Wheelchair Tennis Travel: Andrew Penney’s Favourite Destinations

Key Takeaways

• Discover wheelchair tennis travel destinations: Explore Andrew Penney’s favorite places, including Australia, Japan, Croatia, and Portugal, and learn why their people, culture, scenery, and weather make them memorable.
• Meet Andrew Penney: British wheelchair tennis player from Hampshire, competing on the men’s circuit since 2022 and aiming for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
• Understand accessibility needs: Accessible transportation, mobility considerations, direct flights, and convenient connections between hotels and tennis venues are important when planning tournament travel.
• Prepare for travel challenges: Lost luggage, irregular schedules, mobility equipment, and unreliable Wi-Fi can complicate international trips.
• Explore beyond the tennis court: Discover how wheelchair users can approach sightseeing, cultural attractions, and accessible activities while traveling.
• Stay connected abroad: Reliable mobile data helps athletes communicate with coaches, organize practice sessions, and share their experiences.

Introduction

Andrew Penney started playing wheelchair tennis in 2019 and began competing on the men’s circuit in 2022. Based in Hampshire and training in Southampton, he has already made his mark on the international stage, beating the world No. 12 in Korea and winning his first-round match at Wimbledon in 2026. His next big ambition? The Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

As a Ubigi ambassador, Andrew knows what it takes to balance competition with life on the road. Playing 20 to 25 tournaments a year, he spends close to half his season abroad. “Ubigi offers seamless connectivity across the globe, enabling me to always stay connected throughout my travels,” he explains.

From Australia and Japan to Croatia and Portugal, Andrew shares the destinations he enjoys most and what makes them stand out for wheelchair travel, from accessibility and transport to local culture, stunning scenery and everything that makes travelling between tournaments an experience in itself.

Best Destinations for Wheelchair Tennis

International wheelchair tennis has introduced me to some remarkable places. Australia, Japan, Croatia, and Portugal are among my favorite destinations, each offering a different experience.

These are personal favorites rather than a ranking of the world’s most wheelchair-accessible vacation destinations. For wheelchair users, individual accessibility needs should always be considered when planning a trip.

Australia: Great People and Weather

Australia is one of my favorite destinations, particularly because of its people, weather, and unique character.

Since more than 80% of our tournaments take place outdoors, favorable conditions can make wheelchair tennis competitions much more enjoyable.

Australia also offers opportunities for adventures beyond the tennis court. Cities such as Melbourne are among my favorite places to visit, with their culture, history, and architecture.

Japan: Culture and People

Japan stands out to me because of its culture and people.

One of the most rewarding parts of international wheelchair tennis is discovering different ways of life. Every destination offers something new, and Japan has been particularly memorable.

I also enjoy visiting cities such as Seoul and Kaohsiung during my travels in Asia, although each destination brings different transportation and accessibility considerations.

When planning a wheelchair-accessible travel experience, practical details matter. Accessible entrances, elevators, transportation systems, and clear information about mobility access can make it easier to explore unfamiliar places.

For wheelchair users, checking these facilities before visiting museums, cultural attractions, or other sites can help avoid unnecessary difficulties.

Croatia: People and Scenery

Croatia is another favorite, especially because of its people and beautiful scenery.

Šibenik is one of the cities I particularly enjoy visiting. Its atmosphere and surroundings make it a memorable stop during my tournament travels.

When you’re regularly moving between competitions, it’s easy for each destination to become another stop on the calendar.

But exploring local attractions and appreciating the scenery can turn a tournament trip into a much richer experience.

Portugal: Scenery and Sunshine

Portugal is another destination I love, particularly for its scenery and favorable weather. With so many wheelchair tennis tournaments taking place outdoors, good conditions make competing more enjoyable.

Porto is one of my favorite cities, especially because of its history and incredible architecture.

Exploring places like Porto reminds me why I enjoy traveling internationally for sport. A tournament gives me a reason to visit, but discovering the city is another important part of the experience.

What Makes a Destination Suitable for Wheelchair Tennis?

A good wheelchair tennis destination involves more than the tournament venue itself.

Accessibility, mobility, transportation, communication, and weather all influence how comfortable and enjoyable international travel can be.

