Tennis star and former world No.8, Marcos Baghdatis, was back in Wimbledon recently – not to play on the hallowed courts, but to showcase his tennis academy.
Guests were treated to an hour-long Q&A with the Cypriot, who opened up about the highs and lows of his sparkling career, which saw him reach the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2006. He also discussed the evolution of his tennis academy, which is integrated within the City of Dreams Mediterranean, a luxury resort in Limassol that is redefining Cyprus’s lifestyle and sports offering.
The 12-court facility provides high-level coaching from a team hand-picked by Baghdatis, who intends to lead some training sessions himself, as he aims to spend 75% of his time at the academy. As a popular player on the circuit he will look to attract at least one ex super-star rival per year to the academy. Alongside individual and group sessions, the academy will attract Tennis Europe and ITF level tournaments.
With more than 333 days of sunshine a year, play on the all-weather courts is almost guaranteed. Cyprus has always been a popular holiday destination with British visitors, so the City of Dreams Mediterranean, the city of Limassol and the tennis academy aim to capitalise on this, tapping into the UK market, with specific focus on sports travellers.
The collaboration between City of Dreams Mediterranean and Baghdatis was a very easy decision on both sides. The combination of a luxury hotel with the first ever grand casino in Cyprus, plus 500 bedrooms with balconies, nine restaurants, an adventure park and an aqua park makes this a mega-resort appealing to all.
The portfolio of sporting facilities and attractions in and around the City of Dreams Mediterranean is unparalleled on the island. Aside from the tennis academy, the resort features a lagoon-style pool area, including a wave rider for surfers. There is a spa and fitness centre, with a UEFA-certified 11-a-side football pitch soon to open for elite and amateur football clubs.
With the aim to make sporting dreams become a reality for future stars, Baghdatis said: “I would like the next generation of tennis players from Cyprus and beyond to have access to world-class facilities that I did not have growing up.”
For more information see marcosbaghdatisacademy.com and cityofdreamsmed.com.cy
Image credits: © Copyright 2025 Marcos Baghdatis / City of Dreams Mediterranean