Perhaps you’ve heard whispers of Argentina’s tennis cathedral. That’s what many call the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club. It stands here in Palermo. This club is more than just courts and matches. It’s a testament to Argentina’s rich tennis history.
The Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club’s story began in 1892. A group of British expats wanted a place to play tennis. Arthur Herbert and others proposed the idea to the British community. They met at the British Consulate. Penard offered land on Alvear Avenue. It was first named Alvear Lawn Tennis Club.
The committee soon realized the Alvear Avenue location was too small. They needed more space than two courts could provide. So they selected land owned by Federico Leloir. It was located at Vicente López and Ayacucho Streets. The Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club was officially founded on April 19. Arthur Herbert became its first president. The club built four courts with the money collected. They also added a clothing shop and other facilities.
News of the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club reached Rosario. Members of the Rosario Lawn Tennis Club wanted a match. Eight players from each city faced off on June 29 1892. It was the first match held at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
The club’s popularity grew quickly. More members meant more activity. The Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club needed a bigger home. The committee secured land near the Central Argentine Railway’s golf course. Today, it is Lisandro de la Torre. The new facilities opened on June 12 1920. The club has remained here ever since.
This club is a founding member of the Argentine Tennis Association. It helped establish the association on September 2 1921. Other founding members included Quilmes and Ferrocarril del Sud.
The main stadium is named Horacio Billoch Caride Stadium. It honors a former club president. Caride was also president of the Argentine Tennis Association. The stadium seats 5500 people. It has hosted Davis Cup and Fed Cup events.
The Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club has seen many important events. The first open contest was held here in 1893. It was a men’s singles championship. FM won the final against Thomas Vesey Melville Knox.
The Davis Cup first came to the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club in 1933. Argentina defeated the Czech Republic 4-1 here. In 1980, Guillermo Vilas beat John McEnroe at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club. Gabriela Sabatini won her first title in Buenos Aires here in 1986. She defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.
In 2022, Juan Martín del Potro played his retirement match here. He lost to Federico Delbonis. The Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club also hosted tennis at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. It was the first time the court hosted an Olympic competition.
Since 2003, the club has hosted the Argentina Tennis Cup each December. Top tour players participate. The stadium uses a hard court surface for this event. It is different from the usual clay. The Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club is more than a club. It is a place where tennis history is made.