Tennis holidays alone: What to expect from Spain

In Spain you have 3 good ways to go on a tennis holiday as a solo traveller: a camp with accommodation included, an academy with its own residence, or a training program with a place to stay that you choose yourself.

You'll also be in good company. Nearly one in five British holidaymakers (19%) travelled on their own in the past year, the highest level of solo travel this decade, according to ABTA's Holiday Habits report. The same report puts Spain at the top of the list of countries UK travellers visited, at 24%.

We often times help players who travel alone find the right training in Spain.

So this guide is based on what tends to work well.

Is it a good idea?

Absolutely. Actually, it is one of the easiest kinds of holiday to take alone.

Unlike a beach week, you don't have obligations to find something to do or someone to do it with.

The training gives every day a shape, and the people in your group are there for the same reason you are.

The question you might ask is whether you will have anyone to play with. On a proper tennis program you don't need to bring a partner. Groups are usually made up of 2 to 4 players per court, and the coaches put you with players at a similar level.

If you turn up and the group isn't quite right, a good coach (or Pelotista's manager) will move you after the first session.

Popular formats for solo tennis trip

Which format suits you depends mainly on two things: how much you want organised for you, and how much freedom you want outside the court.

A camp + accommodation

This is the simplest option if you don't want to plan anything.

You book one package, and the training, the room and often the transfers and activities are taken care of. Because everyone arrives on the same day and leaves on the same day, the group gets to know each other quickly. That makes it the most social choice, and the one we usually suggest for a first trip on your own.

Our week-long summer camp in Mallorca is a good example. It's limited to 12 players, split into three groups by level, with daily training, a hotel by the sea, airport transfers and excursions planned around the sessions. Camps like this have fixed dates, so they suit you if your calendar is flexible and you like the idea of a set programme.

An academy with its own residence

Some of the bigger academies have rooms on site, so you can train, eat and rest without leaving the grounds. The Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Mallorca, is the best-known example: its adult camps can be booked with a stay at the academy residence, and you can choose how many days to come.

This option gives you more flexibility on dates than a fixed camp, and the setting does a lot of the social work for you, because everyone around you is there to play. It can feel less personal than a small camp, though, so it suits players who are happy to make their own conversation at dinner.

A training program + hotel/airbnb

The third option is to book a morning, afternoon or full-day training program and choose your own hotel or apartment nearby.

This is how most of our solo players train in Valencia, Madrid and Gran Canaria. You join a group of two to four players per court for the sessions, and the rest of the day is yours.

It's the most flexible format by far. You pick your own dates and how long you stay, and you can change the balance between tennis and holiday. Some venues make it even easier: in Tenerife, several adult programs can be booked with accommodation included, and in Valencia we can suggest apartments close to the courts. The trade-off is that evenings are less organised, so it suits people who enjoy exploring a city on their own.

Where to go in Spain

Valencia has the widest choice of adult programs we offer, with several academies and clubs, mornings, afternoons, full days and short "Light" camps (without fitness). It's also a nice city with a long beach, so you have plenty to do after training, and it's an easy place to be on your own.

Mallorca is the choice for a classic island holiday with tennis. It's where you'll find our summer camp with a hotel and the Rafa Nadal Academy, so it suits both the most organised and the most tennis-focused trips.

Madrid works well if you want a city break with serious training. The academy we work with is in Alcobendas, just north of the city, with adult group sessions and shorter camps.

The Canary Islands are the best answer if you want to play in winter. Gran Canaria and Tenerife both have adult group programs that run all year, and the mild weather means you can plan a tennis week in January as easily as in June. Tenerife is the easier choice if you want everything in one booking, because several of its adult programs come with accommodation. Gran Canaria suits players who like to pick their own hotel and keep the afternoons free for the beach.

What a week usually looks like

Most adult programs run Monday to Friday. A typical day starts with a group session in the morning, a few hours of drills and match play, sometimes with a fitness block. In the afternoon you're free, unless you've chosen a full-day program, in which case there's a second session after lunch.

