Portland Tennis and Education: A Comprehensive Guide to Programs and Opportunities

Portland Tennis Center (PTC) and Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E) offer a wide array of tennis and education programs designed to cater to individuals of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a beginner picking up a racquet for the first time or a seasoned player looking to hone your competitive edge, these organizations provide opportunities to learn, play, and compete in a supportive and engaging environment.

Diverse Programs at Portland Tennis Center

At Portland Tennis Center (PTC), a variety of opportunities exist to learn the game of tennis, play, and compete at any age or ability level. Activities include adult and junior tennis classes, lessons, mixers, drills, cardio tennis, ball machine drills with pro, USTA, and City League team competitions. Additionally, PTC offers a full developmental pathway for juniors from September through May, and camps from June through August.

Classes and Lessons

PTC offers a range of classes and lessons tailored to different age groups and skill levels. From introductory classes for beginners to advanced training sessions for competitive players, there's something for everyone. Private lessons and drills are available upon request. Completing the request forms does not guarantee that private lessons will be available due to demand. Request forms must be completed with all required information.

Mixers and Drills

Doubles mixers are a great way to meet and connect with tennis players across all levels of play. Levels 2.0-2.5 do not need a rating. Levels 3.0 and higher must have a current USTA or PTC rating. Live ball and fast-paced fun is offered with level-based format for drills, cardio tennis, and specialty drills. Due to high demand, you may only register for one drill per day.

Competitive Opportunities

For those seeking competitive play, PTC offers USTA and City League team competitions. These leagues provide a platform for players to test their skills against others of similar ability and experience the thrill of team competition.

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Court Reservations

Available courts can be reserved three days in advance at 9:30am. A 24-hour cancellation is required. It's possible to book a court online. With a PTC Month Pass, you get a free 75-minute court reservation per day. Court reservations must be made three days in advance. The pass auto-renews monthly with a credit card on file. Purchase yours over the phone, or the next time you're at Portland Tennis Center.

Access Discount Program

Thanks to the Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy), City of Portland residents can register for a free Access Discount to receive an ongoing discount of 25, 50, 75, or 90% based on financial need. The discount is valid for 12 months from the date of enrollment. No proof of income is required. At Portland Tennis Center (PTC), you can use your Access Discount to reduce the price of the following: PTC Month Pass, Mixers and Drills, and Classes.

Registration Information

View and register for all tennis activities online. General Registration: Register online, over the phone through the Customer Service Center (503-823-2525), or by calling or visiting a recreation or arts center. If cost is a barrier to participating, consider signing up for an Access Discount (more information above).

Spring Registration begins at 9:30am: Activities take place from March 30 through June 21. Register online, over the phone through the Customer Service Center (503-823-2525), or by calling or visiting a recreation or arts center.

Understanding Tennis Ratings

The rating requirement for classes is to ensure a safe playing environment with players of equal or similar ability. If a Professional Instructor feels that a player is not a good fit, they will let management know and we will contact the player. Activities are offered at various levels, so the player will not miss out on the activity, they simply will be placed with similar skilled players. This is for the safety of the players and for the level of play for the classes.

A rating is a measuring tool that indicates a person’s current playing ability, and it can be used to track progress as they develop their games. An accurate rating should give players access to level-based competition, ensuring a safe and positive experience for all players involved. Ratings are a great way to group players of similar ability together in round-robins, drills, compass draws for tournaments, and classes.

Rating Systems

A United States Tennis Association (USTA) rating is a numerical indicator of tennis-playing ability, from 1.5 (beginner) through 7.0 (touring pro). Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) is a global rating system that promotes fair and competitive play across the tennis world. All players, regardless of age, gender, geography, or skill level are rated on a scale between 1 and 16.50 based on actual match results. UTR provides a real-time view of a player’s true skill level and enables you to find level-based play. World Tennis Number (WTN) is similar to UTR; it provides a real-time skill level rating, finds evenly matched opponents, and tracks your tennis progress based on actual performance. Portland Tennis Center (PTC) Pro Rating- PTC offers rating sessions with certified Professional Tennis Instructors who are qualified to provide a real-time rating level. The PTC Management team uses all of the rating systems, USTA, UTR/WTN, and PTC Pro Rating, and takes them into consideration for all players registering for our activities. If there are any questions, we are happy to provide another PTC Pro Rating Session to get a current skill level.

