Best Public Tennis Courts

Not all tennis stars are raised on pristine country club courts under the watchful eye of a sweater-wearing coach named Rex. Some make it through the local communist athletic program. Venus and Serena Williams had neither luxury. Instead, they sweated it out on the public courts of Compton, in California, with a lot of talent and a father's dream. And you might very well find a tennis phenom on one of the 18 courts at Memorial Park. What rising star wouldn't want to hone his or her game on these smoothly surfaced, well-lit courts? True, using the courts will cost some cash and, since they're often booked, setting up a match will require some planning. But it's the only place in town where you can set up lessons, get your racquet strung and grab a smoothie after your match for such a small fee.