Tennis is not as popular as in its heyday of the 1970s and 1980s, when John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Chris Evert were worldwide, A-list sporting celebrities.
But tennis has enjoyed a resurgence. The Williams sisters — Venus and Serena — and men’s stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have kept the sport in the limelight.
Perhaps because of the sluggish economy, participation in tennis is up locally and nationally, while participation in more expensive sports such as golf is down. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), U.S. player participation in tennis rose 43 percent from 2000-08, with 27 million players listed in 2008 — the highest number in 15 years. The number of frequent players, defined as 21 or more times per year, rose to 5.6 million in 2008, up 23 percent from five years earlier. The 2008 SGMA report said participation in golf dropped nearly 20 percent, to 26 million people.
The U.S. Tennis Association says the number of players in the country exceeds 30 million.
In Denver, several quality tennis facilities are available to use. Some, such as the Denver Tennis Club, are privately run. Some, such as the Gates Tennis Center, are public facilities that have numerous programs for players of all abilities, including beginners.
“It’s an affordable, local outlet for people who want to have some fun, play a sport and get some exercise at the same time,” said Sam Hitman, director of tennis at Gates.
If you’re just starting out . . .
What can I expect to pay for a new racket?
As with most sports equipment, you can spend a little or a lot. A good, new beginner’s racket — such as the Prince, Head, Wilson and Babolat brands — is likely to cost $75 to $100. Gates Tennis Center has a quality entry-level Prince racket for $99, which come with a choice of an article of tennis clothing. And there are used rackets for as little at $10 on sale. Internet sites and newspaper classifieds have numerous rackets at bargain prices. A can of tennis balls costs about $2 at discount department stores.
How much to restring my racket?
Prices usually start at about $22 for a “synthetic gut” of string, done by a sporting goods store staffer or a pro shop staffer at a club.
What about tennis shoes?
They can vary as well, but most new, quality tennis sneakers will run a minimum of $40 and can exceed $100.
I have my new racket, sneakers and tennis balls, where can I play?
There are numerous courts free and open to the public in the Denver area, often found at parks and high schools. There are several tennis establishments in the area and state. In Denver, Gates Tennis Center is the largest public facility. Located at the intersection of Bayaud Avenue and Steele Street in Cherry Creek, the facility underwent a $4 million renovation two years ago and offers numerous programs for players of all levels.
The Denver Tennis Club, at 400 Forest St., is a private club that requires membership but has affordable rates for the casual player who wants to play seasonally. Other private facilities catering to tennis include the Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club, the Millennium Harvest House in Boulder and the Broomfield Swim and Tennis Club.
Prominent Colorado facilities
Facility || Location || Phone
Gates Tennis Center Denver 303-355-4461
Denver Tennis Club Denver 303-322-4524
Millennium Harvest House Boulder 303-443-3850
Colorado Athletic Club Denver 303-758-7080
Meadow Creek Tennis and Fitness Lakewood 303-232-6272
Broomfield Swim and Tennis Club Broomfield 303-466-5100
Lynmar Racquet & Health Club Colorado Springs 719-598-7075
The Broadmoor Tennis Club Colorado Springs 719-577-5847
The Tennis Center Steamboat Springs 970-879-8400
Arvada Tennis Center Arvada 303-420-1210
Holly Tennis Center Centennial 303-771-3654
Top tournaments in Colorado
Date || Tournament || Location
June 11-13 Gates Spring Ladder Classic Gates Tennis Center
June 16-20 U.S. Open National Playoffs Gates Tennis Center
June 18-27 94th Denver City Open Denver Tennis Club
July 23-27 Denver Junior City Open Denver Tennis Club
Aug. 7-15 Boulder Open Millennium Harvest House
Aug. 20-22 Gates Summer Ladder Classic Gates Tennis Center
Sept. 10-19 Colorado State Open Gates Tennis Center
