If you were house‑hunting in SaddleBrooke in 1987, your tour of tennis amenities would have been brief: two courts and a ramada — charming, but far from the tennis haven we know today. Over the next four decades, steady growth, community spirit, and a shared love of the game transformed SaddleBrooke into one of Arizona’s premier active‑adult tennis communities.
From Two Courts to a Tennis Village
Expansion came quickly. By 1994, four new courts and the original tennis center were added. Two more courts followed in 1996, and by 1998 the MountainView Clubhouse rose alongside five additional courts, cementing tennis as a defining feature of the community.
The 2000s accelerated that momentum. In 2005, four courts were built in the Desert View area, joined by a theater‑auditorium, fitness center, and pool. The Preserve added three courts in 2006. What began modestly had evolved into a multi‑location tennis network woven throughout SaddleBrooke.
The Organizers Behind the Action
With more courts and more players came the need for coordination. The SaddleBrooke Tennis Club (STC), founded in 1989, became the engine that keeps everything running. Members simply register at one of seven skill levels, and volunteer coordinators handle partners, opponents, courts, and match times — making play easy and accessible.
The STC is entirely volunteer‑run, with elected officers supported by two Tennis Committees — one for Phase I and one for Phase II — which advise their respective HOA Boards and collaborate to keep tennis operations smooth across the community.
A Community Built for Play
SaddleBrooke, now a community of roughly 6,000 homes, is governed by two entities:
- Phase I (HOA1): clubhouse, pool, fitness center, eight tennis courts, three 9‑hole golf courses, and the central tennis center building — the operational hub of SaddleBrooke tennis.
- Phase II (HOA2): three clubhouses, multiple pools and fitness centers, a 450‑seat theater‑auditorium, two 18‑hole golf courses, and twelve tennis courts.
Despite spanning two HOAs, the STC unifies the experience, ensuring seamless scheduling, shared events, and a cohesive tennis culture.
More Than Tennis: A Modern, Multi‑Sport Club
Today, the STC supports three racquet sports:
- Traditional Tennis — the foundation of it all
- Pop Tennis — a lively, lower‑impact option
- New to SaddleBrooke! Red Ball Tennis (RBT) — an easy‑to‑learn, accessible format ideal for beginners, returning players, and anyone seeking a more forgiving game
RBT Drop-in sessions are currently being held from 2 – 4pm on Mondays and Wednesdays at the HOA1 Tennis Center.
These offerings resonate especially with SaddleBrooke’s senior players and provide a fun way to involve friends, family, and visiting grandkids.
A Legacy of Community and Connection
What truly sets SaddleBrooke apart is the people: volunteers who give their time, coordinators who keep matches flowing, and players who show up for the joy of the game. From two courts and a ramada to a thriving, multi‑sport racquet community, SaddleBrooke’s tennis story is one of growth, camaraderie, and the belief that play keeps us young.
SaddleBrooke Tennis Club
Dedicated to the health and enjoyment of SaddleBrooke residents
Lloyd to get clarity on Arizona basketball future this week | Greg Hansen
