Fancy improving your serve and backhand this summer? Ben Mondy sho ws you where to train while you tan
With the start of summer just round the corner, those with a passion, heck, even a passing interest, for tennis start to get a little giddy about the prospect of more time on the court and more time watching the best players in the world. And when it comes to the best players in the world, world no.1 Justine Henin can’t be surpassed. Justine will be spending her summer playing in the great European tournaments, including the grand slam French Open and Wimbledon. So we thought we’d provide some great ideas for the best tennis-based getaways. First up, go and watch Justine, and all the other world’s best players, at the holy grail of Wimbledon, and then set about improving your own game in some of the most beautiful destinations in Europe.
Destination: Florence
Location: Tuscan Tennis Holidays
If you hadn’t worked it out from the name, this is an exceptional tennis venue, located just 9km south of the beautiful city of Florence. This club is home to the Florence Tennis School, an academy with a Europe-wide reputation for training the best young players.
Tuscan tennis holidays offer packages such as the well-reputed ‘Train like a pro week’, which includes an initial evaluation and then two hours of drills, an hour of fitness and two hours of match play per day. The package will set you back €605 for the week and includes accommodation, transport to the club plus lunch and dinner. If that seems a little full on for your ability, the normal package is around €610 and includes accommodation and exclusive access to the 16 tennis courts (11 clay), swimming pool and snack bar (open mid-June to mid-September), bar/ restaurant, gym, Turkish bath and two five-a-side football pitches.
Après tennis, you also have the attractions of Florence, an architecturally stunning and world-renowned centre for the arts, while Siena is a leisurely hour’s drive away through the beautiful Chianti region. In terms of mixing tennis and culture, leisure and improving your second serve, it’s hard to beat this mix of Tuscan style-tennis. www.tuscanytennis.com
Destination: Faro
Location: Vale do Lobo Resort
You would have to travel far and wide to find a better place to enjoy a game of tennis than the beautiful sun-washed Algarve, on Portugal’s southern coastline. Realising this, Light Blue Travel are offering tennis-based holidays at the Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy, one of the finest facilities in Europe. There are 14 hard courts (four of which are made with the new Savannah artificial grass) set in a pine-clad amphitheatre overlooked by the superb Clubhouse. It is difficult to find a more relaxing and picturesque setting to enjoy a game of tennis.
Off the court, you can cool off in the swimming pool, which is surrounded by terraces and sun loungers and the perfect venue for enjoying an after-match drink. Alternatively, take the afternoon off and head to one of the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters for a refreshing ocean swim.
There are a range of coaching courses operated throughout the year on a weekly or long weekend basis for adults and juniors of all standards, and guests can enjoy daily coaching clinics (groups of 6 maximum), complete with fitness-and video-based instruction. For two people sharing a one-bedroom self-catering apartment, and with car hire and tennis facilities included, the price is €945 per person. www.lightbluetravel.com
Destination: Milan
Location: Lago di Garda
On the shores of the stunning Lake Garda, very close to Milan, Tennisbreak organises tennis holidays to suit individuals, families, teams and companies. Whatever your level of tennis, Tennisbreak provide a team of world-class professionals who are dedicated to improving your tennis and making your holiday fun and enjoyable.
The courts and accommodation are located in Malcesine, a beautiful town with a small harbour and a number of great restaurants, located on the northeastern shore of the famous lake. Visitors can also visit Monte Baldo, which can be reached by cable car 1,800m above the lake and is an ideal starting point for hikers and mountain bike tours. Tennis wise, take your pick from beginners or intermediate/advanced courses which, for the cost of €504, offer 10-14 hours coaching over four days, plus full-board accommodation, private transfers and the option to participate in a tournament, if you feel your new skills need to be tested. Seven-day family tennis packages are also available if you think you have a Williams sisters-type situation on your hands. www.tennisbreak.com
Destination: Prague
Location: Jonathon Markson Holidays
Jonathon Markson operate under the slogan ‘Tennis Holidays With a Difference’, and you probably can’t get any more different than a tennis holiday in Prague, staying at the Hotel InterContinental. The hotel is located in the historic heart of Prague and boasts a wonderful top-floor restaurant overlooking the rooftops of this magical city.
The aim of this break is to provide players of all ages and levels with a rewarding and enjoyable tennis experience, where the coaching is serious but fun in an environment that is beautiful and relaxing.
