La Manga Club Official Blog for La Manga Resort in Murcia, Spain with Golf Holidays, 5 star hotel, tennis breaks, Spa La Manga Club

Davis Cup duo target top eight place with help of La Manga Club

April 20th, 2012

Great Britain Davis Cup doubles stars Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins have high hopes of success this summer and warmed up for their clay court season by fine-tuning their game at Spain’s prestigious La Manga Club resort last week.

Fleming and Hutchins spent last week putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the clay court season under the watchful eye of coach Louis Cayer and ex-British Davis Cup team manager Paul Hutchins.

The pair, who are currently ranked in the ATP Tour doubles top ten, took full advantage of La Manga Club’s extensive tennis facilities while they also treated the resort’s guests to an exhibition match during their five-day stay.

Fleming and Hutchins are bidding for their best ever result at next month’s French Open after reaching the Wimbledon and the US Open quarter-finals last year, while they are hoping their intensive training at La Manga Club can help them achieve their aim of qualifying for the ATP Tour Final at London’s O2 in November.

Hutchins said: “We have targeted this year to make the O2 finals in London and with a good summer we should put ourselves in the running for the top eight.

“Colin and I have never played a clay court match together so it is exciting and the tournaments coming up will be a challenge and we aim to play well and to our strengths on the clay.

“I have been a fan of La Manga Club since I first came 20 years ago. The courts and the training facilities are outstanding to go with the tremendous atmosphere and weather.  We needed a good place to prepare us for Monte Carlo and this has been perfect.”

Fleming and Hutchins are the latest British stars to make use of La Manga Club’s first-class tennis facilities after women’s number one Elena Baltacha spent a fortnight working on her clay court game there at the end of last month.

As well as using its 28-court tennis centre, the duo also took full advantage of the resort’s exemplary leisure offerings off the court including its swimming pools, gym and spa.

La Manga Club is one of Europe’s leading tennis destinations with its courts providing a variety of surfaces on which to play. It has previously been the venue for various high-profile competitions, including Davis Cup and Fed Cup matches, and has been used by the likes of Andy Murray and Tim Henman as a warm-weather training base. It is also an official partner of Tennis Europe.

And tennis lovers can enjoy the same facilities as the professionals and improve their game in the sun thanks to the resort’s Best Tennis & More packages.

The venue is offering fantastic discount breaks throughout the whole of 2012, with accommodation and daily tuition from the popular tennis academy’s expert coaches available from just €82,50 per person per night.

Useful links:

About Tennis at La Manga Club >>

Book tennis holidays at La Manga Club >>

Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming after their exhibition match with the La Manga Club Pros

Colin in action

Colin, Ross and coach Louis

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Tennis: GB Davis Cup players train at La Manga Club

April 10th, 2012

We’d like to wish a very warm welcome to Britain’s Davis Cup doubles duo Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming who are training at La Manga Club Tennis Centre this week.

You can see them in action on Wednesday 11th April: On court with the adult academy in the morning, training from 11am to 2pm and in an exhibition match at 7pm. Please note the change in day for the exhibition match –  from Friday to Wednesday – our apologies for any inconvenience.

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Tennis: More pictures of Elena Baltacha’s training block at La Manga Club

April 9th, 2012

Britain’s No. 1 women’s tennis player, Elena Baltacha has posted some more great photos on her Facebook page of the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis (EBAT)  March/April training block at La Manga Club.  This academy is fully funded only by Elena Baltacha and AMS Sport Management who invest in the development of Britain’s elite players.

Talking about her training at La Manga Club, “Bally” comments: “This has been an awesome training block in La Manga Club. Great facilities and the perfect place to get ready for the clay – especially as I heard it was snowing in the UK!!”

We’d like to wish “Bally” all the best with the coming clay court season and also to all the junior tennis players she coaches. It’s been a pleasure to have you here in La Manga Club.

Below are just a couple of the photos. There are loads more on the EBAT Facebook page.

For more information about tennis training or tennis holidays at La Manga Club in Spain, visit www.tennis.lamangaclub.com

Don’t forget you can also follow the latest La Manga Club tennis news and events on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/lamangaclub.tennis

You can also contact La Manga Club Tennis Centre on +34 968 17 5000 or academyoftennis@lamangaclub.com

Last, but certainly not least, this week it’s the turn of British Davis Cup players Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, fresh from their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas doubles win against Belgium. You can see Colin and Ross in action this Friday (13th April) in the exhibition match at La Manga Club Tennis Centre.

