History

1906

Tennis in Liepaja with more than
100 years history and traditions

1906

In Liepaja begins to play tennis

1930

1954

Nikolajs Puhovs

1962

Edgars Ernestsons

1983

1990

Liepaja Tennis sport school was established.
Director - Imants Andersons.

2006

100 years of tennis in Liepaja

2019

Construction of the new LOC Tennis Hall has been completed

1906
Newspapers in St. Petersburg, the capital of the Tsarist Russia, report that in 1906 in Liepaja people began to play tennis
1917
Liepaja tennis courts in 1917
1926
In 1926, active Liepaja tennis players with the support of the German brothers Lasmanis establishes Liepaja Tennis Club
1930
Tennis in Liepaja gained special popularity in the 1930s
In the 1930s, tennis courts were located in four districts of the city - between the cycle track and stadium "Olimpija" - 3 courts, in Dzintaru street was located German tennis club, in Naval port (Karosta) was an army sports club, which included tennis club. The most popular tennis courts were located in Jūrmalas parks (Seaside park), which were created in 1910. Three of the courts belonged to European society. After the World war II tennis in Liepaja was only in memories.
1954
Tennis in Liepaja was reborn in 1954
The revival of Liepāja tennis can be considered 1954, when tennis coach Nikolajs Puhovs came to Liepāja from Auce. On his initiative, tennis courts in Jurmala park and Basiena street were renovated.
1962
Edgars Ernestsons starts working as a tennis coach in Liepaja
Edgars Ernestsons moved from Auce to Liepājā and began to coach table tennis. In 1962 Ernestsons focused to be tennis coach. In his long career, he prepared several players who succeeded in various competitions. Among them is best Latvian tennis player – Anastasija Sevastova. One of Ernestsons findings: The importance of talent is small, success with talent can be achieved for a short time. If everything is not based on hard work and discipline, then most talented children may not reach the top. Athletes must force themselves, coaches have to impose demands on kids to get used to the job.
1974
Former Liepaja tennis player Irina Ševčenko-Gudele regularly won medals at USSR championships in the 1970s
In the period from 1974 to 1984, she became the Latvian champion in singles 7 times, in doubles 4 times and in mixed doubles 5 times.
1976
In December 1975, a decision was made to reconstruct the Liepāja tennis courts. It was launched in the spring of 1976, which lasted an unforgivably long period of time
1980
Līga Medne from Liepāja becomes the Latvian champion
Even despite the fact that Liepaja residents did not have a suitable place for tennis training, Līga Medne became the Latvian champion in 1980 and 1981. (Photo from Newspaper "Komunists" 31.12.1980.)
1983
Liepaja tennis in the 1983 season finally returns to finished courts in Jurmala Park
1986
In the second half of the eighties, Liepaja tennis players competed in various tournaments around former USSR
Liepaja tennis is represented by M.Švarcs, E.Ernestone, O.Makarčuka, A.Žguna, D.Mežniece, J.Jakovļeva, D.Andersone, A.Koļesins, E.Grodskis, E.Lazdāns, V.Fiļipovs, G.Rolis, M.Kronbergs and others
1989
Olga Makarčuka from Liepāja wins the title of Latvian champion
Next Latvian Champion title won by representative from Liepaja was in 1989, when Olga Makarčuka celebrated triumph. In addition to success in Singles, medals were won in Latvian championships in Doubles and mixed Doubles. (Photo from newspaper "Pionieris" 18.09.1987.)
1990
In 1990, Liepāja Tennis sport school was founded
Until 1990, the tennis department was one of the components of the Liepāja complex sports school, but in 1990 the Liepāja Tennis sport school was established, the director of which became Imants Andersons.
1994
Liepaja tennis players are coming to USA universities
13 of our former students have studied or still studies at USA universities and playes tennis in their teams. Including Andžela Žguna and Andrejs Koļesins, Rebeka Margareta Mertena, who were one of the most talented former students of Liepaja Tennis sport school. Andžela Žguna was the first Liepaja tennis player who managed to get in WTA ranking (career high – 376).
1996
The first “Tennis Europe” tournament in the Baltics for the U14 age group is organized in Liepaja
During the summer season, many popular tournaments take place in Liepaja, where both Latvian and foreign tennis players take part. Since 1996, as the first in the Baltics, the Tennis Europe tournament for the U14 age group has been organized in Liepaja. For several years, the tournament has been in the 2nd European category.
