It’s official: playing tennis increases your life expectancy by 9.7 years, more than other sports like cycling, swimming and football.
If that's not enough to get you dusting off your racket immediately, the sun is shining, tennis season is in full swing and Women's Health's pick of the best tennis holidays will have you jetting off abroad to improve your skills in no time.
To find out what tennis holidays are really about, I checked in to Neilson's Messini Beachclub, where I had a couple of lessons with Neilson's tennis ambassador, Mark Petchey, who has coached both Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu.
I start by asking the former professional tennis player why you should book a tennis holiday here when he is in residence, to which Mark quips: “Because you get me for free!”
Designed using AI and ASICS’ usual Japanese craftsmanship, the Solution Speed FF 3 fits like a glove and feels incredibly light. It offers excellent grip and balance, too, allowing you to move speedily around the court. It's light weight makes it a perfect travel companion, plus you can use it on all courts.
Neilson holidays are all about inclusive activities, so you can expect group tennis sessions for all abilities, social play and tournaments at no extra cost. When Mark is at one of the Beachclubs (a few times a year), he joins other Neilson coaches to give you the expertise that professional players, like Murray and Raducanu, pay him the big bucks for.
'These weeks are very much about me coming and doing all the group sessions that we have, getting involved in social and giving people some nice pointers at the end of the day,' he explains.
This summer, Mark is at Alana Beach Club in Croatia from 30 to 20 July and Messini Beachclub, near Kalamata, from 9 to 17 September.
During my time with Mark, we go through some of the basics to enhance my technique, focusing on my forehand, backhand, serve and volley. The Greek sunshine might be beating down but I'm fully focused on making the most of my time with him. Between drills when we're collecting balls, I take the opportunity to ask Mark about his life as a professional tennis player and coaching some of the biggest names in tennis.
He gives me tips that he shares with the pros and, curious about his time spent with Andy Murray, I ask him about the drills a three-time Grand Slam champion would practice in their training.
Despite working with some of the world's best athletes, Mark has the patience of a saint when it comes to coaching a beginner like me. He starts by helping me break some of my bad habits. An hour into our session and I'm tossing the ball into the air at a slower pace for a more controlled serve and making small changes to my racket grip for a smoother forehand swing.
While Neilson's group coaching sessions with Mark Petchey are a tennis dream, you’ll have just as much fun on the courts when he isn't in residence. Neilson's tennis programme is designed by Mark and there are brilliant coaches at the Beachclubs who have worked closely with him to bring you enjoyable sessions that will leave you wanting to return for another week of tennis in the sun.
For anyone who is new to tennis or tennis holidays, Mark says: 'One of the things I wanted to do with this programme was to get rid of this stigma and fear of playing tennis because I think a lot of people get scared of it.
'The group tennis sessions are free, inclusive and if you come when I’m here, you’re going to get me for the same amount of time as an expert player in the black (advanced) group as you would the green (beginner) group.'
The tennis centre at Neilson is a place for all, whether you’ve dabbled in the sport but would like to improve your game, or you play frequently but need to brush up on your technique.
It's geared to all types of travellers, too. You can book a week for a singles' tennis holiday where you're likely to make new friends, join a session with a partner or friends, or as a whole family.
Mark adds: 'We’ll give you some nice technical fundamentals when you come here and an understanding that you don’t have to play like Roger Federer at Wimbledon. You can come for an hour, have an amazing workout and have a lot of fun with your friends.'
The main thing he says to do is simply 'get involved, sign yourself up for the groups and see what it’s all about'.
While you could easily split your time between tennis sessions, sunbathing by the pool and gorging on fresh Greek food, you'll want to advantage of Neilson's array of inclusive activities.
Always (or never) wanted to try windsurfing? Give it a go anyway (I did and loved it!). You can also learn dinghy sailing and return home with a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualification. Stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and waterskiing are other activities available to try on water.
On land, there's a climbing wall, fitness classes like Pilates and Bodypump, mountain biking and road cycling. New for 2023 are Neilson's e-bikes, which are perfect for getting out of the Beachclub and exploring the villages, hills and olive groves in the area. Pickleball is another fun racket sport to have a go at while you're here.
The best thing about Neilson, and something you won't find from many of its competitors, is the variety of activities that are included to help you stick to a budget. The firm's slogan, 'Good Energy,' can be felt all around too, with its super-friendly staff leading the way for happy holidays.
Around Messini Beachclub, there is also a superb kids' club, evening entertainment and an amazing spa with an extensive list of treatments, from sports to relaxing massages. The rooms are stylish too, featuring Temple Spa toiletries, a free minibar and supremely comfortable beds for sinking into after active days.
Messini Beachclub is located 20 minutes from Kalamata Airport and offers seven, 10, 11 and 14-night holidays.
Best of the rest: Three more tennis holidays to check out
Alana Beachclub, Paklenica
Set between Croatia's beautiful Paklenica National Park and the Adriatic Sea's crystal-clear water, Alana Beachclub is another Neilson property with tennis courts. There are six courts in total and you can enjoy free group sessions, with the option to upgrade to a premium pack that gives you access to super drill sessions and private coaching. When you're not working on your serve, there's a rooftop bar, a resistance swimming pool and hot tubs to experience.
Grand Hyatt La Manga Hotel & Spa, Murcia
Offering 325 days of sunshine, La Manga is a superb spot for a tennis holiday in the sun. The Spanish resort is home to the luxurious Grand Hyatt La Manga Hotel & Spa, which has a Racquets Club, where tennis fans will be in the element. There are 28 tennis courts, seven flood-lit padel courts, a pickleball court and an outdoor café serving light bites, coffees and beer. Court hire and lessons are available for guests looking to improve their skills.
Pine Cliffs, Algarve
With its own tennis academy and facilities led by former British No. 1 player and sports presenter Annabel Croft, Pine Cliffs is the place to go for a European tennis holiday in Portugal. Its tennis camps over five days include 10 hours of coaching and there are weekend courses available, too. You can also rent a court for a casual game on the floodlit courts (two clay courts, three hard courts and a padel court).
More tennis...
- We got 6 beginner's tennis tips from Katie Boulter
- What happened when we went to train with Harriet Dart in France
- Our fitness kit tester shares her must-have pieces for the tennis court
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Roshina leads the digital travel content for Hearst UK, covering titles including Country Living, Red, Good Housekeeping and Harper's Bazaar.
When she's not eating her way around Istanbul or hiking the Dolomites' peaks, she loves nothing more than escaping the crowds of London for a country break.
