The White House has had a tennis court for well over 100 years.
During the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, a tennis court was built on the south side of the West Wing.
Another court was built in 1910, as several presidents enjoyed playing the sport whenever they had a rare minute to spare.
In 1990, George H.W. Bush played doubles with Pete Sampras at the White House before taking on the South Korean president, Roh Tae-Woo, a year later.
In 2009, Barack Obama made a controversial change to the White House tennis courts, one that Donald Trump reversed a decade later…
Barack Obama adapted the White House tennis courts for basketball
Ahead of Obama’s 50th birthday, basketball lines and baskets were added to the White House tennis courts.
On his birthday, Obama played a game of basketball with several NBA legends, including LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Derrick Rose.
The multi-functional court remained until 2020, when Trump made sweeping changes to the facilities.
A new tennis pavilion designed in part by the first lady, Melania Trump, was built, which put an end to the basketball-ification of the White House tennis courts.
Funded by private donations, the new pavilion and court were said to be inspired by the ‘neoclassical’ style of the White House.
There have yet to be any high-profile matches played on the new court, although that could easily change.
Does Donald Trump like tennis?
An avid sports fan, Trump often attended the US Open before becoming president, but hadn’t been seen at Flushing Meadows since he first took office.
Returning to New York, Trump turned up to watch this year’s men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Thanks to Trump and his security, the final was delayed, as the world’s top two players waited to begin their championship match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The media were just as interested in Trump’s movements as they were in the final, watching the 45th and 47th President of the United States move around the stadium throughout.
Some even wondered if the President would involve himself in the trophy presentations, as he had at the Club World Cup earlier in the summer.
In the end, Trump was seen applauding from his seat as Alcaraz defeated Sinner in four sets to clinch his sixth Grand Slam title and return to world number one.
It’s unclear whether Trump plans to return to the US Open in 2026, but it will certainly be something to look out for.
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