Winter tennis options include indoor tennis clubs, “winter warrior” outdoor courts and a trip to the warm south. A tennis vacation is great way to escape winter's chill and beat the cabin-fever blues.
The 50 greatest U.S. tennis resorts, chosen by “Tennis Magazine” in its November issue, offer a selection of the best tennis get-a-ways. According to the magazine, the resorts were evaluated using several criteria, including the quality of the tennis program, lodging, cuisine, spa, game-matching and the ratio of courts to rooms. The results were assembled by veteran travel writer Ian Keown. Here are the top ten in reverse order:
No. 10: Wild Dunes Resort; Isle of Palms, S.C. The resort has 23 swimming pools, miles of beach, bike trails, and 17 clay courts. Call (800) 845-8880 for more information or visit their Web site at www.wilddunes.com.
No. 9: The Orchid at Mauna Lani; Kohala Coast, Hawaii. The Orchid, a member of the Starwood Luxury Collection, has 17 courts under the direction of Richard Stumpf's holistic approach to tennis. Call (800 845-9905) for more information or visit their Web site at .
No. 8: The Topnotch at Stowe Resort and Spa; Stowe, Vt. For diehard winter lovers who want to mix skiing, fireplaces, and tennis, try the four indoor courts and cross train on the slopes. The Topnotch Tennis Academy promises, “Stay three days and improvement is guaranteed.” Call (800) 451-8686
for more information or visit their Web site at .
No. 7: Rancho Valencia; Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. A member of the Relais & Chateau international collection of inns, Rancho Valencia offers 18 tennis courts with a 4-1 student-to-pro ratio. Palm and eucalyptus trees make this West Coast resort special. Call (800) 548-3664 for more information or visit their Web site at = No. 6: Kiawah Island; Kiawah Island, S.C. Twenty-three clay and 5 hard courts feature specialty doubles instruction. Counselors take care of the children with special outdoor activities while parents enjoy tennis. Call (800) 654-2924for more information or visit their Web site at.
No. 5: Boca Raton Resort & Club; Boca Raton, Fla. The 30-court tennis facility has undergone a $10 million upgrade. A tennis concierge organizes court time, clinics, lessons, round robins and partners. Call (888) 495-2622 for more information or visit their Web site at www.bocaresort.com.
No. 4: The Broadmoor; Colorado Springs, Colo. Former Davis Cup captain, Dennis Ralston, gives advice while an assistant feeds balls at this mountain resort. Stylish spas and the Rocky Mountains add to the indoor tennis. Call (800) 634-7711for more information or visit their Web site at .
No. 3: Ponte Vedra Inn and Club; Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Mike Leach directs the match play and drills on 15 clay courts. Sixty million was invested in upgrading the 75-year-old resort. Call (800) 234-7842for more information or visit their Web site at.
No. 2: Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C. The Stan Smith tennis academy features four-day clinics. There are 23 clay courts and plenty of outdoor activities. Call (800) 732-7463for more information or visit their Web site at.
No. 1: The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort; Longboat Key, Fla. Tennis director Jack Robinson offers a full-service tennis program. There's a full service kids' program. Call (800) 282-1138for more information.
JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS
The Oxford Athletic Club girls 12s open, scheduled for Dec. 6 – 8, closes today. This USTA/MS Allegheny Mountain District tournament is for sectional ranking. The indoor club is located in Wexford. Call Julie Babler at (724) 933-1911 for more information or e-mail her at .
The Glen Creek Holiday Classic is scheduled for Dec. 26 – 31 for boys and girls 10s, 14s, and 18s singles and doubles, and boys and girls 12s and 14s singles. This USTA/MS Allegheny Mountain District tournament is for district ranking. The entries for the indoor, hard court tournament in South Park close Dec.19. Call Hank Hughes at (412) 833-3080 for more information or e-mail .