In Prague the set up is a little different to some of the other Markson centres – they offer tailor-made long weekends to groups with coaching on clay courts and five-star accommodation. You can also add a trip to the golf course, located under the famous castle just outside the city walls, and a night out in the many cool bars and clubs of this amazing city. Simply let Marskon know the number of people in your group, their ability, plus any extra activities you wish to include, and they will set up the rest giving you quotes and an itinerary. It’s a great opportunity to experience a fantastic city, enjoy time with good friends and improve your tennis, all over the space of one weekend! www.marksontennis.com
Inspirational Wimbledon
For the tennis purist, it’s hard to better the manicured grass courts of Wimbledon and the great tradition of the All England Tennis Club’s famous tennis tournament. This year the competition runs from Monday 23 July through to Sunday 6 July. Ticket prices increase as you get closer to the final day, starting out at around €48/£38 initially and finishing at around €115/£91 for a coveted finals’ day experience.
But Wimbledon is not just all about the centre court experience. Just wandering around the glorious snooker table-like felt green courts, tucking into the mandatory strawberries and cream and a cold glass of champagne is a tennis fan’s idea of heaven. Of course, there is always the myriad of London’s museums, restaurants, parks, nightclubs and galleries to take in after you’ve had your fill of Federer’s forehand and Justine’s drop shots. Wimbledon is easily accessible by public transport from all the city’s accommodation and tourist attractions. www.wimbledon.org
JUSTINE HENIN
The frequent b.flex economy+ [fb02] yer and World Champion tennis star takes some time out of training to talk to b.there! about the thrilling season ahead
Text Sheridan Becker
Images Getty Images
With the next Grand Slam, Tournoi de Roland-Garros, more commonly known as the French Open, set to begin mid-May, who better to talk tennis with than the Belgian ‘Queen of Clay’ Justine Henin, a six-time Grand Slam champion and a recent recipient of The Laureus World Sports Award – a prestigious Cartier-designed award presented annually to sportspeople who have been outstanding during the previous year.
Over the past five years, Henin’s record at the French Open serves as testament to one of the many reasons why she is the No.1-ranked female tennis player in the world. She has won the French title an impressive four times – three at consecutive appearances at Roland Garros – and her accomplishments have turned her into a household name throughout Europe and beyond.
“I love to play on clay courts. It’s a good surface for me,” explains Henin. “It’s always very special when I play at the French Open. It’s the tournament I dreamt of winning when I was a little girl.” And, on a more practical level, she adds: “I have a lot of support in Paris. My friends are able to attend. It feels like home.”
Friends or not, Henin will have a lot more on her mind than socialising. “I hope for a fifth title in Paris,” she smiles. “If I can win, it will be another dream come true. It’s a tough job on clay courts.”
But what of her recurring knee problems? Is this likely to pose an obstacle? “My knee is doing better,” Henin grins. “I didn’t play at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina, because I needed to go slowly. I just don’t want to be in trouble in the next few weeks with the big tournaments coming up, especially this summer.”
Henin’s one-handed backhand has been described by John McEnroe, a former World No.1 player himself, as “the best single-handed backhand in women’s or men’s tennis – ever”. Yet the tennis ace remains modest, down-to-earth and unpretentious.
“I guess everyone is talking about my backhand,” she admits. “But I think mentally I’ve been pretty strong in the last few years. I’ve never given up. I’m really proud of the fact that I’m so different from all the other players. I’m not that tall; I’m not that strong. It’s great to be different and to have players of different personalities. I love when people say that I remain the same person because it’s the key for me to remain simple. I know where I come from and that’s really important.”
Henin’s dedication will bring her to the 2008 Summer Olympics, to be held in Beijing on 8-24 August. Fans will recall how her strokes and strategy sealed her place for a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. “I loved the Olympics,” Henin recalls. “It was one of the best memories of my career. It’s an amazing human experience. As an athlete, when you play for your country the atmosphere is just amazing. I lived with other Belgian athletes in the village. It was fantastic.”
On the other side of the net, Henin can be admired for not only her success on the court but off the courts as well. In honour of her late mother, Françoise Henin, who died from intestinal cancer, Justine created her own charitable foundation for children with cancer called the ‘Justine’s Winners’ Circle’. “I love to help children who are sick,” she says. “That’s an important mission for me. I give them a little, but these kids give me so much more. It’s a goal to maintain my foundation.”
Justine has put Belgium on the map as the home of one of the world’s greatest tennis players. What better partnership than a Belgian airline to spread the word of its home-grown talent? Justine says: “I’m really proud of my relationship with Brussels Airlines. It’s a Belgian company. It’s a great company. I’m so proud because we are a small country and yet, we can do great things. I feel comfortable when I fly with Brussels Airlines. There’s lots of flexibility, especially with b.flex economy+. It’s an honour to be a part of the team.”
Henin is already looking past Roland Garros to the next Grand Slam tournament – Wimbledon. “Wimbledon is for sure a big goal for me this year,” she confirms. “London will be very exciting. I think about it a lot.”
