What is the Best Tennis Court on Lake Como?
Lake Como has a long history of luxury travel, centuries in fact. And that means a constant flow of the world’s most fabulous people to our shores. They brought with them groundbreaking fashion trends and cosmopolitan customs—and the whole world was watching. Our beloved lake became a destination where the glitterati not only went to “see and be seen”, but also to “play and watch other people play” the games of the rich and famous. Whether it was fashion, aviation or hotels with tennis facilities, Lake Como has always been at the cutting edge of travel trends. And we have always found creative ways to keep luxury travelers coming back, generation after generation.
Just imagine the excitement when “Lisztomania” came to Lake Como. Hungarian composer Franz Liszt with his scandalous love affair and theatrical recitals in flamboyant outfits (complete with a sword at his side) put Bellagio on the map in 1837. Then there was Caroline of Brunswick, who held court on Lake Como in the early 19th century after her husband, the future King George IV, effectively banished her. A fashion icon of her time, Caroline’s elaborate feathered headdresses were featured in all the newspapers, and ladies across Europe tried to match her style. Fast forward to today, and prominent people like Clooney and his A-list friends are setting 21st century trends on Lake Como.
Lake Como also played host to extravagant spectacles you couldn’t see anywhere else. Seaplane competitions like the 1913 Gran Circuito dei Laghi had well-heeled spectators holding onto their hats, eventually leading to the establishment of Aero Club Como in 1930. The club still offers flying lessons as well as “flightseeing” adventures today. Powerboating is another signature Lake Como attraction, whether it is a pleasure trip aboard our fleet of lake cruisers or the endurance race known as Centomiglia del Lario. How things have changed at this adrenaline-fueled event: The winner at the first race in 1949 averaged 66 kilometers per hour, while last year’s winner completed the 100-mile circuit in under 45 minutes.
But the jet-setters of the early 20th century didn’t just travel to Lake Como to watch luxury sports in action—they also wanted to practice the elite pastimes they enjoyed at home. For the upper crust, sports such as golf and tennis were more of a lifestyle than just a game. Their rituals and customs, from all-white outfits to buying everyone a round after a hole in one, became a sort of lingua franca understood by luxury travelers from across the world.
The Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club is the second oldest club in Italy, originally founded by four English “Italophiles” and their banker in 1907. Beloved among five-star travelers still today, this hilly course isn’t easy, but you can always blame the views if you don’t hit par—and swallow your pride along with a meal at the panoramic restaurant.
Tennis was also gaining popularity at the turn of the 20th century—thanks in part to the exciting performances and larger-than-life personalities of players like Suzanne Lenglen. Tennis facilities started appearing in Europe’s grandest hotels, on the Lido in Venice and the Riviera in Monte Carlo or in St. Moritz at the first indoor tennis hall. Our sister property Grand Hotel Tremezzo had a grass tennis court as early as 1910, a notable pioneer in the region—predating the first tennis club in Como by 20 years. That club, simply named “Tennis Como”, is still going strong today, training the next generation of Italian stars and hosting the annual ATP Challenger Città di Como tournament.
Tennis Como is located on the grounds of Villa Olmo, a neoclassical mansion built in the early 19th century and located directly on the lake just north of Como Town. Visitors don’t have to be members of the club to book one of the five tennis courts directly on Lake Como; all you need to do is register on their website to book a court. And thanks to the bubble covers on three of the courts, play continues right through the winter.
But why tear yourself away from our estate when Passalacqua has one of the best tennis courts on Lake Como? With one of the most geographically privileged locations on the lake, our clay court sits on the lowest level of our terraced gardens, flanked by towering trees and verdant shrubs. Insiders call it the “infinity court”, as it hangs out over the water with the lake almost lapping at your feet. This beautifully maintained court brings all the action you expect from modern clay surfaces, but with this panorama, you might just call it “love all” and focus on the Lake Como views from the tennis court. Post-match refreshments are best enjoyed poolside in the Winter Garden. Immersed in the vibrant interiors courtesy of LaDoubleJ, even the simplest refreshments give you a new lease on life.
Over at our sister property, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, guests play on a clay tennis court rather than the grass court of yesteryear. This open-air court sits on a terrace just above the Flowers Pool, surrounded by fragrant jasmine vines. Our clever gardeners keep the vines pruned in a wave-like pattern to afford glimpses of Lake Como’s shimmering waters and the mountains beyond. After a match, you can cool off in the pool or re-fuel at T Pizza, where the menu includes classic Club Sandwiches, a range of signature smoothies and salads as well as the Neapolitan-style pizzas everybody keeps raving about.
Wherever you choose to raise your racket, playing tennis is yet another Lake Como tradition that enjoys a fascinating history. Every match you play puts you in a long line of luxury travelers to Lake Como who have made this place what it is today.
