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Posted by Caribbean World Magazine on 3 December 2019 | 0 Comments

Year-round sunshine in the Caribbean ensures plenty of first-class tennis courts and academies for avid tennis fans for those whose island lifestyle isn't just about flopping out on the beach.

The Caribbean's mix of warm, sunny weather and top-notch resorts are oh-so pleasing to discerning tennis players from colder climates used to braving chilly winds and monitoring cloud-filled skies. Numerous islands offer incredible facilities, such as tennis academiesand well-cared-for clay courts. Tennis is big in the Caribbean, where games can be as competitive or as social as you want them to be - with first-class pros on hand to help perfect your backhand.

Most Caribbean gated communities, resort based villages and islands have tennis facilities - great news for anyone keen to grab a game. Islands with established expatriate communities often have pairingschemes for out-and-out fanatics - and will connect you with other singles or doubles partners for a fiercely-fought match. Some Caribbean islands have invested in public courts, which are playable free-of-charge but may need to be pre-booked via the local authority. Several islands play host to numerous tennis tournaments that invite guest entries so with a bit of advance planning it may be possible to attend or play. There are a large number of tennis associations in the Caribbean and post their events, medal matches, training sessions and invitationals online. As with everything in the Caribbean, it is advisable to do everything requiring exertion in the coolest parts of the day - between daybreak and 10am or after 5pm is best. Floodlit courts are commonplace, as nighttime is a popular time to thrash it out on the courts under starlit skies and electric illumination.

At Antigua's Curtain Bluff Resort - the host venue of Antigua Tennis Week in both May and in December - four fully-lit championship courts are some of the finest in the region. What’s more, this small, select boutique resort is run by folk who truly love tennis - courts are set in a low-lying valley and are beautifully maintained while daily tennis clinics promise to pep up a forehand in minutes. There are also nine superb courts at palm-trimmed Carlisle Bay and an enviable array of tennis facilities at the prestigious St James Club, including four hard courts lighted for night play and a formidable onsite tennis pro called Bennett.

Jamaica has a strong, British-based affinity for tennis and several top-notch resorts boast tennis courts and coaching amenities, including the Half Moon Club in Montego Bay where seven of the thirteen all-weather Laykold courts are lit for nighttime play. Guests play free of charge with non-guests charged $40(USD) for a tennis day pass, which includes access to the tennis facilities, pro shop and pro on-site academy on a resort that sprawls over hundreds of acres. Lessons are available from Half Moon pros for $50(USD) an hour and up.Also in Montego Bay are the nine hard-surface courts at the Tryall Club Jamaica, three of them with floodlights. Guests play free of charge but must pay $20(USD) an hour for nighttime lighting. Non-guests are charged $30(USD) an hour to play (reservations essential). Hour-long lessons start at $40(USD). In Ochos Rios, the Sandals Grande resort has three clay courts and three hard-surface ones, all of them lit. Formerly part of the Beaches Grand Sport complex, the courts play host to several guest tournaments throughout the year. Guests always play free, whether day or night. Tennis clinics offer 1:1 tuition for players of all skill levels from $30(USD) per person.

In St Lucia, tennis fans are also spoilt for choice at The Landings Tennis Club where two floodlit courts and an on-site pro offers a dozen hour-long bookable sessions each day (8am-8pm) for both private and group tuition.Guests can use the tennis courts free of charge and hire rackets without charge - with tennis balls sold at $10(USD) per sleeve. Keen to play as a non-guest? No problem - just call and book the fee is a very reasonable $10.00 per hour.

Upscale tennis is the name of the game in Barbados where holidaymakers can choose from from the David and John Lloyd Tennis Village at Sugar Hill - a trusted name in tennis - or the swanky floodlight facilities (9 courts) at the star-studded Sandy Lane Hotel. Be prepared to rub shoulders with an A-list roll-call of starlets, sporting celebs and movie moguls on the courts at latter - guests that have wielded rackets there include Tiger Woods, The Clintons, Cliff Richard, Kate Moss and Simon Cowell.

Contacts:

Antigua:

Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Tel: 268 462 8400

www.curtainbluff.com

Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Tel: 268 484 0000

www.carlisle-bay.com

St.James’s Club, Antigua

Tel: 01245 45 99 06 (UK enquiries)

www.eliteislandresorts.com

Jamaica: