Get the game started at one of Kyiv courts
Though it’s a popular sport all year round, the best time to play tennis is certainly summer. Besides, the price to rent a tennis court drops during the hottest season not to mention that it is a good way to stay fit as well!
By quality of surface and level of services, open tennis-courts can be divided into professional, recreational and amateur. According to the specialists of Ukrainian Federation of Tennis, the tennis courts at Nauka-Sport and Antey sports complexes belong to the first category.
Nauka attracts the pros and amateur enthusiasts alike. There you’ll find three terraflex tennis courts and six open clay courts. The quality of the courts is proven by the fact that Kyiv Open, the world-class tournament sanctioned by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), and a few other international tournaments have taken place there over the last few years. Services for players include locker rooms with showers or baths, a sauna, a beauty salon, a pro shop, swimming pool, gym trainer, and massage cabinet. The cafe offers light food and freshly squeezed juices to power anyone through a long match. Their kids’ tennis academy accepts aspiring pros between the ages of six and 15. Despite it’s slightly out of the way location by Svyatoshyno metro station, Nauka’s courts are among the most popular in the city, so you should better book courts at least two days in advance.
Antey sports complex contains one indoor artificial surface that Ukrainian tennis champion Andrey Medvedev donated to the club several years ago, and eight outdoor clay courts to play on. The clay courts cost Hr 50 per hour, rackets – Hr 10. Antey also has its own professional coaches who will run you through tennis theory and techniques. Such acknowledged Ukrainian tennis players as Natalia and Andrey Medvedevy started their sports career at Antey. Like every good tennis club in the city, Antey also has equipped locker rooms and shower and baths, a cafe, well-stocked sports shop carrying a wide range of rackets, sportswear and shoes, by-the-hour racquet rental, so you don’t even have to own tennis gear to hit the courts. Besides its courts, the club is mainly known for its children’s tennis school. Since this is a state-owned facility, these services are officially free, but one should expect to individually negotiate a price with the instructor.
Conditions of the tennis courts at Kyiv stadiums are gradually improving. Such sports complexes offer at the minimum five to 10 tennis courts where you may find one that matches what you are looking for. Presently, the Central Tennis Court behind Olympic Stadium has the biggest number of clay courts in the city (twelve clay courts and two with a rubber surface) and offers a good central location with lots of parking. They’re quiet and never completely sun-baked, and there’s often no one around – at least early in summer. The Central Stadium’s locker facilities have been newly renovated and are in good condition. The courts operate daily from 7 a.m. till midnight. Rental prices differ a lot depending mainly on type of a surface and period of time you want to play. So, in the morning and in the evening one hour of training will cost you for 78 percent more than in the afternoon.
Dynamo Tennis Courts attract well-to-do clients. The location certainly plays a big role in its elite appeal. To get yourself a place on the court, it’s better to book several days in advance. Inside the club across the street you’ll find a full-service professional shop and restaurant.
The Kodokan tennis courts across the street from Dynamo Stadium look exclusive. Various hot sports cars parked outside confirm that this is Ukraine’s new elite hot spot. The seven clay courts are modernized and open to the public. Getting court time a day in advance might be difficult (better to book several days prior). Each of the seven clay courts costs Hr 100 per hour, but the price drops down to Hr 80 from noon till 4 p.m. Add Hr 125 if you feel like improving your game techniques with a coach. And don’t forget to bring your own gear because they don’t rent any rackets and tennis balls. However, at the club across the street you’ll find a full-service pro shop and restaurant. Or you may take a stroll to Khreschatyk or Mariyinsky Park to find a good place to relax after game.
Sports complex Ledoviy Stadium (Ice Stadium), which is situated on prospect Hlushkova in Holosiyivskiy district, seems to have absolutely everything for fun sport activities. There you will find that sport game which you like the most. The stadium’s selection includes hockey, football, basketball, paintball, carting, ping pong, and of course tennis. Its ten outdoor rubber surface courts can be used at Hr 40. Monthly rent for a court will cost you Hr 312 for 12 hours. To rent a rackets and balls is only Hr 6. But there are no coaches and Lyodoviy Stadium’s courts have no lighting. Once the sun goes down, it’s game over.
Opened in 2003 next to Tarasa Shevchenko metro station, Korty na Podoli (Courts in Podil) has a fairly central location and represents a good alternative to Dynamo. It has three covered and six open courts, all with clay surfaces, as well as a sauna, a cafe and individual changing rooms for an additional fee. The open courts will cost you Hr 80, but drop down to Hr 60 from noon to 4 p.m. To rent rackets is Hr 10. In addition, a tennis coach will teach you to play for Hr 110 to Hr 130 per hour.
New center Fitness Olimp replaced the former sports complex Olimp, located near Nyvky metro. Despite being a very exclusive fitness center, Olimp allows you to book a court any time of day. Fitness Olimp has three indoor courts and six open clay courts. It also features one indoor court with parquet flooring. The cheapest time for play is from 7 a.m. till 4 p.m. costing Hr 60 and the most expensive time is from 4 p.m. till 11 p.m. costing Hr 70. If you’re a beginner, coaches will teach you how to play for Hr 10 per lesson. The change-room and shower facilities are another plus of the place. Since priority is given to club members, better book courts at least one day in advance. Like any of the city’s top-end fitness centers, Fitness Olimp has a tennis gear shop and a full-service restaurant on the premises.
Maria Leontieva can be reached at [email protected] or 496-4563
Nauka Sport Club (32 Vernadskoho, 424-3381/3481);
Antey Tennis Club (8B Vitruka, 424-7309);
Central Tennis Courts (50 Chervonoarmiyska, Olympic Stadium, 500-9401);
Dynamo Tennis Courts (1B Hrushevskoho, Dynamo Stadium 278-0531);
Kodokan (3 Hrushevskoho, Dynamo Stadium 278-0531);
LYOdoviy Stadium (9 Prospect Hlushkova, 526-5226);
Korty na Podoli (56/63A Mezhyhirska, 451-5858);
Fitness Olimp (11 Kulibina, 503-7218).
