Tennis Club Recommendations in NOVA

[roadto50]

Hi all,

I am moving to Arlington, VA in a couple weeks and wanted to get some suggestions for indoor clubs. I am mainly interested in playing weekend leagues/flights (singles, doubles, mixed). Unfortunately, I cannot play weekdays due to work. Looking for clubs with lots of 4.5+ players. Also what's the tennis scene like summer vs winter? Many thanks!

 

[tennis tom]

Since it's Memorial Day weekend, the Army, Navy, Marine Club.

 

[Pro Kenneth]

That ain't cheap

 

[tennis tom]

That ain't cheap

good things never are...

 

[Pro Kenneth]

It's like saying a Ferrari is a nice car, you should totally try one. The army Navy club is the best place in Nova. But Damn$$.

I looked into the club, it's 60 grand minimum (even with the discount to join as a public employee) unless you are in the military then you may get an additional discount if at lower ranked officer grade.

Unless you are a big shot goverrnment manager, or young officer .... If you are, please add me.to your guest list.

 

[Pro Kenneth]

There's "skyline" club (Bailey's crossroads I think) and McClean Sport and Health (Tyson's), and east Potomac (public and cheapest in DC). As always unfortunately most players are 3.0 to 4.0, and indoor is less.popular.during.the summer

 

[McLovin]

Hi all,

I am moving to Arlington, VA in a couple weeks and wanted to get some suggestions for indoor clubs. I am mainly interested in playing weekend leagues/flights (singles, doubles, mixed). Unfortunately, I cannot play weekdays due to work. Looking for clubs with lots of 4.5+ players. Also what's the tennis scene like summer vs winter? Many thanks!

If you're looking for the 'club' feel, you'll have a hard time finding it in the Northern VA/DC/MD area. If you're looking to simply show up & play, then you'll have absolutely no problem.

Unfortunately, most players at the 4.5+ level in this area don't belong to a club per se (one of my biggest pet peeves). What happens is they belong to 12-15 different USTA leagues in the area (not an exaggeration...there's NOVA, Loudon, DC, PG (Prince Georges) County, Howard County, Montgomery County, etc...), and they simply show up to a different club, pay their $15 match fee, play the match, then leave. There is no 'club camaraderie'. In fact, many people will play with a player in the morning (say, in a NOVA league), then be playing against that same player (maybe a DC league) later in the day.

If you want the local 'club feel', then you'll have to either pay an exorbitant amount, or look further west (which I'm certain you don't want to do, as driving is a b!tch in the area).

There are also non-USTA leagues in the area, but those are mostly during the summer. The good news is, there are tons of 4.5-5.0 level players in the area. Once you get on a team and start making connections, you'll have absolutely no issues finding people to hit with.

 

[tennis tom]

Unfortunately, most players at the 4.5+ level in this area don't belong to a club per se (one of my biggest pet peeves). What happens is they belong to 12-15 different USTA leagues in the area (not an exaggeration...there's NOVA, Loudon, DC, PG (Prince Georges) County, Howard County, Montgomery County, etc...), and they simply show up to a different club, pay their $15 match fee, play the match, then leave. There is no 'club camaraderie'. In fact, many people will play with a player in the morning (say, in a NOVA league), then be playing against that same player (maybe a DC league) later in the day.

Yup! The club owners and managers are in collusion with this setup--schiessen on the members who pay the dues, while letting the hot-shots freebee non-members play for free at prime time--NO THANKS--I'll watch some real tennis on TV--is it any wonder tennis is a dying sport, it's valuable real estate being taken over by the invasion of pickleball.

 

[McLovin]

Yup! The club owners and managers are in collusion

No Collusion!

 

[strike1]

4 Star Tennis has several locations in northern virginia and has fantastic programs at a reasonable cost.

 

[Topaz]

Look into Arlington Y. You might have a better chance just showing up to courts, Quincy Park is pretty active.

Like McLovin says, not sure how many 4.5s are actually club members.

 

[Oldstorm]

4 seasons has quite a few high school players attending and so does fairfax racquet club or I should say used to since I haven’t been in a while

Summer scene is pretty good, easy to find hitting partners especially in arlington and maybe even connect here. Harder to find a hitting partner in winter with the expensive per hour court prices

 

[Topaz]

Four Seasons is no more my friend. Since last April.

