Youth Tennis
Beginning students of all ages will be introduced to tennis in a fun and rewarding way. Fundamentals of basic stroke techniques will be introduced with time spent on developing the ability to hit consistently.
Questions: yuri.sohn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3993.
Clinics Session 1 (September 14 – October 30)
Sign your child up for a three-week session of tennis instruction, tailored to their specific skill level. In this clinic, first time players will be introduced to tennis in an environment more focused on play. Hand-eye coordination and footwork are strengthened through drills to build a solid foundation for growth of tennis skills.
*Please come prepared with a racquet, comfortable athletic clothes, and tennis shoes*
Locations: Dodds Tennis Center
Clinics Session 2 (November 2 – December 18)
Sign your child up for a six-week session of tennis instruction, tailored to their specific skill level. In this clinic, first time players will be introduced to tennis in an environment more focused on play. Hand-eye coordination and footwork are strengthened through drills to build a solid foundation for growth of tennis skills.
*Please come prepared with a racquet, comfortable athletic clothes, and tennis shoes*
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
Dodds Tennis Center Open House | September 8, 2024
Sign your child up for a free half-hour tennis lesson at the Dodds Tennis Center! In this clinic, first time players will be introduced to tennis in an environment more focused on play. Hand-eye coordination and footwork are strengthened through drills to build a solid foundation for growth of tennis skills.
Our Tennis Open House is a great way for those interested in tennis to get a taste without having to invest in registration, equipment, or anything other than transportation! Registration is recommended to ensure adequate staffing, but we will also be accepting drop-ins at the front desk.
Secondhand racquets will be available for use during the clinic, but feel free to bring your own if you have one!
Date: September 8
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
Adult Tennis
Clinics Session 1 (September 16 – October 28)
Sign up for a once-a-week session of tennis instruction, tailored to your specific skill level. Participants will be introduced to tennis in a fun and rewarding way. Fundamentals of basic stroke production will be introduced with time spent on developing the ability to hit consistently. All classes are held at the Dodds Tennis Center.
*Please bring your own racquet and wear comfortable athletic clothes and tennis shoes*
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
Clinics Session 2 (November 4 – December 16)
Sign up for a once week session of tennis instruction, tailored to your specific skill level. Participants will be introduced to tennis in a fun and rewarding way. Fundamentals of basic stroke production will be introduced with time spent on developing the ability to hit consistently. All classes are held at the Dodds Tennis Center.
*Please bring your own racquet and wear comfortable athletic clothes and tennis shoes*
No Class: November 25
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
Dodds Tennis Center Open House | September 8, 2024
Come stop in at the Dodds Tennis Center to try out our Tennis workouts! Our Tennis Open House is a great chance for those interested in tennis to test the waters without any committment (or payment!)
Our popular drop-in workouts consist of pro-supervised drills, point games, and match play — tailored to players looking for extra practice, exercise, and enjoyment.
Registration is recommended to ensure adequate staffing, but we will also be accepting drop-ins at the front desk as long as space allows.
Date: September 8
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
Leagues
Leagues will be structured and competitive, yet recreational. Consultation with head pro is necessary, as the head pro will find a league that fits your level and preference. Leagues run for seven-week sessions. Please note that flex leagues require that matches be played at the Dodds Tennis Center.
Questions: yuri.sohn@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3993
Leagues Session 1 (September 15 – October 27)
Play competitive matches against similarly skilled players at the Dodds Tennis Center this fall. Consultation with our Head Tennis Pro Yuri Sohn is necessary as he carefully organizes league lineups to ensure all participants are evenly matched with regards to skill level. If you are interested in joining, please set up a skill assessment with Yuri Sohn so that he can place you in the appropriate league.
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
Leagues Session 2 (November 3 – December 22)
Play competitive matches against similarly skilled players at the Dodds Tennis Center this fall. Consultation with our Head Tennis Pro Yuri Sohn is necessary as he carefully organizes league lineups to ensure all participants are evenly matched with regards to skill level. If you are interested in joining, please set up a skill assessment with Yuri Sohn so that he can place you in the appropriate league.
