How to Learn to Play Tennis in New York

A tennis boom is well underway in New York, and between tight competition for court space and long waits, it may feel overwhelming to the beginner hoping to rotate in. Editor Jeremy Rellosa spoke with city tennis players and coaches about where to find the best starter courts, not too expensive lessons to improve that ground stroke, and tips for getting a doubles partner.

Go to Mason’s Tennis (56 E. 53rd St.), where owner Mark Mason and his knowledgeable staff keep the latest product releases — including starter racquets and tennis shoes — in stock. Or visit NYC Racquet Sports (157A W. 35th St.), whose crew is known for welcoming new players. “They’re tennis nerds who would be happy to lead someone playing tennis for the first time down the right path,” says Michael Foronda, a part-time tennis coach and co-founder of the gear brand Bageled NYC.

Illustration: Igor Bastidas

“Every beginner should take a group class before taking any private lessons,” says Caitlin Thompson, co-founder of Racquet magazine. “You’ll be in a low-pressure setting, and you’ll meet a cohort of people you can play with outside of class.” David Shaftel, co-founder of the Second Serve and its print magazine, Open Tennis, recommends the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. “It’s the best and most official developmental tennis spot for beginners,” he says. “They put you in clinics with people at your level.” Rates for court reservations start at $42 an hour.

Shaftel also recommends the ten clay courts in Riverside Park, which host adult beginner classes. Giri Nathan, a co-founder and staff writer at Defector, says the courts are top quality: “They can get busy, but they’re really beautiful and well maintained.”

On offer are youth camps and programs for ages 3 to 17, including indoor winter clinics, and it comes recommended by Shaftel: “They often have four kids at the same level on a court — low stakes but they hit the ball every week, which is what beginning tennis is about.”

At locations in Downtown Brooklyn (where there’s also a regulation-size 78-foot court), Long Island City, and the Financial District, Court 16 provides lessons with softer red and orange balls, which make play slower and easier for children and first-timers. It’s less intimidating than “jumping right onto a regular court,” says Foronda.

Illustration: Igor Bastidas

It costs $100 for the season (April to November), and you can pick up the card at each borough’s designated permit office or at Paragon Sports (867 Broadway). Avid player Emmy O’Leary, who returned to tennis in the past year, found the process “super-seamless.” You can purchase a single-play permit ($15) online, which gives you an hour of access at any public court in the five boroughs.

New run-club-esque organizations like LVBL (lvbl.club) and Love & Lob (loveandlob.co) offer frequent meetups and hitting sessions for players of all levels, including beginners. “Love & Lob creates a great vibe around their clinics,” says Foronda.

Waiting your turn for a court is part of the city tennis experience, but there are a few places — like Randalls Island — that can be less busy. “Half of their outdoor courts are accessible to the public, and it’s easy to get court time because it’s a little challenging to get there,” says Sam Burns, a former college tennis player and co-founder of Bageled NYC.

It has 11 hard courts with lighting, making them ideal for evening play when the courts are typically less crowded.

Tap into the messaging channels of local tennis organizations to get a feel for what’s happening in your neighborhood. Both Burns and Foronda recommend joining the Fort Greene Tennis Association’s Telegram channel, where one can find last-minute openings on courts. “People often post messages like, ‘My partner just canceled. Is anyone available at noon?’” says Burns. Shaftel recommends the Manhattan Tennis Association’s Telegram channel. “There are hundreds of people talking about how to get courts, meetups, and events,” Shaftel says.