RMTC History

In 1882 Lord Normanby, the Governor of Victoria, opened the court of the Melbourne Tennis Club in Exhibition Street. This building originally consisted of a court and club rooms, but later included squash courts (said to have been Australia’s first) and an indoor swimming pool.

The Club’s status was enhanced in 1897 when Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter to the Club enabling it to be known by its present title The Royal Melbourne Tennis Club. Thomas Stone was appointed the first Professional and manager of the Club and was in time succeeded by his son Woolner Stone. Thomas and then Woolner each made an immense contribution to the Club over a period of many years.

As the City of Melbourne expanded, the costs of owning expensive City real estate and of maintaining the Exhibition Street building had risen beyond the means of the Club. In the early 1970s, with much regret but considerable courage, the Committee sold the site and established the present Club premise in Richmond. The new courts and clubhouse was officially opened in 1975 by Lord Aberdare, President of the Tennis and Rackets Association and our facilities now include two tennis courts, a squash court, bar, swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, library/meeting room and dining room.