Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29
Gregory Gymnasium
2101 Speedway
Austin, TX 78712
Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 11,313
Texas Tennis Showcase
The Texas Longhorns are one of the most venerated programs in college tennis. Steeped in rich history from the very start, the program has continued to be a stalwart in the college tennis world. Currently located in a stellar, comfortable, and modern facility, fans would be remiss to not attend a match at the Texas Tennis Center. Without a doubt, mirroring the rest of the school’s facilities, this is a must-see venue in Austin.
Food & Beverage 2
There is only one concession stand at Texas Tennis Center – this grab-and-go self-pay setup features a very limited menu. Hot dogs ($4), nachos ($5), chips ($3), takis ($4), peanuts ($4), candy ($3), pickles ($3), and pringles ($6) make up the entirety of the food options. For drinks, you can pick up a water ($3), soda ($5), Powerade ($5), wine ($6), beer ($5.00-$6.50), or seltzer ($6.50).
Atmosphere 4
The facility features a well-manicured exterior with two entrances to the viewing level on the second floor. Once inside, fans are treated to covered seating on both sides of the facility. During dual matches, both the men’s and women’s teams play on opposite sides of the facility simultaneously. The elevated seating features two rows of individual backed seats and a third row of standard stadium bleachers. The large scoreboard in the middle of the courts provides live scores for all the matches happening, helping fans keep up with the constant action.
Neighborhood 5
Texas Tennis Center is in the heart of downtown Austin – the city center is visible from the grandstand, so you are right there in the middle of one of the most vibrant and quickly growing cities in the nation. The airport is a bit of a drive, however, depending on traffic.
For great food, you can’t skip The Salt Lick or Torchy’s Tacos. Austin is also home to the University of Texas’ main campus, as well as Zilker Park on Lady Bird Lake. Finally, for a hotel, look for Hilton Austin Airport or Holiday Inn Austin Airport as two options that are great, due to their proximity to the airport and to major highways that lead to downtown.
For sports fans, the venue’s location right near the other athletic facilities on campus is great for watching multiple games in a day, with the softball stadium located right across the street.
Fans 4
The fans show up for Texas Tennis matches, and given that they’re free of charge, families are frequent here. Without a doubt, this is a very family-friendly sports experience for all ages. Texas tennis fans are varied in age and background, a true melting pot of the sport’s and school’s fans, and even mid-week matches for just one of the two tennis teams see a solid turnout from the Longhorn faithful.
Access 5
Texas Tennis Center enjoys the luxury of being quite literally one block from the nearest interstate highway – located off exit 235 on I-35, the facility is refreshingly easy to access.
Parking is located on site in the East Campus Garage, or in nearby lots with purchase via the Texas parking website. Various street parking is also available nearby, but that fills up rather fast.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to Texas tennis matches are free of charge; parking is also free at the East Campus Garage. This makes tennis matches the best value by far for anything on campus in terms of cost. Add to that the relatively low cost of concessions, and you have the perfect afternoon watching some of the best in college tennis, while comfortably enjoying the match from your covered seats.
Extras 4
The concessions area features not just tables to sit and eat, but also a wall of fame that also doubles as a team records showcase. Here, you can see some of the best that have come through the home of the Longhorns.
Another neat feature are the two memorial busts, one of Dr. Daniel Allen Penick and the other of Wilmer Lawson Allison, Jr. – these two men helped shape the future of Texas tennis at its founding and went on to find great personal success in the sport, at both the collegiate coaching level as well as personally at the professional level.
Visible from Texas Tennis Center are some of the school’s major sports facilities; across the street is the softball stadium, while next door is the baseball field. Also, from the seats you can easily see the homes of Texas football and basketball.
Final Thoughts
The hidden gem of Texas’ campus may very well be Texas Tennis Center. This stellar facility offers unrivaled elevated and covered views of the action down below, and on top of that, offers incredible affordability in the face of ever-growing prices for sports fans. There is no question that Texas fans, tennis fans, and sports fans from all over the region should flock to Texas Tennis Center to watch tennis from the comfort of your second level seating.
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