Tennis in Dominican Republic

Tennis

There must be a million nets around the island, and most of them can be found at the large resorts.

La Terraza Tennis Club (Casa de Campo, La Romana. 809/523-3333) has been called the Wimbledon of the Caribbean. This 12-acre facility, perched on a hill with sea views, has 13 Har-Tru courts. Nonmembers are welcome (just call in advance); court time costs $28 an hour, and lessons are $55 an hour with an assistant pro, $69 with a pro.

Occidental Tennis Academy (Occidental Club on the Green, Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata. 809/320-1111 hotel's main switchboard. www.occidentalhotels.com) was the first tennis academy in the Caribbean. It's equipped with seven Har-Tru clay and hard courts (night-lighted), as well as a gym, pool, social club, and pro shop. Classes are given and supervised by pros. Programs are for adults and children five and over. You can get private ($13 an hour) or group classes ($8), in English or Spanish, for beginners to professionals. Courts can also be rented by nonguests.

The Playa Naco Resort & Spa (Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata. 809/320-6226 Ext. 2568) allows nonguests to play on its four clay courts for $10 an hour by day, $20 at night. Lessons from the pro cost $23 an hour plus the cost of the court.

PuntaCana Resort & Club (Playa Punta Cana, Punta Cana. 809/959-2262 Ext. 7158) has six courts and tennis clinics on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as an exhibition stadium. Nonguests can play for two hours for $26, or $12 an hour from 6 PM to 7 PM; the courts close at 7 PM.

Sea Horse Ranch (Cabarete. 809/571-2902) has a tennis center with five clay courts, illuminated for night play and open to nonguests. Court time is $20 an hour, with a fee of $6 for night play; $20 to play with the European pro, Marko Srdic; and $1.50 for ball boys. Instructions, available in four languages, cost $20.