ALBANY TENNIS CLUB
PLAY, LEARN, LAUGH, BELONG
NEWS
| MEMBERSHIPWe are preparing for the 2025 season on the red clay courts. We hope you will renew your membership next year or join for the first time. Watch for announcements in 2025. See you then. | EVENTS
|
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
JOE CHERNEKClub Member
How long have you played tennis?
I grew up right across the street from two tennis courts in Newburgh, NY. When I was growing up, the neighborhood kids, including me, mostly played baseball with a tennis ball on those courts. I started regularly playing tennis on the courts that I grew up next to around 2011 or 2012. My brother and some neighborhood friends found ourselves playing tennis for several hours each day over one summer that first year. Then I joined a local tennis club where I took some tennis lessons and played in a few leagues for a year. I didn’t play as regularly for a while but I joined the Albany Tennis Club in 2023 and have been playing regularly again during the outdoor season since.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of Albany Tennis Club?
I enjoy a lot of things about the Albany Tennis Club. Some of my favorites include the warm welcome from Larry and the staff at the ATC, as well as fellow members. I like that I am supporting a local organization and the care that the organization does in preserving the beautiful clay courts at the ATC. I love the community tennis events and the annual 15-Love event. I also love playing Wednesday evening singles and the annual tennis tournament.
CLUB HISTORY
Listen to our history:Founded: 1878
The Albany Club was one of the earliest tennis facilities in the United States, and in fact predates the Newport Tennis Hall of Fame (then called the Newport Casino) by two years.
1878 The Albany Club was erected on the SE corner of Swan and Jay Streets with two indoor courts.
1883 One outdoor court added.
1912 The Ridgefield Club sold the property, where the club currently resides, to the YMCA.
1930’s Bill Tilden, one of America’s most famous players, visited the courts.
1940’s A subgroup of Ridgefield YMCA members formed the Albany Tennis Association to promote tennis and related social events. Annual dinner dances were held at Jack’s Restaurant in downtown Albany.
1968 The YMCA operated the eight clay courts until 1968 when Ridgefield Park was acquired by the City of Albany.
1973 The Ridgefield Tennis Association incorporated as The Albany Tennis Club when the members received approval from Mayor Erastus Corning III to form The Ridgefield Tennis Association and assume responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the courts.