The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Game, Set, Match, Maldives: Grand Slammers' haven for training and R&R

Rabeeha Amir
22 January 2023, MVT 09:49
Alexander Zverev at JOALI BEING, Maldives PHOTO: VISIT MALDIVES
Rabeeha Amir
22 January 2023, MVT 09:49

One of the four Grand Slam tennis competitions, the Australian Open is contested yearly in Melbourne, Australia. Men's and women's singles, men's, women's, and mixed doubles, wheelchair, legends, and exhibition events are all included in the two-week-long tournament which kickstarted on 16th January.

In the history of the competition, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Margaret Court are a few of the most successful competitors. The competition is renowned for its hot temperatures and hard courts, which can make for difficult gameplay. The fact that the Australian Open is the first Grand Slam event of the year adds to its significance.

The anticipation is high of who will jet into the Maldives after the Australian Open. Tennis players frequently travel to the Maldives because of its combination of stunning beaches, pleasant climate, and courts at resorts. During the off-season, a lot of professional athletes come to the Maldives to train and get ready for forthcoming competitions or unwind after a tournament. Notable players who have visited the Maldives include Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova.

In 2018, stars who visited the Maldives include Roger Federer and Marin Cilic, who practised together in a resort before the Australian Open that year. This marked the first time that two top-ranked players of their calibre had practised together in the Maldives. Last year, German tennis star Alexander Zverev, who is currently ranked 13th in the world, was at JOALI BEING as part of his recovery after he suffered a serious ankle ligament tear in a match against Rafael Nadal at the Roland-Garros French Open that year.

Alexander Zverev at JOALI BEING, Maldives. PHOTO: VISIT MALDIVES

The Maldives Tennis Federation has worked diligently to promote tennis in the nation, with the assistance of the government. The ATP Challenger Tour event Maldives Open and the Maldives International Junior Tennis Championship, among others, have both been held in the Maldives. Tennis players from all over the world travel to the Maldives to take advantage of the fantastic training options and to enjoy the tropical paradise.

International tennis stars visiting the Maldives often choose to stay at high-end resorts that feature top-notch amenities and services, including on-site tennis courts. Resorts such as Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, Cheval Blanc, One and Only Reethi Rah, LUX* Resorts and Hotels, Soneva Fushi, and Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas are among the most sought-after by tennis players, known for their luxurious accommodations and exceptional service, providing a perfect environment for both relaxation and training. LUX Tennis held tennis events with famous players in Maldives resorts starting 2022, offering private lessons, group clinics, and meet and greets for all skill levels. Guests also had the opportunity for additional lessons with LUX Tennis professionals.

Novac Djokovic in Maldives PHOTO: INSTAGRAM

The Maldives has become a popular destination for professional athletes, with its combination of stunning beaches, pleasant climate, and courts at top-end resorts. The warm weather and beautiful beaches provide a great environment for players to practise and improve their skills. Eyes are on the Maldives as the Australian Open draws to a close, with international tennis stars anticipated to visit the island nation for both training and relaxation.

MORE ON SPORTS