 

[Oldstorm]

Excellent, I really have been away from the club scene.

In that case, if you guys also have recs on something near the Chantilly/fairfax area for 4-4.5 player, I would appreciate the help. My info seems a little outdated

 

[roadto50]

If you're looking for the 'club' feel, you'll have a hard time finding it in the Northern VA/DC/MD area. If you're looking to simply show up & play, then you'll have absolutely no problem.

Unfortunately, most players at the 4.5+ level in this area don't belong to a club per se (one of my biggest pet peeves). What happens is they belong to 12-15 different USTA leagues in the area (not an exaggeration...there's NOVA, Loudon, DC, PG (Prince Georges) County, Howard County, Montgomery County, etc...), and they simply show up to a different club, pay their $15 match fee, play the match, then leave. There is no 'club camaraderie'. In fact, many people will play with a player in the morning (say, in a NOVA league), then be playing against that same player (maybe a DC league) later in the day.

If you want the local 'club feel', then you'll have to either pay an exorbitant amount, or look further west (which I'm certain you don't want to do, as driving is a b!tch in the area).

There are also non-USTA leagues in the area, but those are mostly during the summer. The good news is, there are tons of 4.5-5.0 level players in the area. Once you get on a team and start making connections, you'll have absolutely no issues finding people to hit with.

Sorry for the late replies all. Been a busy week. What would be the best way to get on USTA teams? Every city I've been in, I've always known a couple other tennis fanatics that got me hooked up with the right teams so never really had to do this searching on my own. Anyone I can talk to? Sorry if this is obvious to some of you.

And regarding clubs, I am mainly looking to be part of one so I have continued access to indoor courts for the winter season/rainy days. I don't really play indoors during the summer, but I figure most clubs wouldn't let me join during fall and winter and quit during the spring/summer.

Any feedback on indoor flights at Fairfax Racquet Club? Not sure if they run during the summer, but I figure it could be an option during the winter.

 

[McLovin]

What would be the best way to get on USTA teams? Every city I've been in, I've always known a couple other tennis fanatics that got me hooked up with the right teams so never really had to do this searching on my own. Anyone I can talk to? Sorry if this is obvious to some of you.

The short answer is tennislink.com (although I've never done it through the site). Apparently you can look up a league and put in a request. Captains may then contact you if they are in need of players. But...most good teams are 'manufactured', meaning they've lobbied for players (in some cases at 2 AM, hours after the new ratings were released), so you may be put on a not-so-good team.

And regarding clubs, I am mainly looking to be part of one so I have continued access to indoor courts for the winter season/rainy days. I don't really play indoors during the summer, but I figure most clubs wouldn't let me join during fall and winter and quit during the spring/summer.

For the most part, that is correct. However, most clubs have low annual fees, and you just pay for court time. I just checked, and Fairfax is only $125 annual fee, so you'd pay nothing in court fees April -> October (or March -> November, depending on you tolerance).

Any feedback on indoor flights at Fairfax Racquet Club? Not sure if they run during the summer, but I figure it could be an option during the winter.

Sorry, can't help you there. I've only played at Fairfax a few times, and those few times were during my brief foray into NOVA 4.5 leagues.

 

[Space_D]

Sorry for the late replies all. Been a busy week. What would be the best way to get on USTA teams? Every city I've been in, I've always known a couple other tennis fanatics that got me hooked up with the right teams so never really had to do this searching on my own. Anyone I can talk to? Sorry if this is obvious to some of you.

E-mail one of the league coordinators: https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/a...c/usta-mid-atlantic-league-calendar.html#NOVA. NOVA/DC are your best bets. The 18 & Over season is halfway through so you might be too late to join for the spring season, but there are other league types that run in the fall.

And regarding clubs, I am mainly looking to be part of one so I have continued access to indoor courts for the winter season/rainy days. I don't really play indoors during the summer, but I figure most clubs wouldn't let me join during fall and winter and quit during the spring/summer.

