Tennis Vacations: Where to Play and Watch

Watching the pros: the four Grand Slams

The majors are the ultimate tennis pilgrimage, each with its own character: the Australian Open (Melbourne, January) is relaxed and sun-soaked; Roland-Garros (Paris, late May) is clay and atmosphere; Wimbledon (London, late June–July) is grass, tradition and strawberries; and the US Open (New York, late August–September) is loud, late and electric.

The insider move: buy a grounds pass for the first week. Early-round days let you roam the outer courts and watch stars up close for a fraction of a show-court ticket — often the best value in tennis.

The Masters events are the value pick

If a Slam feels too pricey or crowded, the Masters 1000 events are the sweet spot: nearly the same field, far better access and lower prices. Indian Wells (California, March) is so relaxed and well-run that fans nickname it 'the fifth Slam'; Rome, Madrid, Miami, Canada, Cincinnati and Shanghai all deliver world-class tennis with shorter queues and cheaper seats.

At these events you can often stand a few feet from top players on the practice courts — something a Slam rarely allows.

Ticket-buying tips

• Buy from the official tournament site or its authorised partner — resale prices balloon fast.
• Wimbledon runs a public ballot (lottery) months ahead; enter it, and know that a famous same-day queue also exists.
• Early-round grounds passes give the most tennis per dollar.
• Weekday and first-week sessions are cheaper and less crowded than finals weekend.

Going to play: camps and academies

For an immersive week, adult tennis camps and academies pair daily coaching with match play. Spain is the heartland — the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca and the Sánchez-Casal academy among the best known — while in the US, Florida academies like Saddlebrook and IMG run adult programs. They range from serious skills weeks to sociable, all-levels clinics.

Tennis resorts and all-inclusives

If you want tennis mixed with a proper holiday, resort tennis is the answer. Club Med and many Caribbean, Mediterranean and Mexican resorts include courts, clinics and hitting partners in the package, so you can play in the morning and be on the beach by lunch. Great for couples and families where not everyone is a fanatic.

Just want to play on holiday?

You don't need a dedicated tennis trip to get a hit in. Pack your racquet, and use our Court Finder to locate public and club courts wherever you land — many parks have free courts, and local clubs often welcome visitors for a small guest fee. A morning rally is a brilliant way to see a new city.

Practical trip tips

• Book Slam tickets and accommodation early — both sell out and spike close to the event.
• Check the tournament calendar so your dates line up with play (and ideally your favourite players' likely rounds).
• Pack court shoes suited to the surface you'll be on, and a spare grip.
• Sun, hydration and a hat — spectator days are long and exposed, especially in Melbourne and New York.