Tennis is the satisfaction of a perfectly struck groundstroke and the rewarding "punch" of a volley, timed and executed to perfection.
Tennis is the pride of winning a close match, and the pleasure of losing a close match that you played to the best of your ability.
Tennis is encouraging your partner and congratulating your opponents, win or lose.
Tennis is elation, despair and determination, all in one.
Tennis is the most enjoyable of pastimes and as such deserves to be enjoyed in excellent surroundings, good company and the best of spirits.
This is how tennis is played at Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club.
The traditions of a great club originate from more than just its history. Traditions flow from the behaviour and character of those who were instrumental in creating its history. There is a living, breathing quality in tradition, a quality that is passed on from one generation of members to the next.
Royal South Yarra has been an integral part of the Melbourne scene since the 1880's. Born in an age of grace, style and manners; the Club has succeeded in retaining those qualities for over 126 years. It has been our long-standing tradition that enjoyment of the game is the principal aim of playing. The unwritten laws of sportsmanship and behaviour are as important to us as the official playing rules and our members embrace this philosophy whole-heartedly. They play the game competitively, but always remembering that it is only a game and therein lies the true difference between history and tradition.
Since 1884, some of the greatest names in tennis have graced the courts and the honour boards of our Club. Today, when you step on to a court at Royal South Yarra, you may well be treading in the footsteps of players who made this country such a dominant force in world tennis. And while your forehands may not flow as freely as theirs, or your serves devastate your opponents so completely, you can always aspire to enjoy the game and the magnificent facilities as much as they did.
The General Committee and the Club's professional staff of over 50 personnel maintain the Club to uphold these traditions, with a philosophy that places emphasis on quality and service.
A private sporting club in the traditional sense, Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club is open to members and their guests seven days a week, throughout the year.
Royal South Yarra’s proud history dates back to 1884, when three asphalt tennis courts were laid and a one-room weatherboard pavilion erected on leased land in Portland Place, South Yarra.
Following the popularity of the new sport, the Club prospered from its inception, with a growing membership of ladies and gentlemen from the nearby suburbs.
In 1921, in response to the growing popularity of the Club, Royal South Yarra relocated to newly acquired freehold land in Toorak where a clubhouse was built (pictured), and 16 new grass and bitumen tennis courts laid. It is here that the Club still resides.
As the years progressed, further adjacent land was acquired, and the Club's freehold land increased to over five acres. The Clubhouse has consistently evolved into a more modern structure that includes full recreation, sporting and administrative facilities. Additionally, the tennis facilities have expanded and the Club now houses 10 grass courts, 15 porous all-weather courts with lights for night play, and a centrally positioned tennis pavilion.
The Club is particularly proud of its many Davis Cup, International, National and State champions born from the Club over its vast history. To this day, Royal South Yarra’s strong mixed youth and adult membership, continues to prosper through enthusiastic participation in competitive and social tennis, alternate recreational pastimes and in a diverse range of social activities provided for all age groups.
