Tennis Tournament Holiday Italy: Cervia Smash Tennis Tournament 2026
A tennis tournament holiday in Italy is something many players look for, but very few events truly combine competitive match play with a genuine holiday experience.
At SportsProsConnect, we’re bringing that idea to life with the Cervia Smash Tennis Tournament 2026, a team-based event designed for players who want both high-quality tennis and a week away in one of Italy’s most unique coastal destinations.
We spoke with SPC founder Mark Wylam and event partner Marco Isidero to find out how the idea came about, what players can expect, and why this is something a little different from your typical tournament.
Q: For anyone hearing about this for the first time, what is the Smash Tennis Tournament Italy all about?
Mark:
Myself and Marco have known each other for a few years, initially working together to promote the Fantini Club Hotel as a base for racket sports.
We wanted to do something a bit different. After a number of calls and meetings, we came up with a concept that combines a traditional tennis holiday with structured competition and team match play.
The idea is simple. Players come together from different clubs and countries to form teams, compete during the week, and enjoy the full experience both on and off the court.
This concept has grown into what we now see as a true tennis tournament holiday in Italy, combining structured competition with a full lifestyle experience for players.
The tournament runs from 12th to 17th May 2026, and we’re excited to see where this first edition takes us, with the potential to grow it into an annual or even bi-annual event.
Q: What can players expect from the week in Cervia, both on and off the court?
Marco:
Cervia is a unique destination on the Adriatic coast of Emilia Romagna.
It is known as the “City of Salt”, with a strong connection to its history, culture, and natural surroundings. You have a mix of historic landmarks, a beautiful canal harbour, and traditional fishing villages, alongside green spaces including pine forests, natural parks, and salt pans where you can even see flamingos.
It’s also a very strong sporting destination, with facilities for tennis, golf, athletics, cycling, and more.
The experience is not just about tennis. It’s about enjoying the Italian lifestyle. Food, wine, beach, culture, and social moments all play a big part in the week.
The Fantini Club is at the heart of the event. It’s a well-known sports beach club, offering beach tennis, padel, pickleball, spa facilities, and multiple restaurants. Players can build their own experience around the tournament.
Matches will be played at Tennis Pinarella, which offers six clay courts surrounded by nature, along with additional courts and padel facilities.
Q: How does the team format work?
Mark:
We already have teams confirmed from England, Ireland, Greece, Germany, and Italy, and we’re expecting more.
At the moment, we are running three categories:
Men Over 35
Women Over 35
Men Over 45
Each team consists of 4 to 6 players.
During the first three days, teams compete in a round robin format. Each match consists of:
Two singles matches
Two doubles matches
Matches are played over two sets, with a 10-point tie-break deciding the outcome if it’s one set all.
The format ensures everyone gets multiple matches across the week, which is something we felt was really important.
Q: Why did you choose Cervia as the location?
Marco:
Cervia represents the perfect mix of sport, nature, and Italian lifestyle.
It is easy to reach, with good connections from Bologna, Rimini, and Forlì airports. At the same time, it offers a relaxed environment where players can enjoy both competition and holiday.
That balance is exactly what we wanted for this event.
Q: What makes this different from a typical tennis tournament back home?
Mark:
This isn’t about turning up, playing one match, and going home.
We wanted to create something where everyone plays, enjoys the experience, and feels part of a community.
It’s for players who love tennis but also want the full holiday experience. Sun, beach, social atmosphere, and competition all in one.
The idea is that you leave not just having played matches, but having had a great week away.
Q: What kind of atmosphere are you trying to create?
Marco:
The goal is to create a week where tennis sits at the centre, but everything around it adds to the experience.
Players meet new people, enjoy Italian food and culture, and share moments both on and off the court.
This is something we’ve seen work very well in beach volleyball events, and we want to bring that same energy into tennis.
Q: What inspired you to create this tournament?
Mark:
I’ve been running Social Tennis and SportsProsConnect for around 10 years now, always looking at new ways to develop the platform.
This event is particularly close to my heart.
The original idea comes from my late father, who wrote a book on organising social tennis tournaments. That concept eventually became Social Tennis, and now we’ve brought it full circle by creating an international event in Italy.
It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it come to life.
Q: What do you think players are really looking for when they sign up?
Marco:
At the end of the day, tennis players are people who want to enjoy their sport, meet others, and experience something different.
They want to compete, but also relax, explore, and be part of something new.
This event offers all of that in one place.
Q: Tell us about your own journey in tennis.
Mark:
Tennis has always been a passion of mine.
I didn’t play at a particularly high level, but I’ve always loved the game. After university, I became a tennis coach and have been involved in the sport ever since.
From playing in local leagues in the UK and Ireland, to coaching, to now running a global tennis jobs platform, tennis has always been a constant.
I’m still very involved at my club in Letterkenny, where I’ve been on the committee for many years in various roles.
Running this tournament now feels like a natural step, and in many ways, a dream come true.
Q: With the tournament just around the corner, what would you say to someone thinking about joining this year?
Mark:
This is the first event of its kind that we’ve run.
If you enjoy tennis and want a great week away in the sun, I’d strongly recommend getting involved.
The event runs from 12th to 17th May, so there isn’t much time left.
You can join as an individual or as part of a team, and we’ll make sure you’re included.
For anyone looking for a tennis tournament holiday in Italy that offers more than just matches, this event is designed to deliver both competition and experience in equal measure.
Tournament website: https://sportsprosconnect.com/seniors-tournament-2026/
Fantini Club Hotel: https://www.fantiniclubhotel.com/en/
I hope to see you there!
