Beautiful Tennis Courts: The 30 Most Stunning Around the World

From cliffside clay to grass courts high in the sky, these stunning facilities are design grand slamsThe game is even better enjoyed in these stunning settings.Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesWhile the world’s most prestigious tennis facilities are well known—think the Centre Court at Wimbledon—there are also a slew of other beautiful tennis courts around the world that you’re probably unaware of. Often it’s their seclusion that makes them so alluring: One is built into the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, another is set against the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, a few are even in private residences. But with all eyes currently on the sport while the US Open is underway in New York City, it’s a great time to familiarize yourself with these stunning spots. Each court on this list is more than just baselines and service boxes, it transcends the bare requirements to create a fully immersive space that elevates the playing experience. Whether you visit for a friendly volley or go as a spectator, these facilities offer a truly spectacular adventure Below, see the 30 most beautiful tennis courts in the world.Photo: Auberge Resorts CollectionDomaine des Etangs (Massignac, France)Most tennis fans are familiar with the four main types of courts: hard, clay, grass, and carpet. But what about a floating one? At Domaine Des Etangs, an Auberge Resort, in France’s Limousin region, guests have the opportunity to play on a court that floats on the hotel’s pond. For those who don’t know their way around a racket, spectators can catch a match from tree-shaded benches on dry land. Afterwards, roam the property’s 2,500 protected acres or explore the art-filled 14th-century château.Photo: Courtesy of Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali IslandJumeirah Olhahali Island (Olhahali, Maldives)Set against the Indian Ocean, the tennis court at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island offers breathtaking views and sea breezes to cool off players between matches. While a game during sunset is sure to be a dazzling experience, floodlights ensure you can still play under the stars once the sun has gone down.Photo: Getty ImagesSportchalet Mürren (Mürren, Switzerland)The town of Mürren offers spectacular views of the surrounding Swiss Alps. It makes sense that locals decided to put a tennis court to take in the natural beauty. Located at the Sportchalet in Mürren, these courts are situated some 5,400 ft above the Lauterbrunnen Valley.Photo: Getty ImagesSan Paolo Converso (Milan, Italy)In 2017, US artist Asad Raza unveiled Untitled (Plot for Dialogue), a performance art installation that introduced a functioning tennis court into a church. “He repurposes the church, a place of messages from higher authorities, into a space of two-way exchange and recreation,” reads the artwork’s description on Raza’s website. The work was part of rotating art installations hosted by the architectural firm CLS Architectti, which transformed the church into its headquarters in 2015. “The piece places the experience of play above purely visual appreciation, as the back-and-forth of tennis exchanges produces meditative beauty through actions never to be repeated,” the website adds. The work is currently on display in a new location, Kunst­hal Gent in Belgium.Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesBurj Al Arab Helipad (Dubai, UAE)In 2005, Roger Federer and Andre Agassi were invited to play a friendly match atop a helipad at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab. The landing spot was temporarily converted into a court to promote the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open. “Once you get over the drama of being up so high and you come up the stairs and see they actually put a tennis court down here, it’s quite a feeling. But once you start playing, all you’re seeing is the ball again, and it’s a free feeling,” Agassi said in a promotional video at the time. “We’re having a good time. It’s sort of weird when you toss [the ball] though, it feels like you’re tossing it a mile high.”Photo: Romain RegladeHôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Antibes, France)The former mansion turned hotel is among the most idyllic settings for a vacation. The location has been immortalized by writers such as F. Scott Fiztgerland and Ernest Hemingway (both stayed on the grounds in the 1920s), as well as Marc Chagall, who drafted many sketches in several of the beachside cabanas. But for the serious tennis player, all that really matters are the five clay tennis courts on the grounds. Situated beneath a verdant canopy of pines and olive trees, this is a setting for tennis that can’t easily be beat.Photo: Courtesy of Conner & Perry Architects Inc.The Sheats-Goldstein Residence (Los Angeles, California)Located at the John Lautner–designed home of real