Some facilities offer block time contracts to members/non-members for the winter. These contracts are paid upfront and offer the same court/time every week for a certain number of weeks during the winter season. Usually a group of 8 people split the contract to help keep the costs down. If you join a USTA league, ask around to see if anyone on your team has a spot open in their block groups. Most league players here participate in at least one block time during the winter.

 

[Doan]

The short answer is tennislink.com (although I've never done it through the site). Apparently you can look up a league and put in a request. Captains may then contact you if they are in need of players. But...most good teams are 'manufactured', meaning they've lobbied for players (in some cases at 2 AM, hours after the new ratings were released), so you may be put on a not-so-good team.

For the most part, that is correct. However, most clubs have low annual fees, and you just pay for court time. I just checked, and Fairfax is only $125 annual fee, so you'd pay nothing in court fees April -> October (or March -> November, depending on you tolerance).

That $125 annual membership for Fairfax Racquet just allows you to book court times (costs extra) or join their various flights/programs. They have Mixed and Mens flights on the weekends - however don't think many 4.5's play those.

If you're in Arlington, the Arlington YMCA has indoor tennis courts - but I have no idea what programs they offer. However there is an Arlington league that plays outside Spring/Summer/Fall that you can join. The A league has some ex-college players so if you get onto a team you should be able to make some contacts that way. Don't know any 4.5 players as I'm in the B league but its a nice change of pace (more relaxed) than USTA.
Follow the links from here and to register and get the contact details for the league coordinator - https://www.actatennis.org/new-players/looking-for-a-team-4/

 

[roadto50]

That $125 annual membership for Fairfax Racquet just allows you to book court times (costs extra) or join their various flights/programs. They have Mixed and Mens flights on the weekends - however don't think many 4.5's play those.

If you're in Arlington, the Arlington YMCA has indoor tennis courts - but I have no idea what programs they offer. However there is an Arlington league that plays outside Spring/Summer/Fall that you can join. The A league has some ex-college players so if you get onto a team you should be able to make some contacts that way. Don't know any 4.5 players as I'm in the B league but its a nice change of pace (more relaxed) than USTA.
Follow the links from here and to register and get the contact details for the league coordinator - https://www.actatennis.org/new-players/looking-for-a-team-4/

Thanks! I will take a look. Maybe I will see you out there!

 

[McLovin]

That $125 annual membership for Fairfax Racquet just allows you to book court times

Correct, that is what I meant, although re-reading my post, I see where I wasn't clear on that. When I said 'nothing in court fees' I was inferring he'd be playing outside for the spring/summer/fall months.

However there is an Arlington league that plays outside Spring/Summer/Fall that you can join. The A league has some ex-college players so if you get onto a team you should be able to make some contacts that way. Don't know any 4.5 players as I'm in the B league but its a nice change of pace (more relaxed) than USTA.
Follow the links from here and to register and get the contact details for the league coordinator - https://www.actatennis.org/new-players/looking-for-a-team-4/

Ah, yes, ACTA. That was the non-USTA league I was referring to in my initial post. Many of my 4.5 & 5.0 friends play in that.

 

[Oldstorm]

Are there any tennis walls in the fairfax/Chantilly/Centreville area. I know there’s a few in Arlington

 

[Doan]

Are there any tennis walls in the fairfax/Chantilly/Centreville area. I know there’s a few in Arlington

Jefferson District Park, Wakefield Park (Annandale)

 

[Topaz]

There are also walls at Wakefield Park, off Braddock RD/495 and there used to be a really nice one at Nottoway Park in Vienna. The one at Jefferson is kinda short and small IMO.

 

[Topaz]

I will also someone else's reply that most likely the best way to get onto a USTA team is to email the coordinator. They can give you a list of captains that need players. This may mean you spend a season on a weaker team, but if you play well against the stronger teams, you will get new invites. Usually once you get into it, you have more playing opportunities than you know what to do with...especially if you are...ehem...a bit more mature and qualify for the 40+/55+ leagues.

Someone also mentioned ACTA...which has really taken off the last few years.

I have been a member of Fairfax in the past, but I would wonder how court availability is now that Four Seasons closed...no use paying for a membership if there are never any open courts. USTA has been playing there a lot lately too (though usually at undesirable times).