Lucky ladies enjoy pickleball holiday to Turkey

Ten lucky ladies enjoyed an “unforgettable” pickleball holiday to Turkey led by IPTPA Master Teaching Professional Rob Williams.

The group of ultra-keen UK picklers, who travelled to Megasaray Club Belek in Antalya, included 81-year-old Anne Hendry (pictured below in pink). She played in every single session in often scorching conditions – and has already booked to go again in November!

The group played pickleball for four hours a day on the hard courts at the MTA Tennis Academy, 4km from the resort. Together, Club Megasaray and the Academy have a total of 49 tennis courts.

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The trip was the first ever pickleball holiday organised by Polat Sports Organisations, run by sports travel experts Zuhal and Yusuf Polat. The couple have over 30 years’ experience running racket sports holidays.

Using their local connections in Antalya and the expertise of IPTPA Director and Level 2 coach Rob, they were able to adapt their usual tennis package to offer pickleball coaching and activities, as well as boat trips and social activities at the five-star, all-inclusive resort.

Out of the 10 ladies who went on the trip, six have already booked again for November where the group will be much larger. On that trip, Rob will be supported by another coach, Molly Knaggs of the Spicy Pickleball Academy.

Polat Sports Organisation manager Zuhal told Pickleball52: “Our tennis holiday customers were asking us when we could do a pickleball holiday, so we sat down with Rob and planned it together. I have a big network in Turkey, I know the area well and have connections with all the resorts.

“The ladies loved it. We were very flexible so we let them decide when to play pickleball each day and for how long. We gave them one day off for a boat trip, organised transfers and were there to answer questions and meet all their needs.”

One of the holidaymaker, Sarah Hinds, went on her own and initially knew none of the other members of the party. She said: “I was a bit apprehensive as I was going on my own, and most of the others knew each other. However, there was nothing to worry about as Zuhal, Yusef and Rob were so friendly from the start.

“Rob is probably the most enthusiastic coach ever. If he could take his brain and implant it into yours he would be ecstatic! As he can’t do that just yet, he encourages us all to improve our game with great drills and social play. He is extremely patient and above all truly encouraging to all, giving constant tips on how you can tweak what you are doing. By the end of the week each and every one of us had improved greatly and learned many new strategies.

“I have done many, many tennis holidays around Europe and the States, and Polats have knocked it out the park! The attention to detail, the hospitality, the professionalism but above all the company of such lovely people means I will definitely be back.”

Tara Creasey added: “During the morning and evening sessions coach Rob took us through our paces with such joy and encouragement. I learned about pace, change, mindset and team work. I came home thrilled to put my lessons into practice in rec and tournaments. Down time was a hoot, the resort entertainment was top notch and we all had a ball.”

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