Have you ever been to the International Tennis Hall of Fame? Here's what to know
Newport in the summer isn’t a bad place to be.
Spending the day or a week? Or maybe the entire summer. Either way, you’re trying to visit every local spot. That could mean a morning at Second Beach, an afternoon rail bike tour by the water or a viewing of Newport’s mansions. But what about Newport’s hall-of-fame of attractions?
The International Tennis Hall of Fame is just a short drive from Thames Street and offers sports fans an opportunity to be immersed in some of tennis’s most historic memorabilia.
Spectators can take a time machine via the hall’s decades worth of racquets and a little-known secret that the museum vaults hold two childhood drawings from none other than John McEnroe.
Located in Newport Casino, the Hall of Fame was founded by Jimmy Van Alen, then-president of the Newport Casino, and his wife, Candy, in the early 1950s. The National Lawn Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum was officially recognized by the International Tennis Federation in 1986.
The hall is open every day to spectators, except during tournament week (more on that below), at $20 per ticket for adults. Kids 12 and under are admitted free and tickets for seniors (62+), students and USTA members are $17.
Here's more on the Tennis Hall of Fame:
Infosys Hall of Fame Open
The Van Alen Cup is up for grabs again this summer from July 14-21. The field hasn’t been announced as of late May, but tickets are available at tixr.com/promoters/infosyshofopen.
General admission for the qualifying rounds is $14 to $29, with ticket prices rising throughout each round of the tournament. The finals, which start at noon on July 21, range from $80 in the south stands to $153-plus for courtside and box seats. Doors open at 11 a.m.
The tournament also coincides with the 2024 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This year’s class includes Leander Paes, Vijay Amritraj and Richard Evans.
Tennis Hall of Fame attractions
The Arthur Ashe VR exhibit takes visitors to 1968 as Ashe became the first Black man to win the U.S. Open. The virtual reality simulator pays homage to Ashe and is part of a larger digital experience at the hall.
A Roger Federer hologram makes visitors feel as though they are in the room with the tennis star, and the hall calls the exhibit a “highlight of the museum.”
There’s a whole section devoted to the sport’s fashion scene, including Ivan Lendl's Legionnaire's hat and Chris Evert’s red and white Converse sneaker.
And maybe most impressive, the hall acquired the outfit worn by Rafael Nadal in his record-breaking victory in the 2022 Australian Open. Nadal captured his 21st Slam, beating Daniil Medvedev in an electric purple and green Nike kit that is on display.
Planning your visit
The museum does not have a parking lot, but the Bellevue Gardens Center is across the street from the main entrance, and Newport patrons can park there for an hourly fee.
The museum offers discounted rates for group tours (parties of 10-plus). For more information on tours, visit: tennisfame.com/visit/group-tours.
The museum is kid-friendly, with digital and interactive exhibits.
There are plenty of historic objects on the 7-acre site, so enjoy your time and maybe catch some world-class tennis while you’re there!
jrousseau@providencejournal.com
On X: @ByJacobRousseau
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Have you ever been to the Tennis Hall of Fame? Here's what to know
