The first court was constructed in/around the year 1927, being positioned where the closest court is to the river now, with the surface being asphalt. The court was not used for a great deal of competition tennis until the 1950s when tennis in Australia became very popular due to our Australian players having international success. One thing that was mentioned was that the first court was built for a dual purpose, being for the locals to have social competitions amongst themselves and neighbouring districts ( Yuulong, Lavers Hill, Hordern Vale & the likes ) but as just as important it was for tourists who came from the likes of Melbourne to camp at Johanna ( yes the campground was there back in the 1920s ) to play country club style tennis while on holiday.
In the 1950s ( not sure which year ) tennis became very popular and a second court was built to accommodate the growth in tennis. This is when the courts became what they are today, with the original court’s surface declared unsuitable for competition tennis ( yes they had regulations back then too ) so leveling works were done, hence the mound at the N/W end and concrete courts were laid. This is when a timber shed was built on the present site ( part of regulations too ) and the cypress trees were planted. Also of note at that time a new fence was erected and it had to be coated in tar ( regulations again ) so players could not lose sight of the ball in the background and it was also a protective layer against the salt from the ocean.
The Johanna tennis Club from that time in the 1950s always had two senior ( 6 players in each ) & two junior ( 4 players in each ) teams building up to three senior & three junior teams in the 1970s. Also in the 1970s ( I believe around 1975 ) the current concrete shed was built and new fencing was erected ( steel pipes and no tar coating was required ).