In order to register for an activity, a player must meet the minimum rating qualified for the class. Patrons who feel their rating is incorrect or inaccurate are welcome to discuss it with our management team. PTC ratings may be updated every six months. Adult Ratings expire after two years. Junior Ratings expire after one year. Appealed USTA ratings will be added to the rest of the rating information for that player and a final determination will be made by our Professional Instructors and Management.

Frequently Asked Questions About Court Bookings

How do I book a court on ActiveNet? Access the active net login page. Once you have logged in to your account, you can view courts 1-8 (indoor) and the outdoor courts. Select the court and timeframe, push reserve court, and follow the prompts to complete your transaction.
How long can I book a court for? 75 minutes. For 30 or 60-minute bookings, call 503-823-3190 for availability.
How many courts and drills can I book per day? 1: 75 minute court time or 1 drill per day.
Can my friend or partner book the court and I play again? No. Each tennis player is allowed to appear on one reservation and court per day.
What options do I have to play more than once a day? Check with the front desk or call ahead at 503-823-3190. This is a day-of option only that applies to mixers, drills, and court reservations. If someone cancels and a court or space is available, you must get confirmation to use or join from PTC staff first. This day-of option will not count toward your daily use of the courts.
Can I register for programs and courts by phone? Yes. Call 503-823-3190.
Will I receive a confirmation once I book a court? Yes. Once payment is completed, you will receive a confirmation that lists your court number, court time, and payment made. We recommend you retain a copy for your records.
How can I check my court reservation and classes in my ActiveNet account? When you book a court or register for a mixer or drill, you can view these by clicking My Account, and then View Family Members Schedule. In View Family Members Schedule, find your assigned court at the bottom of the reservation. All your bookings and activities will appear for the week.
How do I register for mixers and drills? We recommend bookmarking the ActiveNet activities page. Once you’re logged in, you can find your mixer or drill by using the keyword or class number search. Effective January 17, you can book one drill session daily. If you have difficulty finding your mixer or drill, you can call the Customer Service Center at 503-823-2525.
Why can I only book one drill session per day? Our drill sessions were created to improve the skills and abilities of all our players by receiving hands-on instruction from our pros. With a limited number of available drills and courts, waitlists are long. This policy, booking one drill and court reservation per day, allows for more equity to play.
What happens if I book back-to-back drill sessions? We review all registrations for drill sessions. Anyone who books back-to-back drills or court reservations will be notified and one of the sessions will be canceled. If someone continues to book multiple drill sessions or court reservations per day, forfeit of booking privileges may result.
What do I need to do when I arrive to play? Please check in at the front desk before going to your assigned court. If you are playing with others, those players must pay BEFORE playing; this includes those playing on outside courts.
What do I (PTC tennis player) need to do if I don’t have an account? Create an ActiveNet account either in-person at PTC, via phone by calling 503-823-3190, or create an account online. A helpful tutorial is also available on this page.
What if I have an account, but I forgot my password? If you have forgotten your password, click here to reset it. Do not create a new account if you are locked out or have forgotten your password. Please call PTC at 503-823-3190 or the Customer Service Center at 503-823-2525 for additional help.
How do I change or update my account information? Please call PTC at 503-823-3190 or the Customer Service Center at 503-823-2525 for additional help.
How do I cancel my court reservation? You can cancel your reservation by calling PTC at 503-823-3190. Cancellations are required 12 hours in advance.
What happens if I forget to cancel my court reservation? If you forget to cancel your reservation and do not show up, you will be charged the full court cost.
Can I reserve a court for pickleball? No. Pickleball can only be played during our summer mixer facilitated by staff.
Can outside pros teach tennis at PTC? Only Portland Tennis Center Instructors are authorized to teach at the facility.

Inclement Weather Policy

PP&R classes, activities, rentals, and sports events may be canceled due to inclement weather, such as ice, snow, or extreme heat. Call 503-823-2533 or visit portland.gov/parks/closures for the most current information. Some recreation programs may run as conditions and staff availability allow. Safety is a major factor in determining operations at each PP&R facility.

Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E)

PT&E is a small grants partner of the Portland Children’s Levy and is working to better serve children with disabilities. Meet Pedro, the first wheelchair scholar athlete in the after school program at Portland Tennis & Education. Meet Carlos, a graduating high school senior who has participated in Portland Tennis & Education programs since he was a young child. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, new Hunger Relief partners at Familias en Acción adapted their culturally specific education program to meet the need in the community.

