six players.
British players are less used to clay court play, with most players needing time to find their feet on the red cay.
With the groups finalised, baseline play is the focus on the first day, with the ratio of one coach to six players ensuring individual advice is forthcoming.
Complimentary drinks are offered at the end of the opening day as friendships are forged with the holidaymakers.
Daily sessions start at 9am each morning, ensuring the work is put in on court before the hottest part of the day.
Day two saw the coaching team step up the energy levels with each daily session broken up by a skills demonstration from the Racquet Club coaches as all the groups are brought together.
The highest-intensity part of the session comes before the demonstration, with the high standards set by Miguel ensuring his team are focused on their task.
Net play and footwork drills are included, as each day adds an extra piece of the tennis jigsaw to your repertoire, with the final day including some matchplay, with some groups getting a chance to play on the impressive stadium court that has a coliseum feel with its spacious stands giving the feel of playing on a big stage.
WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS?
The Racquets Club offers a daily coaching academy for junior players, with sessions running between 11am and 1pm.
The programme is designed to accommodate players of all ages and skill levels and it is not just about tennis skills.
Led by coach Javier Casau, there is an emphasis on teaching juniors essential values of court etiquette and sportsmanship, fostering a respectful and positive playing environment for all.
PADEL OPTIONS
Padel has long been a sport that is a huge craze in Spain, so it was no surprise to see The Racquets Club offering some impressively polished courts.
They also offer a Padel Academy for those who are new to the sport, with the padel courts rilled for most of the day to highlight the popularity of the sport.
VERDICT
With court hire available after your morning in the Academy, you can play tennis all day at The Racquets Club.
Alternatively, you can hone your skills on court in the morning before returning to the pool to enjoy a more traditional holiday in the afternoon.
There are some great restaurants in the La Manga Club resort to suit all tastes and budgets, with La Finca restaurant a gem that has to be sampled.
The Racquets Club at La Manga Club remains the ultimate tennis holiday location, giving you a chance to live like a professional player for a glorious week.