A new LGBTQ+ tennis holiday in Lake Garda pairs morning coaching with relaxed afternoons, shared dinners and a doubles tournament. Open Court Escapes is planned for 6-13 June 2027, with a small group of players and companions at a clifftop resort. For queer players and allies, it offers a sociable alternative to a standard tennis break.

Essential Takeaways

  • A week on court: Open Court Escapes is scheduled for 6-13 June 2027 in Lake Garda, with red-clay coaching each morning and a doubles tournament at the end. [3]
  • All levels welcome: Players are grouped by ability, with coaching groups of four and free court time in the afternoons. [3]
  • Room for a small group: The planned trip is limited to 20 players, with non-playing partners and friends also welcome. [3]
  • More than tennis: The programme includes half-board accommodation, shared dinners and social activities at a four-star resort with a pool and spa. [3]
  • Other ways to play: LGBTQ+ tennis events range from GLTA tournaments around the world to multi-sport gatherings such as EuroGames. [5], [8]

Lake Garda brings a fresh spin to the tennis holiday

There’s something appealing about a holiday where the day starts with a satisfying thwack of tennis balls and ends beside a lake. Open Court Escapes is planning a week of LGBTQ+ tennis coaching at Lake Garda in Northern Italy, with courts around 400 metres from the water and a clifftop resort as its base. [3]

The trip is set for 6-13 June 2027 and is designed for LGBTQ+ players and allies, from beginners to more experienced hitters. Coaching takes place in the mornings, with players placed in groups of four by ability; afternoons are left open for more court time or a slower pace. [3]

The itinerary makes space for connection

The tennis week has a deliberately social rhythm. Three-course dinners, quizzes and games are planned alongside the coaching, while the final doubles tournament gives the group a friendly focus at the end of the week. [3]

Open Court Escapes was founded by Attiq Sadiq, a Madrid-based GLTA tournament player who had previously organised tennis weeks for friends. The new trip opens that idea to a wider group, with the aim of making a sport that can feel intimidating more welcoming. [2], [3]

What the Lake Garda tennis break costs

Prices start at €1,400 per person for seven nights in a shared apartment, including half board and the coaching programme. Non-playing companions are also welcome, at a listed price of $1,000. [2], [3]

Places are limited to 20 players, with companions and friends able to join too. Open Court Escapes says people on its priority interest list are due to receive the first offers when places become available on 10 November 2026, before general booking opens on 12 November. As with any future trip, it’s sensible to check the organiser’s website for current prices, availability and booking terms before making plans. [2], [3]

Prefer a tournament to a coached holiday?

A tennis retreat isn’t the only way to meet queer players abroad. The GLTA supports amateur LGBTQ+ tennis tournaments internationally, and its world tour calendar lists events for players looking for a more competition-focused weekend, often with a social side too. [4], [5]

For a larger sporting gathering, the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas includes tennis among its competitions and welcomes solo entrants as well as partners. EuroGames, meanwhile, is a multi-sport event for LGBTIQ+ athletes and allies, with tennis among the sports on its programme. [6], [8]

Choose your trip by the kind of tennis you want

If you’re weighing up a coached holiday against a tournament, think about what you’d enjoy most: structured practice, match play, or simply having an easy way to meet other players. A retreat can suit anyone who wants coaching and downtime in the same week; a tournament may be a better fit if competition is the main draw. [3], [5]

It’s also worth checking the current event calendar, entry requirements and accommodation arrangements before booking. Tournament dates and programmes can change, and the right choice is the one that leaves you excited to pack your racquet, rather than fretting over your schedule. [5], [6], [8]

A week of tennis feels even better when the company is as welcoming as the setting.

Source Reference Map

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