The suburbs have the lead, but Cleveland isn't far behind in adding tennis courts to its recreational facilities.
During the past two years new courts have sprung up in Euclid, Cleveland Heights, Westlake, Parma Heights and several other northern communities, including Cleveland itself.
CLEVELAND HAS ADDED 22 courts and there will be 20 more constructed within the next two years.
The newest of the city's tennis centers are the Thurgood-Marshall courts at east 86th and Hough Ave. Eight courts opened there this summer.
Cleveland Recreation Commissioner John Nagy said that six new ones are at W. 168th and Purtas and eight more at Reed Park on Dension Ave.
ACCORDING TO NAGY THERE are plans for eight new courts at Tremont Valey, eight more at Tarkenton Rd. and Lee Bvd. and four on East 193rd Street.
The Cleveland tennis situation is healthy, but we must not view it from an ivory tower. There are problems.
Maintaining present courts has fallen behind in the city, but officials say the problem will be rectified soon.
Bulkley, Gunning and Gordon Park courts have cracked surfaces, weeds growing through the cracks and some faulty nets. But these courts will be tended to city officials have promised.
ON THE PLUS SIDE, large refurbishing programs have been completed at Rockefeller Park and Woodland been rehabilitated.
Improving Garfield Park is also on the agenda said Nagy.
Euclid has undertaken one of the more ambitious programs and in two weeks will have 17 courts ready for play at the Memorial Park complex.
Administration assistant John Terango reports that four of the courts are of asphalt, two of a grass texture (with tournament lighting) and 11 with all-weather surfaces.
SEVEN OF THE 13 lighted courts have new lighting this summer. Cain Park in Cleveland Heights has added courts and lights.
Other new all-weather courts have been constructed in nearly every suburb and in addition many communities have resurfaced present courts. For example, John Caroll U. last week put a special surface on its concrete courts. These courts are used by University Heights in the summer on a dollar-a-year lease. That city also is now constructing three more courts behind Wiley Junior High.
INDOOR FACILITIES are going up at a record pace. There are indoor courts at Racquet Club West, Mayfield Country Club, Shaker Racquet Club, Shaker Armory and at Kirtland Country Club, to name just a few.
The Mayfair Swim Club in Richmond Heights is adding two new courts and now calls itself the Mayfair Swim and Tennis Club. That's the way tennis has been taking over.