The first day is the one solo travellers worry about, and it's usually the easiest. Most coaches start with a short assessment to check everyone is in the right group, and by the end of the first session you've hit with everyone on your court. On camps there's often a welcome dinner or drinks on the first evening, which takes care of the "who do I eat with?" question.

By the middle of the week, the group has its own routine: coffee after training, someone suggesting a beach or a restaurant, a few people arranging an extra match in the afternoon. Some camps finish with a small tournament on the last day, which is a nice way to see how much you've improved, and a good excuse for a final dinner together.

How long should you go for?

A week is the most popular length, and for good reason. Most programs are built around five days of training, which is long enough to settle into a group, work properly on one or two parts of your game and still feel like you've had a holiday.

If you've never trained every day before, a shorter trip is a sensible way to test it. A long weekend or a three-day "Light" camp tells you how your body copes with daily tennis, and whether you enjoy the group format, without committing a whole week.

If you want to really change something in your game, think about two weeks. The first week is often about getting used to the volume and the coaching. In the second, the corrections start to stick. Build in at least one rest day in the middle, even if you feel fine. Most injuries on tennis holidays come from tired legs on day four or five, not from the first session.

What to tell the venue when you book

A few details in your first message save a lot of back and forth, and they help the coaches put you in the right group from day one. Say how long you've been playing and how often you play now, and give a rating if you have one, from your club or an app. Mention any injuries or things you want to avoid, such as a sore shoulder that doesn't like serving.

It also helps to say what you want from the week. Some people come to fix one shot, some want lots of match play, and some mainly want to get fit in the sun. Coaches plan sessions differently for each, and knowing in advance means you don't spend the first morning explaining it on court.

Rooms, single supplements and costs

The single supplement is the biggest frustration for people who travel alone, and tennis holidays are no exception. Hotel rooms are usually priced for two, so when you have a room to yourself you often pay more than half the double price.

There are a few ways around it. Camps that are priced per person make the cost clear from the start, so check what the price includes and whether a single room is standard or an extra. Apartments are often better value than hotels for a week, especially in Valencia, and give you a kitchen if you'd rather not eat out every night. If you book a training-only program, you can also choose a smaller hotel or guesthouse that doesn't charge much for single use.

When you compare options, look at the whole week rather than just the training price. A camp that includes transfers, some meals and activities can work out cheaper than a training program plus a hotel, a taxi from the airport and dinner out every night. We're always happy to give you a full picture for your dates before you book.

Tennis holidays for players over 50

Age matters much less than level on a tennis holiday. Groups are organised by how you play, not by how old you are, so a strong 60-year-old will train with strong players of any age. Adult programs are open to all ages, and it's common to share a court with people twenty years younger or older than you.

If you're worried about the physical side, a few choices help. A morning program or a "Light" camp gives you shorter days with plenty of rest, and most coaches will adapt drills if you have a bad knee or shoulder, as long as you tell them on the first day. Clay courts are also kinder on the joints than hard courts, so it's worth asking which surface you'll be playing on.

Tips for your first trip on your own

Be honest about your level when you book. It's the single thing that makes the biggest difference to your week, because it decides who you train with. If you're not sure where you stand, our guide to tennis levels explained will help you describe your game, and you can always tell us what you usually play at home.

Arrive the day before your program starts if you can. You'll be rested for the first session, and you'll have an evening to find your way around before you have to be anywhere.

Say yes to the small invitations. The coffee after training, the extra match in the afternoon and the group dinner are where friendships on these trips start, and they're much easier to join on day two than on day five.

Finally, pack for the court as well as the holiday: two rackets if you have them, shoes for the surface you'll be playing on, a cap, sun cream and a refillable bottle. Spanish sun is strong, even in spring and autumn.

By the way, you can compare dates, levels and prices for our tennis camps in Spain, including the options with accommodation. If you're travelling alone and not sure which one fits, send us your level, your dates and what kind of week you have in mind, and we'll suggest the best match.