The Big Tennis Secret -

Hyde Park Tennis Club

Our Story

Hyde Park would not be what it is today without the club’s presence, even though many do not know it exists. The club was founded in 1913 by some of the same people who founded Hyde Park. Ironically, no one was interested in the land at $500 per lot. HPTC has always been a nonprofit club. For 110+ years, people have enjoyed playing tennis on this land.

There are three resounding themes throughout the club’s history – People, Location, and Clay Courts. It is that simple. HPTC is your “Favorite Neighborhood Backyard Tennis Club”, and we love it.

People

How did a small tennis club that operates only six months of the year survive 110+ years located on such prime real estate? Of course the answer lies in the devotion of many members who have consistently volunteered their time, talent, and treasure to keep our small club (a “player’s club”, it is said) alive, driven by tennis enthusiasm who find pure enjoyment from their sport. 

We enjoy seeing our legacy players return, year after year. We also enjoy welcoming new members. Introductions to other members are made and playing arrangements are set in motion. We have a wide variety of ages and levels. Families, young professionals, retirees, previous collegiate/ club players, beginners, enthusiasts, etc. 

It takes just one visit to understand why so many people are attracted to the club.

Location

Tennis made its debut as an organized game in Cincinnati in December of 1880 in Horticultural Hall (what is now Music Hall). HPTC was founded when the Hyde Park community was still a work in progress. Hyde Park Square was just being laid out. The land had not yet been developed because there was no access to the back lot, and no one was interested at $500 per lot. Wallace Burch acquired all that property in 1912, courts were built two years later, and it was incorporated under the leadership of Charles Rose. Members were required to buy a share of stock at $5 each and 200 shares were available. In late July 1915 when the first clubhouse was dedicated. Mr. Rose gave a dedication speech and said, “The rest of the afternoons was devoted to enjoying the excellent matches that have been arranged. The exhibition match between the Norwood team and that of Hyde Park was a the great attraction.” 

The club is located east of Hyde Park square at 2820 Erie Avenue, and if you blink you’ll miss the tiny sign. Six clay courts are surrounded by homes and are as private as playing in your own backyard. 

The club has had to be creative financially over the years to sustain and maintain the club and keep its current location. Interestedly, 110 years later, our Club remains located today at its original site, a rare occurrence in today’s world.

Clay Courts

A substantial number of members have played at HPTC for 10+ years and there are several who can claim membership for over 40 years. The soft Har-Tru courts enable players to enjoy the sport well into their retirement years. 

Maintaining clay courts is an art and craft which HPTC takes seriously. We are continuously looking at how to cost effectively maintain the courts to be the best in the city! This is where most of the membership dollars go to. We have a wonderful and dedicated staff who takes care of the courts. They are the people you don’t ever see and make them “insta ready” every day. They arrive right before sunrise and sunset to groom, remove debris, prevent abnormal growth, sprinkler adjustments, add clay, etc. The club wouldn’t be in existence without them! 

Once someone is introduced to clay, it’s hard to play on anything else. The softness is much easier on knees and joints. Har-tru surfaces allow players to slide and recover. Clay is cooler - literally 20%... because they retain moisture and breath. The ball bounce on a clay court is slower, which means more time to get to shots resulting in longer rallies. An analysis of the world’s top tennis players shows that most had extensive clay court training in their formative years. Clay court play develops toughness, stamina, patience, and strategy that hard court play does not. Lastly, clay dries quickly and is environmentally safe. After a rain, clay courts dry in a matter of minutes, so rain delays are very short! Har-tru is made up of natural, caused, green stone, leaving no chemicals or toxic water.

The club’s reign is long, rich, and consistent. It’s always been about the people, fun competitive quality tennis play, location, and clay courts. Once a member, you feel this tug to be a steward of the club, even if it’s for a short time. You want others to experience the joy that you’ve learned to enjoy.

If you’re ever curious, stop by - just follow the ping of the ball as if you were in your own backyard and you’ll be welcomed by a smiling face.