Ολυμπιακό Κέντρο Αντισφαίρισης

Completed in February 2004, the Olympic Tennis Centre hosted the tennis events of the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Imagine the energy here as international athletes competed on these very courts. The Olympic Tennis Centre isn’t just one court, but a complex of sixteen. The Main Court, the heart of the Centre, originally held 8,600 fans during the Olympics, although only 6,000 seats were available to the public. Two semi-final courts each held 4,300 spectators, with 3,200 seats open to the public. Thirteen smaller side courts offered a more intimate viewing experience, each accommodating 200 people. Interestingly, the courts use the same DecoTurf cushioned acrylic surface as the US Open. The Main Court is notably larger than those at other major tennis competitions. This resulted in spectators being further from the action than they might be used to. After the Olympics, the Main Court was eyed for a new purpose. In 2017, the Greek Basket League club, AEK Athens, planned to transform it into their indoor basketball hall. The proposed renovations aimed to increase the seating capacity to between 9,500 and 10,000. While those plans haven’t materialized yet, it showcases the Olympic Tennis Centre’s continued relevance. The Olympic Tennis Centre remains a significant venue in Athens, hosting both domestic and international tennis matches, even after its Olympic debut.