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Tennis training season hots up at La Manga Club

March 31st, 2012

Famous names at La Manga Club over the last week or so include British No.1 Elena Baltacha, and Jo Durie and Alan Jones with their players from the JTCF (Junior Tennis Coaching Foundation). “Bally” will still be here next week and playing in an exhibition match on Friday evening, 6th April at 7pm. 

Following hot on her heels will be British Davis Cup players Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming. But more about that visit later.

Here’s Jo Durie and Alan Jones with their players from the JTCF (Junior Tennis Coaching Foundation) based out of the Virgin Active Riverside Club, Chiswick:

And here’s one the pictures Elena has posted on her facebook page

You can see the rest of the album here >>

Watch this space for more exciting tennis news!

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Tennis: British No. 1 Elena Baltacha returns to train at La Manga Club

March 27th, 2012

British Number 1 tennis player Elena Baltacha is back at La Manga Club for the next couple of weeks training for the clay court season ahead. While she’s here, she’ll be taking some time out to spend time with participants in some of the Tennis Academies at the resort in Spain, as well as starring in two of the regular weekly Exhibition Matches at La Manga Club Tennis Centre.

For those of you on resort during Baltacha’s visit, you can also come along and watch her training on the exhibition court from the Tie Break Café terrace – enjoy lunch in the sun and watch a world class player train. For details of training times, please check with Tennis Reception.  

Here are some of the highlights of her visit:

Thursday 29th March + Thursday 5th April: Doubles demonstration and Q & A with the Adult Tennis Academy from 10.00-10.30 hrs

Friday 30th March + Friday 6th April: Exhibition match from 19.00-20.00 hrs 

Elena has recently been named one of four top British Tennis Players selected to be an Olympic Torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. Speaking about her selection, Britain’s No.1 Elena Baltcaha said: “This is such an amazing honour that it’s hard to put it into words. The Olympic Torch is a unique symbol, not just for athletes but for everybody who is part of London 2012. I’m going to feel so, so proud to have the torch in my hand and to help it make its journey around Britain. Making the GB Olympic tennis team is a massive goal for me this year and I’m sure the other British girls feel the same. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that I qualify.”

Useful links:

Tennis academies at La Manga Club >>

British tennis players and volunteers confirmed as Olympic Torchbearers (article on the LTA website) >> 

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New tennis events and tournaments at La Manga Club

March 16th, 2012

In his second guest blog, James Rose, Director of Tennis Coaching at La Manga Club gives us a preview of some of the exciting new tournaments and events for 2012 at La Manga Club Tennis Centre.

Over to James:  

We are proud to announce some fantastic new events to our calendar this year in addition to our existing ones. There is something for everyone and, even if you can’t take part, why not come down and watch some great tennis:

June 9th-16th:  Spanish National Seniors Championships (Over 35 +).

July 3rd – 7th: La Manga Club Cup - a LTA Grade 3 Tournament – All ages from 10U green ball to seniors.  Everyone is welcome to come and take part. Find out more >>

September:  European Senior Club Championships

December 3rd-8th:  Murcia Open – an ITF seniors event, now uprated to Category 2.

Keep watching this space for more news or follow us on the new La Manga Club Tennis Facebook page.

Look forward to seeing you all.

James

Useful links:

Tennis holidays at La Manga Club >>
More about Tennis in Spain at La Manga Club >>

You can also contact La Manga Club Tennis Centre on +34 968 17 5000 or academyoftennis@lamangaclub.com

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What’s hot at La Manga Club Tennis Centre in 2012

February 16th, 2012

In the first of a series of guest blogs, James Rose, Director of Tennis Coaching at La Manga Club, gives us an overview of what’s in store at La Manga Club Tennis Centre for 2012.

Over to James: 

After an amazing Australian Open final between the two warriors Djokovic and Rafa, and an intriguing period in women’s tennis with 5 players all fighting for the number 1 spot it is going to be exciting year ahead. We have the French Open, Wimbledon and 2012 London Olympics – with the tennis being held at Wimbledon – all to look forward to.  And there’s no better time to practice your skills before the summer action starts than here at La Manga Club.

