The USTA found last year that U.S. tennis participation grew by 1 million players in 2022, with more than 23.6 million playing the sport–the third consecutive year that the sport has increased.
This number, when added to the previous two years, represents an increase of 5.9 million, or 33%, since the start of 2020.
For the sake of comparison: In 2022, golf enthusiasts in the United States achieved a remarkable milestone, with a record-breaking 40 million people participating in golf, both on and off the course. Source: National Golf Foundation.
Royal Melbourne Country Club‘s new tennis courts
Thus, it is clearer comprehension regarding the Royal Melbourne Country Club‘s rationale for investing in the construction of a tennis court.
Let us delve into the details and discover the facts and innovations that lie within.
The Royal Melbourne Country Club has just opened its four new state-of-the-art platform tennis courts and a social house equipped with a bar and bistro kitchen.
This is completing its larger extensive improvement project aimed to enhance the overall member and guest experience.
The addition of the platform tennis courts and social house followed the opening of two new pickleball courts and improvements to Royal Melbourne Country Club’s 42,000-square-foot clubhouse, both of which were opened in August 2023.
The 4 new heated and lit paddle tennis courts, which are now open for member and guest play, add to Royal Melbourne Country Club’s premier racquet sports complex, which already features
- the 2 pickleball courts,
- 4 Har-Tru tennis courts,
- a tennis pro shop that offers same-day racquet stringing, repair and customization, and
- a viewing deck.
USPTA Elite Professional and Director of Racquet Sports Mike Lardino and his talented teaching team will leverage their vast experience in building one of the area’s top country club tennis programs to create a robust calendar of both paddle tennis and pickleball programming that will include
- clinics,
- camps,
- lessons,
- leagues and
- social events for players of all ages and skill levels.
The Social House
The social house that features a bar and bistro kitchen will serve the racquet sports complex year-round. It will act as a warming hut and a place for players to gather in the winter months.
It will be able to serve nearly 40 people in its enclosed dining area.
In the summer, it will be a welcome addition to the club’s pool and aquatics center, and capacity will climb to more than 200 guests as a result of a newly built outdoor patio and expanded pool deck.
Social sport membership
The Royal Melbourne Country Club launched a Social Sport Membership that includes access to all racquet sports, the pool, dining, and social events.