Accessible Transportation and Mobility

For athletes traveling with a wheelchair, transportation is one of the most important considerations.

Accessible public transportation, direct flights, and convenient connections between airports, accommodations, and tennis venues can make a significant difference.

When planning a trip, it’s useful to check whether transportation providers offer wheelchair assistance, accessible vehicles, and appropriate boarding arrangements.

Air travel may also require advance preparation, particularly when transporting mobility equipment.

Confirming airline policies, airport assistance services, and procedures for handling wheelchairs can help reduce uncertainty.

Once at the destination, accessible transportation between the hotel and tournament venue is particularly important.

Accessible Accommodations and Facilities

Finding suitable accommodations is another important part of planning wheelchair tennis travel.

Accessibility requirements vary between wheelchair users, so it’s worth checking the facilities available before booking hotels.

Depending on individual needs, important considerations may include step-free entrances, elevators, accessible bathrooms, adequate space for mobility equipment, and convenient access to transportation.

Hotel descriptions don’t always provide enough detail, so contacting the property directly can help confirm whether a room meets your requirements.

The same approach applies to sports venues, museums, and other attractions.

Communication and Accessibility Information

Easy communication can make traveling internationally much more comfortable.

When language barriers are minimal, it’s easier to organize transportation, communicate with hotel staff, and manage tournament logistics.

Reliable accessibility information is also valuable.

Official tourism websites, transportation providers, and destination accessibility guides can help travelers research accessible routes, facilities, and services before departure.

For wheelchair users, knowing what to expect can make exploring unfamiliar locations less stressful.

Weather and Outdoor Conditions

Weather is especially important in wheelchair tennis because more than 80% of our tournaments take place outdoors.

Favorable conditions make competing more enjoyable and contribute to a better overall experience.

That’s one reason destinations such as Australia and Portugal stand out to me.

When planning outdoor activities, it’s also worth considering local weather conditions and how they might affect transportation and mobility.

Overcoming the Challenges of Tournament Travel

Traveling internationally for wheelchair tennis is exciting, but it also presents challenges.

Lost luggage is one of the biggest frustrations. Frequent flights and constant travel mean spending a lot of time living out of a suitcase.

Tournament schedules can also be unpredictable. No two days are the same, and you’re expected to perform whenever your match is scheduled. That makes preparation essential.

Traveling with mobility equipment can introduce additional considerations, particularly when flying or transferring between transportation services.

Planning ahead and confirming the relevant assistance arrangements can help make journeys easier to manage.

Transportation between hotels and tennis venues is another important part of tournament travel.

And then there’s connectivity.

Tournament Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable or easy to find. Having to wait hours to get back online can be frustrating when you need to contact coaches, coordinate practice sessions, or manage travel arrangements.

These challenges are part of the reality of international wheelchair tennis, but good planning can make a meaningful difference.

Essential Wheelchair Tennis Travel Tips

Over time, I’ve learned a few practical lessons that make tournament travel more comfortable.

Allow time to recover from jet lag. Arriving the day before a match in a completely different time zone isn’t ideal. Giving yourself time to adjust helps you prepare for competition.

Bring noise-canceling headphones. I’m a big fan of my Apple AirPods. They’re small enough to fit in my wheelchair, and the noise cancellation helps me prepare for matches or switch off afterward.

Download entertainment before traveling. Having videos and other content saved on your device is useful during flights and long journeys. Streaming consumes mobile data, so downloading content beforehand can help.

Check transportation accessibility. Before traveling, research accessible transportation between airports, hotels, and tennis venues. Confirm any assistance or equipment requirements in advance.

Review your accommodations. Check whether hotel rooms and facilities meet your individual accessibility and mobility needs.

Prepare your mobile connectivity. An eSIM or data plan helps you stay connected without relying entirely on public Wi-Fi. A Ubigi eSIM can provide mobile data in supported destinations, making it easier to communicate with coaches, organize practice sessions, and navigate unfamiliar locations.

Exploring Host Cities Beyond Tennis

One of my favorite parts of traveling for wheelchair tennis is discovering new places.

I love exploring cities without a strict plan and seeing what I come across. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences are the things you never expected to find.

