Big tennis events, such as the French Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon, tend to top travelers’ dream lists. The January tournament in Australia, on the other hand, can feel out of reach. 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. Sometimes called the Happy Slam, the Australian Open has earned a reputation for good times, cultivating a feel-good atmosphere across nearly 100 riverside acres of Melbourne Park.
“Everyone is refreshed, everyone is excited to play, and, it being summer there, everyone is just happy,” says Jessica Pegula, the American ace who’s among the top players in the world. “You feel like you’re at a summer 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.
“It’s a growing trend,” Scroggins says, noting that racquet sports of all kinds have become a big motivator for her clients over the past few years. “It’s not just about wellness. It’s about these events being exclusive—and the social networking they foster.”
The food is another draw. The Australian Open changes most of its menu items each year, inviting both up-and-coming restaurateurs and some of the city’s top chefs to create special-edition fare. Some very popular items are permanent fixtures, however. Case in point? The “peach Melbourne,” a play on peach melba that blends locally sourced peaches and raspberries into a perfect-for-summer soft-serve ice cream. Organizers also give a nod to the city’s world-famous coffee scene with the AO Frappe, an iced grab-and-go cooler. (“Their coffee is amazing,” Pegula says.)
Another point in the AO’s favor is its prime location, something that differentiates the event from the other majors, which are far from their host-city centers. The Melbourne event is a 20-minute walk along the Yarra River from downtown and top hotels, including the Langham, the Park Hyatt, and the Westin. Last, but not least, are the ticket prices: a grounds pass can be had for as little as $23.
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, Gleneagles, in the Scottish Highlands, and the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa are among the properties that have recently added courts for the game. “I love playing padel myself, and we’ve had many guests asking about it,” says Cristiano Cabutti, the general manager of the hotel. “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.” The Venice property isn’t alone in having a water-view court: Tschuggen Grand Hotel, along Switzerland’s Obersee Lake, has added a floating one.
Clients have been asking to book vacations based around the booming game of pickleball, says travel advisor Linda Scroggins. Lately, she’s sending them to the courts at the Rosewood Bermuda and Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, in Abu Dhabi. At sea, there are now dozens of ships with pickleball, including many operated by Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages. On land, several start-ups are seeking to combine pickleball with a social scene, including Ballers, which opened in Philadelphia this summer, with backing from tennis legend Andre Agassi. “Racquet sports have an incredible way of bringing people together,” Agassi tells T+L. “I’m excited to be a part of Ballers and help more people enjoy racquet sports” he adds. “They’re creating social destinations that go beyond sport, places where locals and travelers connect, compete, and grow together through the game.” To that end, the brand has plans for more locations in 2026.
More Greatest Hits
Hotels are upping their game when it comes to racquet sports. Here are just a few making moves:
- The 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. “These sports have become central to how people unwind,” says Ken Thompson, director of tennis at the property.
- Baha Mar, the Bahamas mega-resort, puts on an annual pro-am tournament, hosted by John McEnroe and Mark Knowles, that often draws big names such as Coco Gauff and Taylor Townsend.
- 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 debuted its Summer Serve program in June, with weeklong intensives in both tennis and pickleball. Clinics led by pros for players of all skill levels were the focus; reflexology and guided stretching were also on the agenda. The beachfront all-inclusive plans to repeat the program next summer.
- And tennis legend Rafael Nadal has partnered with several hotels to open Rafa Nadal Tennis Centers, including the Don Carlos, in Marbella, Spain; the 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.
A version of this story first appeared in the November 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “The Top Tourney Is Down Under.”
