The RPS Guide to the 10 Most Beautiful Tennis Courts in the World with Caitlin Thompson
Plus: Hotels in Paris struggle to secure Birkins for guests, Park Slope’s ongoing “swinger” saga continues, restaurant news, and more.
No one knows more about tennis courts than Caitlin Thompson, the founder of Racquet Magazine. Caitlin has better taste in tennis than almost anyone, and her list of courts stretches from Copenhagen to the Midwest to Mexico, which is exactly why it feels so special: it’s global, deeply considered, and not limited to the usual famous stops. With the Miami Open now underway, running March 15 to 29, and the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters just ahead, from April 4 to 12, it felt like the right moment for The RPS Guide to the Ten Most Beautiful Tennis Courts in the World. And with Racquet hosting its Miami weekend festivities this Sunday at The Shelbourne for an issue launch, she seemed like the obvious authority. I’ve also written and worked for Racquet in different capacities over the years, which only confirms the point. Below, Caitlin picks ten courts from around the world that are truly, simply the best (and I chime in with my own added bonus pick).
Also in today’s letter: Paris hotels striking out on Birkins, more from the Park Slope swinger saga (send help), the biohacking takeover of ski season, and restaurant news.
Rich People Shit: You’ve played tennis all over the world. What, in your view, makes a tennis court truly great?
Caitlin Thompson: First, I just want to state that even when I’m playing on a truly terrible court—iffy bounces, flapping nets, cracks galore, sometimes with greenery shooting up through the seams—I’m still playing tennis, you know? Good courts are relatively easy to come by, but the great ones have mystique: history, architectural significance, their juxtaposition with the locale in which they’re located. The best courts are almost always on natural surfaces, the thick red clay that stains your socks when you slide around them and the vibrant green lawns that absorb every sound except the ball on your strings just make the experience that much better. Not only do these tend to have more lore associated with them, grass and clay courts are significantly easier on your body, which means you feel like you can play forever. Below, the most beautiful places to play, and if I don’t specify a court, assume I mean Centre Court.
