BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Evergreen Racquet Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary on September 23–25, 2022. The weekend of events celebrates the past, present and future of tennis in Bloomington-Normal and Central Illinois. Special guest Mats Wilander, an 8-time Grand Slam champion, will conduct drills with select members with friend and former Illinois State University standout player Ian Symmonds. Friday and Saturday feature exhibitions of Mats’ strategy and preparation for his Grand Slam events from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 3202 E. Washington Street in Bloomington. The exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Mats Wilander won his first Grand Slam Singles title at the French Open in 1982 at the age of 17 and went on to win the French, Australian, and US Opens for a total of 7 singles titles, plus one doubles title at Wimbledon. The native of Sweden was ranked number one in the world in 1988. He continues to be an active part of international tennis as a commentator for Eurosport during the Grand Slam events as well as a respected expert of the game. He runs a tennis club in Idaho, where he and his family reside.

Evergreen Racquet Club opened in 1972 when a group of tennis enthusiasts and community leaders collaborated to create an indoor tennis facility that would allow them to play tennis year-round. The club offers eight indoor courts, four outdoor courts, pickleball courts, and a racquetball court, providing members the opportunity to play and socialize with friends old and new. With six teaching tennis professionals and two pickleball professionals on staff, the club provides instructional, drilling, and competitive opportunities to beginners through advanced players. Evergreen received the prestigious USTA Facility of the Year award in 2019 and regularly hosts United States Tennis Association leagues and tournaments for adults and juniors.

Evergreen is also home to several community organizations. Weekly pickleball and tennis clinics for adults with disabilities affiliated with Tennis Buddies at Evergreen and Choose to Shine showcase ERC’s commitment to community leadership. ERC proudly hosts both the District and State Special Olympics Tennis Tournament, Bloomington Normal Tennis Association leagues and tournaments, and several pickleball tournaments, including the highly attended B-Town Throwdown tournament.

Evergreen proudly serves as the indoor home of both Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University men’s and women’s tennis teams. These diverse groups, coupled with a thousand members, demand the best in staff, facilities, and instruction, which Evergreen skillfully and graciously accommodates!

For more information, please call 309.662.4361.

Evergreen Racquet Club serves our community by providing excellent facilities, exceptional staff, and outstanding opportunities to learn, practice, and play tennis while fostering enduring friendships centered on the core values of sportsmanship, etiquette, and respect for others and the game.

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