About the Richmond Tennis Association
History • Board of Directors • Advisory Board • Past RTA Presidents • Hall of Fame • Join
The Richmond Tennis Association (RTA) is one of the oldest and most successful community tennis organizations in the United States, having been named tennis organization of the year by the USTA and USTA/Mid-Atlantic Section during its existence.
The RTA organizes and operates a variety of tennis programs and events throughout the year for tennis players of all ages and abilities. Top players in the Richmond area compete each spring for the Davenport City Championships (including open divisions, family divisions and age division events for adults and juniors).
During the summer, hundreds of children participate in an RTA/UTurn/City of Richmond summer program at Byrd Park featuring tennis, academic and life skills instruction. The McDonald's summer series of junior tournaments provides opportunities for area juniors to gain tournament experience and improve their state and sectional rankings.
In the last weekend in September, area tennis clubs send their best players at all levels to compete for the Anthem Challenge crown. The three-day team competition has become one of the largest and most anticipated tennis events in the area since its inception in 1993.
Throughout the year, select Richmond juniors train at RTA sponsored programs specifically designed for top-ranked juniors competing at high levels at sectional and national tournaments. The RTA also provides funds to assist juniors and local USA League teams who compete at national events.
History of the RTA
The RTA, originally known as The Richmond Tennis Patrons Association, was formed on November 3, 1954, for the purpose of encouraging the development of junior tennis in the Richmond area. Over the years, the RTA's mission has expanded to include the growth and development of both junior and adult tennis in the Richmond area.
In 1966, the RTA was instrumental in starting a successful event on the men's professional tour; first under the sponsorship of Fidelity Bankers Life and then United Virginia Bank. The list of tournament champions includes some of the greatest players in tennis history including Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Ilie Nastase, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Vitas Gerulaitis and Guillermo Vilas.
In 1968, the RTA led an effort for Richmond to host a Davis Cup tie between the US and the British Caribbean. The US team, led by Arthur Ashe, Clark Graebner, Stan Smith and Bob Lutz, won a convincing 5-0 victory at Byrd park and went on to win the Davis cup that year.
In 1994, the RTA organized a successful exhibition match between Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. The event raised over $100,000 for the Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center.
Since the 1950s, the RTA has organized and promoted a variety of junior tennis programs, including an elite program for top competitive juniors in the area. Over 200 area juniors have gone from RTA junior programs to play collegiate tennis, and several have achieved success on the men's and women's professional tours.
2010 Board of Directors
| Hugh Waters, President Fred Bruner, Past-President Eric Perkins, Vice President Kim Brewer, Secretary Jay Nelson, Treasurer Patty Smith, Administrator Mark Bernstine Matt Campbell Lisa Deane Charles Einwick Kirsten Elim Jeff Ellick Elizabeth Fraizer |
Ward Hamilton Tom Hood Tom Hopkins PJ Mahoney Charlie Palmer Eddie Parker Pat Perry Bridget Reichert Victor Rizzi Cris Robinson Damian Sancilio Mark Seidenberg Ginny Wortham |
Advisory Board
| Bill Barnes Bryan Bostic Tom Chewning Lou Einwick Joe Grover |
Andy Rothenberg Guy Walton Paddi Valentine Waters Marcus Weinstein |
Past RTA Presidents
| 1955 1956 1957 1958-59 1960-61 1092-63 1964 1965-66 1967-68 1969 1970-71 1972-73 1974 1975 1976 1977-78 |
Cy Slavin Henry Valentine Bobby Leitch JA Gunter Harold Jones Massie Valentine Frank Maloney Lou Einwick John Kenney Waller Horsley Skip Forrest Gayle Marlow John Oakey Reb McCowen Jerry DePew Paddi Valentine |
1979-80 1981-82 1983-84 1985-86 1987-88 1989 1990-91 1992-93 1994-95 1996 1997-98 1999-2000 2001-03 2004-06 2007 2008-09 |
Gaile Zfass Anne Miller Bill Walker Sue Cain Lindsay Wortham Lou Einwick Irving Driscoll Debbie Pomeroy Tom Vozenilek Sharon Jensen Michael Pratt Matt Schon Fred Bruner Eric Perkins Stuart Horsley Fred Bruner |
Richmond Tennis Hall of Fame
In 1990 the Richmond Tennis Association (then the Richmond Tennis Patrons Association) established and inducted the first class of the Richmond Tennis Hall of Fame. In 1995 a second class was inducted, and a third in 1997. Since 1997 the Hall of Fame has been dormant and there have been no new inductees. In 2009, the RTA reinstated the Hall of Fame.
To be considered, a person or institution must have a minimum of 10 years of contribution to Richmond tennis. In the player category, the individual must have established outstanding competitive achievements with consideration given to sportsmanship and character. In the non-player category, the individual or entity must have made outstanding contributions within the capital city area with consideration given to dedication to the game.
Inductees:
2009
Tom Cain
Kathleen Cummings
Rodney Harmon
Wade McGuire
John Packett
Mark Vines
Hugh Waters III
Davenport & Company
The Westwood Club
1997
Jerry DePew
Frank Maloney
Massie Valentine
Home Beneficial Life Insurance Co.
1995
Susan Cain
Harold Burrows
Waller Horsley
Robert Leitch, Sr.
John Watson
Thalhimers Stores
1990
Arthur Ashe, Sr.
Arthur Ashe, Jr.
Dorothy Chewning
Louis Einwick
Samuel Woods
Crestar Bank
Fidelity Bankers Life Insurance Co.