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History of the USCTA
The first reference to tennis in the Americas extant in the
historical record is a decree against playing tennis on Sundays,
issued by the Governor of New Amsterdam, Peter
Stuyvesant, on October 26, 1656. The centuries that followed
were replete with further proof that some sort of
version of the “game of kings” was being played in North
America. In October 1876, exactly a year and a half after
the newly invented game of lawn tennis came to these
shores, Hollis Hunnewell and Nathaniel Thayer opened the
first bona fide court tennis facility on Buckingham Street
in Boston. Over the course of the next 120 years, 18 more
courts were built; today there are nine active courts in the
US, the oldest in Newport (1880) and the youngest in
Washington, D.C. (1997).
The United States Court Tennis Association, under
the leadership of its first president William L. Van Alen,
initially convened on January 30, 1955 in New York. Prior
to that time there was no central authority to regulate, promote,
and preserve the game in the United States. Indeed,
when the Laws of Tennis in America were first adopted on
New Year’s Day 1934, just three clubs – The Racquet &
Tennis Club, The Racquet Club of Philadelphia, and The
Tennis & Racquet Club – were signatories.
ADMINISTRATION
Besides the promulgation of tennis rules, which were revised
in 1979 and again in 2000, the Association has the
authority to coordinate and control all championships and
major competitions, and in conjunction with its Member
Clubs, organize and conduct tournaments for all levels of
play in America. The USCTA sets the annual tournament
schedule and supplies the national level competition medals.
The governing body raises funds through membership
dues and contributions and by hosting such events as the
US Court Tennis Association Annual Dinner and Auction.
The USCTA financially backs the construction, maintenance,
and restoration of courts, and subsidizes the development
of female and junior players. The Association conducts
relations with other national governing bodies around
the world, promotes international play, and supports the
U.S. at international competitions.
PROFESSIONAL TENNIS
One of its most essential functions is the vigorous support
of professionals in America, without whom the continued
existence of the game would be precarious. The Association
2008-2009 Annual Report
provides prize money for tournaments like the National
Open, the World Championship, the US Professional Singles
for the Schochet Cup and the Men’s and Ladies’
US Opens.
AMATEUR TENNIS
The Association also encourages top flight amateur play. It
began publishing a list of the Top 25 US Amateur Players
in 2004 in order to stimulate competition and increase the
level of play, particularly among mid to upper level players.
The USCTA also promotes team competition by supplying
teams and backing for such international challenge tournaments
as the Bathurst Cup.
JUNIOR TENNIS
The USCTA is committed to ensuring the future of the
sport in America through an active Junior Tennis program.
It offers workshops and professional instruction as well as
creating opportunities for young players to compete by
funding international teams and supporting US tournaments
like the Junior Nationals and the Lieb Cup.
PUBLICATIONS
The USCTA publishes an Annual Report, e-newsletters, a
fixtures calendar, Top 25 rankings, e-mail news, and other
announcements. The USCTA, in conjunction with the
USCTPF, also maintains a website.
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