New $10M tennis center to help kids on, off court
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The future First Serve Tennis & Education Center in Norwood aims to make the sport more accessible. Rendering: Courtesy of Cincinnati Tennis Foundation
The Cincinnati Tennis Foundation is bringing a $10 million tennis and education center to Norwood, aiming to give more Greater Cincinnati kids opportunities to grow — on and off the court.
Why it matters: It's about access. Not just to what can be a pricey sport, but also to tutoring, healthy meals, mentors and opportunities to learn from college and professional players.
Driving the news: The foundation breaks ground Wednesday on its First Serve Tennis and Education Center near the Norwood Lateral. It's expected to open in fall 2027.
Zoom in: The complex will feature five indoor courts as well as a two-story community hub with classrooms, a kitchen, workout areas and space for parents to hang out.
- Kids will get meals and lessons in math, reading and financial literacy, with Xavier University tennis players serving as tutors and mentors.
- The center expects to serve at least 50 kids daily.
- There's room to grow. The first phase will occupy 2.2 acres of a six-acre campus, leaving room for outdoor courts and other facilities.
What they're saying: "We've put a ton of design intention into the hub part because we want this to be a place for the community, not just a bunch of tennis courts," founder and CEO Matt Dektas tells Axios.
- "I realized that there's quite a need for tennis to become more approachable, more accessible."
The big picture: The foundation has reached thousands of kids since 2015, with over 200 participants going on to play college tennis, Dektas says.
Between the lines: Indoor courts and racket clubs can be expensive. Longtime partner Withrow High School has only outdoor courts, forcing winter practices into a school gym.
- The foundation uses income-based pricing, with many kids playing for free.
- Access also means getting there. Dektas says it's working with Cincinnati Public Schools and other partners to develop a transportation plan.
The intrigue: The foundation will continue its partnership with the Cincinnati Open for competitive players.
- Dektas hopes local pros Peyton Stearns, Caty McNally and former participant Vignesh Gogineni will visit the new center regularly.
- Cincinnati Open champion Coco Gauff is already a supporter, having donated $10,000 worth of shoes last year.
The bottom line: "It's not just about tennis," Dektas says. "It's about using the sport to help kids develop confidence and become successful in all walks of life."