CAPITOL HILL TENNIS CLUB
ABOUT THE CLUB
The Capitol Hill Tennis Club meets once a week on the weekend during its summer and winter season, bringing folks together for social doubles, drills, and lessons. Play time is flexible and perfect for busy people who want to drop in when their schedule allows.
Scroll down to learn more.
Seasonal Play Information
CHTC plays a formal summer season and winter season.
Dates and location are dependent on the court location we are able to reserve for that season.
Summer Tennis
Summer tennis typically runs from May until the end of September. We soak up the sun by reserving outdoor courts for the season.
Winter Tennis
Winter tennis typically runs from October until March. We play indoors in a bubble or enclosed structure to stay warm. Separate fee based on number interested.
2022 - 2023
FAQs
1. What is the Capitol Hill Tennis Club?
CHTC is an informal, non-profit organization mainly composed of current and former Hill, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress staffers. We provide a fun atmosphere to learn and play the game and include players of all skill levels - beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
We charge only one fee for the entire year - the membership dues. There is no separate charge for the court time or lessons.
CHTC also organizes an optional winter program that is a separate fee depending on interest.
2. Where and when does CHTC play?
CHTC has court time at the Hains Point East Potomac Tennis Center, Washington, D.C. (near the Jefferson Memorial). We play from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday afternoons from May 7th through September 17th. From May 7th through June 18th, we will offer free groups lessons with the CHTC club pro from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30p.m. We have reserved five clay courts and have access to additional clay courts.
3. What's the format for play?
The traditional CHTC format is mixed doubles, which we maintain unless there is a major gender imbalance. We play 8-game sets (two service games per person), which helps to promote court turnover. There usually are no assigned matches. It's purely pickup, although we sometimes will use a signup sheet in the first few weeks to keep things orderly.
4. How will I know with whom to play? What if they're too good?
It's a social club. People expect to play with all different ability levels. That said, players usually will find their own comfort level.
If you are an advanced player, you’ll find other advanced players to play with, but you should also expect to play against beginners and intermediate players. When you outmatch your opponent it’s a great opportunity to improve your game by concentrating on discreet aspects of the game, for instance maybe you’ll work on improving your net play or ball placement.
5. Is there a dress code?
You don't have to wear tennis whites, but dress respectfully for the venue. Tennis shoes or flat soled sneakers are must...rutted shoes like cross trainers and running shoes tear up the clay. Proper footwear are designed to prevent unnecessary injuries.
6. Tell me more about the lessons.
The lessons are taught by the club pro and club members also help out. The lessons go at least from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. The pro covers all areas of the game, and intermediate as well as beginning players have found the lessons helpful. The pro is very good at teaching smaller groups focused on skill level.
After the lessons, some of the club members provide additional instruction and drills for those who want to stay around. This helps to minimize congestion and waiting time for other courts to open up and allows players to get in more hits (and running) than they would in a game.
IMPORTANT - There are no lessons on Sunday, May 28 (Memorial Day weekend) and Sunday, July 2nd (Fourth of July weekend). However, there is the usual doubles play from 3-6 p.m.
7. Does it get crowded?
Not all club members show up every week, thankfully. Between the group drills and the eight-game sets, we keep things moving along. In the early weeks, you might sit out a set before playing again.
8. What if it rains?
There will be a message on the Club’s Facebook page and you can call the pro shop. Just call 202-554-5962.
9. Is there parking?
There is a large lot right next to the tennis courts and an auxiliary lot nearby, though note that some of the parking is metered.
10. Is it Metro accessible?
The closest stops are Smithsonian and L’Enfant (10-minute walk). We find that members without cars find a way to car pool up, and our e-mail system can help to facilitate that.
11. Can I play at other times at Hains Point?
The membership dues for CHTC only cover our Sunday afternoon courts. The Hains Point Tennis Center is a public facility, so you contact them directly to reserve courts, sign-up for lessons, etc.
14. What are the directions to the tennis center? https://eastpotomactennis.com/contact-us/maps-directions/