Best Public Courts: Burns Park (3 courts, 1414 Wells St), Buhr Park (3 courts with hitting wall, 2751 Packard Rd), and Veterans Park (3 courts, 2150 Jackson Rd) - all free and first-come, first-served.
University of Michigan Courts: Hubbard Road Tennis Courts (recreation.umich.edu) and Palmer Field (8 courts) are open to the public, free, dawn to dusk.
Find Hitting Partners: Join AAACTA's free Friday social play (aaacta.org) at Pioneer High School, 5:30pm (NTRP 2.5-4.0), or use PlayYourCourt (playyourcourt.com) and TennisCall (tenniscall.com).
Equipment & Stringing: Visit Cayman Sports (caymansports.com) at 516 S Maple Rd - full service tennis shop with same-day stringing available.
Indoor/Year-Round Play: Liberty Athletic Club (libertyathletic.net) has 6 indoor courts, accepts non-members for lessons. UM Varsity Tennis Center (mgoblue.com) has 8 indoor courts with free admission for tournaments and camps.
Ann Arbor offers multiple ways to connect with tennis players:
For a week-long visit, focus on these accessible options:
Ann Arbor has numerous coaching options for all levels:
For beginners through intermediate players, these are your best options:
As a short-term visitor, try these immediate options:
Organization: AAACTA (aaacta.org) - Nonprofit 501(c)(3) supporting tennis since 2000
Contact: P.O. Box 2414, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
Recognition: Named 2010 CTA of the Year in USTA Midwest Section
Programs:
Ann Arbor Tennis Club (playtennis.usta.com) organizes USTA League play and tournaments in partnership with AAACTA
USTA Southeastern Michigan (usta.com) provides program support and resources
UM Varsity Tennis Center (tennis.umich.edu) partners with Ann Arbor Community Education for clinics and programs
Hosts numerous community tournaments throughout summer months
Members have access to exclusive hitting partner lists
Offers Michigan Tennis Camps (camps.mgoblue.com) led by university coaching staff
The City of Ann Arbor (a2gov.org) maintains over two dozen tennis courts across the park system. All are free and available dawn to dusk.
Additional Parks with Courts: Allmendinger, Arbor Oaks, Clinton (2 courts), Cranbrook Hunt, Northside, Sugarbush (2 courts), Sylvan, Windemere (2 courts), Woodbury (2 courts)
Other Private Clubs: Barton Hills Country Club, Blue Sky Tennis, Georgetown Country Club, Travis Pointe Country Club
Additional Stringing: Liberty Athletic Club and Racquet Club of Ann Arbor also offer stringing services for members
For additional equipment needs, Ann Arbor is within 45 minutes of major sporting goods retailers in the Detroit metro area. Local players also recommend Global Tennis Network (globaltennisnetwork.com) for finding additional stringers in the area.
Ann Arbor stands out as an exceptional destination for tennis enthusiasts visiting Michigan:
The Ann Arbor City Tournament, established in 1919, is one of the oldest city tennis tournaments in the country. The University of Michigan's storied tennis program (national champions in 1957) has produced notable players including MaliVai Washington (1996 Wimbledon finalist) and Aaron Krickstein (known as "Marathon Man" on the ATP Tour from 1983-1996).
The UM Varsity Tennis Center's 20 courts (8 indoor, 12 outdoor) host professional challengers and state championships. Combined with excellent public courts throughout the city, you'll never struggle to find a place to play.
AAACTA, named the 2010 USTA Midwest Section CTA of the Year, creates an inclusive environment with free drop-in play every Friday. Whether you're a 2.5 beginner or 4.0 intermediate player, you'll find organized opportunities to play within 24 hours of arrival.
Unlike many Midwest cities, Ann Arbor offers multiple indoor facilities (Liberty Athletic Club, Chippewa Club, UM Varsity Tennis Center) ensuring tennis isn't seasonal. Visit any time of year and you'll find courts and players.
As a vibrant university town, Ann Arbor combines tennis with excellent dining, arts, and entertainment. After your match, explore downtown's restaurants, catch a performance, or visit one of many parks and cultural attractions.
Multiple free platforms (TennisCall, PlayYourCourt) and the Friday drop-in sessions make it remarkably easy for visitors to find hitting partners. The tennis community here is known for being welcoming to out-of-towners.
With a dedicated tennis shop (Cayman Sports) that's been serving the community since 1993 and passionate local organizations preserving over a century of tennis tradition, your visit supports a thriving local tennis ecosystem.
Whether you're visiting for a weekend tournament, relocating to the area, or planning a tennis-focused trip to Michigan, Ann Arbor delivers the facilities, community, and culture that serious tennis players appreciate.