St. Louis
Become a part of St. Louis' most vibrant tennis community!
For over 10 years, and boasting nearly 1,000 active players, Gladiator Tennis® in St. Louis offers players a chance to compete in a flex schedule, player-friendly league. Singles, doubles, adults and juniors leagues take place throughout the year.
Get in the Arena
Gladiator Tennis is a competitive, flex schedule tennis league for junior and adult players at every skill level. With local leagues across the city and suburbs, we make it easy to enjoy the sport you love, with a focus on fun, fitness, and friendly competition. For less than the cost of a round of golf, we organize a series of singles or doubles matches tailored to your schedule over a six to eight week period.
Rise Through the Ranks
We’ll track your progress as a player and move you into more competitive leagues as you improve. Once you dominate your current skill level, you'll have a chance to compete against other top Gladiators in our annual playoff competition across the region. All of your matches are fed into UTR (the Universal Tennis Rating system), giving you another way to track your progress over time.
Join Our Upcoming Tennis Leagues
Whether you're looking to meet other singles or doubles players, or improve your skills, we have a league for you. Explore our varied league offerings, each designed to provide competitive play and development opportunities for all skill levels and age groups. For doubles leagues, sign up with a partner, or we can locate one for you.
Player Spotlight
Meet Laura Rose
Laura's tennis journey began in late 2016 when she joined USTA, inspired by her athletic family and her competitive spirit. Despite not having played competitive sports as an adult, Laura brought a solid base of fitness and a drive to excel. As a data scientist, she found physical competition in tennis a perfect complement to her abstract, analytical day job. Her passion for the game quickly blossomed, even as she faced several significant injuries.
In 2018, Laura suffered a rotator cuff injury, followed by a hip labrum tear in 2020 and reconstructive surgery in 2021. These setbacks tested her resolve, but she was determined to return to the court. By 2022, she resumed playing USTA matches, though pain lingered in her hip. It was with the help of a dedicated massage therapist that Laura finally played pain-free by 2024, fully healthy and ready to compete. She candidly says, "I blame tennis for the injury and credit it for the motivation to recover," showcasing her unwavering dedication.
Laura’s playing style has evolved over the years from a defensive "pusher" to an adaptable player with a solid flat serve, slice serve, and baseline topspin. She thrives on consistency and strategic play, running balls down and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Participating in both USTA and Gladiator Tennis allows her to enjoy the best of both singles and doubles play, fitting flexibly into her busy schedule. Known for her sportsmanship, Laura always compliments her opponents, building strong connections within the tennis community. Her story is a testament to resilience and the joy of returning to the sport she loves.
Player Spotlight
Meet Kevin Baszis
Meet Kevin Baszis, a dedicated and long-time member of the Gladiator League in St. Louis. He joined Gladiator Tennis in 2016 on the recommendation of a good friend who was playing in the Chicago league and never looked back, now having played 32 seasons of singles and 2 seasons of doubles.
His strong serve and dedication to regular playing time have led to slow and steady improvement over the past 8 years. While he jokes that he'll never be confused for a 4.0 level tennis phenom, he's worked his way up to 3.25 and has won 2 singles divisions and one doubles division over the years. He enjoys meeting new people and has made multiple long-time contacts through his years in the league. His entry into doubles in 2024 has been a welcome addition of new acquaintances and more playing time.
Outside of Gladiator, he is active in the Kirkwood men's tennis community, where he runs a doubles group with multiple other Gladiators. Through this and other tennis groups, he has introduced multiple other players to Gladiator Tennis, and his enthusiasm for frequent court time is evident. It's been a joy to watch the St. Louis tennis community grow!
Hear what others have to say about the league
Why I'm A Gladiator
Zach M. | 5.0
"I have been involved in Gladiator Tennis for nearly 15 years. I have watched the league grow, expand, and become more competitive. It's amazing to see so many different levels of competition all under one roof. I can't wait to see what the next 15 years holds."
Kim Y. | 3.5
“My husband Bob and I both did Gladiator tennis last year and loved it! We met a lot of nice people, played some wonderful tennis and look forward to playing again next season.”
Robert F. | 4.25
“It's easy to include in my life since I can set up matches around other commitments in my schedule. I've met some great people, and I'm still able to keep that competitive drive and still compete for awards.”
Brian Q. | 4.0
“Gladiator Tennis, is hands down, the best league around!! It has been great to watch this league grow over the years and it is amazing to see the public courts filled up with Gladiator matches on any given day or night.”
Kolleen M. | 4.0
"I picked up a racket for the first time at the age of 42, a friend suggested I try Gladiator so that I could play against similar-level players. It was a low-risk, high-reward situation for me. I credit Gladiator with turning this newbie into a tennis-obsessed player."
Kim L. | 2.5
"Gladiator Tennis is brilliant. For over ten years, it’s kept me playing great tennis and meeting fun people. I appreciate that the league is easy, well organized, … and cheap!"
Ash M. | 5.0
"Gladiator is more than a way to play tennis- it's a way build relationships and make friends. The rating system keeps things fair and competitive so you are always matched with people your skill level whether you are a beginner or an advanced level player."
Mostafa B. | 2.5
"It has been lots of fun playing in this league. I am very thankful to Gladiator Tennis for setting up this league. GT has created an excellent chance for us to play our favorite sport, keep active, and try to keep in good shape."
Nishant B. | 5.0
"Gladiator Tennis offers a great mix of fun and competition, with flexible match scheduling and seven matches over an eight-week season. The league has helped me regain my tennis form, especially after a 3-year hiatus since playing for a semester in college."
Steve B. | 3.75
"This league has been a way for me to continue to play a sport I love, and also a way for me to stay fit, as my body has aged."
Lara P. | 4.5
"Gladiator Tennis is AMAZING! The mix of friendly competitors in a game we all love has kept me coming back season after season. I’ve even made some life-long friends along the way. The format gives you the flexibility you need to schedule directly with your opponents with ease."
Veronique S. | 3.75
"I've played Gladiator Tennis for over a decade, and during this time the league has grown tremendously. It's a great way to meet nice people and stay in shape while playing some competitive tennis!"
Ryan K. | 3.75
"Whether you've just learned to play or you're getting back into it, Gladiator is a great way to find some friendly competition near you, at your skill level. It motivates me to get out on the court, and it's been fun getting to know other players over the years."