Location: Dodds Tennis Center
Tournaments
Labor Day Tournament
This local tournament provides a great opportunity for you to test and improve your game against players you may not normally play. Singles events are typically played in the morning and early afternoon while doubles events are played during the afternoon.
Find the right division for you! Contact head tennis pro Yuri Sohn (yuri.sohn@champaignparks.org) for a consultation if necessary.
Players with a skill level around 2.0-2.5 will meet similar competition here.
The Labor Day tournament will be run using a 1st match consolation format, guaranteeing each participant will play at least two matches. Each participant may register for up to one singles and one doubles event. Winners will receive a trophy/plaque to commemorate their success.
- Beginner/Intermediate Singles Open
- Men’s Open Singles
- Women’s Open Singles
- Men’s Open Doubles
- Women’s Open Doubles
- Men’s 35 Singles
- Women’s 35 Singles
- Men’s 35 Doubles
- Women’s 35 Doubles
- Men’s 45 Singles
- Men’s 55 Singles
- Men’s 65 Singles
- Men’s 70 Singles
- Mixed Open Doubles
Date: September 1 -2
Location: Lindsay Tennis Courts
Labor Day Tournament – Junior Events
Whether your child is just starting out with tennis and looking for some extra practice, or if they are already a seasoned player and want to see how they match up against new opponents – the Labor Day Tourney is the place to go. This local tournament provides a great opportunity for junior tennis enthusiasts to test and improve their game against players from all over Champaign County.
- Boys 12 & Under Division
- Boys 14 & Under Division
- Boys 16 & Under Division
- Girls 12 & Under Division
- Girls 14 & Under Division
- Girls 16 & Under Division
Date: September 1 -2
Location: Lindsay Tennis Courts
Drop-In Workouts
Our popular drop-in workouts consist of pro-supervised drills, point games, and match play – tailored to players looking for extra practice, exercise, and enjoyment. Drop in for a single class or purchase a multi-pass to use at any of our workouts!
Scholarship Information
Because some residents are unable to participate in recreation programs due to economic hardship, the Champaign Park District offers scholarships to reduce certain fees and charges. Youth Scholarship Program applicants are not guaranteed fund availability, program registration or choice of program location. Early applications are given priority. Need is the primary criterion upon which scholarship applicants are considered. Questions: 217-398-2550.
Visit our Scholarship Opportunities page for the updated Scholarship Applications!
Find Outdoor Courts
The Champaign Park District maintains outdoor tennis courts in many area parks. Please visit the “tennis” tag on our interactive park map to find a field near you!
Need help choosing a tennis program to participate in? See National Tennis Rating Program Guidelines:
- 1.0 This player is just starting tennis.
- 1.5 This player has limited playing experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball over the net, has some knowledge of scoring but is not familiar with basic positions and procedures for singles and doubles play.
- 2.0 This player may have had some lessons but needs on-court experience, has obvious stroke weaknesses, but is beginning to feel comfortable with singles and doubles play.
- 2.5 This player has more dependable strokes and is learning to judge where the ball is going, has weak court coverage or is often caught out of position, but is starting to keep the ball in play with other players of the same ability.
- 3.0 This player can place shots with moderate success, can sustain a rally of slow pace but is not comfortable with all strokes, lacks control when trying for power.
- 3.5 This player has achieved stroke dependability and direction on shots within reach, including forehand and backhand volleys, but still lacks depth and variety, seldom double faults and occasionally forces errors on the serve.
- 4.0 This player has dependable strokes on both forehand and backhand sides, has the ability to use a variety of shots including lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys, can place the first serve and force some errors, is seldom out of position in a doubles game.
- 4.5 This player has begun to master use of power and spins, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots and is able to move opponent up and back, can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve, is able to rush net with some success on serve in singles as well as doubles.
- 5.0 This player has good shot anticipation, frequently has an outstanding shot or exceptional consistency around which a game may be structured, can regularly hit winners or force errors off short balls, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes, has good depth and spin on most second serves.