Serving Up Excellence: Leftwich Tennis Center

The Leftwich Tennis Center is the crown jewel for Memphis’ tennis community. Nestled in the heart of East Memphis, Leftwich Tennis Center is a testament to the city's rich tennis culture, blending community engagement with world-class facilities. For tennis fans, whether competitive leagues, top collegiate players or just learning to play, Leftwich offers much more than just a place to hit balls—it’s a hub for community and the love of the game.

Memphis, with our vibrant history in music and civil rights, also is a “tennis city.” We have the largest USTA participation in the state of Tennessee, and Leftwich is a contributing factor to this growth. In 2024, on Center Court at the US Open in New York, Leftwich Tennis Center was named a Featured Facility of the Year, which is the highest honor bestowed by the USTA on a tennis facility. Leftwich is a joint venture by the City of Memphis, the University of Memphis, and Tennis Memphis. In addition to the 24 outdoor and 12 indoor courts, the facility includes space for the University of Memphis varsity tennis teams, a pro shop, public locker rooms, a VIP suite and an educational space for Tennis Memphis’ after-school programs.

Tennis Memphis, a non-profit affiliated with the USTA’s Foundation, operates the six City of Memphis tennis centers including Leftwich. The mission of Tennis Memphis is to build better communities and enhance lives through tennis and learning. “Leftwich is just one example of how Tennis Memphis serves the community through these efforts,” explains Ann Sneed,  Marketing Manager with Tennis Memphis. “We never turn a child away due to their inability to pay, and we operate tennis centers across the city, which allows us to reach a variety of communities through the gift of tennis. In addition to tennis, we are able to support players academically through programs like Tennis and Tutoring.” The variety of youth programs includes lessons and camps to introduce kids to tennis in a fun and supportive environment. For young athletes with higher aspirations, competitive training is provided to hone their skills. This focus on youth development helps foster an enduring love for the sport, while also providing the tools and guidance for talented players to thrive, creating the next generation of tennis players in Memphis.

In the past year since reopening in 2023, an astounding 140,000 players and visitors have enjoyed the new Leftwich facility. “We were also able to host multiple tournaments, including the 65+ USTA Southern Sectional Tournament that we hosted in November 2024, many of whom traveled from other states in the Southern section.” Of those 450 participants from nine states, a local group of ladies, Team Nobles, came out on top with the opportunity to advance to the USTA National Tournament in Surprise, Arizona. “It is a joy to see this group succeed and advance to the USTA National Tournament to represent the Southern section. They have supported Tennis Memphis in many ways over the years and play on our courts weekly,” Ann shared. “They are truly an easy group to root for, and I speak on behalf of all of Tennis Memphis when I say we are incredibly excited to celebrate their success.”

In 2025, Tennis Memphis will host five USTA tournaments, including two USTA Tennessee State tournaments, two USTA Southern Sectional tournaments, and a national men's tournament.
“This is a testament to the growing tennis community in Memphis and the importance of our facilities in hosting these prestigious events,” Ann said.

Leftwich Tennis Center is the home court for the University of Memphis men’s and women’s tennis teams, with indoor and outdoor matches through the Spring season. Top-notch college players take the court for practice, next to Tennis Memphis junior players with little experience. “It's an incredible experience to have juniors practicing on courts next to some of the best college tennis players in the country,” Ann said. The Tigers tennis season concludes with the American Athletic Conference Championship at Leftwich, April 15-20.

If you have never picked up a racquet or if you’re a lifelong player, Leftwich Tennis Center is more than just a tennis facility - it’s a vibrant part of the Memphis community and a treasure for our city.
Tennis, anyone?