Vale Ivan Ronaldson 1974-2025
The real tennis world is in mourning this week, following the unexpected and sudden passing of Ivan Ronaldson, the head real tennis professional at the Westwood Country Club in Washington. Ivan passed away on the evening of Sunday, August 17th at his home in Washington.
Ivan started playing real tennis almost as soon as he could walk. He first won the British U12s when he was just 10 and won it three times. He played during his years at Canford School where his uncle, Steve, was the Head Pro.
After leaving school, Ivan worked for three months at Fontainebleau. Returning to the UK, he worked at Holyport from 1994 to 1996, and then went back to Fontainebleau for another three years.
His father, Chris, made Ivan an offer to join him at RTC, where Ivan stayed for about three years before moving as Head Pro to the Prested Hall club for four years. He started Claire Vigrass off in tennis at age 11 and immediately spotted her potential.
Prince's Club, Washington, opened in 1997 and had eight Pros in the first nine years. When that job needed, yet again, to be filled in 2006, Ivan was appointed, bringing stability and professionalism to the club, where he worked until its move to the Westwood Country Club in 2022. His time at the new court at Westwood has been successful and fulfilling, with the court being packed continuously and dozens of new players being introduced to the game.
The USCTA and the USCTPF has published the following comments:
During his tenure as head professional at Prince’s Court in McLean and then Westwood Country Club in Vienna Ivan touched the lives of hundreds of people, from juniors to women and men amateurs to the very best players in the country. He had an incredible ability to analyze and develop strategies and tactics for players of all levels. For years he was the leader of the Player Development Program in the US, directing the development of the top juniors in the country and traveling with the national junior team to the bi-annual Van Alen & Clothier Cup matches. A highlight of his career was coaching the team to victory in the 2019 Van Alen Cup in London, the first win for the U.S. in more than twenty-five years. He ran dozens of tournaments and clinics and loved nothing more than hosting visitors who had never seen a court tennis court before. Ivan was the USCTA Professional of the Year in 2006 and 2019. He marked the 2023 World Championship and most recently hosted the 2025 US Open.
In a statement circulated to members, the Westwood Country Club said:
It would be impossible to overstate the positive impact that Ivan has had on our Westwood community. More importantly, Ivan was an exceptional human being whose welcoming smile, funny anecdotes, and astounding knowledge of the game intrigued and excited everyone he met.
There will certainly be more information to come as we grieve and find ways to provide love and support for Ivan’s family. We will share information about opportunities to honor our friend and colleague as it becomes available.
The T&RA has further added:
Ivan was a larger than life character, a true gentle giant, and those who have visited the club at DC will know the warmth of his welcome to all comers.
Ivan had a huge energy and a love for life and those around him. His Elvis impersonation at Karaoke was legendary.
Short statements have also been published by the IRTPA and ARTA expressing their sorrow as well.
Ivan leaves his wife, Christy, their children, Lily and Bruce, his parents, Chris and Lesley, and his brothers, Ben and Luke, as well as his many friends in the world of real tennis, devasted by his death.
Further obituaries and tributes will follow over the coming days, and service details will be announced soon. In the meantime, please keep all the Ronaldson family in your thoughts.