 | | Tennis remains consistently popular |
Andalucía’s Costa del Sol is not only the Costa del Golf but also provides the ideal combination of climate, coast and countryside for virtually any other major sport you can think of, ranging from para-gliding to polo. Among these, tennis remains consistently popular and attracts players of all ages.
According to Segar Bastard, tennis coach at El Madroñal Tennis Club in San Pedro de Alcántara, the great advantage of the game is ‘the ability for anybody at any level to play and enjoy at a reasonable price for court and equipment’. In his opinion, the tennis facilities here have inspired many great players in the past and attracted at least one great player today - Manolo Santana, the former French, US and Wimbledon Champion, hosts the Marbella open tournament each summer at his Raquets Club near Puerto Banús.
The main reason for the success of tennis in Andalucía is the most obvious one - the weather. Tennis can be played year round here, aside from the few weeks (or less) of wet weather between November and April. Most of the courts have floodlighting for evening play and several important tournaments are held here annually. Most of the region's better hotels (from three to five star) have tennis courts included in their facilities. Aside from the hotels, there are private clubs, a selection of which are included here.
The cost of a tennis class obviously varies, but averages from between 20 to 30 euros for a one-hour private class, and can be as low as just six euros if you enrol in a group session.
Tennis Clubs
Miraflores
Miraflores is located halfway between Marbella and Fuengirola, has all-weather courts and the club organises round-robin Sunday tournaments, as do most clubs. These are great fun, as you simply turn up and play. If you don't have a doubles partner, the clubs will match you with someone of equal ability. You normally get to play four or five sets in a friendly atmosphere, maybe win a T-shirt and have drinks and a snack afterwards.
Urbanizacion Miraflores N340 km 199.
Tel : 952 932 006
Mansfield's
Mansfield's is at the popular Benavista complex between San Pedro and Estepona. It is a non-membership club, where any of the five excellent courts can be rented for around seven euros per hour, with paddle at the same price (check for current prices as these are subject to change). The club has full changing and shower rooms and facilities for disabled players, with ramps into the clubhouse and on to one of the courts. The restaurant and bar is available for private functions. Phone in advance, as the club is very busy in the summer months.
Tel : 952 888 106
Puente Romano Hotel Club
At the Puente Romano Hotel Club, group lessons are available for children, with a maximum of four to a class, for 60 euro a month. This buys two lessons a week of one hour each, which works out at eight euros per hour. Full membership of the club for adults is 720 euros a year for paddle and proper tennis, with a spouse qualifying for a 50% discount, a first child under 14 at 180 euro and subsequent youngsters at 120 euros each. Lessons for adult club members are 25 euro for 50 minutes and 40 euro for hotel guests. There are ten Tennis Courts and four pádel. It is located on the 'Golden mile’ between Marbella and Puerto Banús at km177.
Tel : 952 820 900
El Madroñal Country Club
El Madroñal Country Club has tennis courts and a school. It is open to non-members and located on the San Pedro to Ronda road at km164.
Tel : 952 785 307
El Casco Tennis Club
El Casco Tennis Club has six clay and four hard courts. Membership, restaurant and accommodation are all available.
Urb. El Rosario, km188 on the N340.
Tel : 952 837 651
Los Granados Tennis Club
Los Granados Tennis Club has two paddle tennis and three tennis courts. Individual lessons are also available at your home. There is a tennis school for children aged four and over every afternoon. Puerto Banús.
Tel : 952 818 662
Club Nuevo Alcántara
Club Nuevo Alcántara is located in the Heart of this new urbanisation. Four tennis and nine pádel courts.
Tel : 952 788 315
Manolo Santana Raquets Club
Manolo Santana, the former French, US and Wimbledon champion, hosts the Marbella open tournament here each summer. There are six tennis courts and two paddle courts Located between Marbella and Puerto Banús north of the Golden Mile on the Careterra de Istan km2.
Tel : 952 778 580
Tenis El Casco
El Casco tennis club is located within the Urbanisation El Rosario east of Marbella. 9 Tennis courts and 4 padel.
Tel : 952 837 65 1
Lew Hoads Tennis Club
Located between Fuengirola and Mijas. Founded by the late great Australian Wimbledon winner. Careterra de Mijas km3.5.
Tel : 952 474 858
Reports of Tournaments
Marbella Copa Hola
Marbella Copa Hola at the Manolo Santana Tennis Club, Marbella report from Saturday 14th July 2002.
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