Twenty years ago, the most modern tennis complex was opened in Štvanice

Prague - Just as Prague's Chuchle is inextricably linked to horse racing, Letná with football, and Podolí with swimming, the Vltava island of Štvanice is also associated with sports. Štvanice was once the center of ice hockey (among other things, it hosted four World Championships) and is still dedicated to tennis today. One of the most famous Czech tennis clubs, the 1st Czech Lawn Tennis Club (1. ČLTK), moved here 105 years ago, and the most modern tennis complex in what was then Czechoslovakia was opened here 20 years ago on June 16, 1986.
The original Štvanice courts became legendary, hosting all the stars of both Czechoslovak and world tennis. The wooden center court from 1927 with makeshift stands had an unforgettable atmosphere, enhanced by the sound of trains (which used to emit significant smoke) passing over the Negrelli Viaduct. The beginning of the end for this traditional tennis oasis began in 1983 when the construction of the metro under the Vltava was accompanied by the demolition of the old complex and the construction of a new stadium.
Originally, there were five courts for tennis players on Štvanice, a wooden clubhouse for the 1. ČLTK, and, for example, a restaurant with extensive verandas. By 1986, a modern complex had been built, featuring a concrete central court with a clay court and a capacity of 8,000 spectators. The complex has a total of ten outdoor clay courts, three of which are illuminated, and six indoor courts (four with artificial surfaces and two clay). There is also extensive infrastructure including a swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, restaurant with a terrace, and a golf simulator.
The inaugural event of the new complex was the Fed Cup final, a women's team competition, in which Czechoslovakia lost to the USA 0:3, but it became much more recognized by fans as the place where Martina Navrátilová returned. She appeared on the courts in her home country for the first time since her emigration as a representative of the USA. In the following years, several editions of the Grand Prix or ATP Tour tournaments were held here, attracting a number of players from the top positions in the world rankings.
A significant blow to the complex came from the floods in August 2002, which completely devastated it. For example, there were over four meters of water in the indoor tennis hall. The damages amounted to 100 to 120 million crowns.
A year ago, the central court was renamed to ČEZ Koloseum. The new name is intended to be just the first step towards a complete reconstruction of the stadium. The Czech Tennis Association, which owns the stadium (the other courts are owned by the 1. ČLTK), plans to first renovate it and later rebuild and roof it. "A completely enclosed hall will be created that will operate 365 days a year," said the head of the tennis association, Ivo Kaderka, recently.