Overview
For Australians, a trip to Lombok usually means catching waves, climbing mountains and island-hopping across the Gilis. However, arriving in 2028, you'll soon be able to get even more active, this time on the tennis court at the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre to launch in Southeast Asia. Following similar flagship academies in Mallorca and Kuwait, this first-class centre has been revealed as part of Samara Lombok — a sprawling 150-hectare coastal destination launching as the debut Destination by Hyatt in Southeast Asia.
Perched on the picturesque island's south coast, the development will open with three boutique hotels and 150 of its planned 500 villas. Meanwhile, it will also feature 12 dining concepts curated by celebrity chef Will Meyrick — also behind the newly opened Uluwatu instalment of Motel Mexicola — and world-leading children's cookery author Annabel Karmel MBE.
But for those looking to spend most of their time on the court, not at the dining table, this landmark Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre is no afterthought. Featuring four top-notch tennis courts and four padel courts, the centre will support players of all ages and abilities using training methodologies developed by Rafa and his technical team during his Glam Slam career. Hopefully, your forehand will quickly be racking up more winners.
"We're very excited about the arrival of the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre in Southeast Asia," says Maribel Nadal, Deputy General Manager of Rafa Nadal Academy. "Lombok is a destination with enormous international potential, and we believe this project will help bring our methodology and our passion for sport to new generations of players and families from all over the world."
Although the resort's opening day is still around 18 months away, there's no shortage of other inclusions to get excited about. For instance, Samara will also feature a marine biology and watersports centre operated by luxury expedition company Rascal Voyages. Plus, a yet-to-be-announced globally recognised club partner will take charge of a football training centre, so you can level up your skills ahead of the next World Cup.
"Samara is built to be a playground in the truest sense — a place where guests can be as active as they wish, for as long as they wish, then come back together over a shared story," says Samara co-founder Steve Ebsworth. "Bringing Rafa Nadal's methodology to South Lombok gives guests of all ages and abilities a sporting experience that is both rare in the region and deeply aligned with the destination we are building."
Samara Lombok and the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre is expected to open in Q1 2028. Head to the website for more information.
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Images/Renders: Supplied.