There’s only one thing harder than securing a restaurant reservation in New York City: getting a tennis court.
New York boasts over 7% of total courts nationwide - the highest proportion in the country - but with an average of just one court per 10,000 people, court time is fiercely competitive and a rare commodity. Playing tennis in the city is not for the faint of heart: navigating the opaque court booking systems, the queues, the official (and unofficial) rules and the testing climates of a humid summer and freezing winter.
But getting to know the language of New York tennis is one of the joys of playing here: understanding when and where to show up for a spontaneous hit, knowing the court attendants, being in the numerous Telegram groups, knowing what times the local schools play, and of course getting on good terms with the other dedicated players who bust their balls to get a hit in. Not to mention the views, the characters and the pure charm of an NYC court.
During the warmer months, you need a permit to play on the public courts, if you want to play before sundown. It’s a $100 membership card to join that most exclusive club of people getting prime court time in New York, but it’s worth every dime to be able to hit some balls whilst the smell of park BBQ wafts over the net, or a Dominican soundsystem blares in the distance.
1. 96TH STREET CLAY
As the only public red clay courts in New York City, these might be the nicest courts in town outside of the private clubs. Nothing beats kicking up the red dust with a view of the Hudson River. The ten courts are well-maintained by a non-profit, and you could spend the rest of the day up here in the beautiful surrounding garden area.
2. JACKIE ROBINSON PARK PLAYGROUND
In 2023, these local Bed-Stuy courts got a much-needed revamp, and are now the nicest courts in this part of Brooklyn. The bright purple and green hard courts - which play quite slow - are a great bet during the day, since they’re walk-on and there’s no attendant.
3. PIER 42
When the East River Park courts closed for a full park renovation, Pier 42 took up the mantle as the best courts in the Lower East Side. These four brand new, bright green hard courts are right on the water. They may be a lil breezy, but there’s an awe-inspiring view of the Manhattan Bridge.
4. BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER
When the National Tennis Center isn’t in full swing for the US Open, us mere mortals are allowed to play on all the non-stadium courts - both indoor and outdoor, from about $40 per hour. It’s a great feeling striding into Flushing Meadows for a game and a total treat to play under the lights on a sweaty summer’s evening, sometimes joined by the local raccoons that wander the grounds.
5. RIVERSIDE 119TH STREET
Tucked in the lush surroundings of Riverside park and just below the beautiful Pollinator Meadow, it’s easy to forget you’re in Manhattan. Riverside has arguably the best public hard courts in the city, since they were resurfaced in 2022. This is the place to duel it out with a well-coached Columbia student.
6. FORT GREENE PARK
These recently refurbished six courts have to be some of the hardest to get on in the whole city. Local residents get up at 6am to put their name down for a court later that day, and the line winds all the way around the park if it’s nice out. These are some of the few courts to have an official association of devoted local players who set up tournaments and events. The Telegram group has more than a 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.
7. LINCOLN TERRACE
This is perhaps one of the more quintessential NYC courts for vibe alone: the loud passing subway trains, the ambient noise from the local park DJs and a very fun community scene. The courts are very fast and slick, so are killer if you’ve got a good slice. They’re some of the few Brooklyn courts with floodlights that stay on until the early hours. In the warmer months, you can hop over to the other side of the road after your match, where they host fun rollerskating nights on a Wednesday.
8. MCCARREN PARK
Right on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, the McCarren Park courts are one of the few things about this neighbourhood that haven’t changed much in recent years. The seven hard courts get bubbled in the winter, and can be some of the most competitive indoor court time to get in Brooklyn, so get your bots at the ready to make that reservation. In the summer, you’re just a block away from the best public outdoor pool in the city, or you can grab a takeaway margarita from beloved dive bar, The Turkey’s Nest, to sup on post-play.
9. HUDSON RIVER
There are three standalone courts (two for doubles, one for singles) right along the Hudson River near Tribeca and Greenwich Village. You can’t beat the location, but that means you might have to sit on a bench and wait a couple of hours to get on. Kill the time by watching the foot and bike traffic going up and down the Westside Highway. And if you have to wait til late, there are floodlights until midnight, as well as the sparkling city lights from Jersey across the water.
10. PROSPECT PARK
If you’re looking for public, knee-friendly courts, Prospect Park has ten har-tru courts (and two hard courts). It’s just south of the main park, but still amongst the greenery. They get bubbled during the winter months, allowing for year-round tennis. They have a strong coaching program for kids and beginners, and it’s a popular site for ferocious doubles players.
Tell us your favourite spots below…
- Suze Webb, BAGEL US Contributing Editor
It was similar in Paris. If you wanted to have a hit, you'd have to book 10 days in advance on this infuriating online booking system. I don't know what i'm doing in 3 days let alone 5. I'm lucky enough to live in Greece on the Athenian Riviera, quite far south, where there are many of great high quality community courts which are usually free, free of charge, and overlooking the sea. Greece may be dysfucntional in many ways, but most days, if I feel like playing tennis, there's hardly any ever anything stopping it.