When Tennis Stars Flock to the Maldives: The Story Behind the Free Vacation

As the Northern Hemisphere enters its cold winter and the tennis season takes a break, the top 50 ranked players worldwide appear in vacation photos on social media, surprisingly choosing mostly the same destination: the Maldives. Even more astonishing is that this is not a coincidence but a carefully arranged "deal."

American player Querrey exposed the truth: "For many, lodging is free. The cost is playing tennis for an hour each day, all expenses covered." This is the tacit agreement between Maldives luxury resorts and tennis stars: top-ranked players get complimentary stays at premium resorts in exchange for an hour of tennis exhibition or coaching daily.

This arrangement has a precise hierarchy: the top ten players stay at the most expensive private island resorts, while those ranked 30 to 50 lodge at luxury hotel chains like Hilton or Sheraton. Amid the turquoise seas and blue skies, players enjoy their holidays while bringing star power to the resorts.

However, not everyone is willing to take on this "sweet burden." Opelka’s firm refusal reveals another side of professional tennis players:“We travel 40 weeks a year. I spend less than eight weeks at home during the entire season. Now I’m supposed to fly 14 hours... to stay in the same hotel as other players?” Opelka’s question pierces the glamorous facade of professional sports. “Even if they offer six free days and only one hour of tennis daily? I would still say no. I’d rather spend $25,000 to stay home.”For him, the value of being with family at home far exceeds $25,000 — likely the market price of a trip to the Maldives.

This phenomenon highlights two extremes in the professional sports industry: on one hand, top athletes enjoy privileges and perks beyond ordinary reach; on the other, they pay a steep price—nearly year-round travel, constant time zone changes, and perpetual fatigue on the road.

The Maldives invitation seems tempting, but for players just finishing a long season, a 14-hour flight and continuing close contact with rivals feel more like an extension of the season than a break.

In the players’ very different choices, we see the expression of professional autonomy. Some willingly continue their tennis journey under the sunny skies of the Maldives in a relaxed way; others prefer to pay a financial cost to gain genuine family time.

This may represent progress in modern professional sports, where athletes begin to have the right to decide based on their physical and mental condition, rather than blindly accepting all seemingly "beneficial" offers.

When the Maldivian sun shines on the coral reefs, players vacationing there enjoy the adoration of tennis fans and five-star services; those like Opelka who choose to rest at home find the most precious peace of mind on their familiar sofa after the season. Neither choice is right or wrong, just different individuals balancing themselves during a long career.

After all, for professional athletes who spend the whole year on the road, the most luxurious vacation may simply be the freedom to do as they please.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)