Tennis Spa Breaks: Mens Sana In Corpore Sano

Are you inspired by the Wimbledon fortnight? If you watch the pristine tennis whites and the army of line judges and ball boys and girls and wish you could improve your tennis, then maybe a tennis course at a dedicated spa is the holiday for you.

We all know that the athleticism on show at Wimbledon is far beyond most of us. Who can compete with the youth and fitness of Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, or the Williams sisters? However, we can all improve our game, no matter what our level, and the UK is rich in municipal tennis courts which are easily accessible to most.

If you want to hone those backhands and develop a killer volley, then the best - and one of the most enjoyable - ways to do so is through an intensive course. No amount of weekly or monthly lessons can compare to a few days, or even a fortnight, being tutored by experts in a centre which has all the facilities you need on hand. The advantages of a tennis holiday at a specialist spa are several: you get the tuition you need, from experts; and at the end of the day when you want to indulge with a massage or a beauty treatment, the spa can supply those too. Having so many amenities on tap means you get the holiday you want, and with minimum hassle - the spa staff are there to ensure that your needs are catered to.

There is one other huge advantage to this type of spa break. We all know that health and fitness is the key to longevity, but the role of social interaction in wellbeing is becoming more and more prominent. Essentially, loneliness reduces our day-to-day happiness, and over the longer term it is thought that it contributes to a reduced life expectancy. Tennis has always been a social sport - witness the popularity of doubles matches at club level - and this softer benefit should not be overlooked. Whilst your focus may be technique and fitness, tennis also takes care of your mind. The advantage of a tennis break at a spa is that you will spend your time surrounded by like-minded people, helping you make friends without pressure. And, if you have a family, everyone can join in. Tennis is a hugely family-friendly sport, with many spas running courses for children; and what works for adults works for children too. All the intangible benefits which tennis brings - such as discipline, the ability to work in a team, and fitness - apply to children and teenagers.

Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel and Spa is located amongst glorious landscaped gardens in the heart of west Sussex.

Offering an unrivalled lifestyle membership, Wickwoods has undergone million of pounds worth of investment over the last couple of years.