It’s no surprise that the Delray Tennis Center is seeing an uptake in the amount of people wanting to play tennis and pickleball on its pristine grounds.
How many other cities have a full-size tennis center – with 8000 stadium seating – in the center of town. The answer, not many.
It’s not just any tennis center; it received the Outstanding Facility Award from the USTA in 2021. Add that to the fact that families have been moving to East Delray in record numbers, and you have more people going to Delray Tennis Center than ever before.
“We had a record number of summer tennis camps for juniors this year. Ten years ago, if you had a family you lived in West Boca or West Delray. Now, young families are moving east,” said Jeff Bingo, General Manager of Racquet Sports for JCD Sports Group.
Bingo, a tennis legend, has managed upscale country club tennis centers and has been a tennis wiz since he was a kid. He was ranked #2 in the USPTA Men’s 40 Singles and #2 UPSTA in the Men’s 40 Doubles.
But lately Bingo has taken the spotlight off himself and is shining it brightly on his team (and their accomplishments). He is most proud of the fact that it will be easier for players to find each day’s activities by utilizing their calendar. The new format will be easier to access and more comprehensive. There will be activities every day and tennis clinics – something for everybody.
According to Delray tennis lore, people watch the US Open over Labor Day Weekend and get tennis fever. “They come out of the woodwork and want to play tennis,” adds Bingo, who said that due to the increased demand (for play, leagues and clinics) their hours may extend to 10 pm Monday to Friday.
With the migration to Florida, the demand (and enthusiasm) for clinics, leagues and court time has increased. “People plan their vacations around our tennis clinics and leagues. It’s a great way to make new friends and play tennis,” adds Bingo
One of the biggest International Tennis Events – U.S. Davis Cup – will take place at the DBTC on September 12th and 13th. This second round of the Davis Cup Qualifier has Team USA taking on Czechia.
The first team to win three out of five matches will move on to the Davis Cup Final 8, hosted in Bologna, Italy. Team USA will be led by Bob Bryan with top American players like Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Frances Tiafore. Tickets are available at USTA.com/daviscup.
Though the DBTC is open to anyone (members and non-members) it has a country club feel. As a matter of fact, when you join DTC, you also get a free membership to the Delray Swim & Tennis Club, that has 24 Har-Tru courts.
The Delray Tennis Center has 14 Har-Tru and 4 hard tennis courts, 8 Pickleball courts. There are drills & games, cardio tennis, progressive mixed doubles (Sunday Morning Mixers), clinics with pros, match play, private lessons and more.
The DBTC has become so popular that people plan their vacations around it. They come from all over the US for a double strategy camp or weekend tennis outing. “They can bring up to 30 people and we will arrange clinics with the pros and match play for them,” said Bingo.
They are also hosting corporate outings for companies from all over the country. The Baltimore Orioles even had an event at DBTC that included a Pickleball Round Robin and Pickleball Clinic for their guests. With the upstairs pavilion and conference room, pro-shop, locker rooms and outdoor space to roam, it’s the perfect venue for any event or occasion.
The Delray Beach Tennis Center is also hosting fundraisers, birthday parties, pickleball bachelorette parties and other celebrations. A pro tennis clinic or round robin can be arranged for guests.
The DTC also offers a wide variety of after-school Junior Tennis Programs for young people starting at age 4. There are leagues, clinics and tennis programs for all ages.
The programs for young people are geared for those wanting to play high school tennis or on a USTA tournament. The Delray Champions Prep Program is designed to enhance their skills for long-term development and success of each child. The focus is on stroke development and strategy for match play.
The Junior Program Director and USTA High Performance Coach at the DBTC is Brent Wellman.
For adults looking to join a team or league contact Jennifer Fiedler, Director of teams and leagues. She will give newcomers a personal try-out and find a team for them.
Though the Delray Beach Tennis Center looks and feels like a private club, it is open to anyone who wants to play tennis or pickleball.
If you need a reason to get out into the fresh air and enjoy the pace of tennis or pickleball, now you have one. Exercise is healthy for your body, mind and spirit.
THE DELRAY BEACH TENNIS CENTER
201 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach
561-243-7360
www.delraytennis.com
