Anyone for tennis?

For most of the year the tennis courts of London lie empty. Until that is, the sun starts shining and Wimbledon arrives. Why not brush up on your back hand with our guide to the best tennis clubs and courts in the capital?

Private Clubs

Name: The Queen's Tennis Club
Where: Palliser Road, West Kensington, London W14 9EQ Tel: 020 7385 3421
How much: £630 annually if under 28 years old with no joining fee but prices go up according to type of membership and age. Ask for details.
Facilities: 45 courts within the grounds of The Queen's Club: 12 grass courts, 10 indoor courts, 8 shale and clay courts, 4 plexi courts and 4 artificial grass courts, together with 2 rackets, 2 real tennis and 3 squash courts. Plus a gym and treatment rooms.
Who goes: From the average player to ex-Wimbledon champions, Queen's is popular with everyone as long as you have the money and are recommended by a current member. Includes free entry to the Stella Artois tournament held at the club every year.

Name: Cumberland Lawn and Tennis Club
Where: 25 Alvanley Gardens, London, NW6 1JD Tel: 020 7435 6022
How much: £370 one-off fee, plus £520 for full adult annual membership
Facilities: 20 outdoor tennis courts (four grass, eight acrylic, three all weather, three astroturf and two tarmac) and coaching lessons from experienced instructors. Squash, cricket, snooker, gym and bar facilities are also located at the club.
Who goes: Players from county to club level play and they organise an annual tournament for all levels. Bjorn Borg played at the Cumberland prior to each of his wins at Wimbledon.

Name: Putney Lawn Tennis Club
Where: 8 Balmuir Gardens, SW15, Tel: 020 8788 0618
How much: One-off joining fee £130, annual subscription of £300
Facilities: There are 10 courts (3 acrylic, 7 synthetic grass) with three floodlit. The busy bar is open during licensed hours at weekends and from 6pm during the week with a regular "Happy Hour" on Fridays.
Who goes: Mostly Putney punters of varied abilities. Super sociable, this club offers good après tennis such as BBQ and club nights.

Public Courts

Lincolns Inn Fields Netball and Tennis
Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2 Tel. 07717 516351
Open during daylight hours
How much: £6.90 per hour at any time.

Islington Tennis Centre
Market Road, London, N7 9PL, Tel: 020 7700 1370
Anyone is welcome to play tennis here and you don't have to be a member. There are six indoor and two outdoor floodlit tennis courts.
How much: £8.50 outdoor per hour, £18 indoor per hour

Battersea Park
SW11 4NJ, Tel: 020 8871 7542
How much? £6-£6.50 per hour at peak times, £4.60 per hour off-peak.

Redbridge Sports Centre
Forest Road, Barkingside, Essex, Tel: 020 8498 1010 or www.rslonline.co.uk
How much? Eight indoor and six outdoor floodlit tennis courts available, costs range between £13 off peak to £16 peak per hour.

Regent's Park Tennis Centre
York Bridge Road, Regents Park, NW1, 020 7486 4216; www.willtowin.co.uk
How much? kids under 15 play free from 3pm-6pm from June to August. Members: £7 per hour at peak times, £5 off-peak. Non members: £9 per hour, peak, £7 off-peak.

Looking for a tennis partner? Then check out www.londontennis.co.uk for a free service that hooks you up with fellow tennis players in your area and includes all the information you need on your local courts.