**Wimbledon Stars Opt for Luxurious London Homes and Hotels During Tournament**
As Wimbledon enters its crucial second week, the world’s leading tennis players are not only vying for victory on the grass courts, but are also enjoying plush accommodation during their stay in London. The SW19 postcode becomes a magnet for international sporting celebrities each July, raising the intriguing question: where do the stars retreat to after a long day of fierce tennis battles?
For many top players, the answer lies in a combination of high-end hotels and lavish private homes. London’s plethora of luxury options ensures that players can choose their preferred environment, tailored to their tastes and needs. The Park Plaza Westminster hotel has repeatedly proven popular among the Wimbledon cohort, offering elegant suites and world-class amenities for those wishing to stay in the heart of the city.
Yet, accommodation is far more than a mere necessity; for the tennis elite, it often becomes an integral element of pre-match preparation and post-match recovery. Private property agents such as Joanna Doniger have observed this trend, renting out stylish homes to athletes for as much as £15,000 per week during the tournament. These residences often cater not just to the players, but also their entourages and, in some cases, their families.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, is known for his impeccable standards off the court as well as on it. Rather than a conventional hotel room, Djokovic usually opts for a luxury London mansion, sometimes even kitting the property out with personal touches such as a garden trampoline—demonstrating just how seriously these stars take their home comforts.
Similarly, the legendary Rafael Nadal, who has twice lifted the Wimbledon trophy, has expressed a clear preference for the privacy and serenity of a house over a busy hotel. In a previous interview, Nadal admitted that spending tournament evenings in a rented home gives him a welcomed sense of calm, crucial for his mental focus. “That gives you a little bit extra calm, you feel more relaxed and a little bit like you’re at home so I enjoy that feeling,” Nadal remarked.
Britain’s own Andy Murray has made no secret of his fondness for staying close to the action at his plush £5 million property in Surrey, featuring both a swimming pool and tennis court. This strategic location enables not only convenience, but also a perfect venue for unwinding and continuing his training in privacy.
While the established stars enjoy such flamboyant living, logistical arrangements at Wimbledon have not always allowed everyone the luxury of choice. During the pandemic-affected 2021 Championships, for example, official guidance mandated that all players must remain within selected hotels, barring only those travelling with children. The Park Plaza, once again, was tasked with accommodating both leading seeds in its suites and lower-ranked hopefuls in more standard accommodation.
Among those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of restricted accommodation is world number three Jessica Pegula. The American, whose family boasts significant wealth thanks to her father’s business exploits, has said she values privacy and peace so highly that she rents her own property when competing. “Being away from everyone else is a massive thing for me…I just felt like, ‘I can’t do [player hotels] anymore!’” she once revealed, speaking about the importance of personal space when on tour.
However, such homes away from home do not always translate into on-court success. Pegula recently suffered a surprise early exit at this year’s tournament, eliminated in the first round by Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Regardless of results, the options available show the immense value that top tennis players place on their off-court experiences during Wimbledon. Whether ensconced in a luxury suite or kicking back in a Surrey mansion, most are seeking the perfect balance between relaxation and readiness in the hope of achieving Grand Slam glory.
With the championships set to reach their climax, the conversation around where the stars stay is likely to continue, highlighting both their unique lifestyle and the broader transformation of London into tennis’s summer capital.