Atlanta has one of the most active recreational tennis communities in the United States, anchored by the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA), which with over 60,000 members is the largest recreational tennis league in the country. The city operates five public racquet centers managed by Agape Tennis Academy and maintains 108 public courts across 45 parks, creating an unusually accessible baseline for tennis participation at all skill levels. Atlanta’s warm climate extends the outdoor tennis season to virtually year-round, which sustains high court utilization and strong participation in adult leagues, junior development programs, and social tennis events. The metro area also supports numerous private clubs and standalone tennis academies serving competitive junior and adult players seeking structured instruction and tournament preparation.
When choosing a tennis club or facility in Atlanta, consider whether you primarily want open court access, structured lessons, competitive league play, or junior development programming. ALTA league membership is the primary social framework for adult recreational tennis in Atlanta and many clubs organize their adult programming around ALTA seasonal schedules. For junior players, look for academies with certified USPTA or PTR professionals and established tournament team programs that plug into the USTA Georgia Junior circuit. Court surface matters for serious players as clay and hard courts require different footwork and stroke mechanics; Atlanta facilities offer both, so confirm the available surfaces at any club you evaluate.
Top Tennis Club Companies in Atlanta
1. Bitsy Grant Tennis Center
Address: 2125 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 205-5352
Website: https://www.bitsygranttenniscenter.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Services:
- 13 clay courts
- 10 hard courts (23 total)
- Tennis instruction and clinics
- Court reservations
- ALTA league programming
About: Bitsy Grant Tennis Center is Atlanta’s most historic public tennis facility, built in 1952 and named for International Tennis Hall of Famer Bitsy Grant, who was born in Atlanta and became one of America’s most celebrated amateur players. The center has hosted legendary players including Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors throughout its seven-decade history. Managed by Agape Tennis Academy on behalf of the City of Atlanta, Bitsy Grant’s 23 courts make it one of the largest public tennis complexes in the Southeast. Its Northside Drive location in South Buckhead places it at the center of Atlanta’s most tennis-active residential community.
2. Universal Tennis Academy (UTA)
Address: 3501 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 (Blackburn Tennis Center); 141 East College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (770) 451-5226 (Blackburn); (404) 497-0680 (Decatur)
Website: https://www.utatennis.com
Service Area: 14+ locations, 130+ courts across Atlanta metro
Services:
- Junior Academy programs
- Adult lessons, clinics, and leagues
- Summer camps (3,500+ kids annually)
- Round Robin events
- ALTA and USTA league programming
- Tournament team preparation
About: Universal Tennis Academy has operated in the Atlanta area for over 25 years and grown into the region’s largest tennis management organization, with more than 14 locations, 130 courts, 70 certified tennis professionals, and more than 20,000 active players annually. UTA manages both public and private club tennis facilities across the metro area and serves every level of player from first-time beginners to competitive juniors preparing for college recruitment. The Junior Academy and summer camp programs teach over 3,500 children per year, making UTA the dominant provider of youth tennis development in Atlanta. The organization’s scale provides members with access to programming and court availability beyond what any single-location club can offer.
3. Atlanta Athletic Club
Address: 1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Phone: (770) 448-2166
Website: https://www.atlantaathleticclub.com
Services:
- Private club tennis (multiple courts)
- ALTA and USTA league hosting
- Social tennis programming
- Pickleball
- Golf, fitness, and dining facilities
About: Atlanta Athletic Club is one of the most prestigious private athletic clubs in the Southeast, offering tennis as part of a comprehensive membership that includes championship golf, fitness facilities, and dining. The club serves as a major hub for ALTA league play on the north side of the metro and hosts social doubles programming alongside competitive league matches throughout the season. Membership at AAC provides access to well-maintained clay and hard courts and a strong member community organized around competitive adult tennis. The Johns Creek location in Fulton County serves the north Atlanta suburbs, which host some of the region’s highest concentrations of active adult tennis players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is ALTA and should I join as an Atlanta tennis player?
A: ALTA, the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association, is the largest recreational tennis league in the United States with over 60,000 members. It organizes seasonal team competition for adults across the metro area, with players grouped by ability level and teams matched against each other at member club facilities throughout the season. If you plan to play tennis regularly in Atlanta, joining ALTA is the primary way to access the city’s organized social and competitive tennis community. Most tennis clubs and racquet centers in Atlanta organize their adult programming calendar around ALTA’s seasonal schedule.
Q: How much does it cost to play tennis at Atlanta’s public courts?
A: City of Atlanta public courts can be reserved through the iParcs system for $5 to $5.50 during prime hours or $3 to $3.50 during non-prime hours. Courts are also available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at many Atlanta parks. Group instruction at city-managed racquet centers like Bitsy Grant typically costs $10 to $20 per session for clinics and $50 to $80 per hour for private lessons. Private club tennis in Atlanta involves initiation fees and monthly dues that vary significantly by club tier and location.
Q: What tennis instruction options are available for children in Atlanta?
A: Atlanta offers one of the strongest junior tennis development ecosystems in the country through providers like Universal Tennis Academy, which teaches over 3,500 children per year across 14 metro locations. City-managed public facilities through Agape Tennis Academy offer junior instruction at accessible price points throughout the year. Private clubs including Atlanta Athletic Club run competitive junior programs that feed into the USTA Georgia Junior circuit and high school team play. For beginners, most Atlanta facilities offer USTA QuickStart Tennis programs that use age-appropriate court sizes and equipment for children under 10.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s tennis facilities serve players at every level from casual park players to nationally competitive juniors through a combination of city-managed public courts, independent academies, and private clubs. Bitsy Grant Tennis Center brings historic prestige and 23 courts to Buckhead as Atlanta’s most storied public tennis venue. Universal Tennis Academy’s 14-location network and 70 certified professionals make it the most comprehensive tennis development organization in the metro area. Atlanta Athletic Club offers premier private club tennis in Johns Creek as part of a full-service athletic membership. Contact each facility to discuss court availability, instruction options, and current membership or fee structures.