Where Legends Train: Tennis at Puente Romano in Marbella
Tucked into the sun-drenched Costa del Sol, the Puente Romano Tennis Club sits as one of Southern Europe's most storied sporting addresses. Located within the Puente Romano Beach Resort on Marbella's prestigious Golden Mile, this club has hosted everyone from Boris Becker and John McEnroe to Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray—and now welcomes players of every level who want to swing a racket where champions have trained.
The club's pedigree runs deep. Founded in 1979, it was established as a professional-standard facility that would become a cornerstone of Marbella's sporting identity. Over the decades, it has hosted Davis Cup, ATP, and WTA tournaments, transforming its central court—which seats 2,500 spectators—into a stage not just for tennis but for cultural events featuring performers like George Benson and Lionel Richie. Walk onto these grounds today, and you're walking into history.
The Courts and Facilities
The club's infrastructure reflects its elite standing without sacrificing accessibility. You'll find eight clay courts, two plexipave (hard) courts, and four padel courts, totaling fourteen playing surfaces that cater to traditional tennis players, padel enthusiasts, and everyone in between. All courts are floodlit, meaning you can play well into the evening—a practical advantage during Marbella's warm but sometimes intense summer months.
Beyond the courts themselves, the experience is holistic. The club operates a fully equipped gym featuring the latest ARTIS Technogym machinery, massage rooms, saunas, and Turkish baths. There's a restaurant and café on-site with Mediterranean views, a pro-shop for last-minute equipment needs, and direct access to the broader Puente Romano Beach Resort's amenities, including multiple pools and water sports.
The central clay courts, in particular, carry a professional sheen. These are the surfaces where serious players hone their craft, yet they remain open to club members and visitors of all abilities.
How to Play Here
The club operates daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, making it accessible whether you're an early riser or prefer evening play when the Marbella heat subsides. Court bookings are structured around 50-minute sessions, with overtime fees applying if you run long.
For those unfamiliar with Spanish club culture, booking typically requires membership or guest privileges through the resort. The Puente Romano Beach Resort guests enjoy access to the courts, but day-use or non-resident play arrangements should be confirmed directly with the club at +34 952 82 61 03 or through their website. Specific pricing for court time isn't published online, so a phone call remains the most straightforward path to understanding current rates and availability.
Dress code matters here. Smart sportswear is required—no cut-offs or improper tops—and the club enforces a no-smoking, no-pets, no-outside-food-or-drink policy to maintain its professional atmosphere. It's the kind of place where standards exist not to intimidate but to preserve the experience for everyone.
Coaching and Training
If you're serious about improving your game, the club's academy structure is robust. The Junior Training Academy focuses on developing young talent through technique-based coaching, video analysis, and small-group sessions of four to six players. For adults, the club offers private lessons, group classes, and specialized programs like cardio tennis and round-robin tournaments.
All coaches are certified by the Real Federación Española de Tenis (RFET) and the Spanish National Tennis Mastery School, and many are fluent in English, Spanish, German, and Russian. Several instructors are former ATP and WTA professionals, bringing credibility and high-level insight to players at intermediate and advanced levels.
Beginners shouldn't feel out of place. The club explicitly caters to newcomers through initiation-level classes and mini tennis programs designed to build fundamentals in a supportive environment.
The Neighborhood and Getting There
The club sits within the Puente Romano Beach Resort, itself an iconic Marbella landmark on the Golden Mile—the stretch of coastline synonymous with Mediterranean luxury. The immediate surroundings are manicured gardens, upscale dining, and beachfront access. Parking is available on-site, and the resort's infrastructure is designed to accommodate both day visitors and overnight guests.
Marbella's broader town center lies a short drive away, offering additional restaurants, cafés, and services. The nearest airport is Málaga-Costa del Sol, approximately 50 kilometers north, making it accessible for both weekend visitors and longer stays. Public transportation exists but is limited; most visitors either drive or arrange transfers through the resort.
The climate is a genuine advantage. Marbella enjoys roughly 320 days of sunshine annually, and even winter temperatures hover in the mid-50s Fahrenheit (around 12–15°C), making year-round play feasible. Summer heat, however, peaks in July and August; early morning or evening sessions are preferable during those months.
Practical Considerations for Visitors
Weather and Seasons. The Costa del Sol's reputation for sunshine is well-earned, but plan accordingly. Winter (November through February) offers mild, dry conditions ideal for play. Spring and autumn are equally pleasant. Summer brings heat and occasional afternoon thunderstorms, though the club's evening hours remain popular.
Food and Coffee. The on-site restaurant and café provide convenient options without leaving the grounds. For broader dining choices, the Puente Romano Beach Resort hosts several restaurants, and Marbella's town center—a 10-minute drive—offers everything from casual tapas bars to Michelin-starred establishments.
Parking and Access. Parking is straightforward within the resort. The club's location on the Golden Mile means it's not a hidden gem requiring local knowledge; GPS coordinates and the resort's name are sufficient for navigation.
Safety. Marbella's Golden Mile is one of Spain's most secure neighborhoods, with visible security presence and well-maintained infrastructure. The club itself maintains professional standards that extend to member safety and facility upkeep.
Finding Your People
For many players—especially those new to Marbella or returning after years away—the hardest part isn't accessing the courts; it's finding partners at your level. The club's academy and group classes naturally create community, but if you're looking to build a regular game or explore padel alongside tennis, Doyouplay offers a straightforward way to connect.
The platform lets you browse players by skill level and preferences without commitment, message potential partners directly in a low-pressure environment, and tap into an active community of Marbella-based players who frequent Puente Romano and other local courts. For visitors planning a week-long stay or recent movers settling into the area, it eliminates the awkwardness of walking onto unfamiliar courts alone and accelerates the process of finding regular opponents.
Why It Matters
Puente Romano Tennis Club isn't simply a facility; it's a statement about what Marbella represents—a place where serious sport meets leisure, where European tennis history is tangible, and where a visitor or newcomer can play on the same clay courts where champions have trained. The infrastructure is world-class, the coaching is legitimate, and the setting—Mediterranean light, manicured grounds, professional atmosphere—elevates the experience beyond a typical club visit.
Whether you're a competitive player seeking a high-standard facility, a casual enthusiast wanting to play where legends have played, or someone new to Marbella looking to build a tennis community, Puente Romano delivers on its promise. The courts are waiting, the coaches are credentialed, and the climate is nearly perfect. All that remains is booking your first session and stepping into a tradition that spans nearly five decades.
