It will certainly not have escaped the attention of tennis enthusiasts that this weekend is the grand finale of Wimbledon, the iconic annual lawn tennis tournament held yearly in London.
To mark the occasion, The Brussels Times has compiled a guide on where to play the sport in Brussels and what to know when joining a club.
Evere White Star Tennis Club
This modern sports complex boasts an impressive range of facilities for racket sports enthusiasts of all ages and levels, with not just eight outdoor clay tennis courts and five indoor courts, but also five pádel courts, two pickleball fields and even two hockey fields. It also has an Aikido room, dedicated to martial arts.
Credit: Evere White Star Tennis Club
Both club members and non-members can book a session here for one hour. However, members can make a reservation up to one week in advance, whereas non-members are only given 48 hours. The club also lays on a yearly Halloween doubles tournament in October, a Spring tournament in April and a Télévie doubles tournament in July, as well as a 30-session tennis school from mid-September to mid-June.
Find more information here.
Bois de la Cambre Tennis Club
Located in the heart of Brussels' green lung, this club provides the perfect setting for a game of tennis with friends. Players can enjoy the six courts on offer all year round, open-air in summer and covered in winter.
Credit: TC Bois de la Cambre
The club has private lessons, group lessons and camps for both children and adults. There is no need to be a member to play here and bookings start from €13 per hour. Young people and adults can play in friendly matches and tournaments on Saturdays and children on Sundays. There is also a running club which sets off from the park at 10:00 every Saturday.
Find more information here.
Forest Domaine
At this club in southern Brussels, there is a wide variety of activities and tournaments for all ages and all levels of play throughout the year. These range from surprise tournaments to doubles, triples and ones for people with disabilities. Friendly doubles matches take place every Tuesday and Wednesday evening in spring and summer, where people can socialise and make friends, and inter-club matches are available too.
Credit: Forest Domaine
The Forest Domaine tennis school is run by our experienced instructors and coaches, with various programmes available to suit individuals' needs. Padel bookings are also possible.
Find more information here.
Montjoie in Uccle
Another club which comes highly recommended is Montjoie, a stone's throw away from the Churchill roundabout. The club has three pádel courts, two tennis courts and two touchtennis courts, with indoor heating in winter and air-con in summer. The club puts extra emphasis on the social aspect of sport, with pádel after work and night sessions, and team building throughout the year.
Credit: Montjoie
Montjoie's offering isn't limited to just racket sports: the club even organises Bridge and Whist competitions several times a week for card game enthusiasts.
Find more information here.
Royal Charles-Quint Tennis Club
Nestled in a green oasis of Ganshoren in west Brussels, this club prides itself on its friendly atmosphere and offers seven outdoor courts, three indoor courts and three pádel courts. Lessons are available at the RCT Academy, and are open to all ages and levels. Pétanque is also offered.
Credit: Philippe Martin / Royal Charles-Quint Tennis Club
Enjoy the green surroundings on the large sunny terrace next to the courts after a match and sip a drink or enjoy a meal prepared by the restaurant team.
Find more information here.
Royal Léopold Club
In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the 12 instructors at the Royal Leopold Club in Uccle train and improve every tennis player, helping 100 members become Belgian champions thanks to the quality of their training.
Credit: Royal Léopold Club Tennis et Padel
This club offers year-round tennis lessons tailored to different levels, with the option of joining the competition team, as well as intensive courses or courses combined with other activities during the holidays. There are ten indoor courts for practising in summer and winter, as well as eight outdoor courts for having fun and improving your game.
Find more information here.
Informal expat group
'Tennis in Brussels' is an informal group of expat tennis enthusiasts, which really took off in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic as tennis was one of the first sports allowed after the lockdowns in Belgium, group administrator Frederico Ribeiro told The Brussels Times.
Credit: Köåçh Kærül / Tennis in Brussels
Smaller sub-groups were created according to ability, ranging from beginners to those interested in competing. The group also enjoys going out together, participating in and watching the finals of tennis tournaments in sports bars together.
"The goal was not only to practise the sport together but also break the ice. The group allows expats to meet new people and helps with the administration [of booking courts]."
Find more information here.
