The biggest coffee conundrum for tennis players is whether to indulge in a cup before or after playing. Or why not both? In fact, during play is totally fine too: certain pros have been known to order an espresso during a match, often with game-boosting results.
Now Yonex has made the clever connection between tennis and coffee lovers and created the limited edition EZONE “Espresso Brown” colourway. To celebrate the launch, we’re covering all the shots, mapping out the best tennis court and coffee combinations around the world, from New York City to Tokyo.
NYC, USA
COURTS: FORT GREENE PARK
These six recently resurfaced courts are the hardest to get on in all of Brooklyn. Local residents get up at 6am to put their name down for a court later that day, and if the weather’s nice, the line winds all the way around the park. They’re some of the few public courts to have an official association of devoted local players to run tournaments and events. The Telegram group has more than 1000 players who chat about the state of the courts, assess the weather, look for partners…and talk smack about people who don’t show up for their booking.
136-144, Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
COFFEE: BITTERSWEET
There’s only one line in Fort Greene that might rival that of the morning tennis sign-up: the one outside Bittersweet on Dekalb Ave. It opens at 7.30am, right after the court sign-up sheet goes up. It’s a Black-owned local favourite that’s been running for more than 20 years and is known for its bright green shopfront and loving welcoming of local dogs. As well as some energising coffee, they do a reliably delicious blackberry scone, and the Hangover Helper sandwich doesn’t miss.
180 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205, United States
LONDON, UK
COURTS: VICTORIA PARK
These four hard courts are the site for BAGEL’s monthly tennis socials, so if you’re in London, be sure to sign up for a session with us. The courts are beautifully situated in East London’s biggest grand park, surrounded by expansive lawns, cricket nets, football pitches and an outdoor gym. If you’re solo, come down to knock against the hitting wall and you may well get invited on court.
Near St. Mark’s Gate and the People’s Park Tavern. E9 5HT, UK
COFFEE: BLAS
This cute coffee hut is on the other side of Victoria Park (the park is split in two by a road). Yes, the lakeside Pavilion is a real favourite in VP, but the niche choice is Blas. Go for a flat white and one of their excellent buns or pastries, or try a seasonal drink like the hojicha latte or whichever new roaster is in rotation. Go sit and sip under the Chinese Pagoda on a small island in the West Boating Lake.
Shore Pl, Victoria Park, London E9 7HN, UK
TOKYO, JAPAN
COURTS: TAKANAWA TENNIS CENTRE
Most Tokyo courts require a Japanese phone number and a slot in the government lottery system, which makes spontaneous play a headache if you’re only passing through. But Takanawa’s courts inside the Shinagawa Prince Hotel are open to non-guests too. There are nine indoor artificial-grass courts (seven public, two private), bookable with a simple phone call, and open as late as midnight on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends.
4-10-30 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8611, Japan
COFFEE: SURUME
If a spot of late night tennis is your bag, then the perfect pick-me up is a 15-minute cycle from the tennis courts, this newly reborn speciality coffee shop is worth the ride. Formerly Salvador Coffee in Sapporo, it relocated to Tokyo’s low-key Ebara-Nakanobu neighbourhood in 2026, keeping its excellent El Salvador roasted coffee alongside the owner’s signature lemon cake, famous for its moist crumb and sharp citrus edge.
2-11-5 Nishi-Nakanobu, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
LOS ANGELES, USA
COURTS: ECHO PARK
This vibrant community hub has six first-come, first-serve public hard courts that are free of charge. There’s a great, unpretentious vibe here, with the local Filipino tennis group (welcome to all) putting on brilliant social tennis sessions with BBQ, karaoke and maybe even some shots of tequila. Pretend you’re in a US Open night session and play into the night under their dramatic floodlights.
526 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026. United States
COFFEE: GRANADA
Granada is such a sweet little secret that it’s tempting to gatekeep it. But everyone should get the opportunity to come down to this coffee shop in a beautiful home in Angelino Heights. This is no traditional café, but is like being invited over to a friend’s place for coffee. Kick back on the living room sofa or sit under the shade of a pomegranate tree in the garden. This being LA, iced coffee is the only reasonable option. And treat yourself to a side pastry by baker Sasha Piligian.
1451 Carroll Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States
JAKARTA, INDONESIA
COURTS: MENTENG TENNIS CLUB
There is only one tennis court here at Menteng Tennis Club, because this isn’t a real tennis club at all. The beautiful coffee-coloured hard court is a fun experiential extension of the Common Grounds Terra café. The court costs around $100 for two hours, but rolled into that, you get brand new tennis balls, in-house ball kids and a lovely locker room for changing.
Surabaya St No.8, RT.1/RW.5, Menteng, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta 10310, Indonesia
COFFEE: COMMON GROUNDS TERRA
This is probably the tennis court with the closest proximity to a La Marzocco espresso machine in the whole world. Head down here with friends and alternate playing tennis and cheering from the perspex-seated stands as you sample the elevated food and beverage menu curated alongside 2024 World Barista Champion Mikael Jasin. Try the Major Tom Espresso Blend (a custom espresso bean selection which produces a fruity and floral cup with elegant notes of bourbon) or the Pandan Butterscotch Latte.
Surabaya St No.8, RT.1/RW.5, Menteng, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta 10310, Indonesia
YONEX EZONE ESPRESSO BROWN
If there’s a perfect racquet for a coffee-fuelled day of tennis, this might be it. The EZONE Espresso Brown gives off big time ‘first-coffee-of-the-morning’ vibes: rich, dark and ready to pack a punch. Conveniently, it looks right at home in the cafés in our guide too.
Underneath the good looks, this is classic EZONE territory. The frame is built around easy power, a generous sweet spot and a forgiving response that makes it as happy on a lazy hit as it is when the intensity goes up. There’s plenty of pop from the back of the court too, but it doesn’t feel like the racquet is doing all the work for you.
We tend to think of it as the tennis equivalent to a really good flat white: dependable, refined and with enough kick to keep you going. But what we noticed most was the Espresso Brown is the kind of racquet that fits into a day built around tennis rather than just a game of tennis. Play a set, find a good café, order something strong, then do it all again. The Espresso Brown was made for the ritual.
At this year’s US Open, the eagle-eyed among you will spot Casper Ruud, Madison Keys and Tokito Oda repping the new colourway. The question is, will you too?
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