JOALI Maldives is set to strengthen its position as one of the country’s leading luxury island destinations with the announcement of two exclusive tennis residencies featuring Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Ana Ivanović, offering guests the opportunity to train directly with two of the most accomplished names in international tennis during November and December 2026.
The programme will bring championship-level tennis to the Maldives through a series of intimate clinics and camps designed for adults, families and younger players. By combining professional coaching, personal interaction and a highly personalised island experience, the residencies are expected to add a distinctive sporting dimension to JOALI Maldives’ luxury hospitality offering and further broaden the range of premium experiences available to international travellers visiting the country.
The first residency will take place from 17 to 23 November 2026 with Wimbledon champion and 2026 Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina. The programme, titled “Game. Set. Inspire. with Elena Rybakina”, will give guests an opportunity to experience tennis from the perspective of one of the world’s leading players through two exclusive workshops created for adults and younger participants.
Rybakina is widely recognised for her powerful serve, precision and composed competitive style. She made sporting history in 2022 when she became Kazakhstan’s first Grand Slam singles champion after winning the Wimbledon women’s singles title. She further strengthened her international record by winning the Australian Open in 2026 and has reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in women’s singles.
During her residency at JOALI Maldives, participants will be able to train alongside the Grand Slam champion while developing their understanding of technique, discipline, concentration and confidence on court. The sessions will also provide guests with an unusually close and personalised opportunity to learn about the preparation and focus required to compete at the highest level of international tennis.
Former World No. 1 and French Open champion Ana Ivanović will follow with an exclusive residency from 22 to 27 December 2026. Her “Play Like a Champion with Ana Ivanović” programme will bring her Grand Slam-winning experience and internationally recognised playing style to guests spending the festive period at the resort.
Ivanović became one of the most prominent figures in women’s tennis after capturing the French Open title in 2008 and rising to World No. 1 in the women’s singles rankings. Known throughout her professional career for her powerful forehand, competitive character and elegant playing style, she remains one of the most recognised international personalities associated with the sport.
Guests aged 16 and above will be able to participate in a 60-minute tennis clinic led by Ivanović, focusing on the techniques, strategy and discipline that contributed to her successful professional career. Younger guests between the ages of four and 15 will be offered a dedicated 60-minute tennis camp designed to introduce and develop fundamental tennis skills in an engaging environment while helping participants build confidence and improve their movement and rhythm on court.
The two residencies form part of JOALI Maldives’ wider philosophy of Creative Living, through which the resort incorporates personalised activities, learning opportunities and meaningful guest experiences into island life. The addition of internationally recognised sporting personalities further expands the resort’s experiential offering and gives travellers an opportunity to combine a luxury Maldives holiday with direct access to elite-level sporting expertise.
JOALI Maldives is known for positioning itself beyond the traditional luxury resort experience by integrating art, design, recreation and carefully curated guest programmes within its island environment. The forthcoming tennis residencies continue this approach by creating experiences that appeal not only to established tennis players but also to families, younger guests and travellers interested in active and educational leisure experiences.
The programme also reflects the continuing diversification of the Maldives’ tourism industry, as resorts increasingly introduce specialised experiences targeting different segments of the global travel market. International sporting residencies of this nature strengthen the country’s ability to attract high-value travellers seeking personalised experiences in addition to the Maldives’ established natural attractions and premium hospitality.
The government has continued to promote tourism diversification, stronger destination visibility and the development of high-quality tourism products as part of the Maldives’ broader economic and tourism development objectives. Premium programmes introduced by resorts such as JOALI Maldives complement these efforts by enhancing the range of experiences available across the destination and supporting the Maldives’ reputation as an internationally competitive luxury tourism market.
Running from November through late December, the residencies will allow guests to experience world-class tennis in an intimate island environment while receiving direct guidance from two Grand Slam champions. With programmes developed for adults, children and families, JOALI Maldives is combining elite sport with personalised hospitality to create another distinctive experience for visitors choosing the Maldives for their international holiday.
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