estate tycoon and NBA superfan James Goldstein (he reportedly attends over 100 games a year), an infinity-edge tennis court with a glass partition allows for sprawling views of the Los Angeles skyline. The most recent iteration of the tennis court, which was completed in 2013, was designed by Nicholson Architects and Conner & Perry Architects (with consultation from Zaino Tennis Courts, Inc.). There are current plans to build an adjacent theater building with rooftop seating to overlook the court.Photo: Courtesy of La Quinta Resort & ClubLa Quinta Resort (Palm Springs, California)The Center Court at La Quinta Resort in California offers unique views of towering palms and rugged rock formations. With excellent weather and breathtaking surroundings, it’s no surprise that professionals like Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic have practiced here.Photo: Courtesy of Il San Pietro di PositanoIl San Pietro di Positano (Amalfi Coast, Italy)At Il San Pietro di Positano in Italy, the exclusive tennis court is nestled within the towering cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. Of course, the dazzling Mediterranean is never out of sight, adding a fun challenge to the game: How does one stay focused on the ball with a setting as gorgeous as this one?Photo: Michael Freeman/AlamyAstor Courts (Rhinebeck, New York)The vaulted ceiling is only the beginning of this stunning tennis court located within Astor Courts, a legendary residence completed for Ava and John Jacob Astor IV by American firm McKim, Mead & White. In addition to the tennis facilities—both indoor and out—the sporting complex includes a bowling alley, squash court, and indoor swimming pool. Today it’s owned by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife Wendy. “Eric and I love taking on the restoration of historic properties as a kind of shared hobby, to bring them back to life and to prepare them for the next century,” Wendy told AD in a 2024 tour of the iconic 40,000-square-foot residence.Photo: Courtesy of The CourtsThe Courts Anza-Borrego (Borrego Springs, California)This five-acre tennis club is located in the center of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Minimalist by design, the facilities include four tennis courts, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and an outdoor cabana. “We envision it as a place that combines many things we love—art, design, nature, community, and of course tennis,” Leah Goren, who founded the club with Adil Dara, said in a 2018 interview. When Goren and Dara purchased the club, which dates to the ’70s, they intended it to be a destination for tennis players and non-players alike. “It’s in the middle of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, so even if you aren’t a tennis player like me, you can grab a coffee, chill by the pool, and go for a hike,” Goren said. Today The Courts also has an in-house design studio, which according to its website, specializes in branding, products and packaging, publication design, and more.Photo: Courtesy of MVRDVThe Couch (Amsterdam, Holland)Designed by the firm MVRDV for Tennis Club IJburg in Amsterdam, The Couch aims to combine the clubhouse and viewer stands to maximize playing space. Even though the clubhouse’s windows provide easy viewing to the match beyond, the roof also holds up to 200 people. Photo: Courtesy of GleneaglesGleneagles (Perthshire, Scotland)Gleneagles, the sporting estate in Perthshire, Scotland, may be best known for its golf courses, but its tennis courts deserve the same acclaim. The club’s five outdoor courts offer views of the estate, which celebrates its centenary this year. Inside the Gleneagles Sporting Club, players can take advantage of two hard-surfaced tennis courts and three courts for padel.Photo: Courtesy of Necker IslandNecker Island (British Virgin Islands)Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private island, is a paradise for tennis players. The two beachfront turf courts are surrounded by greenery and floodlit for night games. The island also has courts for pickleball and padel and two resident pros available for private lessons or group clinics. The island is home to the PRO-AM Necker Cup, which has hosted pros including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Caroline Wozniacki.Katherine McLaughlin is the digital features editor at Architectural Digest where she covers architecture and design news, travel, and real estate, among other things. Previously, she wrote trend, lifestyle, and DIY stories for AD as a freelancer as well as contributing to other publications such as The New York Times, ... Read MoreElizabeth Stamp is a freelance lifestyle and design writer and editor based in Los Angeles. For AD, she reports on everything from cutting-edge architecture to far-flung destinations to the homes of the royal family. She previously worked on staff at Architectural Digest and ELLE DECOR and has contributed to CNN ... Read More