1998
“Zelta Wilson” (Golden Wilson) takes place in Liepaja for the first time
The international season opening tournament “Zelta Wilson” (Golden Wilson) has been taking place since 1998 and is one of the most popular tournaments in Latvia. Every year, about 200 participants from Latvia and abroad in all age groups participate in this tournament.
2002
The Davis Cup takes place in Liepaja for the first time: Latvia loses to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
May 3 to 5, 2002, the first Davis Cup games took place on the courts of Liepāja Tennis sport school. Unfortunately, the Latvian national team with 1-4 recognizes the dominance of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
2004
Adrians Žguns from Liepaja makes his debut in the ATP rating
In 2004, Anžela Žguna’s brother Adrians Žguns entered the ATP rating (career high – 431). He did represented Latvia in the Davis Cup game against Tunisia. Adrians Žguns played for the University of Arkansas team. Karīna Ledāja also successfully played in this same team. Adrians Žguns later became the captain of the Latvian women’s national tennis team.
Davis Cup in Liepaja: Latvia wins Tunisia
July 16 to 18, 2004, Davis Cup games are played for the second time on the courts of Liepāja Tennis sport school. The Latvian national team with a score of 3-2 wins over the Tunisian national team.
2006
Tennis in Liepaja celebrates 100 years!
The year 2006 was spent in Liepaja on a tennis sign, because Liepaja tennis celebrated its 100 years. The culmination and the main event of the centenary was the Latvian Summer Championship in Liepaja from August 21 to 26.
2012
Davis Cup in Liepaja: Latvia loses to Ukraine
September 14 to 16, 2012 in Liepaja Olympic center took place Davis Cup By BNP Paribas game between Latvia and Ukraine. Latvia lost to Ukraine with 2-3.
2015
Davis Cup in Liepaja: Latvia beats Madagascar
July 17, 2015. Davis Cup By BNP Paribas returns to Liepaja Tennis sport school open tennis courts in Jurmala park after 11 years. Latvia wins with 3-2.
2018
Patrīcija Špaka – European U16 vice-champion
In July 2018, the European U16 age group championship took place in Moscow (Russia). For the first time in the history of Latvian tennis in the final of the European Championship, a Latvian duel! In the Final, Kamilla Bartone competed against the second representative of the Latvian national team – Patrīcija Špaka from Liepaja. Liepāja Tennis sport school student Patrīcija Špaka won the 2nd place and became the 2018 European U16 vice-champion!
Rebeka Mertena from Liepaja wins the title of Latvian champion
In 2018 the Liepaja Tennis sport school student Rebeka Mertena won Latvian champion title. Meanwhile other Liepaja Tennis sport school student – Elza Tomase became the vice-champion.
“The New York Times” writes about Liepaja
The prestige "The New York Times" visited Liepaja and published an interesting article about our Anastasija Sevastova and Liepaja Tennis sport school!
The foundation stone for the construction of the tennis hall is being laid
October 4, 2018. As the construction of the Liepāja tennis hall is already halfway through, a construction festival was celebrated, during which a message for future generations was capsulated in foundations.
2019
Liepāja Tennis sport school student is included in the Latvian women’s national team
January 2019. Our student Patrīcija Špaka, together with our former students – Anastasija Sevastova and Adrians Žguns (team captain) were included in the Latvian national women’s team to compete in Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.
A new page in the history of Liepaja tennis – LOC Tennis Hall was opened in Liepaja
In order to improve Liepāja’s sports infrastructure and strengthen tennis traditions, on April 13, 2019, the new LOC Tennis Hall was opened in a festive atmosphere. The complex has five indoor courts, gyms and recreation halls, outdoor and beach tennis, as well as sports playgrounds. The hall has an administrative part, a sporting goods store and a cafe. The tennis hall is intended for the improvement of training conditions for students and sports clubs throughout the year. New possibilities to organize international competitions and at the same time continue training classes.
Elza Tomase from Liepāja wins the title of Latvian champion
In 2019 Liepaja Tennis sport school student Elza Tomase wins the Latvian champion title.
Patrīcija Špaka from Liepaja earns the first WTA ranking point
November 2019. Liepaja Tennis sport school student Patrīcija Špaka received her first WTA ranking point in ITF World tennis tour tournament “Paf Open 2019” (Parnu, Estonia).
