Court by the tennis bug?

AS fans stay glued to their TV sets for Wimbledon, we look at properties which come with the added bonus of a tennis court.

The good weather at this year's championships must have given Tim Henman a taste of what it would be like to be a tennis star from sunnier climes.

No peering through the curtains to see what the weather has in store, or abandoning matches half way through because of a downpour for them. Just a near certainly that if they want a game, they can have a game - and play until late evening if the mood takes them.

At one time a second house or new home abroad with the addition of sporting facilities other than a pool was a remote possibility.

But now increasing competition in the overseas market has meant that investors should remember to take a look at more than what is behind the front door of a property.

And the good news for sports fans looking to buy abroad is that they can have their pick of properties which come with such facilities as tennis courts, although the classic Wimbledon-style grass court is a rarity.

Here's a snapshot of properties around Europe which will appeal to tennis fans - and with the addition of cable TV you'll still be able to keep up with all at the action at home.

BULGARIA is currently something of a property hotspot for people looking to buy abroad. Investors wanting to grab a slice of the Balkan property pie could consider the exclusive apartment complex Etara 2, which has just been launched by Barrasford & Bird.

Designed to reflect traditional Bulgarian-style architecture, the complex at St Vlas, on the Black Sea coast, is named after a famous open-air museum located nearby. A range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments are available. All of the apartments feature tiled flooring and have a balcony, air conditioning and cable TV.

Prices start from £40,122 for a one-bedroom studio apartment, plus maintenance charges. Additionally, Barrasford & Bird offer a `turn key' furniture package, including furnishings such as cutlery, bed linen, white goods - which could be a good idea for those with rental prospects in mind. Typically, a one-bedroom apartment can be fully furnished for around £3,750.

Outside, the complex and neighbouring ones, which enjoy shared access boast a number of communal facilities including tennis courts, swimming pools, some specifically designed for children, a health spa, nine bars and restaurants, a beach lift and shop.

Robin Barrasford, managing director of Barrasford & Bird said: "This represents good value for money and is perfect for both investment and personal use. Prices around the Black Sea have risen by 30 per cent over the past twelve months and we anticipate this will continue."

The Royal Campoamor Golf Club, on the Costa Blanca in SPAIN - close to both Alicanate and Murcia airports - enjoys hot summers and mild winters.

As the name suggests, there is certainly a lot to please golf fans - but tennis lovers have been well catered for with a complete tennis centre. Other sports include football, horse riding and swimming.

A range of properties are available at the Royal Campomor Gold Club, which is sold through European Villa Solutions. Depending on where you buy, you will have a choice of garden or patio, balcony or roof terrace and, internally, the apartments are finished to a high spec. As an example price, a two-bedroom apartment costs from around £196,500.

If you love tennis, but don't want to restrict your search to new developments, you could be lucky and find an individual house with its own court. One option would be renovated 19th Century house on the FRENCH RIVIERA with four bedrooms plus separate studio, set in landscaped gardens with olive and fruit trees.

The house has a Provencal-style kitchen, a dining room with French doors to a covered terrace and a living room with stone fireplace. Outside there is a summer kitchen, which overlooks the clay tennis court and heated swimming pool.

There is also a laundry room and office space if you ever have to put down your racquet and do some work. Upstairs, all the bedrooms are en suite.

The house is close to villages, restaurants and even an international school. Nice airport is about 12 miles away. The asking price is around £830, 000 and the property is available from Savills.

For those with the cash, the French Riviera also offers a beautifully renovated five-bedroomed house plus rooms for a caretaker, just five minutes from St Tropez.

Outside, there's a tennis court and swimming pool set in one hectare of land with landscaped garden and vineyards.

The house is on sale through Savills and costs just a bit sort of £4m.

Another destination which is easy to get to and will prove popular with all the family, tennis fans or not, is MAJORCA. Savills are selling a traditional rustic country home between Artá and Canyamel, including both a main and guest house on a sizeable plot of land.

The main house has a typical Majorcan stone facade, wooden beams, terracotta floors, open and covered terraces. The guest house consists of living room-dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and one bathroom. An annexe houses a barbecue and dining area plus exterior kitchen. There is a top quality tennis court, a pool, garage and covered carport.

The house, on offer for around £850,000. is in a quiet location and offers beautiful views of the mountains and countryside, with good access to amentities.

There are plenty of flights from Manchester to Majorca.

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