What is Platform Tennis? It's the Most Addictive Sport You've Never Heard Of.

Platform Tennis is an outdoor racquet sport generally played in cool or cold weather, although it has become a year-round sport in some regions.

The court is smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by tightly strung wire fencing that lets players keep the ball in play after the ball hits off the court and bounces off the screens.

Courts are generally on a raised platform, allowing heaters under the deck to keep the playing surface playable no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

Watch Platform Tennis Videos
We have lots of videos on our YouTube Channel and championship level tournament play on the APTA Network.

Platform tennis is a very social sport, know for camaraderie and good sportsmanship.

Platform tennis is a game of finesse, patience and strategy. It can require speed, power, and quick thinking. It can be highly competitive or just plain social.

Platform Tennis is an easy sport for players of all ages and skill levels to learn and enjoy and is an excellent sport for families to play together.

Where can you play?
Look for a Public Access Facility, or a League. Check the calendar for tournaments and APTA clinics.

The Origins of Platform Tennis

In 1928 in Scarsdale, New York, James Cogswell and Fessenden Blanchard were searching for a winter racquet sport close to home. They built a small, wooden raised court and bought a set of wooden paddles and spongy balls at a local store.

When they got tired of pulling balls out of snow banks, they put up chicken wire fencing. After some debate, the men agreed that playing the ball off of the screens added dimension to the game and broadened the skill set necessary for the sport. And platform tennis was born.

Visit the Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame and wander through their rich archives covering the inception of the sport through today.

What is the APTA?

The American Platform Tennis Association is the governing body of the sport of platform tennis. It is a non-profit organization whose more than 29,000 members and more than 275 member facilities are found in 41 states and 2 foreign countries.