A new, queer, tennis vacation and other ways to connect with players worldwide

Open Court Escapes is a new LGBTQ+ tennis coaching vacation planned for Lake Garda in Northern Italy next summer. Attendees can expect a week of red clay tennis and coaching, just 400 meters from the stunning lake, from June 6 to 13, 2027.

The week is aimed at LGBTQ+ players and allies at all levels. Players train each morning in groups of four based on ability, before having the courts to themselves in the afternoons. The week will culminate in a doubles tournament.

Besides the tennis action, there will be three-course dinners in the evenings, quizzes and games night, plus the lake to explore. Accommodation will be in a four-star clifftop resort with a pool and spa.

Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure

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However, be quick to register your interest. Places are limited to 20 players, plus their non-playing partners and friends. Those who enter their details on to the priority interest list will be the first to be offered places when they become available on Nov. 10, 2026. Booking then opens to everyone on Nov. 12.

Attiq Sadiq, a GLTA tournament player based in Madrid, founded Open Court Escapes. He’s previously organized tennis weeks for friends in Mallorca and Lake Garda, and has now decided to open the opportunity up to the wider public.

“A week at a tennis camp with my club changed how I spend my time in the community: tennis every morning, dinner together every night, and nobody toning anything down. I want more LGBTQ+ players to have that week, especially people who’ve never felt that sport was for them. Lake Garda is just the start.”

Prices start at €1,400 ($1,562) per person for seven nights in a shared apartment, including half board and the full coaching programme. Non-player companions pay $1,000.

Other LGBTQ tennis escapes worldwide

Open Court Escapes is a rare LGBTQ+ tennis coaching vacation. However, if you wish to travel and connect with other queer tennis players, check out the website for the GLTA (formerly known as the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance but now known as Pride Tennis Worldwide).

Launched way back in 1991, it’s a global LGBT sports organization that endorses amateur, queer tennis tournaments all over the world. It supports over 100 amateur tournaments across 35 countries. These are competitive weekends rather than coached holidays, but they usually come with social events, and many are open to players of varying abilities.

From these dozens of competitions, the GLTA has eight premier events, aimed at more advanced or experienced players.

For 2027, these are as follows.

• Perth Lawn Tennis Championships – Perth, Australia (December 31, 2026-January 3, 2027)
• Clay Court Classic – Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA (February 11-16, 2027)
• Brisbane Open – Brisbane, Australia (June 2027)
• United States Gay Open – San Francisco, California, USA (June 19-21, 2027)
• Poznan Summer Vibes – Poznan, Poland (June 25-27, 2027)
• Madrid Tennis Open – Madrid, Spain (July 23-25, 2027)
• Tallinn Colour Games – Tallinn, Estonia (August 2027)
• The Peach International Tennis Championships – Atlanta, Georgia, USA (September 4-6, 2027)

Sin City Classic – January 14-18, 2027

One of the events sanctioned by GLTA is the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas. This is one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ sporting festivals. It routinely attracts around 10,000 participants to compete in a range of sports. Tennis is one of the most popular. The 2027 event takes place from January 14-18, and you can sign up with a partner or solo (there are singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions split into age categories). Registration is now open at sincityclassic.org.

Eurogames in Cardiff – July 14-16, 2027

EuroGames is the largest multi-sport event for LGBTIQ+ athletes and allies in Europe. For the first time in its history, it’s heading to the UK, and tennis is one of the sports.

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