Ace Your Tennis Game with WATA

Join the Washington Area Tennis Association (WATA). Unleash your inner champion, stay fit, and become a part of our vibrant tennis community.

Who is This For?

Our Tennis leagues are designed for a wide range of individuals, including:

Experienced Players

Those seeking a more structured, competitive environment to refine their tennis skills.

Busy Entrepreneurs

Individuals looking for an enjoyable way to stay fit and network with like-minded people.

Busy Parents

Parents wanting to carve out some 'me' time, stay active and enjoy a fun, competitive sport.

Tennis Enthusiasts

People who love watching tennis and have always wanted to learn how to play.

Fitness Buffs

Individuals looking for a fun, engaging way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors.

Social Butterflies

Those looking to make new friends and participate in a sport that brings people together.

Experience Tennis at Its Best, Whenever, Wherever

Embark on your tennis journey with our one-time tennis trial session, specially designed to fit into your schedule. Offered at multiple tennis courts, our trial session ensures you find people to play tennis in our vibrant community, any time of the year.

Georgetown Prep Tennis Club

Rockville, MD

Spring, Summer, & Fall seasons

Sundays

5pm to 7pm

Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center

Bethesda, MD

Fall & Winter seasons

Sundays

5pm to 8pm

Fairland Tennis Bubble

Laurel, MD

Winter Season

Sundays

4pm to 6pm

Rock Creek Tennis Center

Washington, D.C

Spring, Fall, & Winter seasons

Sundays Sept./Oct.

4/3pm to 6/5pm

Wakefield Park Tennis Courts

Annandale, VA

Spring, Summer, & Fall seasons

Sundays

2pm to 4pm

Georgetown Prep Tennis Club

Rockville, MD

Spring & Summer seasons

Sundays: 6pm to 8pm

Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center

Bethesda, MD

Fall & Winter seasons

Sundays: 5pm to 8pm

Fairland Tennis Bubble

Laurel, MD

Winter Season

Sundays: 4pm to 6pm

Rock Creek Tennis Center

Washington, D.C

Spring & Fall seasons

Sundays: 3/4pm to 5/6pm

Wakefield Park Tennis Courts

Annandale, VA

Spring, Summer, & Fall seasons

Sundays: 2pm to 4pm

About WATA

The Washington Area Tennis Association (WATA) Founded by the award-winning Richard Gottfried, WATA is a not-for-profit organization promoting tennis (for ages 18 and above) in the DC Metro Area. Our association offers year-round Impact Team Tennis leagues, taking the sport to a whole new, exciting level.

Health Benefits of Tennis

Get Fit Playing Tennis Playing tennis is a fun and effective way to stay in shape. The health benefits include:

Cardio Boost

Regular participation in tennis play enhances aerobic capacities, leading to improved heart health.

Strength & Flexibility

Tennis is beneficial for developing a good balance, flexibility, and enhancing overall physical strength.

Mental Agility

Tennis requires alertness, strategic thinking, and mental agility, all of which serve to stimulate the mind.

Peace of Mind

Tennis promotes stress relief and mental wellbeing through its physical, mental, and social aspects.

Cardio Boost

Regular participation in tennis play enhances aerobic capacities, leading to improved heart health.

Strength & Flexibility

Tennis is beneficial for developing a good balance, flexibility, and enhancing overall physical strength.

Mental Agility

Tennis requires alertness, strategic thinking, and mental agility, all of which serve to stimulate the mind.

Peace of Mind

Tennis promotes stress relief and mental wellbeing through its physical, mental, and social aspects.

Unleash Your Potential with WATA

Boost your tennis skills while enjoying a supportive, competitive community.

Check Out Our Action Shots

Since 1991, WATA’s players/teams have been successful over these years in attending and winning the Regional Championships and the National Championships. Here are some of the team photographs:

About the Founder

With a career spanning over three decades dedicated to nurturing community tennis, Richard's contributions are a testament to his passion for the sport. His tireless efforts in orchestrating World Team Tennis leagues not only display his commitment but also earned him the prestigious WTT Delaine Mast Award for Top League Director of the Year, an honor personally bestowed upon him by the legendary Billie Jean King.

