Tuscan Tennis Special Hosted Trips in 2026
We are really excited to announce for 2026 that we have decided to visit Rome, Florence and Trapani (Sicily). 
 
So, which one might be best suited for you?

See our guide below to help you choose -

Rome
7th to 11th May or 11th to 15th May
 
Choose Rome for a tennis holiday that pairs top-class coaching with an unbeatable city experience. You’ll spend four nights in Rome in a superb 4-star hotel, with expert tuition on lovely clay courts to sharpen your game. Afternoons are reserved for the magic of the Italian Open, where you can watch the world’s best players up close and soak in the tournament atmosphere. Then, as the sun goes down, the city is yours — evenings dining in the heart of Rome, surrounded by its iconic streets, piazzas, and unmistakable Italian buzz. It’s the perfect blend of tennis, tournament spectacle, and la dolce vita.

Full Rome info HERE
Florence
29th August to 5th September
Choose Florence for a late-summer tennis week long escape that’s equal parts sport and Tuscany. At the end of August, you can expect warm, sunny days with temperatures typically in the high 20s, perfect for clay-court tennis. You’ll play at one of Italy’s nicest and best-equipped clubs, boasting 16 courts — most of them clay — and enjoy a lively programme of expert coaching, social play, and fun competitive events. Set in the glorious Tuscan countryside, the club is only a 10-minute drive from the centre of Florence, so your afternoons and evenings can be filled with world-class art, architecture, food, and atmosphere. With so much cultural richness on your doorstep, Florence offers an unbeatable blend of tennis holiday energy and unforgettable Italian living.
 
Full Florence info HERE
Trapani (Sicily)
12th to 19th September or 19th to 26th September
Choose Trapani for the ultimate Sicily sports-and-sun week long escape — and our only venue where tennis and padel tennis share the spotlight equally. Based in the charming coastal town of Trapani, just below Palermo, you’ll play in a stunning seaside setting with that laid-back Sicilian vibe all around. The location also gives you easy access to the Egadi Islands, perfect for boat trips to spectacular bays and crystal-clear water.
Trapani was our most popular trip in 2025, so for 2026 we’re running it two weeks in a row, timed for mid to late September — arguably the best period for perfect weather without the peak-summer crowds. Add in what many call the best food in Italy (and that’s saying something), and you’ve got a holiday that’s as memorable off court as it is on it.
On court, expect a full programme of tennis tuition, plenty of hosted social play, and fun padel tennis competitive events that keep the week lively, friendly, and brilliantly addictive. Trapani is Sicily at its most welcoming — a gorgeous place to improve your game, enjoy padel properly, and soak up island life.

Full Trapani info HERE
If the dates for our special hosted weeks don't suit please contact Laura with your preferred dates and we will help you choose the best offering for your needs at that particular time of year.
[email protected]

Highlights of 2025 
The year was dominated by the Alcaraz v Sinner rivalry with the French Open final being the pinnacle of their incredible battles. In my view this match should have been called a draw. as win or lose they are always both winners. It demonstrated not only their amazing sporting prowess (in the most difficult sport on planet earth), but also the fantastic sportsmanship which will hopefully help competitive tennis players all over the world strive for humility first and foremost.
I am in awe of both of these young men and their ability to compete so fiercely but at the same time maintain a wonderful perspective on life and all the things that really matter. In this era of narcissistic dictators and many other poor role models in the social media world it feels like we need all the young famous sports people to rise up and lead on the important values of life such as humility,decency,honesty and fairness.
In the women's game Jasmine Paolini may not have won a grand slam (yet) but is the female player whose values would appear to be most in line with Carlos and Jannik.  Like Alcaraz, her ability to do it all with a sense of fun and good humour is heart warming and wonderful for young girls to see all over the world.

