The World's Most Exclusive Tennis Clubs
You'll need nominations, letters of recommendations, and a Wimbledon title. Easy peasy.
The tennis club tradition starts here. Despite your opinions on country clubs, these ultra exclusive tennis and racquet clubs remain the gold standard that sets tennis a part from other many other sports. Since the opening of most of these clubs in the 1800s, it continues to define what is tennis decorum and style. Not to mention wealth, luxury, and legacy. In honor of grass season, there are 5 tennis clubs across the globe that are the absolute embodiment of this. From the charming courts of London to a private island in South Florida, these tennis clubs offer the most luxury experiences for their club members while keeping everyone else on a very long waitlist. If you can even get on one.
1. All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club |📍Wimbledon
The Queen Bee and Home of Wimbledon - The Championships. Most of the year, this English village is probably sweet, quaint, and unbothered. But for two weeks out of the year, this is home to the most prestigious slam - and the only slam played on grass. And a club membership that money can’t buy. Only a Wimbledon Singles Championship title can.
Membership Criteria:
Be proposed and seconded by four current Full Members - two of whom must have known you for three years or more
The four members will need to write formal letters of support for your application
Your name will be added to a list of candidates with an estimated 1,000 applicants
The list of candidates is estimated to be over 1,000 applicants
Honorary memberships are available if you're in the ranks like the Dutchess of Cambridge
Initiation fee: Rumored to be €30,000
2. The Hurlingham Club | 📍London
Located on the River Thames and set on 42 acres. How does one visualize 42 acres? Let me tell you. It is more than 30 American football fields. The Hurlingham Club is the home of the Georgio Armani Tennis Classic with the likes of Djokovic featured on the court and it’s website. The grounds include 40 tennis courts, croquet, cricket courts, golf and a swimming pools, a botanical garden, and polo where it is considered the birthplace of the sport. It’s rumored to cost €1,400 a year which seems like a steal for all these amenities. No initiation price was found so I guess it’s market pricing as the day changes.
Membership Criteria:
Members must be proposed and seconded by two current full members of the club
Membership is by invitation only
Waiting list has been closed since 2018
Be a child and spouse of current member
3. Queen’s Club |📍London
The definition of English charm. The brick, the floral, and the interiors…it’s all giving charm with old money bougie. It’s location is central to everything in London and considered an oasis for tennis fans. Named after Queen Victoria, this tennis club is the host to the Queen’s Club Championships. It has 28 outdoor courts and 10 indoor courts and is host to many non tennis events such as ice-skating, baseball, athletics and rugby.
Membership Criteria:
Applicants need to be proposed by two existing members
The two existing members must be members for at least two years and not be members of the same family
€15,000 buy in required in addition to annual fees
Waiting list for membership has been full and closed for the last 15 years
4. Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club | 📍Melbourne
The most modern design of our list but it does not disappoint. Also, not that it’s flexing but their website says Kooyang is considered internationally the “The Spiritual Home of Australian Tennis”. Located in Melbourne’s ‘leafy’ pricint, this tennis club has 26 grass courts and 22 all-weather courts. Also, ‘leafy’ just means treelined areas. This club is home to the Kooyan Classic and showcases top tennis talent like Jannik Sinner in the lineup.
Membership Criteria:
Applications for membership must be supported by a Proposer and Seconder who both must be existing members of the Club.
A further two members of the Club must act as referees.
Once approved by the Board the applicant will be added to the waitlist.
Initiation fee: $125,000 and full dues of $6,000 per year
5. Fisher Island Club | 📍Miami
What screams more exclusive and more expensive than a private club on a private island? Nothing. Except maybe the golf course, beach club, luxury amenities in addition to its 17 tennis courts and 4 pickleball courts. Cutely nestled near Miami, this exclusive tennis club is home to one of the most expensive residential areas in the US. Oprah and Mel Brooks are member is this island. The way only to access it? Ferry or private boat and golf carts are the only form of transportation once you’re on the island.
Membership Criteria:
Submit an application to the club office with sponsorship by two existing members.
One time initiation fee: $250,000
Annual dues: $22,000
Well seems like I am won’t be applying for any of these clubs any time soon. I’ll wait until the waitlist is a little shorter. A girl can dream.
I went to The Hurlingham Club for this tennis exo before Wimbledon a few years ago, and it's quite an unreal place. Absolutely magnificent. Also, absolutely in another world.