Kooyong presented with Global Award of Distinction

Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne, Australia was presented with the International Tennis Hall of Fame Global Organisation of Distinction Award at the ITF AGM in Orlando in recognition of its service and contribution towards the growth of tennis.

The award is presented to an organisation that demonstrates a distinct track record of success and service to the sport of tennis, and to growing the game. The inaugural award was presented to Tennis Cambodia at the 2017 AGM in Vietnam. 

Kooyong holds a revered place in tennis history, both domestically and internationally, having produced a long list of Australian players and being the home of the Australian Open Championships from 1972 until 1988.

Today, Kooyong boasts 51 tennis courts on multiple surfaces and continues to host top flight tennis events, as well as being home to 8,500 members.

"Kooyong is a most deserving recipient of our second Global Organisation of Distinction Award," said Todd Martin, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. "The club continues to dedicate themselves to growing the game for the future, but with a keen eye on the importance of the heritage of our sport."

Chris Brown, CEO of the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, was delighted to receive the award. 

"We are very honoured," he said. "It's an award that is going to give a thrill to many of our members who do think of their club with great memories of times past and look upon it today as a club that's a wonderful facility for them to enjoy.

"We look upon ourselves as the spiritual home of Australian tennis. We've got a long history of over 125 years of being a tennis club that provides great opportunities, but we're also a very contemporary facility these days, with other facilities added - gymnasium, swimming pool, dining area - and other things that enhance the experience for people who are members of a wonderful club."