Easter is around the corner and this year has a real internationa flavour with players, academies and clubs visiting us from Scandinavia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Spain and the UK and Ireland. This creates a unique and special atmosphere at La Manga Club and provides an ideal opportunity to meet new players, friends and to experience different playing styles and techniques.

If you fancy trying tennis for the first time or improving your clay-court skills, our famous Adult Academy, Junior Academy and Pro Academy will all be running over Easter and throughout high season. As ever, we have a very strong professional coaching team who understand the important balance of delivering excellent tennis knowledge in a fun and motivational environment. With all lessons, private and group coaching sessions, the tennis professional will recognise the level, ability and the players’ requirements and deliver an appropriate session/programme.

The majority of our academies and events run from 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00 Monday –Friday. Our tennis professionals are also available for individual coaching 7 days per week. You can find out more about our coaching programme on the official La Manga Club website.

If you live in La Manga Club, be sure to join in our special  La Manga Club OWNER’S WEEK academy (starts 12th March) with 50% off the adult academy programme (10 hours) for property owners on resort.

We’ve also got some exciting new events coming up with our sponsorship partners Babolat: watch out for racket testing days and demos throughout tennis season.

For non tennis players, why not come down and enjoy the atmosphere, watch some great tennis, be entertained with the daily afternoon Adult tournaments or just sit back, relax with a drink and enjoy the spring sun on the Tie Break terrace!

Don’t forget, Friday night is Exhibition night (held on the Exhibition court outside the tennis centre), the La Manga Club professionals and often celebrities will make sure you are entertained!

Here are some of the exhibition matches already planned for the coming weeks*:

March 30th and April 6th – Featuring British No. 1, Elena Baltacha
April 13th – Featuring British Davis Cup players, Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming

Look forward to seeing you soon!

James Rose

* Please note that matches are subject to player availability and may change at short notice.

Useful links:

Tennis holidays at La Manga Club >>
More about Tennis in Spain at La Manga Club >>

You can also contact La Manga Club Tennis Centre on +34 968 17 5000 or academyoftennis@lamangaclub.com

Here's James on court last year with Elena Baltacha

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Tennis: La Manga Club to host the Spanish National Seniors Championship

January 31st, 2012

From 9th to 16th June, La Manga Club Tennis Centre in Murcia, Spain, will be playing host to the Spanish National Seniors Championship, with men’s and ladies’ singles and doubles competitions in the 35+ to 85+ categories. Inscriptions close on 22nd May and the tournament draw takes place on 29th May.

More about tennis at La Manga Club >>

Pictured below: La Manga Club’s 28-court tennis centre, where the Spanish National Seniors Championship will be played

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Tennis: Elena Baltacha practises with La Manga Club hitting partner

January 18th, 2012

In her column on BBC Sport, British Number 1 tennis player, Elena Baltacha, comments on how she flew in a very experienced hitting partner from La Manga Club in Spain to hit full out and really push her in her pre-season training. You can read the full article on BBC Sport here >>

On behalf of everyone at La Manga Club we’d like to wish Elena Baltacha a very successful 2012!

In 2011 – the best season in her career - Baltacha spent part of her clay court preparation training at La Manga Club.  To find out more, click on the link below  or watch her video on YouTube.

British No 1 Tennis Player trains at La Manga Club

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Belgian Elite Tennis Squad

January 12th, 2012

The Belgian Elite Tennis Squad (Davis Cup team) visited La Manga Club resort in Spain for the second year running in December, in order to prepare for the Australian Open. 

Commenting on their stay at La Manga Club, Captain of the Belgian Davis Cup Team, Johan Van Herck, said, “La Manga Club is the ideal place to practice at a high level. All the facilities needed for professional training are available and ready to be used by who ever needs it… This combined with perfect accommodation and dining arrangements makes it a perfect place to get ready to create top performances.”

For our part, well done to Yannick Mertens and David Goffin on winning their 1st qualifying round matches and the very best of luck to the whole team!

In the photo:

Front, left to right: Yannick Reuter; Steve Darcis; David Goffin; Germain Gigounon; Patrick Meur; Réginald Willems. Back, left to right): James Rose (La Manga Club Director of Tennis Coaching); Thierry Van Cleemput; Olivier Rochus; Chris Mertens; Arthur De Greef; Joris De Loore; Ruben Bemelmans; Yannick Mertens; Johan Van Herck; Kevin (team physio); Lorenzo Martínez (La Manga Club Director of Tennis & Leisure)

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