As we keep banging on about, we’re the types who pack our racquets for a trip before figuring out what else to bring. Often we’ll find ourselves in a familiar place—London, LA, Hong Kong, Milan—and we can do the math of scheduling and transit for getting in a hit in on the backs of our hands. New destinations give us the chance to step onto a previously unexplored court with new compatriots, and the best kind of trips of all are those that allow us to prioritize play and rest above all else.
It’s in that spirit that we have launched Racquet Retreats, curated itineraries at some of the greatest properties, courts and clubs that aren’t usually made available for public consumption. Our first took place last month at the ultra-hush hush Sensei Porcupine Creek, which boasts a small collection of courts of varying surfaces, including a center court with identical specs as Indian Wells stadium court. If, for example, an athlete playing at the tournament wanted to use the grounds as a private training facility up to or during the BNP Paribas Open, an entire buyout would not be unprecedented.
This year, the kind folks at Sensei arranged for a very special group of Racquet friends and family to enjoy a three-day program of on and off-court delights: Training sessions with former WTA pro Caroline Vis, who led individual training sessions as well as dynamic liveball tournaments with attendees, massages, tee times and unbelievable meals at the private onsite Nobu.
Thanks to our partners at Blueair, guests enjoyed in-room air filters—and plenty of take-home goodies. Brand ambassador Jess Pegula, whose sleep routine takes advantage of the the brand’s line of travel-sized filters and humidifiers—hit the court to get all of us tuned up for Spring.
Our future Racquet Retreats will touch down in more hidden gems—and we were so honored to bring the first one to light at such a storied place.