A List Of Sydney’s Best Tennis Courts To Switch Up Your Lockdown Exercise Routine
Sonia is a travel, lifestyle, and design writer and editor…
If your daily walk is a little more crowded than you’d like or you’re looking for a different way to get your blood pumping, tennis is a perfect and safe way to exercise during lockdown. So, we’ve rounded up some of Sydney‘s best tennis courts.
If you’ve noticed that going for a lockdown walk in the winter sunshine is less relaxing and more like trying to work your way to the bar at a festival, then you wouldn’t be the only one. In popular hubs like Bondi and Manly, lockdown has actually created summer-like crowds in the depths of winter, as more and more people get out and about for their daily exercise.
No matter whether you live near densely populated areas or reside in spacious suburbia, it’s a good time to start switching things up a little with different physical activities. And one way to get your body moving is by playing tennis.
Here are some of Sydney‘s best tennis courts for you to get your game on. Note: Bookings are essential during lockdown and some clubs have capacity restrictions in place.
Northern Beaches
Bayview Tennis Club, Bayview
If you’re after tennis with a gorgeous water view dotted with boats, Bayview Tennis Club has two synthetic grass courts with your name on it. Bookings are essential and casual rates for non-members are $15 an hour.
Collaroy Tennis Club, Collaroy
Another tennis club with pretty views – in fact, a Tennis NSW poll voted it the best looking club in the state – Collaroy Tennis Club has six courts including one that is cushioned acrylic. Rates start from $20 per hour.
Manly Lawn Tennis Club and Keirle Park Tennis Centre, Manly
Over in Manly, visitors to Manly Lawn Tennis Club offers visitors the use of six synthetic grass courts, where they can play up to six times per year for a $20 fee on Saturdays, $15 on Sunday and $10 midweek.
Also in Manly, Keirle Park Tennis Centre requires no membership to play on their six floodlit synthetic courts, with fees ranging from $20 to $30 per hour.
Wakehurst Tennis, Seaforth
Wakehurst Tennis in Seaforth (who have recently merged with Voyager Tennis Academy) gives you the option to play on either hard or grass courts, offering four hard courts alongside four synthetic grass courts for $22 to $26 an hour. Plus, if you realise you’re not as good at tennis as you thought, there’s two Futsal courts on-site begging for a game.
Eastern Suburbs
Lyne Park Tennis Courts, Rose Bay
Set in the scenic surrounds of Rose Bay, right near the water, you’ll find the Lyne Park Tennis Centre. Surrounded by green and with Sydney Harbour and its pretty boats as a backdrop, this is a lovely spot for a serve. Court hire starts at $32 per hour.
Cooper Park Tennis Club, Woollahra
Cooper Park Tennis Courts in Woollahra is like finding a verdant oasis in the city. There are eight sun-drenched synthetic grass courts (which are also floodlit come nightfall), situated within a literal gully amid 17.5 hectares of urban bushland. Yep, you can whack balls to the sounds of singing birds, rustling foliage, and whooshing streams. Court hire is between $30 to $34 an hour for casual bookings and when the cafe is operating, it’s damn cute.
White City Tennis and Wentworth Tennis, Paddington
If you prefer a bit of an urban feel, then White City Tennis (formerly Maccabi Tennis Courts) in Paddington is a good bet. There are a whopping 20 courts to choose from, including eight all-weather floodlit courts (artificial grass and hard courts), two mini red ball courts, and 10 real grass courts. Here, you play with the city skyline and trains screeching past in the background.
On the other side of Glenmore Road up the back of Trumper Park on the hill behind Edgecliff station, Wentworth Tennis (formerly The Palms) affords some incredible views of the city. Take the winding path leading past the Lord Dudley Hotel to the Trumper Park Tennis Centre, where you can play on casual rates starting from $28 per hour.
Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre, Rushcutters Bay
A stone’s throw from the bobbing moored boats of Rushcutters Bay and surrounded by parkland, hitting a few balls at this tennis club is a pretty fab way to spend an hour or two. There’s an on site cafe, but you’re also one stairway away from Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point’s excellent offerings.
Coogee Beach Tennis, Coogee
Located just a few minutes away from the beach and 450m from the Coogee Pavilion for an after-game snack sesh, Coogee Beach Tennis (formerly Eastern Suburbs Tennis Club) has a new clubhouse and five synthetic courts to play on, with non-member rates set at $30 per hour.
Hot tip: if you’re strapped for cash, you can try your luck snagging a session at council-operated Baker Park tennis courts, also in Coogee. Sessions are limited to one hour.
