The Williams sisters, Rafael Nadal, Ashleigh Barty, Roger Fereder, Emma Radacanu, Andy Murray … just a few names that are guaranteed draws to any tennis match. The best players in the world fight tooth & nail to win every tournament – but there are a few – the Grand Slams - that they focus on. It is not just the enormous prize money, it is the prestige of winning a Wimbledon, a US Open, an Australian Open or a French Open.
If you are planning a trip to watch the world’s best – what is the finest local hotel to stay in?
The BusinessClass.com tennis calendar for 2022/23 – the Grand Slams and some of the other bigger tournaments:
French Open 2022
Roland-Garros, Paris
16 May – 5 June, 2022
The French Open tournament and venue are named after the French aviator Roland Garros and is regarded as the premier clay court championship in the world. Indeed, this is the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay. Characteristically, a clay surface makes for slower play and a higher bounce of the ball, but the surface is also regarded as the most physically demanding. The tournament centrepiece is the Court Philippe-Chatrier with a fully retractable roof, floodlights and seating for 15,225 spectators. The Court Suzanne Lenglen – named after the former French player is the secondary stadium, hosting up to 10,068 spectators, and Court Simonne Mathieu can hold 5,000 seated spectators. The most celebrated player on this surface is Rafael Nadal, with 13 French Open Grand Slam titles to his name – this is the most titles won at a single event by anyone before.
There are few better places to stay for French Open than The Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. The hotel is located in the city's 8th arrondissement and is just a few minutes' walk from the Champs Élysées and River Seine. Stade Roland Garros is just 30 minutes away by subway, 7 minutes by taxi or an hour by foot. This iconic family-friendly hotel boasts 244 sumptuous rooms and suites, with entry-level guest rooms being some of the largest in the city. Three of the hotel's restaurants share five Michelin stars between them – Le Cinq holding three stars and regarded as one of Paris's finest haute-cuisine dining experiences. Pampering needs are taken care of from the luxury spa and hair salon, an indoor heated pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre provide active guests everything they will need during their stay.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the best hotels in Paris
The Championships, Wimbledon 2022
All England Club, Wimbledon
27 June – 10 July, 2022
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and the 2022 Grand Slam Championships will be the 135th time the competition takes place at this famous venue. Widely regarded as the holy grail of tennis, Wimbledon is the only major still played on a natural grass surface. All competitors abide by a strict all-white dress code, and traditionally, Wimbledon crowds consume strawberries and cream. The Centre Court is possibly the most famous tennis court in the world and used only for the two weeks of the Championships. With a seating capacity of 14,979 and with the addition of a retractable roof, Centre Court also has a premier box, known as the Royal Box, used by members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries. The greats have played many iconic tennis moments in this hallowed arena, with names such as Borg, McEnroe, Navratilova, Becker, Graf, Agassi, Virginia Wade and Andy Murray invoking the magic of this tournament.
Having watched the tennis at the most iconic venue, why not stay at the equally prestigious Dorchester Hotel. The flagship of the Dorchester Collection, The Dorchester, is located opposite Hyde Park on the famous Park Lane and remains one of the most recognisable luxury hotels in London. The hotel offers 250 guest bedrooms and suites, including three roof suites. No two rooms are the same, and luxury features include four-poster beds in many rooms, oversized Italian marble bathrooms and high-end bathroom amenities. The Dorchester offers five of London’s most desired restaurants, with the highly acclaimed Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester possessing three Michelin Stars. The Dorchester Spa offers a wide selection of luxurious treatments, yoga lessons and personal fitness sessions at the gym. Guests can also enjoy the facilities at 45 Park Lane (less than a minute on foot), including an indoor swimming pool and state-of-the-art gym. The hotel is family and pet friendly and fully wheelchair accessible.
Read the full BusinessClass.com expert review and find the best rates for The Dorchester, London
The BusinessClass.com guide to the best hotels in London
US Open 2022
Flushing Meadows, New York
29 August – 11 September, 2022
The US Open is the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, played on 22 outdoor hardcourt surfaces with four “show courts”. The main court is the 23,771-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium which opened in 1997 and is named after the inaugural US Open men’s winner in 1968. The next largest court is the 14,061-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium, followed by the Grandstand and Court 17, which seats 2,800 spectators and is fondly nicknamed “The Pit” partly because the playing surface is sunk 8 feet into the ground. All courts are illuminated, allowing play to continue late into the day. In 2021, the prize money for the US Open was $57,462,000, being the largest in tournament history. Individual winners included Daniil Medvedev, who won his first Major Singles title. And Britain’s Emma Raducanu shocked the tennis world by winning the Women’s Single’s title, having won all three qualifiers and then all seven rounds to the title without dropping a single set.
Stay at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in the most affluent neighbourhood of New York. Just a block away from Central Park and a short walk from Museum Mile, The Carlyle exudes timeless elegance and is as famous as its A-list clientele. Art Deco style blends with contemporary comfort in its 189 rooms and suites, which ooze with class and old-world charm. Some rooms and suites are named after celebrity guests – the Federer Suite on the 16th floor – just one example. Unparalleled among Upper East Side restaurants, The Carlyle’s fine dining establishments set the bar for culinary excellence and impeccable service. From timeless New York favourites to throwback dishes, artistic murals to classic cabaret and jazz performances, there is a special place for everyone here to remember. Guests can relax, rejuvenate and experience some of life’s finest rewards at the salon and fitness centre, and The Valmont Spa provides the ultimate in luxurious pampering.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the best hotels in New York
Eastbourne International 2022
Devonshire Park, England
17 June – 25 June, 2022
Traditionally played in the week leading up to Wimbledon, The Eastbourne International is a WTA 500 women’s event and an ATP 250 men’s tournament. Played at the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, on 13 grass courts, the stadium court hosts a capacity of 8,000 spectators. Tennis has been played at the park since the 1870s and used for Davis Cub ties and the Aegon International event since 1974. Located in the heart of Eastbourne and surrounded by trees and gardens, the town centre and seafront are only minutes away. No events were held at the venue in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, it returned in 2021 with Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko taking the women’s title in straight sets and Australia’s Alex de Minaur winning the men’s title. Previous winners include Novak Djokovic, Monica Seles, and Martina Navratilova.
