The history of USTA Texas is a story of vision, collaboration, and a passion for growing the game of tennis. Its origins date back to a pivotal moment in 1895 when tennis players from across the state came together to form a unified organization.

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During a tournament in Dallas that year, a group of players recognized the need for a state tennis association. On Sunday, May 11, 1895, at 1 p.m., they convened a meeting to establish the association, inspired by the belief that the time was "ripe" to give Texas a presence on the national tennis stage, as reported by the Dallas Morning News.

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The following evening, after the tournament's matches, J.D. Collett of Fort Worth and Henry S. Crawford of Dallas hosted a dinner at the prestigious Oriental Hotel. It was at this gathering that the Texas State Lawn Tennis Association was officially formed. The group also resolved to apply for membership in the National Lawn Tennis Association of America, positioning Texas within the broader landscape of American tennis.

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The newly established association quickly took shape with the election of its first officers: Glen Walker of Fort Worth as president, R.G. Patton of Waco as vice president, J. Henry Meyers of Dallas as secretary, and Leslie Waggener of Austin as treasurer. By 1907, the officers and executive committee finalized a constitution and by-laws to guide the organization, setting annual individual dues at fifty cents—a modest fee that laid the foundation for the association's growth and influence.

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Learn more about the formation and evolution of USTA Texas below:

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