A tennis weekend with friends combines everything good about your regular game with the fun of a trip. Done well, it's three days of competitive matches, good food and plenty of rest in between. Done badly, it's a scramble for court time and a group that's exhausted by Saturday afternoon. Here's how to plan it well.
Agree on the trip before the destination
Start by asking the group three questions:
- How much tennis? Two sessions a day, or one long morning session and free afternoons?
- How competitive? A trip built around a mini-tournament feels very different from a relaxed social weekend.
- What budget? A per-person range covering lodging, court fees, travel and food.
The answers narrow your destination choices quickly.
Choose the right courts
The courts are the center of the trip, so look closely at them:
- Number of courts. For eight players, two courts at the same time means everyone plays. For twelve, you'll want three.
- Surface. Many groups enjoy playing on a different surface than at home. Clay courts are slower and easier on the joints; hard courts are faster and more common. Check whether clay courts need specific shoes.
- Reservations. Find out how far ahead courts can be booked, the maximum time per day and the cancellation policy.
- Guest access and fees. Resorts and clubs may limit court access to members or guests, or charge per hour.
- Lights and indoor options for evening play or bad weather.
Staying on site or a short drive from the courts saves time and makes it easy for players to come and go.
Book in the right order
- Confirm the group and dates, then collect deposits so everyone is committed.
- Reserve lodging close to the courts.
- Reserve courts in blocks for each day.
- Book clinics or a pro, if you want coaching.
- Book travel last.
Collecting deposits before you book anything protects the organizer from fronting the whole trip. See our deposit and payment timeline.
Match levels, and mix them
If the group has a wide range of levels, plan both kinds of play:
- Level-matched sessions give stronger players competitive matches and newer players a fair game.
- Mixed sessions with rotating partners keep the weekend social. Pair stronger and newer players as partners against similar pairs.
A simple round robin with rotating partners works well for a group weekend. Track games won, crown a champion on the last day and keep the stakes friendly.
Add coaching
A group clinic is one of the best upgrades for a tennis weekend. Many clubs and resorts offer them for a group of four to eight. Ask the pro to focus on doubles: positioning, poaching, serve and return patterns. Players often remember the clinic as the highlight, and they bring the lessons back to their weekly game.
Pace the weekend
Most recreational players aren't used to playing several hours a day for three days. Build in recovery:
- Mornings for tennis, especially in warm weather.
- Afternoons for rest, the pool, a massage or sightseeing.
- A lighter middle day if the trip is longer than a weekend.
- Warm up and stretch before every session, and drink more water than you think you need.
Ask the group to be honest about any injuries or limits before the trip, so you can plan doubles pairings and court time sensibly.
Packing list
- Racquets, and a spare if you have one.
- Strings or a pre-strung backup if you break strings often.
- Balls: buy enough cans for every session.
- Court shoes suited to the surface.
- Overgrips, wristbands, hat, sunscreen.
- Layers for cool mornings and rain gear for outdoor courts.
- Any supports or braces you use.
Keep the money simple
Typical costs are lodging, court fees, clinics, balls, travel and shared meals. Agree in advance how each is split: lodging evenly or by room, court fees evenly, clinics only among the people who take them. Keep one shared record of who has paid what, and settle any balance within a few days of getting home. Our guide on splitting costs on a group trip has more detail.
Share one plan
Put the itinerary in one place: addresses, court times, who is on which court, the clinic schedule, dinner reservations and what each person owes. When everyone can see the plan, the organizer spends less time answering questions and more time playing.
A tennis weekend is a great way to turn a regular game into a stronger group. If you don't have one yet, start with our guide to organizing a weekly doubles group.