Where to play tennis on the Costa Blanca: courts, clubs and the Ferrero Academy

There are three easy ways to play tennis on the Costa Blanca, whatever your level: rent a municipal court for a few euros an hour, join a club, or sign up at a tennis school (yours or your kids'). And the province has a rare bragging right: one of the best tennis academies in the world sits just inland.

Here is how the local scene breaks down:

• Municipal courts: booked online at your local polideportivo for roughly 4 to 10 euros an hour. Unbeatable for a knockabout with friends.
• Clubs: from classic members' clubs to very accessible pay-as-you-go venues, with coaching and clay courts.
• Schools: municipal or club-run, taking children from age 4 or 5 all the way up.

The Ferrero Academy, a world-class asset on your doorstep

Inland at Villena, the JC Ferrero-Equelite Sport Academy is an international reference point in the sport. It has produced champions including Juan Carlos Ferrero and, more recently, Carlos Alcaraz. The coaching is top level, and the academy runs a "Summer Stage" camp for young players aged 8 to 16, open from late May to late August.

Your child does not need to be chasing the pro tour to go: a stint there is a memorable experience in itself, and a taste of how a serious tennis programme works.

Playing without joining a club

You do not need a membership to get on court. Most towns have municipal courts you can book online, at public rates of roughly 4 to 10 euros an hour depending on the facility. That is the cheapest way to play a match with friends.

One tip: book a few days ahead for evening and weekend slots, because that is when everyone else wants to play too.

Clubs to improve your game

Every major coastal town has tennis clubs, from Alicante and Elche to Denia, Benidorm and Torrevieja. They often have clay courts, schools for all levels and private lessons that are easy to slot into your week. Expect a club-house atmosphere, with either membership or pay-as-you-go depending on the venue.

Many clubs happily welcome adult beginners, and you will find plenty of fellow expats already there. The simplest move is to contact your nearest club and ask what they offer.

Getting the kids into tennis

There are two main routes for children:

• Municipal sports schools: these often include tennis in their children's programmes (ages 4 to 18), with sign-ups in spring and modest fees.
• Club schools: structured by level from mini-tennis to advanced, with the flexibility of a centre that runs all day.

Either way, the tennis year follows the school calendar, September to June, and autumn places are usually booked before the summer, so plan ahead.

What it costs

For casual play, budget 4 to 10 euros an hour on municipal courts, and a bit more for pay-as-you-go at private clubs. For a child at a tennis school, typical fees run from a few tens of euros a month for municipal or neighbourhood programmes up to significantly more at the big clubs, depending on how many hours a week they play.

Equipment is usually loaned at first, so there is no need to buy a carbon racket before you know whether it clicks.

And padel?

Impossible to ignore: padel has become THE Spanish social sport, and many expats make their first local friends on the padel court. Most clubs and polideportivos have padel courts, and apps like Playtomic help you find partners at your level in a couple of clicks. Think tennis for the technique, padel for the crowd: the two combine very well.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can a child start?

From 4 or 5 in mini-tennis, with a short racket, foam balls and smaller courts. Proper technique tends to arrive around age 7 or 8.

How do I book a municipal court?

Online, through your town's sports portal: pick the facility and time slot, pay the public rate, then turn up with your booking confirmation.

Clay or hard court?

Clay often dominates at clubs, a legacy of classic Spanish tennis, while municipal courts are more often hard courts. Bring the right footwear if you switch between the two.

I'm a complete beginner, will an adult school take me?

Yes. Club schools run adult beginner groups, usually full of expats, and nobody will judge your backhand.

Sources

• JC Ferrero-Equelite Sport Academy (Villena)
• Federación de Tenis de la Comunidad Valenciana

Information verified in July 2026. Prices and schedules change every season: check with the facility before booking. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human editorial review and responsibility.