A unique indoor red clay tennis court in Ames provides players the opportunity to enjoy the same surface utilized at the French Open, entirely free of charge.
Vitaly Pecharski, who took up tennis 12 years ago, was motivated to construct the court after witnessing a friend’s similar project in Las Vegas a few years back.
“The inspiration for this court came from a friend,” Pecharski explained. “In 2021, another friend built an outdoor version in Las Vegas during the period when many facilities were closed due to COVID. Over the past three years, I played extensively on that red clay and developed a passion for it.”
Pecharski’s dedication to tennis led to the establishment of this facility, featuring red clay sourced from Germany. “The construction and materials used here mirror those employed in a women’s professional tournament held in Stuttgart,” he noted.
The court installation took just under two months, resulting in a surface comprised of finely crushed brick particles. Pecharski described it as “feeling like a very fine dust,” explaining that the surface is made from specially processed baked brick, pulverized to a size of one millimeter or less, ensuring it remains non-clumping.
Unlike traditional hard courts that can be demanding on the body, the clay surface enables natural sliding. Users can access the facility around the clock, receiving an entry code via email. “Typically, we have three to six groups daily,” Pecharski said. “On our busiest day, we had a 12-hour block of continuous bookings, starting as early as six in the morning.”
This $1.5 million facility welcomes everyone, from seasoned professionals to local residents. “Just come. Come and play,” Pecharski urged, stressing that keeping a court like this to oneself would be selfish. “It’s open for friends, family, and even strangers.” He also underscored the social aspect of tennis, stating, “Tennis is an incredible social sport. With greater access to facilities, more people can enjoy it. If tennis stars come knocking, the door is always open, but so is it for Uncle John from down the street.”
For more information about the facility or to register for use, visit Pecharski’s website.
