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The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit tennis hall of fame and museum at the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

"The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis, inspiring and encouraging junior tennis development, enshrining tennis heroes and heroines and providing a landmark for tennis enthusiasts worldwide." - from the International Tennis Hall of Fame's official website

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is hosted by the Newport Casino. The complex was commissioned in 1880 by James Gordon Bennett, Jr. Legend states that Bennett placed a bet with his guest British Cavalry Officer, Captain Henry Augustus "Sugar" Candy that Candy would not ride his horse up onto the front porch of Newport's most exclusive men's club - The Reading Room. Candy won the bet, but the Governors of the Reading Room were not amused. Bennett and his infamous short temper did not take this kindly, and soon set about creating his own retreat, what would eventually become The Newport Casino.

The first half of the 20th Century was unkind to the Newport Casino. The Gilded age drew to a close with the onset of the Depression, and the Newport fell by the wayside as a summer resort for the wealthy and powerful. The Casino struggled financially as a social club right from the start, and by the 1950's the Casino was in sad shape. Like many of the mansions, there was the very real possibility that it would be demolished to make way for more modern retail space.

Tennis, however, would be its saving grace. Having always had a sporting flair, the United State Lawn Tennis Association held their first championships at the Casino in 1881, an event that would continue through 1914. By this time, tennis was firmly entrenched as the key attraction at the Casino.

Fortunately, Jimmy and Candy Van Alen stepped in, and by 1954 had established the Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum in the Newport Casino. The combination of prominent headliners at the tennis matches and the museum allowed the building to be saved.

It stands today as one of the finest examples of Victorian Shingle Style architecture in the world. The buildings are generally well preserved, except for the Casino Theatre which is in poor condition.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is founded in 1954 by James Van Alen as "a shrine to the ideals of the game," the International Tennis Hall of Fame is one of the largest and finest tennis museums in the world. The International Tennis Hall of Fame was officially sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association in 1954 and recognized by the International Tennis Federation in 1986. The first Hall of Fame members were inducted in 1955; as of 2007, there are 200 inductees from 18 countries.

The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts and memorabilia (including videos, photographs, audio recordings, tennis equipment and apparel, trophies, and art) highlighting the history of tennis from its origins up through the modern era. The collection is displayed year-round in the museum’s 13,000 square feet of exhibit space.

• International Tennis Hall of Fame Official Site
• 11 Intriguing Items at the International Tennis Hall of Fame article
• International Tennis Hall of Fame article

Coordinates: 41.482774° N 71.308243° W