Dwight Davis Tennis Center to Host 100th National Public Parks Championship

This summer, the National Public Parks Tennis Championships will return to St. Louis for the 100th anniversary of the tournament. USTA St. Louis will host the Championships on September 14-17, 2023 at Dwight Davis Tennis Center in beautiful Forest Park. Learn more about the prestigious history of this event by clicking here.

The celebratory tennis weekend will include tournaments for adults, juniors, and college-level players, wheelchair and adaptive exhibitions, and a centennial celebration party.  Players from around the U.S. are encouraged to participate in the events. Please use the links below to register for any events that may be of interest to you.

Sept 14-16 - Level 6: National Public Parks Tennis Championships: Adult NTRP and Age Group Tournaments

Sept 16-17 - WTN Tournament: National Public Parks Tennis Championships: WTN Tournament for all ages of players (intended for college tennis players and those who wish to compete against college players!)

Sept 16 - Woodie Classic Wood Racquet Tournament: Non-sanctioned fun tournament and social. Adult Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles

Sept 17 - USTA Junior Circuit: National Public Parks Tennis Championships: Non-elimination orange, green and yellow ball event

September 16: Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis Exhibitions

September 16: Celebration Party (save the date - more info coming soon)

This page will continue to be updated as events and times are finalized.

The National Public Parks Tennis Association was founded in 1923 by Dwight Davis. The inaugural event was held in St. Louis, and 100 years later the tournament returns to St. Louis for its centennial celebration! Each year the National Public Parks Tennis Association holds its annual national park championships at locations around the U.S. 

The  National Public Parks Tennis Championships is an important reminder about the impact of public park tennis, and the millions of people who play tennis in the parks.

Organizers are in need of volunteers to help plan and execute this memorable event. 

To get involved in this centennial celebration please contact Megan Kovacs, USTA St. Louis Executive Director, director@ustastl.com

Explore St. Louis

About St. Louis

St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which extends into Illinois, had an estimated population of over 2.8 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in Missouri and the second-largest in Illinois.

• Explore St. Louis: https://explorestlouis.com/
• 2023 Official Visitor's Guide: https://maddendigitalbooks.com/stlvg23/

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race (September 15-16)

GFPBR is one of the longest running hot air balloon races in the country, and one of the only that takes place in a large metropolitan city. The tradition began in 1973 with a handful of hot air balloons and a few spectators. Now an internationally renowned event, GFPBR welcomes more than 60 of the nation’s best hot air balloon pilots and thousands of spectators annually. The Glow will take place on Friday, September 15 and the Race will be on Saturday the 16th.

Forest Park

Forest Park is one of St. Louis’ most treasured resources. Located in the heart of the city, it is the heart of our city. Forest Park belongs to all St. Louisans. Forest Park, officially opened to the public on June 24, 1876, is one of the largest urban parks in the United States.  At around 1,300 acres it is bigger than Central Park in New York. It is filled with many attractions, most of which are free, including our famous zoo, science center, art museum and history museum, among many others. For more information visit the Forest Park Forever website.

Dwight Davis Tennis Center

Dwight Davis Tennis Center is a state-of-the-art facility with 18 lighted tennis courts, fully resurfaced in the fall of 2021 in U.S. Open colors. All courts have score tenders and covered seating for players. Additional amenities include multiple viewing areas, shaded patio seating, and air-conditioned men’s and women’s locker rooms. Dwight Davis Tennis Center is named after Dwight F. Davis, a native St. Louisan and the donor of the famed Davis Cup.