May 14, 2026
A Weekend at Splendido, A Belmond Hotel with SEASE
There are few places in the world where tennis feels quite as cinematic as it does at Splendido.Perched high above Portofino, the legendary Belmond hotel overlooks the Ligurian coastline with the kind of view that almost doesn't seem real. The sea stretches endlessly below, boats drift across the bay, and tucked amongst the terraces and gardens sits a beautiful tennis court. It was here that Sease chose to unveil its new Tennis Kit, created for the Belmond Racquet Club.
As always, the collection reflected everything Sease does best: refined Italian craftsmanship, beautiful technical fabrics, and an effortless elegance that moves seamlessly between sport and leisure.We arrived on Friday morning to bright Ligurian sunshine. A small stretch of shade still covered part of the court, offering a welcome escape from the summer heat, but excitement was already building. Players, guests and friends slowly gathered throughout the day, taking in the setting and settling into what promised to be a memorable weekend.
By mid-afternoon, the court came alive. Ana Ivanović stepped onto the court. Watching her strike a tennis ball is a reminder that elegance and power can coexist perfectly. She began with light rallies as more guests arrived and the afternoon evolved into an easy rhythm of tennis and conversation. Soon the court was full. Dingles, friendly rallies and spontaneous doubles unfolded against one of the most spectacular backdrops imaginable. Even Reilly Opelka made an appearance during the weekend, and a lucky few guests managed to share the court with him for a handful of rallies.
As the sun began its descent, everyone traded tennis shoes for loafers and linen. Soon enough, aperitivo was served on the terrace overlooking Portofino. A pianist played timeless classics while champagne glasses clinked in the fading light. Conversations drifted between tennis, travel and summer plans. The nearly full moon rose slowly above the water as the sky turned shades of gold and lavender. Dinner followed at Splendido's restaurant, where long tables overlooked the coastline below. The menu celebrated Ligurian ingredients and seasonal flavours: Santa Margherita prawns served atop tomato salad, comforting pappa al pomodoro, delicate fried courgette flowers filled with goat cheese and hazelnuts, and amberjack cooked in the Josper oven alongside grilled vegetables. Wine flowed generously, though most guests exercised at least a little restraint. Tennis was set to begin early the following morning. Somewhat.
By 8am on Saturday, several players were already back on court, sneaking in extra rallies before the official start of the Pro-Am Splendido Sease Cup. Former professionals were paired with guests from Splendido, creating a format that balanced competition with camaraderie. Throughout the morning, the level of tennis steadily increased while spectators gathered courtside beneath umbrellas and olive trees. At lunchtime, the action paused. Some players headed directly for the pool, diving into the cool water to escape the afternoon heat before returning to battle it out on court. Then, matches resumed, and in the end, it was Ana Ivanović and Franco Loro Piana, co-founder of Sease, who lifted the trophy, capping off a weekend that perfectly reflected the spirit of both the brand and the event: competitive, elegant and effortlessly enjoyable.
As the sun went down, guests gathered for aperitivo at Sease's newly opened boutique in Portofino's famous Piazzetta. Positioned just steps from the water, the store provided the perfect setting for another golden-hour aperitivo. Champagne and wine circulated while guests explored the collection, exchanged stories from the day's matches and watched the sunset paint the harbour in soft pastel colours. Everyone, naturally, looked impeccably dressed. After all, nearly everyone was wearing Sease.
Dinner that evening took place at the iconic Ristorante Puny. By then, friendships had formed, rivalries had softened and the weekend had taken on that rare quality shared by the best sporting events: it felt less like a tournament and more like a gathering of like-minded people brought together by a shared love of tennis.