What to expect in 2026?
Unfortunately, for the men they are in real trouble if Alcaraz and Sinner continue to keep improving as a result of this incredible rivalry. Novak accepts that they are too good for him and yet he continues to beat everyone else when it matters most! Of the contenders to challenge our new kings I would like to think that Jack Draper has the physicality and determination to get close and maybe Fonseca, as he seems to have that special something which might separates him from the others over the next year or so.
For the women I would like to see Rybakina become more consistent with her wonderful ball striking and I would love to see Sabalenka grow up and gain some humility. Coco Gauff would be my preferred choice to dominate the sport which could happen with a more solid serve and forehand. Nothing that she doesn't already know but she just doesn't seem to be able to find the key to this problem area.
For the game in general it would be good if they could all get together and sort out the debate on players being expected to play too much, the masters events over 2 weeks and the mess that is the Davis Cup. I'm not convinced that taking many big events to Saudi is particularly good for the game either. 
Like many things in life, common sense doesn't always prevail as there are too many financial and political factors at play. I almost never agree with Novak on anything but I do concur with him that the players themselves need to rise up and help to sort it out. 

My favourite quote of the year:

It came from Alcaraz after the French Open final when he said  “I think the real champions are made in situations when you deal with that pressure, with those situations, in the best way possible,” 

And isn't that why we love tennis because of these incredible moments?
 
Any thoughts/comments on any of the above would be greatly appreciated.
[email protected]

​

If these dates don’t suit you, no worries! We also offer tailored trips to suit your personal requirements, at any of our stunning locations throughout the year.
For more information or to secure your spot, please get in touch with Laura at [email protected]. We can’t wait to welcome you to Italy in 2026 for an unforgettable tennis experience!
Hope to see you on court! 

​Does Medvedev need help or just disqualified?

The US Open has just started and we experienced yet another unfortunate Medvedev moment where he went crazy over the umpire awarding a 1st serve to his opponent (Benjamin Bonzi) at match point up. A photographer mistakenly walked along the back of the court after Bonzi's 1st serve so the rules state that the 1st serve is repeated. Simple, yes?

It would appear that Medvedev used this opportunity to create mayhem by complaining aggressively to the umpire for 6 minutes and getting the New York crowd excited and extremely loud (they never need much of an excuse). Medvedev also smashed a racquet which he generally does.

Fortunately Bonzi eventually won the match in 5 sets but once again Medvedev showed the eccentric side of his personality. He has not been having a very successful time on court for a while now and the question has been asked by many including Boris Becker if he needs some mental help. His reaction in the post match interview was one of someone in complete denial of his behaviour.

Apart from the usual role model issues for young kids I feel that the tour should intervene by offering some therapy as he would appear not to be in the best mental condition. Fining him will not make any difference and I've had enough of these kinds of antics from many players. Offer them help and if not taken then the umpires and tournament referees must be stronger. 

For example if a rule was introduced that if a player intentionally breaks a racquet, they are disqualified immediately, would anyone do so?? This may not be the only solution to the privileged few who regularly implode but it could be a start? The pundits generally condone racquet breaking as a necessary act for the player to calm down. If that was the case why did the greatest competitor of all time (Nadal) never break a racquet? Nadal has to thank Uncle Tony and good parents for that one.

On the positive side there are so many potential great match ups to come in both the men's and women's events. Looking forward to seeing Jacob Fearnley play Zverev and to see if Raducanu can maintain her good form and keep a coach for the entire tournament! Hoping for a Sinner v Alcaraz final but it will be interesting to see how Novak fares??

Any thoughts or ideas on how to improve the game are always appreciated.

[email protected]

The most important point/shot that helped Alcaraz to win
the French Open

This match has been talked about and dissected enough so I won't bore you with any more match analysis. Of course Sinner had the 3 match points at 5-3 0-40 on the Alcaraz serve, but the point that stood out for me was in the 5th set at 6-5 Sinner and 30 all with Alcaraz on a 2nd serve. 
 
Sinner hit a great return crosscourt to the absolute corner of the baseline and at that instant it looked certain that he would win this point. Alcaraz managed to play a "squash shot" on the full sliding stretch to slice the ball back to the opposite corner and win the point!
 
There were so many tug of war moments between these 2 amazing players but I felt that this moment was the one that finally changed the momentum of the match and it was hardly talked about. After this point Alcaraz stormed through the match tie break.
 
Alcaraz explained the importance of this game at 5-6 in the 5th set below.
“The three match points ... those match points down were, honestly, they weren’t great points. It is great, honestly, that I saved match points but it (they weren’t) that good points (compared to) 6-5 in the fifth at 15-30 or 30-all, or advantage for me, 40-All.
“Those points I remember pretty clearly and honestly I still don’t know how I did it. I mean, it was balls on the line, slicing the line. He was dominating that game. Honestly, I still don’t know how I saved that game. Probably I would choose that game (as the key).”
 