Eastcourts Tennis Club, Kingsford
If you’re a fan of clay and hard courts, head over to Eastcourts Tennis Club in Kingsford. There are eight well-maintained courts for hire, starting at $27 per hour.
Inner Sydney and Inner West
City Community Tennis (various locations)
There are five City Community Tennis court locations within Inner Sydney, but the most well known sits right next to Central Station, straddling the CBD in Surry Hills. The Prince Alfred Park City Community Courts are a lovely option for urban dwellers, as they’re located within the complex that houses parkland, swimming pool and cafe. Best of all, the five course have a plexicushion surface, which is the same used for the Australian Open. Other City Community Tennis locations include Alexandria, Beaconsfield, Glebe and Rosebery.
Birchgrove Tennis, Balmain
Sydney really isn’t short on picturesque tennis courts. Over in Balmain, Birchgrove Tennis is located in the beautiful, tranquil parkland of Birchgrove Oval, with a gorgeous outlook over Snail’s Bay. Court bookings start at $21 per hour.
North Shore
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Primrose Park Tennis, Cremorne
Currently closed for renovations. Located within historic Primrose Park on the northern side of Cremorne, you’ll find four floodlit synthetic grass courts at Primrose Park Tennis. Casual court hire rates start from $28 per hour. Nearby, you can also check out Cammeray Tennis Club with hire rates starting from $25 per hour.
Tennis World Chatswood (and various locations)
Tennis World Chatswood‘s Chatswood Tennis Club has 12 well maintained courts at two locations on Fullers Road, as well as a coffee shop and outdoor and indoor seating area. There are other Tennis World locations in the region, including North Sydney, Lane Cove and North Ryde.
Killara Lawn Tennis Club, Killara
Killara Lawn Tennis Club has six quality, well-drained synthetic grass courts located in a picturesque setting in the heart of Killara. There’s also an historic clubhouse with seating that overlooks the courts.
St Ives Village Green, St Ives
St Ives Village Green is fully equipped with four baseball diamonds, four floodlit acrylic tennis courts, a skate park and playground. Casual rates start from $17 per hour.
Kim Warwick Tennis Academy, Hornsby and Waitara
Founded by six-time grand slam champion and former Australian number one, Kim Warwick, and run by his son Aaron, the KWTA is a tennis club with a sporting pedigree. There are 12 tennis courts, including some using the Australian Open surface plexicushion. Court fees start from $20 per hour for synthetic grass and $24 per hour for plexicushion.
Greater Sydney – Sutherland Shire, Hills District and Western Suburbs
Rockdale Tennis Club, Rockdale
Rockdale Tennis Club boasts 18 all-weather tennis courts alongside a traditional club environment, including a restaurant and bar. There’s also a number of screens to watch various sporting events.
Sylvania Waters Tennis Centre, Sylvania
If you’re keen to have a few lessons from a team of coaches with extensive experience, including co-owner Ryan, who is the former Tennis NSW head Sports and Conditioning coach for juniors, then Sylvania Waters Tennis Centre is a wonderful spot. There are six courts to get involved and it’s possible to hire them by the hour, starting from $20.
Canada Bay District Community Tennis Clubs
The City of Canada Bay has a range of community tennis courts, including two locations in both Concord and Five Dock and one in North Strathfield. Prices start from $20 per hour.
Sydney Olympic Park Tennis, Homebush
If you want to have a match on the hallowed ground where Serena and Venus Williams won doubles gold all those years ago, then hit up Sydney Olympic Parks Tennis centre. In the southern area of Sydney Olympic Park there are several outdoor plexicushion courts that line the Ken Rosewall Arena. The centre also has indoor courts meaning it’s game on rain, hail or shine. Court hire starts from $30 per hour.
Hills District Tennis Association, Dural and Castle Hill
The not-for-profit Hills District Tennis Association was formed back in 1933. They manage two venues in Sydney’s north west – Dural and Castle Hill. The Dural Tennis Courts span seven synthetic grass courts and Castle Hill’s Caterson courts offer 10 synthetic grass courts. Both locations start from $20 per hour. If you’re out this way, it’s also worth looking into horse riding.
Blacktown Tennis Centre, Stanhope
The Blacktown Tennis Centre in Stanhope is a modern facility boasting a whopping 16 Australian Open-grade plexicushion courts, not to mention grandstand seating for 288 spectators on the show court. All the courts are LED lit and designed for mutli-sport use, so you could have a game of futsal if you’re so inclined. There’s a bunch of other facilities too, like an aquatic centre, skate parks and outdoor gym.
Lead image: Wakehurst Tennis Sydney
Sonia is a travel, lifestyle, and design writer and editor who lives for sharing a personal rec. See what she's up to @literallysonia.