On The Town

Tennis players have a ball!

Carol Bently of Perryburg, front, with her daughter, left, Pam Bently Thorne of Manchester by the Sea, Mass., grandson Grant MacPherson with his mom Kate Bentley MacPherson of Perrysburg, and Kevin Brown from St. John's High School.

Carol Bently of Perryburg, front, with her daughter, left, Pam Bently Thorne of Manchester by the Sea, Mass., grandson Grant MacPherson with his mom Kate Bentley MacPherson of Perrysburg, and Kevin Brown from St. John's High School.

Tennis in Toledo is alive and well. Whether you are an ace player or a novice, there are plenty of opportunities to play the sport.

A game for all ages, tennis is great exercise, but like any sport, there are sportsmenship rules, in this case, court etiquette. Staying in your own court, calling points honestly, and shaking hands when finished with the game are just a few examples.

Attire also is part of the experience. White-soled shoes are required on most courts. Tennis whites are always correct clothing choices, especially because they don't show perspiration. But over the years, colors have become acceptable.

The Wimbledon Championships were June 25 through July 8 in London at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The 2012 champs Roger Federer and Serena Williams celebrated at the traditional Champions Ball on July 8 at the InterContinental Park Lane Hotel.

PHOTO GALLERY: Army Tribute, Wimbledon Breakfast

In Toledo, tennis buffs had their own Wimbledon events, complete with strawberries and cream, a traditional fare in London. Most folks sported all white, which has been the players' attire since the event started in 1877. However, many noted that Serena Williams pushed the edge of tradition and added a colorful head band and tennis pants to her white ensemble.

From Left to Right: David Hoops, John Raker, Greg Mahosky, Drew Ummel and Bruce VanVelzel.

Belmont Country Club hosted a Wimbledon Grass Court Weekend June 29, 30, and July 1. Real grass courts were created on the seventh fairway of the golf course. Tennis pro Greg Mahosky headed the event.

Toledo Tennis club held its annual Wimbledon Breakfast July 7 on the club's 15 courts. Members also enjoyed a pancake breakfast topped off with strawberries and cream. With temperatures nearing 100 degrees, the chilled orange juice was a popular beverage choice, especially between matches.

Toledo Country Club hosted a Wimbledon Breakfast of Champions July 8. Members enjoyed strawberries and cream with mimosas (champagne and orange juice) while they watched the finals of Wimbledon courtside via remote. Kasey Vens, the club's tennis pro, said this is the seventh year for the event.

For those interested in playing the sport, here are where some of the local tennis courts are located:

In addition to Belmont and Toledo Country Clubs, Inverness Club, Highland Meadows Golf Club, Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, and Sylvania, Stone Oak, Brandywine, and Heather Downs country clubs all have courts.

Tennis clubs include Toledo Tennis Club as well as Laurel Hills Swim and Tennis Club, Shadow Valley Tennis and Fitness Club, and Perrysburg Tennis Center.

Fallen Timbers Family Recreation Club in Waterville, YMCA/JCC, and St. James Club in Toledo at the edge of Sylvania, all have courts.

Area high schools and colleges have courts and many apartment complexes have them too.

Brandon Smith, Cameron Smith, Laurie Schwind and Emily Schroeder enjoying tennis and the Wimbledon Finals at Toledo Country Club.

There are numerous public tennis courts at community centers such as Perrysburg Recreation Park and Lucas County Recreation Center.

Many area parks have tennis courts: Maumee Bay State Park, Veterans Memorial Park in Rossford, Jermain, Ottawa, Highland, and Willys, and Side Cut in Maumee and Pearson Park in Oregon, to name a few. So go on, serve, drive, and lob that ball!