With so much at stake, one thing is at least certain: if Henin was to leave Wimbledon triumphant this year, she would no longer be ‘Queen of Clay’ but ‘Queen of Tennis’.
FR Balle de Break
Le début de l’été étant tout proche, nous avons recensé pour vous les meilleurs lieux de séjours axés sur la pratique du tennis en Europe.
Destination: Florence
Ce club héberge la fameuse Ecole de Tennis de Florence. L’agence toscane Tennis Holidays offre des formules comme “une semaine d’entraînement pro”, qui incluent par jour : une évaluation, deux heures d’entraînement, une heure de fitness et deux heures de match. Le forfait se monte à €605 pour la semaine et comprend le logement, le transport jusqu’au club, le lunch et le dîner. tuscanytennis.com
Destination: Faro
Light Blue Travel propose des vacances à l’Académie de Tennis de Vale do Lobo, l’une des plus fantastiques d’Europe, composée de 14 courts de tennis en dur situés dans un complexe bordé de pins. Les participants peuvent bénéficier d’entraînements quotidiens, en choisissant dans une gamme de cours pour adultes ou pour jeunes, de tous niveaux. Le prix est de €945 par personne, pour deux personnes partageant un appartement meublé une chambre, la location d’une voiture étant comprise dans le prix. www.lightbluetravel.com
Destination: Milan
Sur les rives du somptueux Lac de Garde, tout près de Milan, Tennisbreak organise des séjours de tennis à Malcesine, une agréable ville avec un petit port et un grand nombre de restaurants réputés. Côté Tennis, inscrivez-vous dans les cours pour débutants ou intermédiaires/avancés, pour un montant de €504, ce qui couvre de 10 à 14 heures d’entraînement durant quatre jours, plus le logement en pension complète, les transferts et l’inscription à un tournoi. www.tennisbreak.com
Destination: Prague
Jonathon Markson offre de longs week-ends sur mesure pour des groupes avec un entraînement sur des courts en terre battue et le logement cinqétoiles à l’hôtel Inter-Continental de Prague. Vous pouvez également y ajouter au passage un parcours sur le terrain de golf, situé en dessous du fameux château juste en dehors des murs de la ville. Il vous suffit d’informer Marskon du nombre de personnes dans votre groupe et de leur niveau, en prévoyant les activités supplémentaires que vous voudriez y ajouter, et ils s’occuperont du reste, en vous fournissant les devis et les itinéraires. www.marksontennis.com
NL Breakpoint
Met de zomer in aantocht geven we je enkele leuke tips voor de beste tennistrips in Europa.
Bestemming: Firenze
Deze club is de thuisbasis van de beroemde Florence Tennis School. Tuscan Tennis Holidays biedt verschillende pakketten aan, zoals de ‘Train als een prof week’, waarbij je na een evaluatie twee uur drills, een uur fitness en twee uur wedstrijdspel per dag krijgt. Het pakket kost € 605 voor een week en omvat accommodatie, transport naar de club, lunch en avondmaal. www.tuscanytennis.com
Bestemming: Faro
Light Blue Travel biedt vakanties aan in de Vale do Lobo-Tennisacademie, een van de beste in Europa, met 14 tennisbanen in een natuurlijk amfitheater begroeid met pijnbomen. Er zijn cursussen voor volwassenen en jongeren van alle niveaus en gasten krijgen dagelijkse coaching. Voor twee mensen die een appartement met eigen keuken en één slaapkamer en een huurauto delen, bedraagt de prijs € 945 per persoon. www.lightbluetravel.com
Bestemming: Milaan
Aan de oevers van het prachtige Gardameer, niet ver van Milaan, organiseert Tennisbreak tennisvakanties in Macesine, een charmant stadje met een haventje en enkele uitstekende restaurants. Tennissers hebben de keuze uit cursussen voor beginnende of middelmatige/ gevorderde spelers. Voor een bedrag van € 504 krijg je 10-14 uur coaching over 4 dagen, overnachtingen met volpension, privévervoer en de gelegenheid om deel te nemen aan een tornooi. www.tennisbreak.com
Bestemming: Praag
Jonathan Markson organiseert voor groepen lange weekends op maat met coaching op gravelbanen en een vijfsterrenaccommodatie in het Inter-Continentalhotel van Praag. Je kunt ook een trip naar de golfbaan inlassen. Het terrein ligt onder het beroemde kasteel net buiten de stadswallen. Geef bij Markson het aantal deelnemers en het niveau van je groep op, plus de extra activiteiten die je wenst, en zij organiseren alles met opgave van prijzen en reisroute. www.marksontennis.com
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