In my view that one shot at 30 all was the most important of the entire match. Have a look below to see if you agree? Check in at 9 minutes and 43 seconds to see the squash shot and the end of that amazing game.

Click HERE 

Grass Courts Season Up and Running
After the drama of the French open and all of the amazing clay court season I must admit finding it hard to get involved in watching too much of the initial grass court events.

However, the new women's Queens competition served up a real treat with the 38 year old from Germany, Tatjana Maria, slicing and dicing her opponents to death on the slick Andy Murray Arena. What a great story with 3 kids and showing the importance of slice on the grass.

And now at Queens for the men's it's great to see Dan Evans beat Tiafoe and hopefully get his game back on track. Like, Tatjana Maria, grass obviously suits his game, especially at Queens where the courts are quicker than at Wimbledon. Let's hope that Dan has a good run at Wimbledon, especially as he forfeited so many points by playing with Andy Murray at the Olympics thereby allowing us all to see Andy competing in his own  distinctive way for the last time.

I suppose at Wimbledon it would be too much to ask for another Alcaraz v Sinner final or maybe a Djokovic v Sinner or Alcaraz final?? I can't see anyone other than these magnificent 3 players taking the crown.

My main hope for the women's event is that Sabalenka finds some humility whether she wins or not. Her comments after the French Open final beggared belief for a world number 1 player and I would think that she has a long way to go in getting much public support in the near future. Time for her to grow up and be the role model that young female tennis players need all over the world. At the moment Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini are showing how an adult should behave and inspiring lots of young girls.

Join us in Tuscany to play at two premier clay court tennis clubs, known for producing world-class talent.
Jasmine Paolini's formative years included time at our Lucca venue.
Experience top-tier tennis in the heart of Italy’s breathtaking countryside.

Click on each location for information

LUCCA       FLORENCE

Reasons to come to Florence with us in early September?
30th August to 6th September - https://www.tuscantennis.com/florence-special-hosted...
The chance to play tennis at one of the best clubs in Italy, Match Ball Firenze Country Club. Our clients love the club so much that they tend to spend almost all of their holiday at the club even when not playing tennis!
On Wednesday afternoon we insist on leaving the club for a short tour of the city centre, followed by a wine tasting (and nibbles) at a beautiful rooftop bar.
In the evening we enjoy a casual pizza evening at our favourite tennis club at the famous Piazzale Michelangelo which overlooks the city centre and is a club frequented mainly by locals.
Apart from the wonderful city of Florence itself you can also take a short drive through the Tuscan countryside to the lovely town of Greve where you can visit it's famous wine cellar (Enoteca Falorni) and even taste some of the most exclusive super Tuscan wines! This is a beautiful drive and an easy way to taste the best wines and cheeses of Tuscany without having to book ahead.
Join us in Lucca for the best atmosphere of the year at Ferragosto
15th August (Ferragosto) is a national holiday in Italy and the week after is the most chilled week of the year when all local Italians are on holiday parading the streets with their wonderful tans and best summer gear on.
This is the period we will be in Lucca for a special hosted week from 16-23 August - https://www.tuscantennis.com/lucca-tennis---special...
Apart from a great clay court experience at the best club in the Lucca area you will also have the chance to live like an Italian at the height of summer. We organise a trip to the coast to experience beach life Italian style plus a trip in the evening to the wonderful town of Pietrasanta. It is an art lover's dream and the best place in the area to watch the wealthy Italians strut their stuff amongst fine restaurants and great shopping in a beautiful, historic hilltop town.
Padel tennis too in Lucca!
Another element to our Lucca tennis club is the opportunity to play padel tennis in a beautiful shaded indoor court with ventilation all around the sides.
Bike ride around the city walls
The easiest and quickest route to get to grips with Lucca is via a bike ride around the 40-foot high and 90-foot wide city walls. The path is a flat, three-mile loop shaded under the trees, where you can stop to admire the sights or savour a picnic on the grass along the way. There are many places to rent bikes and e-bikes in the city centre, but for a simple and easy solution, head to Amici Bici, where you can rent a city bike with a little basket for 5 euros per hour (25 euros a day). Pricing also includes a helmet and a lock. Make sure you book a few days before, especially in high season.
Website: amicibici.it
Enoteca Vanni is one of the most ancient wine cellars in the city, dating back to the third century AD. The owner, Paolo Petroni, welcomes wine enthusiasts and those eager to experience the finest Italian wine paired with local charcuterie and cheese boards. The selection counts around 55,000 labels meticulously sourced from around the country and across borders, resulting in a collection of some of the finest and rarest bottles in Europe.
Website: enotecavanni.it
The Rome Masters
We are off to Rome next week for our 2 Rome Masters trips. Lots of clay court tennis to be watched, from the practice courts to the match courts, great food and all the brands in the shops. A perfect precursor to the French Open.
These 2 trips are full, but we will be back again next year!
Click HERE for full info to give you an idea!. https://www.tuscantennis.com/rome-masters.html
So much more than just a tennis holiday………
www.tuscantennis.com

