Heritage Shores Players and Tennis History

As you know by now, our Heritage Shores tennis courts are being resurfaced. Last Monday a small group of our club players traveled to the Salisbury City Park courts for practice and play. We’re planning another outing this Monday, July 20, weather permitting. We’ll organize rides and leave at 8:15 am from our Heritage Courts.

These City Park Tennis Courts are a part of tennis history. William F. “Bill’ Riordan recruited pro players to teach lessons in the summer at these courts back in the mid 1960’s as part of a youth tennis program. Players of a certain age will recognize the Riordan name.

That summer youth program grew into something much bigger. What is now the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury was once the site of the U.S. National Indoor Championships. Riordan’s vision and marketing made it one of the most prestigious tournaments in American tennis. Between 1970 and 1976, tennis stars such as Llie Năstase, Rod Laver, Jimmy Connors, Roy Emerson, Stan Smith and Arthur Ashe played there. During the 1970’s Riordan managed both Năstase and Connors.

More at https://salisburytennis.com/articles/when-salisbury-was-the-tennis-capital