When it comes to tennis, Cincinnati has a rich history, going all the way back to 1880 when The Cincinnati Tennis Club was founded. Soon after came the launch of the Cincinnati Open in 1899.
Over 125 years later, both organizations are still thriving. The Club is still in play today, with 10 clay courts and an historic clubhouse in East Walnut Hills. The Open is the nation’s longest-running pro tournament still being held in its original city. World-class players, including Bobby Riggs, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Serena Williams—are just a few of the more than 100 International Tennis Hall of Famers who have played here. Past tournaments have welcomed 200,000 fans from all 50 states and more than 40 countries. This year, the excitement will continue when the Cincinnati Open is held August 11-23 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason. Fans are hoping to see Cincinnati-based players including J.J. Wolf, Caty McNally and Peyton Stearns on the courts this year. All of whom competed in the tournament in the past and are currently ranked high.
Today, tennis is sharing the spotlight with a couple of younger racquet sports. A relative newcomer, launched in 1965, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a solid paddle and plastic ball, pickleball is known for its accessibility for players of all ages and fitness levels. As the fastest-growing sport in America, pickleball participation increased to nearly 20 million players in 2024.
Shortly after pickleball was introduced, Padel entered the scene. Originating in Mexico in 1969, this racquet sport—which combines elements of tennis and squash—has exploded globally.
“Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world,” said Scott Estes, co-founder of Club Padel Newtown which is scheduled to open early this summer. “It’s incredibly popular across Spain and Latin America, and now it’s really beginning to take off in the United States.”
Not to be confused with paddle tennis, or platform tennis, Padel (pronounced pah-del) is a distinct racquet sport, played on a court about one-third the size of a tennis court and enclosed with thick tempered-glass walls. Usually played as doubles, Padel players can bounce the tennis-type ball off the glass wall legally. Watch a video to see how the game is played at www.cincyrackets.com.
“You don’t have to be an intense athlete to play,” Estes says. “Padel is a fantastic game from beginner to high-level advanced. It’s a sport for everyone. There’s a lot of enjoyment right off the bat.”
Estes goes on to explain that beginners may opt to not use the walls during early matches, but as their experience and skills grow, the game can advance to become “very complex and intense.”
No matter which racquet sport you choose, or your skill level—beginner, intermediate or advanced— there is a lesson, court or club for you. Here are some resources to help get you in the game.
Pickleball
FIFTY WEST BREWING COMPANY
Newtown, Deerfield Township
Courts: 3 outdoor/Newtown, 2 outdoor/Deerfield
fiftywestbrew.com
THE PICKLE LODGE
West Chester, Lunken, Norwood
Courts: 17 indoor/West Chester, 23 outdoor/Lunken, 5 indoor/6 outdoor/Norwood (opening June 1) thepicklelodge.com
THE PICKLE MILL
Loveland
Private reservation indoor pickleball suite
thepicklemill.com
RG SPORTS ACADEMY
Sycamore Township
Courts: 18 indoor
rgsportsacademy.com
SAWYER POINT
Downtown
Courts: 24 outdoor
pbatsp.com
Tennis, Pickleball
BEECHMONT RACQUET & FITNESS
Anderson
Courts: 16 indoor pickle, 8 indoor tennis
beechmontfitness.com
THE CLUB AT HARPER’S POINT
Symmes Township
Courts: 10 indoor/8 outdoor tennis, 2 lined for pickleball
clubatharperspoint.com
FIVE SEASONS
Crestview Hills, KY
Courts: 8 indoor/7 outdoor tennis, 16 indoor/6 outdoor pickleball
fiveseasonsnky.com
QUEEN CITY RACQUET CLUB
Sharonville
Courts: 8 indoor pickle, 13 indoor/7 outdoor tennis, 2 squash
queencityfitness.com
WESTERN ATHLETIC CLUB
Green Township
Courts: 6 indoor pickleball, 7 indoor tennis
westerntfc.com
Padel
CLUB PADEL
Newtown
Courts: 4 outdoor (opening early summer)
cincyrackets.com
Tennis, Pickleball, Padel
CINCINNATI OPEN SPORTING CLUB
Mason
Courts: 31 outdoor/6 indoor tennis, 4 indoor/6 outdoor pickleball, 2 padel
cincyopensportingclub.com
CINCINNATI SPORTS CLUB
Fairfax
Courts: 12 indoor or outdoor pickle, 3 outdoor tennis, 2 covered padel (coming soon)
cincinnatisportsclub.com
Originally posted in May 2026