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White House Tennis Court
The tennis court in 1984 (Dept of Defense)
Love all, Mr. PresidentThe White House tennis court has been a favorite outdoor recreation area for many presidents and their families. Tennis courts were first installed in the Theodore Roosevelt years on the near south side of the West Wing. The court was moved further south around 1910, to where the swimming pool is today, and were enjoyed by the Wilson daughters and Coolidge sons, among others. Florence Harding hosted the first women's tennis exhibition at the White House. And it was on the old White House tennis court that Calvin Coolidge, Jr. got a blister after playing without socks, which led to his death by blood-poisoning at the age of 16. Later, a small court was built in its present location. Nancy Reagan held a fund-raiser tournament here. George HW Bush enlarged this court in 1989. In 2009, Barack Obama had basketball court lines painted and removable baskets added so that he could play full-court basketball. |
More Images
Barack Obama on the converted court in 2010 (White House - Pete Souza)
President Obama on the converted court in 2009 (White House - Pete Souza)
President Obama on the converted court in 2009 (White House - Pete Souza)
The tennis court in 2007 (National Park Service)
The tennis court in 2006 (mcm4president)
Presidential Adviser Clay Johnson with Barney in 2004 (White House)
The tennis court in 1992 (HABS)
The tennis court in 1992 (HABS)
George HW Bush playing doubles tennis with Pete Sampras in 1990 (Bush Library)
Photographer David Kennerly and Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld with President Ford in 1975 (Ford Library)
Old Tennis Court
Sandy Wiener and Bill Tilden on the courts in 1923 (Library of Congress)
Tennis match on the old court in 1922 (Library of Congress)
Tennis match on the old court in 1922 (Library of Congress)
Original Tennis Court
The original tennis court, in 1909, just south of the West Wing, where the West Wing south terrace is now (Library of Congress - Harris & Ewing)
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