There’s a special kind of magic that happens when you arrive in Capri at the end of summer. The tourists have thinned, the heat has softened, and the island seems to breathe again. Slower, calmer, more itself. The light is golden, the evenings cooler, and everything feels touched by that bittersweet September nostalgia. It was in this perfect shoulder season that we hosted the very first Paradise Courts Experience playing tennis in Capri, and looking back now, it feels like the ultimate way we closed out the European summer season.
Capri is not a place you just visit—it’s a place you inhabit. Our home base was the iconic Grand Hotel Quisisana, a landmark where old-world glamour meets understated Mediterranean elegance. With its white façade glowing against the island backdrop, marble-floored hallways, and sweeping terraces overlooking Capri town, it felt like the ideal setting for what we wanted Paradise Courts to be: not just tennis, but a curated escape.
The Arrival: A Gathering of Worlds
Our guests flew in from Kuwait, Slovenia, Switzerland, Australia, and Italy: a mix of tennis lovers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and long-time Broken Rackets friends. For many, it was their first time on the island. For others, Capri was a familiar escape. But as we gathered on the Quisisana terrace for our welcome aperitivo, it felt as if everyone had known each other forever.
Cocktails were served courtesy of Coolmate, setting the tone perfectly. In the menu we had Sirens Bitter Tequila Coolmate for those wanting something bold, Black Cherry & Soda Coolmate for those easing into the night. Capri’s golden hour wrapped everything in a glow, and as the chatter built, you could feel that shared excitement of being in the right place at the right time.
Dinner was poolside under the stars, a tasting menu that felt like a love letter to the island: fried pizza with local tomatoes, poached eggs with summer herbs, Mediterranean tuna mosaic, and a risotto with raw red prawns that became an instant favorite. Dessert came rolling in on a cart, impossible to resist, but we would be burning these calories the next morning anyway. No regrets there.
Day Two: Tennis with a View
Morning began slowly. Some guests hit the gym at dawn, others savored an extra hour in bed. By 10 AM, everyone was suited up in their exclusive Capri Broken Rackets tees and caps from the welcome kit—a small but important ritual that made the moment feel official.
The courts themselves were something out of a dream: every shot was framed by blue sky, bluer water, and lush greenery in the background. For two hours, we played—warm-ups, rallies, mixed doubles matches, laughter between points, and the occasional dramatic dive for a ball. The soundtrack was rackets striking, sneakers sliding, and the kind of banter that only comes when everyone is equally competitive and equally there to have fun. Check out the action here.
Off the Court: Capri by Sea
The afternoon was made for adventure. A private boat awaited us for a tour around the island, the ultimate Capri experience. The cliffs loomed dramatically overhead, grottoes opened into glowing blue interiors, and the turquiose water was still warm enough for a swim.
That night, we headed into town for dinner at Concettina ai Tre Santi, a legendary pizza restaurants from Naples. The buzz of conversations mixed with clinking glasses, and as night fell, it felt like no one wanted the evening to end.
Day Three: The Bittersweet Goodbye
Friday morning came too soon. Some of our group hiked up to Villa Lysis for a final dose of history and views, others lingered in town for one last espresso, and a few stretched out poolside until the very last minute.
Saying goodbye was harder than expected. In just a few days, this international mix of people had become a community—bound by shared moments on court, laughter over dinner, and the collective memory of a Capri that felt ours alone for a few days.
More Than Just Tennis
Looking back now, this first Paradise Courts Experience was more than an event. It was an experiment in bringing together people who love tennis, travel, and beauty in all its form, and giving them a setting worthy of their passion.
It's a statement of what we want to create: not just content, not just merch, but experiences that stay with you long after you’ve packed your bags.
Capri was the beginning. The first taste of what we hope will become a series of unforgettable tennis escapes in iconic locations. If you were there, you know the magic we’re talking about. If you weren’t, don’t worry—this is just the start.
The next Paradise Courts Experience is already in the works, and trust us, you won’t want to miss what’s coming.