The Monte Carlo Masters gave us an insight into the potential form of the majority of the world's best male players. Both Davidovich Fokina and Musetti were particularly impressive and obviously Alcaraz, but the player I feel who will make a serious breakthrough in the men's game is Arthur Fils. He is just so strong in most areas of the game and seems to love the big stage. He beat Griekspoor in a tough 3 setter followed by Cobolli winning 2 & 4, then Rublev 2 & 3 before losing to Alcaraz. This was the toughest match Alcaraz experienced in the whole event.
Fils was coached by his basketball playing father until the age of 12 and was taught to be "fearless". He is now coached by Sebastien Grosjean and Sergi Bruguera who both have an exceptional tennis competitive history. Bruguera won 2 French opens and Grosjean was a player who could play on all surfaces and even beat Tim Henman at Wimbledon - no mean feat.
Look out for Arthur Fils on any surface!
I only wish that Fils and many others would stop putting their fingers to their ears when they want crowd appreciation. Carlitos does this too which I wouldn't have expected from him? I can't think of one woman who does this? Having said that, Harriet Dart's comment (when losing) asking her opponent to wear some deodorant was a new one for the tour! Not Harriet's best moment.
In the women's tour Pegula continued her fine form winning an American clay court 500 event at Charleston beating Kenin in the final. This could be her year to win a slam although maybe not on European clay?
The Rome Masters
Lots of clay court tennis to be played before this year's hugely anticipated Rome Masters event, especially with its new marble show court!
We still have a few spaces left for our trip 12th to 16th May.
Click here for full info - https://www.tuscantennis.com/rome-masters.html

​The Italian Open 2025 has just got even better!
The stunning "stadio dei marmi" is currently being converted into a fabulous new tennis arena with a show court and two practice courts being constructed as we speak alongside Il Foro Italico.

The ’Super Tennis Arena’ named after the Italian sprinter, Pietro Mennea, will be surrounded by it's existing 60 marble statues, surely making it one of the world’s most magnificent venues .

Building is now well underway and without question,  the Pietro Mennea Marble Stadium will make an already fantastic tournament an unmissable one.  

If interested in coming to this year's event we still have a few spaces left. Why not join us and discover the new "stadio dei marmi" tennis court? Only in Italy would you find such a thing.

Click HERE for info.

​Indian Wells Thoughts
 
MEN

• The Court Surface - especially the show courts are very bouncy and suit some players more than others. Those with the ability to hit lots of topspin are favoured.
• Man to Beat - definitely Alcaraz - he likes the high bouncing court. On a hat trick of Indian Wells wins!
• Players to threaten Alcaraz? - Griekspoor (what an incredible forehand!) Tsitsipas (has improved out of sight with a new top secret racquet) Jack Draper (in form) Fritz (always good).
• Why is Murray there if Djokovic isn't motivated? - The joker isn't making any jokes as he would appear not to be able to find the desire to compete. But, if not injured and he keeps training, I'd still take him to win a slam this year where the fire usually gets lit!

WOMEN

• Court surface is really suiting Swiatek who will be difficult to beat with her heavy, high bouncing shots. 
• Will Madison Keys manage to keep her great from going, although this surface may not suit her clean hitting.
• Looks like Mirra Andreeva might be ready for a big breakthrough.
• Pegula is on form, but needs to play Svitolina who is extremely motivated for Ukraine at the moment. The US crowd has been very supportive of Ukrainian players which may help pull her through?

