Suspended above the Mediterranean, carved into a salt mine, placed in the middle of the Serengeti, or nestled beneath the painted vault of a Baroque church. Places where the score ultimately matters little compared to the scenery..
Wimbledon has just closed its doors, and with it two weeks of grass-court tradition, immaculate outfits, and strawberries and cream. But the magic of tennis doesn't stop at the gates of the All England Club. To prolong the thrill of the beautiful game, here's a selection of exceptional courts.
Cap Estel — Èze-sur-Mer, France.
On this private peninsula on the French Riviera, once frequented by Greta Garbo and Sir Laurence Olivier, the Comfort Lawn synthetic grass court occupies a suspended terrace, carved directly into the cliff of the 5-star hotel. Protected by a classic white balustrade, it offers a truly expansive view of the open sea, lulled by the sound of the Mediterranean crashing against the rocks below: an exclusive spot, reserved primarily for hotel guests.
1312 Raymond Poincaré Avenue, Èze, France
@cap_estel
San Pietro di Positano — Amalfi Coast, Italy.
It is undoubtedly the most photographed tennis court in the world. Tucked into a crevice in the limestone cliff and covered in terracotta-red synthetic turf, it is surrounded by cascading bougainvillea and overlooks a private beach accessible by an elevator carved into the rock. Playing here requires anticipating the trajectory of the balls as much as the afternoon sun, so mesmerizing is the contrast between the red of the court, the green of the cliff, and the cobalt blue of the sea. The court remains exclusively available for private use by guests of this legendary palace.
Via Laurito, 2, 84017 Positano SA, Italy
Sasakwa Lodge (Singita) — Serengeti, Tanzania.
Located in the heart of a private reserve adjacent to Serengeti National Park, this Edwardian-style lodge offers a DecoTurf hard court, free of any fencing to obstruct the view. Here, you can hit balls with a 180° panorama of the African bush, and in July, at the height of the dry season, it's not uncommon to play under the watchful eyes of zebras or antelopes grazing nearby – an unparalleled sporting safari experience.
Singita Grumeti, Serengeti National Park, 31623, Tanzania
@singita_
Sport Chalet Mürren — Bernese Alps, Switzerland.
Perched at 1,650 meters above sea level in a car-free alpine village accessible only by cable car, this historic club offers a direct view of the legendary Bernese Oberland trio: the Eiger, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau. In July, the snow melts from the courts, revealing a vibrant red clay surface facing the eternal glaciers; the pure mountain air makes every rally a physical challenge, but the breathtaking panorama more than compensates. The courts are open to the public by reservation.
Lungeli 1063, 3825 Mürren, Switzerland
Cavalry Tennis — Paris, France.
A true Art Deco masterpiece hidden on the top floor of an industrial building designed by architect Raymond Farradèche, just steps from the École Militaire, this court, a listed historical monument, is sheltered by a majestic wooden barrel vault, conceived as an origami of intersecting beams. Its bay windows flood the soft synthetic surface with an almost theatrical zenithal light. Access is highly selective, reserved for club members or by sponsorship.
6-8 Rue de la Cavalerie, 75015 Paris
@tennisdelacavalerie
The Court, Borrego Springs — Anza-Borrego Desert, California.
Made famous by the photographs of fashion photographer Stefano Goodness, this hard court with its electric blue lines contrasts sharply with the barren, arid hills of the Californian desert. It's part of an ultra-exclusive private estate, and while July sometimes offers spectacular late afternoon skies with monsoon rainbows, beware of the thermometer: daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F). Play is therefore limited to dawn or under floodlights at dusk.
286 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004, USA
@the__courts
Bunabhainneadar Tennis Court — Isle of Harris, Scotland.
Nestled in a rocky valley overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this all-weather artificial grass pitch, run by a local association, is officially designated as the most secluded and picturesque in Britain. Accessed via a winding road through the lunar landscapes of the Outer Hebrides, it is flanked by a tiny wooden pavilion and offers breathtaking views of the sea loch Tarbert. In July, the sea breeze cools the air, and Scotland's long days allow for play well into the evening.
B887, Isle of Harris HS3 3AL, United Kingdom
Salina Ocnele Mari — Vâlcea, Romania.
Located more than 80 meters underground, this multi-sport synthetic court is nestled within a vast salt mine that has been active since antiquity, its monumental vaults still bearing the marks of excavators. It offers the ultimate refuge from the summer heat: while the Romanian thermometer regularly reaches 35°C above ground in July, the mine air remains a constant 12 to 15°C. The highly saline atmosphere is also renowned for its beneficial effects on the respiratory system, thanks to halotherapy.
Strada Pinilor 27, 245900, Romania
In Summary
Cliff, church, savannah, altitude, desert, salt mine: this world tour of tennis proves that a simple 23,77-meter rectangle can be nestled just about anywhere, and that the best time for many of these courts is precisely now. Between the Mediterranean light, the snow-free Alps, the dry-season savannah, and the cool depths of Romania, July ticks almost all the boxes.
All that remains is to choose your racket, and your destination.