The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne is the only 5-star luxury hotel in an English seaside town and is affectionately known as ‘The White Palace’. Illustrious former guests include Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Claude Debussy. Located on the prom, the hotel is a minutes’ walk from Eastbourne’s pebble beach and just a five-minute walk to the Victorian Winter Gardens. The hotel offers 152 guest rooms and suites, many of which overlook the sea. Styling recalls the days of a seaside playground for the Victorian rich and famous with the luxury and comfort of modern amenities. The cuisine is stylish, elegant, relaxed and informal from two of Eastbourne’s finest restaurants. The wellness facilities offer the best beauty, fitness and spa treatments, including an indoor and outdoor heated pool.
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Cincinnati Open 2022
Lindner Family Tennis Centre, Mason, Ohio
13 August - 21 August, 2022
The Cincinnati Open, also known as The Cincinnati Masters and Western & Southern Open, is one of the oldest tennis events in America and is still played at its original location. The event venue features four permanent tennis stadia, distinguishing it as the only world tennis venue, apart from the four Grand Slam venues, with more than two permanent stadia. The largest stadium of which is Centre Court, constructed in 1981 and with a capacity of 11,400 spectators. There are 13 other match courts. The tournament is played only a few weeks before the US Open and attracts some of the biggest names in tennis. Previous men’s winners include legends such as Connors, McEnroe, Sampras, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic. Women’s champions include Wade, Sharapova, and Sarena Williams. Last year’s winners were Alexander Zverez and Ashleigh Barty. Downtown Cincinnati is approximately 30 minutes away by car.
The Lytle Park Hotel, Autograph Collection by Marriot Bonvoy in downtown Cincinnati, is a creative collaboration between two historic buildings and Lytle Park nearby. Situated within a classic 1909 building once an enclave for Cincinnati’s elite, the hotel honours its refined roots while providing vibrant and captivating hospitality. Guests will delight at the hotel’s juxtaposition of classic, historical and creative design and flair. Boutique luxury comes from each of the 106 oversized and luxurious guestrooms and suites, many of which offer stunning views of Lytle Park. Fine dining comes from two restaurants, including a sophisticated rooftop restaurant with stunning panoramic views of the city or park. A hotel fitness centre provides cardio equipment and free weights.
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ATP Finals 2022
Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy
13 November – 20 November, 2022
The 2022 ATP finals are the year-end climax to the men’s professional season, featuring only the world’s best eight qualifiers in singles and doubles. Players compete throughout the ATP Tour season for ‘Race To Turin’ points in a bid to reach the coveted final event, played in a round-robin format. Each participant plays three matches as they strive to get to the knock-out semi-final stages of the competition, with the prestigious season’s finale played by the two winning singles and pairs. Turin is the 15th host city of the ATP Finals, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020. The Pala Alpitour is a multi-purpose indoor arena, the largest indoor arena in Italy, initially built for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Serving as a venue for various purposes such as concerts, exhibitions, trade fairs, basketball and ice hockey, the tennis matches are played on hard court surfaces.
Stay in the heart of the historic northern city of Turin and luxuriate in old-world grandeur at the Royal Palace Hotel & Spa. Each guest room and suite are unique, featuring detailed embellished ceilings, intricately inlaid flooring and antique touches. Well-appointed bathrooms are modern and sleek. The hotel has a restaurant and lounge bar, a spa and wellness centre, and a sauna and massage treatments. Located 500 metres from the Nuova tube station and around 1 km from the magnificent Mole Antonelliana Tower, Turin International Airport is 18 km away. The Pala Alpitour is approximately 15 minutes by car and 25 minutes by tube.
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Australian Open 2023
Melbourne, Australia
16 Jan – 29 Jan, 2023
The tennis year kicks off down under at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open 2023. The first of four Gram Slam events, the Australian Open has become one of the biggest sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere and is affectionately nicknamed "the happy slam". The Rod Laver Arena is the tournament's centrepiece court with a seated capacity of 14,820 spectators and a retractable roof. There are three other sizeable arenas, two show courts and fourteen outer courts, making this tournament second only to the US Open for attendance capacity. Second-time tournament winner Rafael Nadal won the 2022 Men's Singles title. In doing so, Nadal surpassed Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for the most men's singles major titles of all time. Australia's own Ashleigh Barty took the women's honours for her first Australian Open crown and her third Grand Slam victory to date.
Stay at The Windsor Melbourne, a much-loved grand hotel established in 1883, combining classic beauty and architecture of the Victorian age with the graciousness of that bygone era. In 1923, the hotel was renamed 'The Windsor' following a luncheon attended by his Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. The hotel's location is just a short walk from the East End theatre district, luxury boutiques, Chinatown and beautiful Treasury, Fitzroy and Carlton Gardens. Featuring 180 classically appointed rooms and suites, the Windsor's Royal Suite is a step into Melbourne's past and has hosted an array of royalty, celebrities and distinguished guests. Dining at The Windsor is diverse and ever-changing, ranging from traditional Afternoon Tea and casual pub dining to modern Southeast Asian cuisine.
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