Which TTH location should you choose?

We often get asked what our favourite TTH holiday venue is and the honest truth is that we love them all but here are a few key points that might help you choose which one is best for you.
 
Our tennis programme at all venues is excellent and very similar with great coaches and wonderful clay courts * but as we are "so much more than just a tennis holiday" the key points I have listed are outside of the tennis programme to help you decide where to choose.
* (except Sardinia - nice new hard courts) 
​
Rome - click HERE
This is a very specific tennis holiday and different from our other options mainly because a big part of it includes seeing the world's best players in action at the Italian Open. 

Key reasons why you might choose Rome

• May is one of the best months to visit Rome weather wise with temperatures usually in the mid 20's.
• You don't need to drive as the hotel, tennis courts and Il Foro Italico are all within a short walk of each other. Driving in Rome is not recommended!
• As a tennis experience this has to be one of the best clay court tournaments in the world with close up access to all the top players plus an amazing array of tennis shops and wonderful food.
• And perhaps most importantly "What did the Romans ever do for us"? All Python fans will know this off by heart but if you don't, have a look at this clip YouTube clip.

Click HERE for short video of the trip.
​
Lucca - click HERE

The Lucca area is where I lived for 10 years so I would like to think that I can help you experience the real Italy with what to do and where to eat after tennis.

Key reasons why you might choose Lucca

• The historic centre of Lucca surrounded by the most impressive walls is quite spectacular and is somewhere you can visit many times with so many backstreets to discover.
• The accommodation and tennis club are situated just outside the walls where you will experience a friendly,small town environment with wonderful bars & restaurants. We have a lovely hotel as an option inside the walls too.
• You also have the possibility to visit the Versilia coast in all its grandeur and our favourite hillside town of Pietrasanta where we organise a trip in the middle of the week.

Florence - click HERE

Strange as it may sound one of the main reasons to visit our Florence location would be for the wonderful tennis club that we have exclusive access to for non members. Some of our clients come to Florence and spend all their time at the club as it is one of the most beautiful and well equipped tennis centres in Italy.

Other key reasons to choose Florence

• If you are an art lover you will be in heaven with a city that holds the majority of the world's most famous art works.
• Florence is a very easy and manageable city to explore on foot and we help out with a short tour and wine tasting (plus nibbles) on a beautiful rooftop bar with great views over the city. 
• The friendly atmosphere in the club is one of the highlights as the local members always look forward to meeting our guests at the club even if they think you are all "Scozzese" (Scottish) - so if you are not Scottish, work on your accent before coming!

Sardinia - click HERE

We would strongly recommend avoiding July & August in Sardinia when it's just too busy and expensive.
The best months to visit are May/June / September/October

Key reasons why you might choose Sardinia

• Apart from tennis, if you would like to swim in the most beautiful water in Italy and comparable to the Caribbean, then this is the place for you!  
• Our only purpose built resort (Puntaldia) where you don't need to drive and can walk to tennis, golf, beaches, bars & restaurants.
• Less of a cultural holiday but great for those who like activities with tennis, golf, padel tennis and water sport activities all available.

Sicily - click HERE

If you would like a mix of all of our other venues then Sicily is for you. It has everything you could possibly imagine but is for the more curious and adventurous traveller.  

Key reasons why you might choose Trapani (Sicily)

• Trapani reminds me of the movie "Local Hero" where everything is simple and the people are just so friendly. See the movie if you haven't already.
• Tourism is very important for Trapani but you will feel totally immersed in their culture after a few days in a way that is difficult to feel in better known tourist locations.
• Being a coastal town you can easily visit the beautiful Egadi islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo.
• With such a great climate (similar to the south of Spain) you can visit at most times of the year apart from maybe January & February

Our hosted week is already full for 2025 but we can arrange tailored holidays -  please avoid June, July & August which, like Sardinia, are too busy.

2025 Special Hosted Trips

Rome Masters
8th to 12th May 
& 
12th to 16th May 

Lucca
16th to 23rd August 

Florence
30th August to 6th September

Tailor Made Holidays
We can also offer tailor made holidays to suit your requirements in any of our locations for a few days or a long weekend if an entire week is too long?
Just get in touch with your [email protected]