From the Court One Website

Sue is a Michigan tennis legend. Originally from the Detroit area, she had a successful junior career and went on to play #1 singles during her entire career with the Michigan State Spartans. Her team leadership and play was an instrumental component of the team winning two Big Ten Team Championships.

Sue personally amassed three consecutive Big Ten Singles Championships, a feat that has never been equaled. In the fall of 2014, Sue was enshrined in the Michigan State Athletic Hall of Fame. She has been with Court One Athletic Clubs for over 35 years in many capacities and is currently the Executive Director.

Sue has been teaching tennis since 1976 and has been inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame for teaching professionals. She also directs many of the area’s top sectional events including the Midwest Closed Championships for the 12’s and 14’s. There is hardly a national, sectional, or district committee that she has not served on. Currently, Sue is the chairwoman of the Midwest Adult Competition Committee. Her hobbies are tennis in all its levels and forms.

Court One Mission Statement

Court One’s mission is to offer members and their guests an opportunity to improve the quality of their lifestyle through comprehensive fitness programs and recreational sports activities, delivered with a personal touch.

Court One Goal

Court One's Goal is to never treat a Court One member as just a number, we treat every individual as though we are “in it together”. We welcome feedback and appreciate the loyalty of our existing members. Then when you meet the Staff of Court One Athletic Clubs you will recognize the difference.

Questions for Sue Selke

TCB: Sue, where were you born?
SS: I was born in Detroit, Michigan

TCB: When did you start playing tennis and who encouraged you to do it?
SS: I lived a block from the City of Detroit public park called Stopel Park #1. There were new neighbors who moved in from Scotland and they played some tennis and encouraged me to play at the park.

TCB: Did you play high school and/or college tennis?
SS: I played high school(1968-1971) and college tennis (1971-1975) during the pre Title IX era.

TCB: Did you ever teach tennis? If yes, are you certified?
And what did you do after college until you became a TSR?
SS: I started teaching tennis for the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) in 1970 and 1971 for summer time at O'Shea Park. I then started teaching tennis at Court One Athletic Clubs (formerly Lansing Tennis Club) in 1972 while attending college at MSU and continued on until 1979. I taught in Toledo, Ohio at Laurel Hill Swim & Tennis Club (now named the Twos Athletic Club) in Aug of 1979 until March of 1981 and then returned to teach in Lansing at Greater Lansing Racquet Club in March of 1981 until June 1981 when the owners bought the Lansing Tennis club and then eventually became Court One Athletic Clubs - North and East facilities. I taught from 1981 until 2005 when I stepped out to be the TSR for the State of Michigan from 2005-2010 and then returned to Court One Athletic Clubs in 2011 through present.
I became a USPTA certified pro in 1976 and continue through today.

TCB: How many courts do you have there and what surface are they?
SS: I currently oversee the two Court One Athletic Club locations for tennis. At the North facility we currently have 4 indoor hard courts and 4 outdoor Hard Tru clay courts. At the East facility we have 8 indoor hard courts and two outdoor hard courts. So a total of 12 Indoor hard courts and 2 outdoor hard courts and 4 outdoor clay courts.

TCB: How many tennis pros does the club have?
SS: Covering the two facilities we have 7 full time certified teaching pros (either USPTA or USPTR or both) and 5 part time pros of which 1 is currently certified.

TCB: Do you like working at Court One Athletic Club? Why?
SS: I really enjoy working at Court One Athletic Clubs. They gave me an opportunity in college to pursue my passion to become a tennis teaching professional and had the avenue to advance in the company from Assistant Tennis Professional to Head Tennis Professional to Director of Tennis to Executive Director. The shared vision of building the best tennis program for adults and juniors not only in the State of Michigan but in the USTA/Midwest section keeps the job challenging every day. I can honestly say it is a career not a job so I enjoy every day.

TCB: What are your challenges at that club?
SS: The challenges at the club have been the expansion of other areas outside of tennis. The need to be diversified with fitness center, cardio classes, indoor and outdoor swimming pool and pickleball is recognized but required shifting the tennis court space and still maintain the quality tennis programming. We continue to find common ground so all programming at the club continues to grow.

TCB: Is there Pickleball at the club? If not, are you planning to offer it?
SS: Yes we do have pickleball currently at our North facility since 2016. We have 6 indoor pickleball courts in the gym area. It is specified for pickleball with a little use also for basketball. We put in a cushioned flooring, have leagues, pickup games and host two tournaments a year. We have plans in the future to add pickleball courts at the East facility.

TCB: Are you still playing tennis today?
SS: I do not play tennis anymore due to some knee issues but continue to love to share may past experiences, help build competitive players and teach everyone the sheer enjoyment of what tennis can bring you through friendships, travel and just trying to be the best you can be.

TCB: What's your tennis racquet and string of choice?
SS: I am currently teaching with the new Wilson Clash 100 and still use the Wilson NXT 16.

TCB: Thank you, Sue Selke.