Professional tennis returns to the Southern California oasis

 

(Rancho Mirage, CA)  — Besides being a top golf destination, Greater Palm Springs is also a tennis utopia. In fact, the sport’s history here dates back to at least the 1930s, when the area’s first racquet clubs opened, drawing Hollywood celebrities who loved the idea of playing a little tennis before mingling over martinis by the pool.

 

After the disruption of sporting events for more than a year due to the pandemic, Greater Palm Springs is prepared to safely welcome spectators for events this fall.

 

In October, the BNP Paribas Open professional tennis tournament will feature many of the world's best players returns with its first-ever fall edition taking place Oct. 4-17 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. In previous years, the event has welcomed over 450,000 visitors, and this tournament marks the first time professional tennis will be played at the Tennis Garden in over 900 days since 2019. Only vaccinated guests will be allowed to attend.

 

November brings World Team Tennis (WTT) to Greater Palm Springs, showcasing professional tennis with the innovative team format co-founded by Billie Jean King in the 1970s. Recognized as the leader in professional team tennis competition, the WTT will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Nov. 13-28 and will feature many of the world’s best players competing for the King Trophy.

 

After tennis concludes, pickleball’s premiere event—the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championship—will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens Dec. 6-14. Combining the elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton, pickleball is played singles or doubles like tennis but utilizes a court half the size. Players use paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit the pickleball, which is similar to a wiffle ball

 

Located 15 miles southeast of Palm Springs in the resort community of Indian Wells, the tennis facility is the second largest tennis stadium in the world. Open year-round to the public and offering various memberships to locals, the facility combines the most beautiful and largest tennis facilities with a breathtaking mountain backdrop and year-round sunshine.

 

Many Greater Palm Springs resorts offer tennis opportunities. La Quinta Resort & Club offers private lessons with USPTA-certified professionals and has been voted one of the top tennis resorts in the world. The Desert Springs PBI Tennis Club at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa welcomes all skill levels, and guests will benefit from world-class tennis instruction on hard, clay and grass courts.

 

For more information on travel to Greater Palm Springs, visit www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.