Guided by the principles of Billie Jean King, a founder of WTT, and Delaine Mast, Richard amplified the reach of recreational WTT leagues, consistently securing his position among the top ten league directors in the nation. His leadership truly embodies the spirit of the game and the heart of community tennis.

Your Questions Answered

We're here to ensure you have all the information necessary before getting on the court. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions by our players:

Is previous tennis/sport experience required?

Not at all! Our tennis trial session is designed to accommodate players of all skill levels, whether you're picking up a racket for the first time or already have a strong serve.

What levels of play are available at WATA?

From the U.S. Tennis Association’s NTRP rating system:

1.0-1.5 New Player: Has no or limited tennis experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.  

2.0 Beginner Player: Needs on-court experience. Has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.  

2.5 Beginner Player: Learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.  

3.0 Beginner-Intermediate Player: Fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth or power. Needs work on depth and variety.  

3.5 Intermediate Player: Has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. Starting to exhibit more aggressive net play and has improved court coverage.  

4.0 Intermediate-Advanced Player: Has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. May be starting to master the use of power and spins (though tends to over-hit difficult shots). Rallies may be lost due to impatience.  

4.5 Advanced Player: Starting to master the use of power and spins; can handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. Can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. May have played varsity or college club tennis.  

*Please note we only offer leagues with player levels 2.5 and up.

Do you have junior leagues?

No, all of our leagues are available for adults 18 and older

How does the match format look like?

Every match consists of one set of men's and women's doubles and singles, along with two sets of mixed doubles.

Can I sign up as an individual?

Yes, at WATA, you can sign up as an individual, and we will place you on a team.

I'm a beginner, will I get enough support to improve?

Yes, at WATA, we support players at all levels, ensuring you improve your game and enjoy every match.

Can I sign up as a team?

Yes. The captain needs to register first then EACH player needs to register as an individual and select the team’s name that they are on. The suggested number of players on a team is six (3 men & 3 women) however you only need 2m and 2w for any match. The maximum number of players on your roster is 10 players.

Can my team advance to a higher level if we win the league?

Absolutely! The winning team qualifies for one of the six Regional Championships, and if you win regionally, you proceed to the National Championships.

What's the difference between the trial session and a tennis meetup?

Great question! While both options provide a chance to play tennis, the experience and benefits differ significantly.A tennis meetup, typically free or under $15, is exclusively for meetup members. These are often organized at high-school courts without amenities such as bathrooms. It's essentially pickup tennis where you play with whoever shows up, and the experience could be hit or miss depending on the players who attend.

On the other hand, our trial session, priced at $25, offers a more premium and structured experience. These sessions are held at upscale locations such as Georgetown Prep Tennis Center and Rock Creek Tennis Center, where you're guaranteed a match with other players, enhancing the quality of the game.

But there's more. It's not just a game; it's a stepping stone to a larger goal. If your team wins, you advance to one of six regional championships, and if you triumph there, you proceed to the prestigious national championships in Orlando, FL.

So, while a hobby match at a meetup is fun and casual, our league matches are about competition, progression and camaraderie.

What day and time are lessons held?

The day and time of lessons can vary based on location. When you purchase your trial session, you'll have the opportunity to choose from a range of flexible times at your preferred location. Rest assured, once you choose your slot, your game placement is guaranteed.

What happens if it rains?

If we need to cancel a trial session due to the weather, we will notify you through the contact details you provide when booking. This can sometimes be up to 1 hour before the booking, to give every chance of the weather clearing up to go ahead.

Is the trial session available for minors?

Our trial sessions, as with all our leagues, are designed for adults. Therefore, they are available only for men or women who are 18 years and older.

Ace Your Game with WATA

Experience tennis like never before, compete, learn and grow with the best.

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