The French Open and other major tennis events are among the biggest in the world. U.S. OpenTravelers’ wish lists tend to include a trip to. On the other hand, it can be difficult to reach Australia’s January tournament. But savvy sports fans are getting wise to the fact that the annual event in Melbourne merits the long flight—not least because it happens in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer. Australian Open is also called Happy Slam. It has gained a reputation as a party, cultivating an atmosphere of good times on nearly 100 acres of riverside land. Melbourne Park.
Jessica Pegula is an American player who is among the best in the world. She says, “Everyone feels refreshed and everyone is eager to play. It’s summer, so everyone is happy.” “You feel as if you’re at an outdoor music festival.”
That sunny vibe is helping to turn the tournament into the perfect excuse to make the trip to Australia, says T+L Travel Advisory Board member Linda Scroggins.
Scroggins states that “it’s a growing tendency,” noting how racquetsports of all types have become an important motivator for clients in the last few years. It’s not only about wellness. It’s about these events being exclusive—and the social networking they foster.”
Food is also a big draw. Most of the menu items at Australian Open are changed each year. Both up-and coming restaurateurs and top chefs from the city are invited to create special-edition dishes. Nevertheless, there are some popular items that remain on the menu. What’s the example? The “peach Melbourne”, a play off peach-melba which blends local peaches and raspberries in a soft-serve summer ice cream. The AO Frappe is a grab-and go cooler that pays homage to the world-famous coffee culture of the city. Pegula says, “Their coffee’s amazing.”
Its prime location is another advantage of the AO, as it sets it apart from other majors that are held in remote areas. The Melbourne event is a 20-minute walk along The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us. Yarra River from downtown and top hotels, including the Langham, the Park Hyatt, Then, there is the Westin. Tickets are not the least expensive: you can get a ground pass for as little at $23.
There are many more racquet sports to watch
A fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, padel is rapidly becoming a hot amenity at resorts and hotels worldwide. The Oberoi, Marrakech, GleneaglesThe Scottish Highlands and the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa Recently, many properties have added courts to the game. Cristiano Cabutti says, “I play padel and I’ve heard many guests ask about it.” “Our expansive gardens are one of the most unique aspects of the JW Marriott Venice, so investing in padel courts was a smart way to use that space for something active and social.” Venice’s property isn’t the only one with a water view court. Tschuggen Grand HotelAlong Switzerland’s Obersee Lake has added a floater.
Linda Scroggins, a travel agent, has been asked to help clients plan vacations around the game of pickleball. Recently, she has been sending them to the courts in the Rosewood Bermuda The following are some examples of how to get started: Jumeirah Saadiyat IslandAbu Dhabi. Pickleball is now played on dozens ships, including some operated by Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, The following are some examples of how to get started: Virgin Voyages. Several start-ups on land are trying to combine pickleball, a social environment, and BallersAndre Agassi is the tennis legend who backed this new project in Philadelphia. Agassi told T+L that racquet sports are a great way to bring people together. He adds, “I am excited to be part of Ballers in order to help more people take up racquet sport.” “They create social destinations that are beyond sports. Places where locals and tourists can come together, compete, grow, and connect through the game.” The brand plans to open more locations by 2026.
The Greatest Hits
Hotels are stepping up their game in the racquet sport arena. These are some of the hotels making a move:
- It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. Breakers Palm Beach, in Florida, recently completed a $12 million tune-up of its 12 tennis courts—with grass, clay, and hard surfaces—plus two for pickleball and two for padel. Ken Thompson is the director of Tennis at the property. “These sports are central to how people unwind,” he says.
- Baha MarThe Bahamas mega-resort hosts an annual pro-am tourney, hosted by John McEnroe, Mark Knowles and Coco Gauff, which often attracts big names like Taylor Townsend and Coco Gauff.
- Rosewood Little Dix Bay, on Virgin Gorda, in the British Virgin Islands, will host its inaugural Tennis Cup from December 12 to 14. Sloane Stephens and Genie Bouchard are among the past participants.
- StolenTime Saint Lucia In June, Summer Serve launched its program with intensives of a week in tennis and pickleball. Clinics for players at all levels led by professionals were the main focus, as well as guided stretching and reflexology. The all-inclusive resort on the beach plans to repeat its program next summer.
- Rafael Nadal, the tennis legend, has partnered up with several hotels to create Rafa Nadal’s Tennis Centers. Don CarlosThe ‘Marbella Beach’ in Spain is the place to be. Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres, near Cancún, Mexico; and the Sani Resort, southeast of Thessaloníki, Greece. A Dominican Republic location is coming in 2026, at the all-inclusive Zel Punta Cana.
This story was first published in November 2025 issue Travel + Leisure Under the title “The Top Tourney is Down Under.”
