Norcross tennis club where Oudin trained is sold

By Christopher Seward

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, where Marietta tennis sensation Melanie Oudin trained before competing in the U.S. Open and at Wimbledon, has been sold to Life Time Fitness, the company announced this week.

The Racquet Club has eight indoor and 28 outdoor tennis courts at its complex on Courtside Drive.

The complex also houses the RCS Tennis Academy, a U.S. Tennis Association regional training center, a 25-meter outdoor pool, massage rooms, restaurant, on-site childcare, pro shop, a fitness center and a stadium court that can accommodate more than 4,000 spectators.

Life Time said it will spend this year transforming the club “into the world-class headquarters for intense tennis training, tournaments and recreational play. “

Financial terms of deal were not disclosed.

The Racquet Club, founded in 1974, will be renamed Life Time Tennis Atlanta, and it will be Life Time's Southeast hub for junior tennis champion training, coaching and development, tournaments and recreational play and instruction, the company said.

The Racquet Club has received a boost in recent years from one of its former star players, Oudin.

In a December 2009 interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oudin said she had received invitations to train at more prestigious tennis centers but always preferred the Racquet Club.

The same year was a breakthrough one for Oudin, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open and became the third-highest-ranked American woman tennis player.

Oudin, now ranked 166th in the world, won the mixed doubles title at the U.S. Open last year with American Jack Sock.

Several years ago, the Racquet Club underwent a major face lift and saw a burgeoning juniors program, a revitalized membership and a designation as one of two USTA regional training facilities in the country.

The acquisition of the Racquet Club gives the Minnesota-based Life Time 104 indoor tennis courts nationwide, making it the largest operator of indoor courts in the U.S.