9 December 2014 | Tennis Tasmania

Friday, December 19, 2014 marks 50 years since the official opening of the Domain Tennis Centre.

On this day in 1964, Margaret Smith (Court) and Billie-Jean Moffit (King) played an exhibition match on centre court – which at the time, was natural grass.

Many changes have taken place since that day. The once pristine grass court centre bowl has given way to the blue Plexicushion courts, the seven grass courts on the southern side of the clubhouse are now synthetic clay and the clubhouse has undertaken considerable redevelopment.

Legend has it that Arthur Ashe, after winning the 1966 Tasmanian Open remarked that the grass courts at the club were the “best in the world”.

A cavalcade of champions have played and won the Tasmanian Open at the club, including:

Martin Mulligan, John Newcombe, Arthur Ashe, Tony Roche, Ray Ruffels, Fred Stolle, Alex Metreveli, Geoff Masters, Mark Edmondson, Helen Gourlay, Bille-Jean King, Margaret Court, Logo Morozova and Di Fromholtz.

Well-known Tasmanian tennis identity, Viv Holloway, was instrumental in the development of the club on its current site – overcoming many obstacles along the way. He left a great legacy to the tennis players of southern Tasmania, his vision of the premier club in Tasmania now a reality and enjoyed by many.

The club has been the host of the Hobart International since 1994 and has launched the careers of several superstars of women’s tennis – Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Alicia Molik and Garbine Muguruza among others.

A very strong pennant competition, social tennis, pro shop, coaching and tournament program are features of the club’s activities in the present day and we are very confident the club will prosper and celebrate 100 years in 2064!