Some of my favorite cities include Athens in Greece, Šibenik in Croatia, Melbourne in Australia, Porto in Portugal, Seoul in South Korea, Rome in Italy, Helsinki in Finland, Madrid in Spain, and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

They all offer fascinating history, architecture, and cultural attractions.

For wheelchair users, exploring these destinations can involve additional accessibility planning.

Researching wheelchair-accessible attractions, accessible transportation, museums, and outdoor spaces can help make sightseeing easier.

Accessibility maps and official visitor resources can also provide useful information about entrances, pathways, elevators, and available facilities.

Of course, accessibility varies between destinations and individual locations, so it’s important to check specific information rather than assume that an entire city is accessible.

I still enjoy the freedom of discovering places without a fixed itinerary.

You never know if or when you’ll return to a destination, so making the most of every opportunity is important to me.

Staying Connected During Wheelchair Tennis Travel

Staying connected abroad is extremely important to me.

During tournaments, I’m regularly messaging my coaches to prepare for upcoming matches, communicating with other players to organize practice sessions, and managing other tennis-related plans.

Mobile connectivity is also useful when traveling between hotels and venues, particularly when tournament Wi-Fi is unreliable.

I’m also working on improving my social media presence to help promote wheelchair tennis, especially at tournaments receiving little or no media coverage.

Being able to share content while traveling helps bring more attention to the sport and the athletes competing in it.

For travelers with disabilities, access to mobile data can also be useful when checking transportation information, locating accessible facilities, or adjusting travel plans.

An eSIM Ubigi provides a practical way to access mobile data in supported destinations without relying solely on public Wi-Fi.

Reliable connectivity is one of the many things that can make international travel easier to organize, helping athletes focus on competing and enjoying the places they visit.

Conclusion

Wheelchair tennis has taken me to incredible destinations, from Australia’s welcoming atmosphere and favorable weather to Japan’s culture, Croatia’s scenery, and Portugal’s beautiful cities.

But a successful tournament trip involves more than choosing an appealing destination.

Accessibility, mobility, transportation, communication, and weather all play an important role in the experience.

Traveling with a disability can involve additional planning, particularly when organizing flights, accommodations, accessible transportation, and mobility equipment.

Preparing for these practical considerations helps make international travel easier to manage.

For me, the most rewarding part of wheelchair tennis travel is the opportunity to compete while discovering new cultures and places.

Wherever tennis takes me, I always try to make the most of every experience, both on and off the court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Andrew Penney’s favorite wheelchair tennis destinations?

Andrew’s favorite destinations include Australia, Japan, Croatia, and Portugal. He particularly appreciates Australia’s people and weather, Japan’s culture, Croatia’s scenery, and Portugal’s sunshine and landscapes.

These are personal favorites rather than a ranking of the most wheelchair-accessible destinations.

What makes a destination suitable for wheelchair tennis players?

Good accessibility, reliable transportation, direct flights, suitable accommodations, easy communication, and favorable weather can all contribute to a positive wheelchair tennis travel experience.

What should wheelchair users check before traveling abroad?

Wheelchair users should research accessible transportation, hotel facilities, airport assistance, mobility equipment policies, and accessibility information for attractions they plan to visit.

Individual accessibility requirements vary, so confirming details directly with service providers is important.

Why is weather important for wheelchair tennis tournaments?

According to Andrew, more than 80% of the tournaments he plays take place outdoors. Favorable weather can make competing more enjoyable and improve the overall travel experience.

What are the biggest challenges of wheelchair tennis travel?

Andrew identifies lost luggage, frequent travel, irregular tournament schedules, transportation between hotels and venues, and unreliable Wi-Fi as major challenges.

What are Andrew Penney’s essential travel tips?

Andrew recommends allowing time to recover from jet lag, bringing noise-canceling headphones, downloading entertainment before departure, and preparing mobile connectivity.

Researching accessible transportation and accommodations can also help travelers plan their journeys.

Why is mobile connectivity important for wheelchair tennis players?

Mobile data helps athletes communicate with coaches, coordinate practice sessions, manage travel logistics, and share content that promotes wheelchair tennis.

A travel eSIM Ubigi can provide connectivity in supported destinations when public Wi-Fi is unreliable.