Five Courts Worth the Journey

This is perhaps the most theatrical tennis court in the world. It is built directly into the cliff face, accessible only by a private lift that descends through the rock. The green clay court sits at the water's edge, with yachts often mooring just beyond the fence to watch the play.

The court is cut into a hillside terrace just below the main villa. Lake Como stretches out beyond the baseline. A single, ancient cypress tree stands guard at one corner. In the late afternoon, light reflects from the water, turning the entire court a shade of gold.

Set high on the hill above Portofino's famous harbour, this court offers a direct view over the bay. Sailboats move below and the town fills the curve of the coastline. The evening light is particularly good here. A short match, followed by dinner on the terrace, is a perfect Portofino day.

Amanpuri's commitment to the sport is clear. It has four courts, two of them covered, set within the jungle above the Andaman Sea. This is not an extra, but a core part of the resort's design. The fast, green courts are shaded by leaning palm trees. An early morning game is best, before the heat settles.

A clay court in the middle of the Serengeti is an extraordinary sight. It sits on a rise with the plains running out in every direction. There are no fences beyond the court itself, just open grassland, acacia trees, and the wildlife of the plains in the distance. It is tennis in its purest form.