On the day Major Walter Clopton Wingfield mixed court tennis, squash racquets and badminton together, the game we now know as tennis was born. Its popularity as a “gentleman’s sport” was first limited to Europe, but it soon spread to the rest of the world. From Sep 24 to Oct 1, the third ATP Thailand Open will bring some of today’s finest players to the City of Angels. Why settle for just watching (mostly) cute players battle it out on the court? Here are a few of the places you can jump in and try it yourself—may the best player win!

Thammasat University Sport Services Center (Gymnasium 7, 99 Moo 18, Paholyothin Rd., Pathumthani, 02-564-4425, www.tu.ac.th/org/sportcenter. Open Mon-Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm) welcomes both members and non-members. The monthly membership fee of B350 allows you to use the courts free of charge, but if you want to try it out first, one hour will cost you B80 (B120 after 5pm). The gym has nine courts with lights provided. Booking 24 hours in advance is necessary, and if you’re new to tennis, there are also training courses available. Call 01-849-5496 for prices.

Chulalongkorn University Sport Center (Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Rd., 02-218-2839, www.cusc.chula.ac.th. Open daily 7am-10pm) is another choice for hard court players. To use the court, you must be a member (membership is B1,000 per month or B5,000 per year). Play for free before 7pm; after that you’ll have to pay B40 for electricity. Booking an hour ahead is sufficient. Knock boards and racket rental services (B30 per hour) are also available.

Sports Authority of Thailand (Huamark, 02-318-0940 ext. 1265, 09-451-3749, www.sat.or.th/oldsat/03tennis1.asp. Open daily 6am-10pm) has 12 standard courts. For non-members, it’s B90 per hour (B140 after 6pm). If you’re a member (B375 per year), it’ll cost you B50 (B100 after 6pm). One month advance booking is a must. No equipment provided, but there’s an F.B.T. shop nearby. Also, a private training course is available at B300 per hour.

Sirisuk Tennis Court (2080/29 Soi 20, Narathivasratchanakarintra Rd., Yannawa, 02-286-4196, 02-286-7891. Open daily 7am-10pm) has five courts with lights that you can use without being a member. B100 per hour (B160 after 6pm). Personal coaching service is B280 per hour.

Trinity Fitness Center (Silom Soi 7, Silom Rd., 02-231-5333. Open Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am-8pm) offers tennis courts along with other fitness amenities including a pool, aerobic classes, a gymnasium and a jogging track. The membership fee is B15,900 per year and you’ll still have to pay B100 per hour (B150 after 6pm) for the court. Only one court is available, but on the bright side, they provide balls for free.

The Olympic Club (Pathumwan Princess Hotel, 444 8/F, MBK Center Bldg., Phyathai Rd., 02-216-3700 ext. 20805, www.theolympic-club.com/th/tennis.asp. Open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 7am-9pm) has a package exclusively for tennis lovers. For B1,391, you can spend 10 hours on the court whenever you want within 3 months. It has two standard courts with lights, rackets and ball rental services, a professional coach (B150 per hour) and rackets (B161 per hour). For these services, booking must be made seven days in advance, and if needed, cancellation must be made before 9am on the day of your appointment.

Soi Klang Racquet Club (6,8 Amara 3, Soi Sukhumvit 49/9, Sukhumvit Rd.,
02-714-7200, 02-391-7980, http://rqclub.com. Open daily 6am-11pm) has two outdoor and three indoor courts. For non-members, the fee for all day use is B450 (B550 on weekends and holidays). Yearly membership costs B12,000 a year (but no more court fees). Knock board and professional coaches are also
available.