Döbelner Tennis Club celebrates 120 years – future in danger?

Döbelner Tennis Club celebrates 120 years – future in danger?

On September 20, 2025, all tennis fans in Döbeln have reason to celebrate, as the Döbelner Tennis Club 1905 is celebrating its 120th anniversary. The club, which was founded in May 1905 in the Hotel Gehre, has an eventful history that has played an interesting role not only in local sport, but also beyond the region. The 100th anniversary commemorative publication, published in 2005, documents the club's development and successes.

With currently almost 100 members, the club has a solid foundation. But like many other sports clubs, the Döbelner Tennis Club is also faced with the problem of a lack of young talent. There is currently no children's team, which means the club's future hangs in the balance. This makes it all the more important to attract new talent and get the younger generation excited about tennis.

A look at tennis history

The origins of tennis go back to the High Middle Ages and can be found in French monasteries. It developed from a game of kickback and became popular as Jeu de Paume in France and England in the 16th and 17th centuries. Modern lawn tennis took off in the 1870s, eventually leading to the introduction of international competitions. Today, tennis is one of the most important sports in the world and has developed into a global billion-dollar business that thrives, among other things, on sponsorship and high prize money. These remarkable developments in the last hundred years of tennis have not been lost on Chub, where the passion for the sport remains alive even when challenges remain. Wikipedia offers an interesting look at the history of the game.

Tennis has a tradition, especially in Germany. If we looked at the last few decades, we noticed rapid developments and successes. The German Tennis Federation (DTB) was founded in 1902 and promotes the sport with numerous national and international tournaments. Players like Boris Becker and Steffi Graf have shaped German tennis through their successes. But the focus is not only on the professionals, but also on popular sports and youth development. Today, over 8,700 tennis clubs in Germany offer the opportunity to become active in tennis for all ages and abilities. Tennis100 highlights the current developments and remarkable successes.

The challenges that the Döbelner Tennis Club faces in 1905 are also part of a larger trend in sport. The enthusiasm for tennis must be passed on and new players must be approached. After all, the upcoming anniversary can not only be celebrated, but also used to recruit new members. A good time to once again show a good hand in working with young talent. Many other clubs experience a similar situation - it is important to pass on the passion for tennis from generation to generation.