2020
An international tennis tournament for women is taking place in Liepaja
January 2020. in Liepaja for the first time takes place ITF W15 category tournament for women – “Liepaja Open”. For the first winner of the tournament becomes our own student – Elza Tomase. After the tournament Elza Tomase debuts in the WTA ranking.
Our Patrīcija Špaka wins Latvian champions title
In 2020 Liepaja Tennis sport school representative Patrīcija Špaka won Latvian Champion title in Singles. Together with our Elza Tomase they won Latvian Champions title in Doubles. Our Alise Vindiga finished 2nd in Lavian doubles championship.
Three Liepaja Tennis sport school graduates will conquer US tennis courts
This year, two graduates of Liepāja Tennis sport school have signed agreements on studies in the USA – Elza Tomase chose to study in University of Tennessee, but Patrīcija Špaka chose Arizona State University. It should be noted, that in University of Tennessee last year her studies began Liepaja Tennis sport school graduate Rebeka Margareta Mertena.
2022
POSTPONED – In Liepaja will take place ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour W60 tournament “Liepaja Open”
TOURNAMENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TILL JULY 11 WEEK. MORE INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW. May 22 till 29 in the Liepaja Tennis courts in Jūrmalas park (Seaside park) will take place ITF W60 category Women’s World Tennis Tour tournament “Liepaja Open” with the support of Liepaja municipality, Latvian Tennis union and ITF. First similar tournament in Liepaja at LOC Tennis Hall took place in January 2020 with the W15 category tournament. In the summer of 2021, higher level - W25 category tournament took place in the tennis courts at Seaside park. However, the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour W60 category tournament in...
The postponed ITF W60 tournament for women “Liepaja Open” will take place July 11-17
From July 11 to 17, the ITF W60 women's tennis tournament "Liepaja Open" with a prize fund of 60,000 US dollars will take place in the tennis courts in Jūrmala Park with the support of Liepāja Municipality, the Latvian Tennis Union and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The first tournament of a similar scale in Liepaja took place in January 2020, when the W15 category tournament took place in the LOC Tennis Hall. In the summer of 2021, higher quality W25 category tournament took place on the tennis courts of Jūrmala Park. However, the women's W60 tennis tournament in July...
ITF W60 tournament “Liepāja Open” has concluded
Last week, July 11 to 17, ITF W60 category tournament for women "Liepaja Open" with a prize fund of 60,000 USD took place in the tennis courts in Liepaja Jūrmala Park with the support of Liepāja municipality, the Latvian Tennis Union and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). US tennis player Emma Navarro won the tournament. The first tournament of a similar scale in Liepāja took place in January 2020, when the W15 category tournament took place in the LOC Tennis Hall. In the summer of 2021, a tournament of a higher level - W25 category - was held in the...
2023
Latvian tennis players triumph in the ITF “Liepaja Open” women’s tournament
From July 2 to 9, highest category in the Baltics in 2023 ITF (International Tennis Federation) Women's World Tennis Tour W60 tournament "Liepaja Open" took place on the tennis courts of Jūrmala Park in Liepāja with a prize fund of 60,000 USD. Latvian tennis players triumphed in the tournament - Darja Semeņistaja won in singles, and Darja Semeņistaja together with Daniela Vismane won in doubles. The tournament held in Liepāja was also attended by six tennis players in the top 200 of the world, who, together with other participants from 26 countries, participated in the battle to determine the winner...
The tennis courts in Liepaja Jurmala Park underwent extensive improvements
In the Summer of 2023, the Liepāja Olympic Center took over the tennis courts of Jūrmala Park in Liepaja to ensure the management of the tennis courts so that Liepaja Tennis sport school can focus all its attention on the most important thing - ensuring a high-quality educational process for the young tennis players. After taking over the tennis courts of Jūrmala Park, the Liepāja Olympic Center also carried out extensive renovation of the courts, including renovation of the administration building, environmental improvement, replacement of fences and most importantly - renovation of the tennis courts. The surface of the tennis...