Considering the country hosts one of the four major tournaments in a Grand Slam calendar year, the United States is a legitimate hotbed for tennis. According to an article on Tennis Industry Association, the game’s participation continues to grow in the country. As a matter of fact, of the estimated 17.9 million tennis athletes in 2014, 14 million of those are Americans who are participating in the sport.
There is no denying that the US, and most of its major cities, is borderline obsessed with tennis. While some primarily focus on team sports such as baseball, football, and basketball, others are somewhat hooked to an individual game that uses a simple racket and a neon green ball. With that being said, here are the best cities for tennis in the United States.
1. Of course New York has to be first on the list, as it has been the host city of the US Open since 1978. During the summer, players in the five boroughs in and around the Big Apple flock to neighborhood parks to enjoy the sport either casually or competitively. Cross X Court even went as far as saying that playing tennis in New York is an art form.
2. Another East Coast city that has a rich tennis history is Chicago. It is home to The Midtown Athletic Club, one of the most iconic sporting facilities in the United States, making it a bona fide tennis center. Despite having harsh winters and owning the nickname “Windy City,” Play Your Court describes Chicago as an “awesome tennis town” mainly due to its abundance of active players and participation rates all year round.
3. San Diego‘s temperate climate is perfect for playing or learning tennis. Locals also love watching live tournament matches, bearing in mind the Aviators WTT franchise led by Bryan brothers and Daniela Hantuchova has represented the city well over the years. When it comes to facilities, the most popular would probably be the tennis club in Balboa Park, as it is home to 24 hard courts with a 4,000 seating capacity.
4. From upcoming junior players to certified tennis greats, Los Angeles embodies every level of the sport. Big universities such as UCLA and USC dominate the NCAA Division I tennis landscape, boasting a handful of nationally ranked names. This only proves that the city is more than just home to the LA Lakers, the LA Dodgers, and Hollywood.
5. With arguably one of the biggest USTA chapters in the United States, many deem Atlanta as a dynamic tennis community. The city hones players right from junior level, nurturing them to become better people overall and imparting the fundamentals of the sport. Furthermore, ATL holds well-known events such as the BB&T Atlanta Open, a men’s pro tournament that has past champions including homegrown players Andy Roddick and John Isner.
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