Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Is Coming to South Lombok

The Rafa Nadal Academy has confirmed that a new Rafa Nadal Tennis Center will open at Samara Lombok on the island’s southern coast. Scheduled as part of Samara’s first-quarter 2028 opening, it will be the first center of its kind in Southeast Asia and one of a growing number of international locations connected to the academy’s training approach.

For travellers, the announcement adds another dimension to South Lombok. The coast around Selong Belanak already attracts people for its broad white-sand bay, beginner-friendly surf, seasonal reef breaks and relaxed village atmosphere. A recognised tennis and padel facility introduces a different reason to choose the area, particularly for active families, sports-focused travellers and groups whose interests extend beyond the beach.

The significance is not that Selong Belanak will suddenly become a tennis town. It is that a globally known sporting brand has chosen this part of Lombok for a long-term destination project. That decision draws attention to the wider coast and reinforces its growing profile as a place where visitors can combine outdoor activity, hospitality and a slower island stay.

Plans released by the Rafa Nadal Academy describe four tennis courts and four padel courts within Samara Lombok. Coaching and sports programmes are intended for players of different ages and abilities, using a methodology developed by Rafa Nadal and his technical team through more than two decades at the top level of professional tennis.

The Tennis Center model is distinct from the full Rafa Nadal Academy campuses in Mallorca and Kuwait. These centers bring professional coaching and academy-inspired programmes into established holiday and residential destinations. Existing locations include Costa Mujeres, Sani, Hong Kong, Marbella and Punta Cana, placing Lombok within an international network of resort-based training facilities.

The renderings show the courts grouped around a landscaped sports pavilion, with both the coast and Lombok’s hills forming part of the setting. The final experience will only become clear as construction progresses, but the confirmed mix of tennis and padel gives visitors more choice than a single-purpose court complex and should make the facility relevant to beginners as well as experienced players.

Selong Belanak’s appeal has always been broader than a single attraction. The beach works for first surf lessons, swimming when conditions are calm, long walks and sunset, while nearby villages and bays add restaurants, accommodation and more challenging waves. The new tennis center complements that mix rather than competing with it.

A high-profile sports facility can help the area reach travellers who may not have considered South Lombok for a longer holiday. A family might divide its time between coaching sessions, the beach and day trips. A group of friends could combine padel with surfing and dining. Partners with different interests gain more reasons to stay in the same area instead of treating the south coast as a short excursion from elsewhere.

That longer-stay potential is the most relevant benefit for Selong Belanak. More varied activities can support demand across hotels, villas, cafés, restaurants, drivers, surf schools and local guides. The effect is not automatic, and responsible growth still depends on good planning, local employment and care for water, waste and the landscape. But a broader visitor base gives local businesses more opportunities to participate.

It also helps reduce the idea that South Lombok is only a surf destination. Surf remains central to the coast’s identity, yet tennis, padel, wellness, food and nature can make the region attractive through more seasons and to more age groups.

The tennis center will sit within Samara Lombok, a project the Rafa Nadal Academy describes as covering about 150 hectares and located around 25 minutes from Lombok International Airport. The first phase is scheduled to open with three boutique hotels and 150 villas, within a longer-term plan for 500 residential villas.

Samara is also expected to become the first Destination by Hyatt in Southeast Asia. That combination of international hospitality and sport is likely to raise the visibility of Lombok’s south coast in markets that currently know Bali more readily. Selong Belanak benefits when travellers begin to recognise the wider region by name and understand how close its beaches, villages and activities are to the airport.

Visitors should keep the timeline in perspective. The opening is planned for the first quarter of 2028, and details can change during a development of this scale. Anyone planning a future tennis holiday should confirm dates, programmes and access directly with Samara Lombok or the Rafa Nadal Academy before booking around the facility.

Large destination projects have the greatest local value when guests also spend time in the surrounding communities. Selong Belanak offers an easy starting point: take a morning surf lesson, have lunch in the village, walk the beach late in the day and use local drivers or guides to reach neighbouring bays. Those experiences are different from a resort sports programme and are part of what gives the area its character.

For existing businesses, the opportunity is to serve a more diverse audience without losing the relaxed identity that brings people here. Clear information, reliable transport, thoughtful family activities and good food can all become more valuable as the number of active travellers grows. Tennis visitors may arrive for coaching, but the landscape and local experiences can give them a reason to return.

Accommodation around Selong Belanak can also provide a quieter base for guests who want access to the wider coast rather than staying entirely within one development. Boni Beach is one locally based option near the main bay, alongside a growing range of small hotels, villas and guesthouses across Selong Belanak and the neighbouring hills.

Local reporting has described the center as the first Rafa Nadal Academy-linked tennis facility in Southeast Asia, reflecting the pride and attention the announcement has already generated within Lombok. As the 2028 date approaches, locally published updates will be worth following alongside official project news.

When the center opens, a balanced itinerary could pair tennis or padel sessions with two or three slower days around Selong Belanak. Beginners can book a surf lesson on the sandy beach, experienced surfers can check seasonal conditions at nearby reef breaks, and non-surfers can explore viewpoints, quieter coves and the area’s growing food scene.

Staying locally will make it easier to enjoy early mornings and sunsets without repeated drives from Kuta or farther away. Compare accommodation by location as well as style: some properties are close to the main bay and village, while others trade walkability for hillside views or seclusion. Confirm transport if you expect to dine or attend sessions after dark.

The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is still a future attraction, but the announcement itself is important. It connects South Lombok with a respected international sports programme and signals confidence in the region’s long-term appeal. For Selong Belanak, the opportunity is to welcome that attention while protecting the beach, landscape and community character that make visitors want to stay in the first place.

Information checked against the Rafa Nadal Academy announcement and local reporting on 28 July 2026. Opening dates, facilities and programmes may change before launch.