About Us

Richmond Tennis Association

Richmond Tennis Association (RTA) is one of the oldest and most successful non-profit tennis organizations in the United States. Recognized as a top community organization by both the USTA and USTA/Mid-Atlantic Section, the RTA operates a variety of tennis programs and events throughout the year for tennis players of all ages and abilities.

Rising Stars Tennis Academy – Providing underserved area youth with free tennis clinics and training at Byrd and Battery Park.

Mercedes-Benz Greater Richmond Tennis Championships – Junior Division held at Byrd Park. The Mixed Doubles Division was held ACAC. Open & 40+ Divisions were held at Salisbury Country Club.

Annual Junior Banquet – Event honoring the accomplishments of Richmond’s top junior players and teams. Awards are presented for Enthusiasm, Sportsmanship, and Most Improved.

Wheelchair Tennis – The Richmond area was proud to host in 2022 a Wheelchair Tournament at Collegiate. Top wheelchair junior and adult players from all across the country came to participate. The event included an instructional clinic by a Wheelchair Tennis National Coordinator.

McDonald’s Richmond Junior Tennis Circuit (RJTC) – Approximately 300 junior players competed in a series of 14 events throughout the summer.

Hugh Waters Family Championship – Bringing together players of all ages and abilities to compete in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Thalhimer Club Challenge – At the end of September, area tennis clubs send their best players from all levels to compete for the Thalhimer Challenge Crown. The three-day team competition has become one of the largest and most anticipated tennis events in the area since its inception in 1993.

Other RTA Sponsored Events Include the Autumn Cup, held at Avalon Recreation Association in October. The RTA continues to support The Chesterfield Junior Cup, Lobs & Lessons, The Metro Richmond Tennis Club, The ARTP and maintains the landscaping around the Arthur Ashe Memorial Statue on Monument Avenue.

Our History

The RTA, originally known as The Richmond Tennis Patrons Association, was formed on November 3, 1954, for the purpose of encouraging the development of junior tennis in the Richmond area. Over the years, the RTA’s mission has expanded to include the growth and development of both junior and adult tennis in the Richmond area.

In 1966, the RTA was instrumental in starting a successful event on the men’s professional tour; first under the sponsorship of Fidelity Bankers Life and then United Virginia Bank. The list of tournament champions includes some of the greatest players in tennis history including Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Ilie Nastase, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Vitas Gerulaitis and Guillermo Vilas.

In 1968, the RTA led an effort for Richmond to host a Davis Cup tie between the US and the British Caribbean. The US team, led by Arthur Ashe, Clark Graebner, Stan Smith and Bob Lutz, won a convincing 5-0 victory at Byrd park and went on to win the Davis cup that year.

In 1994, the RTA organized a successful exhibition match between Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. The event raised over $100,000 for the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center.

Since the 1950s, the RTA has organized and promoted a variety of junior tennis programs, including an elite program for top competitive juniors in the area. Over 200 area juniors have gone from RTA junior programs to play collegiate tennis, and several have achieved success on the men’s and women’s professional tours.

Executive Board

Elected Officials

JP LaFors – President
Tom Ager – Vice President
Hunter Koontz – Treasurer
Travis Miller – Former President
Sofia-Hiort Wright – Secretary
John DePew
Christy Garner
Ben Hall
Sandra Mason
Maria Sorkin – Managing Director

Past Presidents

Board Members

Bill Carli
Tina Carter
Irv Cantor

Justin Cerny
Kelley Glen
Joe Grover

Logan Gruhl
Liz Newman
Margie Ray
Eric Shulman
Nina Sorkin
Dillon Sykes

Donations

Donate Here

Your donation will help support the RTA’s mission of promoting tennis in the Greater Richmond Area. The RTA operates a variety of tennis programs and events throughout the year for tennis players of all ages and abilities.

Rising Stars Academy – Providing free tennis clinics and training at Byrd Park for underserved area youth.

Mercedes-Benz Greater Richmond Tennis Championships – Divisions include; junior, mixed doubles, Open, and 40 and over divisions

Annual Junior Banquet – Honoring the accomplishments of Richmond’s top junior players and teams.

Wheelchair tennis – the Richmond area was proud to host in 2021 a wheelchair tournament at Collegiate. Top wheelchair junior and adult players from across the country came to participate. The event included an instructional clinic by a wheelchair tennis national coordinator.

McDonald’s Richmond Junior Tennis Circuit – Approximately 300 junior players compete in a series of 14 events throughout the summer.

Hugh Waters Memorial Family Championship – Bringing together players of all ages and abilities to compete in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Thalhimer Club Challenge – At the end of September, area tennis clubs send their best players from all levels to compete for the Thalhimer Challenge Crown. The three-day team competition has become one of the area’s largest and most anticipated tennis events since its inception in 1993.

Other RTA-sponsored events include;

Autumn Cup in October at Avalon
The Chesterfield Junior Cup
The Metro Richmond Tennis Club
The ARTP
Landscaping the Arthur Ashe Memorial on Monument Avenue

Thank you for your donation to the Richmond Tennis Association.