Hellenic Bank Masters Tennis Academy, Cyprus — a Tennis Europe location

Caffeinated Tennis insight — Based on a visit in April 2022

A useful guide for visitors to this location in Nicosia, as well as pointers for those new to competing in Tennis Europe.

Cyprus — Hellenic Bank Masters Tennis Academy

This was our first tennis trip to Cyprus so lots to learn. Part of the challenge with TE logistics is of course not knowing playing times, not knowing how long you are around until, and (often) not having anyone you can plan warm ups with.

Venue

The venue was the small but very well managed Hellenic Bank Masters Academy. It’s address is 44 Stadiou Street.

• It is ~10 minutes (and ~6euro) from the Hilton and similar from the old town.
• It’s about 3km and walkable from both
• Plenty of parking
• Small café selling snacks, drinks and some cooked food. Good quality but sometimes took time (as all freshly cooked food does!)
• Larger café 3 minutes away (didn’t try it), Café Nero (5 minute walk away)

Courts

• Four courts
• Acrylic
• High bounce
• Good viewing

Sign-in process

The normal process but for newbies to Tennis Europe I’ll repeat here.

• You sign-in online ahead of time
• On your first day you attend, sign up with the ref to show you are present and then pay the money and show your passport to the official.
• At the moment various Covid regulations are in place but these are of course rapidly changing

Doubles

• Sign-up for doubles is typical day one of the main draw by 12pm, with the draw done shortly after that. Rules allow the first round of doubles to be played that afternoon. In some cases they start the next day
• We were lucky as we knew someone else attending so partnered with them; else inform the ref who will help in creating pairs
• Doubles is typically over subscribed with a clear hierarchy of who will get in. It is worth reading and understanding these if you want to maximise your chances. Two main draw players paired together will always get in (assuming standard draw size)

Hotel

• Given access to Hilton points we didn’t look beyond the Hilton. This is the only major brand hotel in the City
• The tournament hotel was far cheaper and simpler but look like a good option
• The price of the Hilton will vary based on whether it is school holiday season and if they a conference or event running.
• The challenge of not knowing how long you are staying proved very relevant for us as one night they had actually sold out.
• Note, some of the very attractive looking hotels are in fact in North Nicosia which involved crossing the “boarder”. You would need to check the implications of that as we did not try.

Food

• Lots around. Hilton restaurant was the usual — good food but punchy price. Jamie’s Italian is five minute walk from Hilton. We were given the good advice by the Hotel of Costas’ Restaurant — a 10 minute walk from the hotel (though the route they sent was not the shortest!)
• There is a supermarket 5 minutes from the hotel for stocking up on bananas, water etc
• Hotel breakfast large, tasty buffet

Things to do

• Not a whole load to do casually in Nicosia — though obviously lots of museums, buildings, culture for those interested
• Lots of the jeep tours etc were hampered by not being able to book ahead
• Limassol — for the beach less than an hour (and ~70euro) taxi journey away so is an option for an overnight

Travel

• Lots of flights to Cyprus. None go to Nicosia (with the nearest airport being in North Cyprus which comes with logistics problem as it is not recognised by the Cypriorit authorities)
• Larnaka is <1 hour taxi away. Apparently there is a fix taxi fair of 55euro. We booked via Welcome Pickups to ensure there was someone there waiting for us as we arrived late at night. There are also plenty of coach options
• Paphos is <2 horus away (we negotiated 120euro cab). Note that even though the hotels in Paphos seem close to the airport it can easily cost 30euro + for the transfer there

Training courts and warm up hitters

• With only 4 courts at the venue the only warm up slots are the usual 8–9
• There is an Astro tennis court at the Hilton available free for guests
• I booked this by phone ahead of time but that booking appeared lost
• The bookings made in person at the spa seemed good.
• There are multiple other clubs around the City. Email queries about using them and getting hitting partners got no response.