Indoor & Outdoor Courts, Permits, Partners
Most people don’t know just how easy it is to play tennis in New York City. There are 100’s of public courts, indoor courts, leagues, meet up groups, lessons, drill & play, cardio tennis, and of course, watching professional tennis, such as the US Open, New York Open and New York Empire.
Looking for a singles or doubles partner? Here’s How to match up with meetup, singles and double groups, clubs, tournaments and more.
Get Your Tennis Permit
April is my favorite time of year…when the outdoor NYC public tennis courts open! The NYC public parks tennis season generally runs from the first Saturday in April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, making the $100 seasonal permit a bargain.
East River Tennis Courts Under the Williamsburg Bridge (Torn Down in 2022)
Not up for the whole season? You can also play tennis in New York City with just a day pass for $15 (separate from the $15 reservation fee). Permits available online, by mail or in person at Central Park or Paragon in Union Square. Discounts available for IDNYC card holders.
Permits: www.nycgovparks.org/permits/tennis-permits
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Outdoor Manhattan Tennis Courts
There is nothing like the classic experience of playing in Central Park, East River Park, Riverside Park, Tribeca or any of the other 100s of tennis courts in NYC. And now that we have the ability to reserve courts, for a $15 fee, rather than waiting in line for 1-2 hours, playing tennis in New York City is easier than ever.
Sometimes waiting isn’t so bad, though. Roger Federer actually showed on these exact courts in August 2017 to practice during the US Open. What a treat!
Central Park Tennis Courts
- Central Park – 26 clay, 4 hard courts. Center of the Park, just North of the 97th St. traverse. Lessons offered. Fairly strict players and maintenance. 7am-sunset.
- Riverside Park – 10 clay (@96th St) and 10 hard courts (@ 119th St). Very well maintained, strong neighborhood players, right on the water. Riverside Clay Tennis Association (RCTA) offers ladders, tournaments and a strong tennis community. 7am-sunset. www.rcta.info
- Washington Market Park – 1 hard court (Chambers & West St). NYC’s most hidden tennis court in Tribeca. Permit required, 7am – midnight.
- CLOSED. East River Park – 12 hard courts. Not in the best shape, but on the East River with water views! Lessons offered, daytime only. Very easy going players and maintenance. 7am – sunset.
Additional outdoor city courts: Inwood Hill Park & Frederick Johnson Playground. Info on NYC Tennis Courts including lessons, cardio tennis, corporate leagues and more:
- nycgovparks.org/facilities/tennis
- cityparksfoundation.org/sports/tennis/
Hudson River Park – There are 3 hard courts (2 doubles, 1 single) on the West Side Highway and W. Houston. They differ from the other city courts as they are owned by the State, so no permit required, night lights (6am–midnight) and they have recently been resurfaced by Nike, who offer lessons. Since these courts are FREE, expect 2-3 hour wait times and also check online for when the lessons are being held, as the courts will not be available on a first-come first-served basis during these times.
More Info: hudsonriverpark.org
Eastside Tennis Club – 220 E 76th St, (212) 737-0185
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Hotel with Tennis Court NYC
Think you’ll want to play indoor tennis while visiting? Check out ONE UN New York, just 3 blocks from Grand Central, and the only NYC hotel with a tennis court!
The hotel offers a fully-equipped health club, a heated indoor swimming pool with panoramic views on the 27th floor, and a year-round tennis court on the 39th floor (most are extra fees, so check with the hotel). You can’t see it in the photo, but just outside the court, there are fantastic views of the East River.
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Indoor Tennis in New York City
National Tennis Center (NTC) – True Story! Except during the US Open, you can play all year round on most of the same courts the Pros play and practice during the US Open. Great rates and hours, discounts for USTA members, lessons, groups, cardio, phenomenal indoor & outdoor courts…worth the trip to Flushing, whether you live here or are visiting.
Vanderbilt Tennis – right on the 4th floor of Grand Central Station is one (VERY expensive) tennis court! Plus two half courts with ball machines that can be reserved for practice. Lessons, cardio tennis, small gym and more. Sister Clubs (with far more courts) – Sutton East (59th and York) and Yorkville (89th and York).
New in 2017 – Sutton East remains open all year and accepts NYC tennis permits! "Six of our 8 Courts (Courts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8) will be available to the public with a NYC Tennis Permit for open play, just like all other NYC public tennis courts. Two of the six Permit Courts (Courts 4 & 5) have been set aside for advanced online reservations with your Tennis Permit, along with an additional $15 per court / per hour surcharge. "
More Indoor Tennis Clubs and Courts: Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club (43rd b/w 9th & 10th Aves), CityView Racquet Club (LIC), Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, (CLOSED in 2023 Midtown Tennis Club (8th Ave & 27th St))
Groups: Brooklyn Manhattan Tennis Meet Up (meetup.com/BKMNTennis), New York City Tennis (meetup.com/newyorkcitytennis) and many more.
Find Partners: Craigslist, most Tennis Meet Up groups, NYCTennisPartners (Yahoo group)
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Tennis Events in New York City
There are major tennis events several times throughout the year in NYC. Here are some of the biggest:
- US Tennis Open – my ALL TIME favorite NYC event. August – Sept annually
- World Team Tennis – John McEnroe coaching with great current and retired players. Returned to NYC in 2016.
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Total Tennis Camp New York
Want to immerse yourself in 5+ hours of tennis a day, eat an amazing 3 meals and hang out with tons of other NYC enthusiasts? Total Tennis is the BEST!
Total Tennis Camp, Saugerties, New York
Just 90 minutes north of NYC, in Saugerties (about 20 minutes from Woodstock) is a super fun and very affordable tennis camp. All Year Round (indoor hard courts in the winter, and a mix of clay and hard courts the rest of the year). The bus from Port Authority will take you there, and someone from the camp will pick you up at the bus station. Make sure you tell them Melissa from NYC Insider Guide sent you.. I promise you won’t be disappointed, Total Tennis is a great experience! Read my Total Tennis New York Review.
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Fun Things to do in New York in Spring
- Things to Do in New York in Spring
- Volleyball in New York City
- Tennis in New York City
- Biking in New York City
- Insider Guide to Central Park
- Things to do in NYC in March
- Things to do in NYC in April
- Things to do in NY in May
- Mother's Day in NYC
- Best NYC Hotel Rooftops
- Free Things to Do in New York City
- 100 FREE things to do in NYC in Summer
East River Tennis courts were torn down back in 2022. Think the guide is giving awareness to courts in Manhattan.
In our mission to democratize tennis courts around NYC we would like to mention tennispassportnyc.com
We are running free and paid adult and kids tennis programs in partnership with USTA Eastern. Chow