EAST ST. LOUIS — The East St. Louis Senior High School Tennis Complex in East St. Louis, Ill., has been named one of 41 winners of the USTA’s 2026 Outstanding Facility Awards, recognizing excellence in the construction and renovation of tennis facilities across the country.
The USTA announced the award as part of its annual program. All 41 recipients were honored at an awards reception held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York as part of the 2026 U.S. Open.
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Completed in spring 2025, the $2.5 million project transformed the East St. Louis Senior High School tennis complex by replacing unsafe courts with six new post-tension concrete courts. The courts include advanced lighting and blended lines designed to support competitive play and community programming.
The project was made possible through grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, USTA Tennis Venue Grant, Tennis Section Grant and Tennis District Grant funding.
Since opening, the complex has offered free seasonal programming, including indoor winter sessions and summer lessons, along with complimentary rackets. Through a partnership with the East St. Louis Community Tennis Association, year-round programming provides opportunities for youth and adults of all ages to learn and play tennis.
“Facilities like East St. Louis Senior High School Tennis Complex are the foundation of tennis in America. Their commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience the sport exemplifies what it means to grow the game at the grassroots level,” said Theodore Loehrke, managing director, head of section partnerships, USTA. “Their work is helping to ensure tennis continues to thrive in their community."
Facilities were judged on criteria including overall layout and adaptation to site, court surface and lights, ease of maintenance, accommodations for players, spectators and press or officials, aesthetics, graphics, amenities and participation in grassroots tennis programs.
Nominated facilities were voted on in categories including public courts, private facilities, educational institutions and innovation. All 2026 award winners received a wall plaque and an all-weather sign that can be mounted at the facility.
The USTA is the national governing body for tennis in the U.S. and promotes and develops the growth of tennis at every level. The not-for-profit organization invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the sport.
