Holding Court

Few people get to attend the US Open, but Denver Tennis Park (DTP) offers an infinitely more affordable opportunity to watch rising stars battle it out on the court. Beginning Oct. 15, DTP hosts the high school boys’ state championships, a tournament that’s open to the public and free to watch. It’s no secret that sports are expensive, for both spectators and, increasingly, for up-and-coming players. The Denver Post recently published its findings on the average cost to participate in youth sports, which have ballooned in recent years, with some families spending $25,000 per child, per year. Those costs are unsustainable for many families, who feel they have no choice but to “pay-to-play,” lest their child miss out on future scholarship opportunities, social networking amongst their peers, and the self-confidence that comes from applying oneself to a competitive sport.

Tennis boasts a storied, lengthy history. In the 11th century, French monks invented a similar handball game known as “jeu de paume” (game of the palm), widely considered the genesis of modern tennis. The sport took off; by the 1500s, it’s estimated that France had more than one thousand tennis courts, including such esteemed venues as the Louvre and Versailles. While Napoleon, England’s King Henry VIII, and many of Europe’s royal monarchs were avid players, so-called commoners also embraced the sport en masse. In the 1870s, tennis moved outside, and in 1877, the first Wimbledon Championship took place in London.

The Art of Tennis

These days, the sport is working to overcome ingrained stereotypes about class and privilege that many associate with rarefied milieus. “A lot of people still consider tennis a country club sport; but really, it’s about as close to a boxing match as you can get,” says Leo Teryazos, a 15-year-old high school sophomore who competed at the state championships in 2025 in the number one singles spot (as a freshman). “I may be biased, but I think tennis players might be the best athletes in any sport. Tennis asks you to run multiple wind sprints and win a reflex duel in the same point and repeat it for hours on end. It simultaneously tests your endurance, power, agility, reaction, and patience. Most sports ask you to be great at one thing. Tennis asks you to be great at everything all at once.”

Teryazos aspires to go pro one day. He grew up idolizing Roger Federer and has even emulated his hero’s iconic one-handed backhand, although more out of necessity than flattery. “When I was little and first getting into tennis, I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and was forced to wear a full hip cast, which immobilized me for a number of months,” he explains. “Although I couldn’t move, my dad used to feed me balls strapped to a chair. That’s actually why I developed a one-handed backhand.” The New York Times recently published an article mourning the endangered technique as a lost art. “Some athletes don’t just win—they do so looking like artists,” wrote Adam B. Kushner. “There is grace, economy, even magic in their movement.” Indeed, tennis is beautiful to watch, and seems to create a calming, almost hypnotic state for its spectators. It’s been argued that tennis’ rhythmic movement allows the brain to engage without overloading its circuitry, which explains why some people report feeling calm while observing the sport.

Win or Lose

For the players, however, tennis is a constant recalibration of priorities. Bethany Brookens, Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Associate Commissioner, believes tennis instills resilience, especially for younger players in their formative years. “You’re either winning a point or losing a point constantly,” she says. “So, how do you overcome missing a shot? You have to serve again, or receive, and you have to keep going, despite losing. You have to keep tackling the game, and that’s what I love.” Teryazos also believes that tennis requires a unique level of concentration. “Tennis is the only sport that I can think of where you’re your own referee,” he says. “I feel that teaches you a lot about yourself. You are also alone out on the court. You can’t sub off. You can’t pass the puck. Every ball is yours. There is no bench, no substitution, no teammate to hide behind on a bad day. I really like that about tennis. Win or lose, it’s all up to you.”

Brookens gives DTP credit for their holistic approach to the game of tennis, especially in terms of youth sports. “They’re looking to develop these young kids into better humans,” she explains. As a nonprofit, DTP collaborates with neighborhood associations, youth-serving agencies, municipalities, and corporate partners to deliver free and low-cost programming that removes barriers related to cost, transportation, and opportunity. These partnerships connect young people and families to scholarships, wellness resources, mentorship, and positive recreational experiences while introducing new players to the game.

A Lifelong Investment

Ed Anderson, Director of Adult Programs at DTP, can speak from experience about the impact of tennis on developmental and educational outcomes. Anderson grew up in Colorado Springs, the youngest of ten siblings, and tennis opened doors for him in his youth. He won a scholarship to college and continued to play, later becoming a high school teacher and coach. Today, he’s proud that DTP is serving approximately 350 to 400 adults per week, and 575 to 650 kids per week. He also emphasizes that DTP provides scholarships that range from 50% to 100% of the program’s cost, as well as more advanced scholarships that don’t only pay for programming lessons, but also equipment, tournaments, travel, and so on. Anderson estimates that those advanced scholarships typically amount to $14,000 per player.

Investing in youth sports is a form of civic investment, argues Polica Houston, Denver Tennis Park’s CEO. “During my master’s work at the University of Denver, I had the chance to develop a relationship with world-renowned Sociology of Sport Scholar, Dr. Jay Coakley,” he explains. “He would remind me that the question is not whether sports build better communities. The question is whether communities are using sports to build better people. At the DTP, I feel that, collectively, we are doing our part.”

Perhaps the best part of tennis, however, is that it’s a lifelong sport. Brookens’ 70-year-old mother is still playing, as is Teryazos’ grandfather. “My grandfather is in his 80s and still plays every day,” he says. “When he comes to town to visit, my dad and I take him to the club, and we hit for hours. It’s the way our family bonds.” For generations, tennis has afforded invaluable in-person connection and instilled mental acuity in players regardless of their age or skill level. At DTP, that legacy is the baseline of its inclusive approach and mission to broaden the sport’s accessibility throughout the local community and beyond.

Emilie Trice is a writer based in Denver who can occasionally hit a one-handed backhand.