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Nike Tennis Camp at Portland Tennis & Education

Join Camp Director Teri Hartshorn at the Nike Tennis Camp at Portland Tennis & Education! Teri and her experienced coaching staff focus on building fundamentals, improving technique, and developing smart point-play skills. Teri is the Head Tennis Pro and Pickleball Coach at Portland Tennis & Education in Portland, OR. She grew up in Southern California, where she competed in elite junior tournaments and excelled as a standout high school tennis player. Her talent and dedication earned her a full-ride scholarship to Boise State University, where she served as the #1 singles player for all four years. Since moving to Portland in 1991, Coach Teri has been a full-time tennis coach, teaching at private clubs and through Parks & Recreation programs. With decades of coaching experience, she has a proven track record of guiding players to high-level performance, including her own success in USTA 5.0 level tournaments and national events. Her passion for the game and deep knowledge shine through in every session, inspiring players to reach their full potential. Vu is the Lead Pickleball and Tennis Coach at Portland Tennis & Education. He joined Portland Tennis and Education (PT&E) in the fall of 2015. He is a highly ranked player in both tennis and pickleball, bringing his competitive experience to his coaching. A certified coach through the USTPA in both sports, Coach Vu focuses on skill development and elite performance, tailoring his coaching to help players reach their full potential.

Skill Level Definitions at Nike Tennis Camps

Upon arrival, all participants are evaluated by the staff so that their own instructional needs can be addressed throughout the week. While there are many ways to define skill levels, the following descriptions are what the Camp Directors at Nike Tennis Camps will use to organize and group camp participants.

Beginner: Players new to the game with little to no formal tennis instruction. They are still learning the fundamentals, focusing on basic skills and rules of the game. Typically play for recreation and have minimal match-play experience.
Intermediate: Players who can serve and sustain rallies with consistency. They are comfortable hitting medium-paced shots but may struggle with all strokes and directional control.

Camp Policies

Snacks will be provided. These policies are in place to account for camp fees associated with each registration that is made in advance of the program. This policy applies to all non-overnight campers and clinic participants. If you need to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before camp check-in, you will receive a camp credit voucher for the tuition fees paid, valid for one year for any sport and transferable to any immediate family member. US Sports Camps offers camp families Cancellation Protection for $100 per session, due at the time of registration. Cancellation Protection entitles you to a full refund of your camp tuition fees paid to date if you cancel for any reason before your final payment date (the first day of the month prior to the month of your camp start date, i.e., final pay date is May 1st if your camp date begins in the month of June). In the event a camp day is cancelled or camp hours are adjusted due to inclement weather, we will make every effort to provide make-up time. If make-up time is not possible, no refund will be issued for the first cancelled day or any shortened hours. This is a Day Camp only; housing is NOT included in the camp tuition.

Testimonials for Nike Tennis Camps

Many campers have had positive experiences at Nike Tennis Camps. Here are a few examples:

"Our son (16) really enjoys Nike Tennis at Mount Holyoke. This was his fourth or fifth year there."
"Our boys enjoyed the Nike Tennis camp. They learned a lot and had fun. The coaches took time to offer customized advice to each attendee."
"My son developed love for Tennis. The University put on the most amazing camp with the most amazing people. Lots of tennis played and lots of new friends were made. great experience."
"The camp director works with my kids to find schedules that suits our needs."
"I enrolled in the Nike Tennis Camp this 2024 summer at the University of Virginia as an overnight camper. In which, I made so many new friends through this camp. The staff was wonderful and the camp offered more one on one than a bigger college less than 30 minutes away."
"My 13 year old son attended the Nike tennis camp at Duke University. It was the overnight camp for high schoolers and his first Nike camp. He loved it! My son went in not knowing anyone and having a basic understanding of tennis and had such a great experience! The camp pushed him past what he knew was possible and he had fun doing it."
"My daughter has been attending this camp for the last 4 years. She loves the facilities the staff and the Tennis atmosphere. She makes friends every year."
"Both my kids were enrolled in the Nike tennis camp. They both enjoyed it and requesting to return for another season. My daughter’s tennis skills clearly improved by the end of the week! We’ll be back again next summer."
"My son enjoyed the fun games and competition, while also improving his tennis skills."
"Caleb had an amazing time at Nike Tennis Camp. He enjoyed playing and making new friends."
"Great experience at the UGA tennis camp."

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