With the U.S. Open just around the corner, New Yorkers are ready for the excitement that the prestigious tennis tournament brings, including the chance to watch some of the world’s best players go head-to-head. But you don’t have to be a grand slam contender to enjoy the game in the city. There are courts across the five boroughs where players of all ages and skill levels can get their serve on.
Court disparities in NYC
Playing tennis in most parts of the city is not as simple as just showing up at a court expecting to play, however. It can be a somewhat complicated process that involves purchasing a permit, waiting in line, traveling to far-flung neighborhoods not near your own, and waiting some more.
And your experience can be shaped by the court’s location, and the level of resources and attention, or lack thereof, it receives.
According to Danielle Carr, an adjunct lecturer at City College and tennis player and coach, discrepancies are especially evident among courts in the outer boroughs compared to those in Manhattan, which typically receive better maintenance and management.
“I still see disparity in the care of tennis courts around NYC, as well as the access to the courts,” Danielle told 6sqft.
“Courts like Haffen Park in the Bronx, which is near and dear to my heart, as a long-time tennis player whose father played there with his friends, and now I play there with mine, have some of these issues. Five courts, but only two to three are usable. Cracked courts, missing light bulbs, low nets, missing net straps.”
She continued: “When you move into Manhattan, to the riverside tennis courts, governed by waiting lists, parks department personnel, and a community group called the Riverside Tennis Association, there’s order, there’s management, there’s maintenance, there’s even red clay! A rare, hard, and expensive surface to maintain for tennis. Uncommon in the USA, let alone NYC.”
Despite these differences in quality, each court has its own atmosphere, whether it’s the legendary courts of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center or the community-centered Lincoln Terrace courts in Crown Heights.
Buy a permit
To use any of the city’s public outdoor tennis courts, you must purchase a permit, valid from the first Sunday in April through the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Full-season permits for adults ages 18 to 61 cost $100, while adults with a valid IDNYC card receive a 10 percent discount on the full-season fee. Permits for adults ages 62 and older cost $20, and permits for kids and teens under 18 cost $10. Learn more about permits here.
Public courts
Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park offers three hardcourt tennis courts that are free and open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. The courts operate on a first-come, first-served basis. When others are waiting, play time is limited to one hour. These courts are very popular, and you should expect a wait. As Hudson River Park is state-run, you don’t need a permit.
Ondel Hylton, senior content director at CityRealty and a seasoned tennis player, described the Hudson River Park courts as an “awesome place to play, but there are only three courts. They’re in great condition, with beautiful sunset views by the water. But you have to wait—usually at least an hour—using the numbered bench queuing system.”
96th Street Courts
These 10 riverside red clay courts are a favorite among New Yorkers, offering the rare softness of red clay that’s hard to find in the city. The courts open in April and close around Thanksgiving, and because of their surface, they must close during rain. Free parking is available directly off the southbound on-ramp to the Henry Hudson Parkway. Learn more about the courts and hours of operation here.
The Frederick Johnson Playground Tennis Courts
Located at Adam Clayton Powell and West 151st Street in Harlem, these courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ondel described the courts as not in “the best condition, but one of the most reliable places to find an open court without much wait time in Manhattan.”
Central Park Courts
Few courts can rival the experience of playing tennis in one of the world’s most iconic public parks. Central Park’s Tennis House boasts 26 clay and four hard courts—the largest collection of public tennis courts in NYC. Tennis has a long history here, with matches played even before the first permanent courts were built north of the Reservoir in 1910. Growing demand led to the opening of a dedicated fieldhouse in 1930. Thanks to their prime location and excellent upkeep, these courts are in high demand and difficult to reserve. Learn more about booking a court here. Advanced reservations cost $15 per court per hour.
“Many Har-Tru courts, well-maintained, with locker rooms. There are a lot of them, and it feels special playing in Central Park. Tough to reserve since they’re so popular,” Ondel noted.
Sutton East Tennis
Sutton East Tennis welcomes players of all ages and skill levels to its eight indoor red clay courts beneath the 59th Street Bridge, no membership required. Open since 1979, the facility offers hourly court time, with fees varying depending on day and time, and seasonal court time, which reserves a guaranteed slot at the same time every week. You can also train on an automatic ball machine. Sutton East also offers adult and junior programs, including clinics and matches for different skill levels. Learn more about reserving court time here.
Yorkville Tennis
Yorkville’s year-round tennis club features two newly resurfaced hard courts in a comfortable climate-controlled setting, offering seasonal and hourly court time, plus engaging adult and junior programs. Learn more about the club and court rates here.
East River Park
A section of East River Park reopened in May after a major renovation that upgraded amenities, including six new hard-surface tennis courts. Open year-round from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Brian Watkins Tennis Courts operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are accessible via the Delancey Street pedestrian bridge, just south of the Williamsburg Bridge on the Lower East Side.
Fort Washington Tennis Courts
Offering one of the most scenic spots in NYC to play tennis, the Fort Washington courts feature stunning views of the George Washington Bridge. The 10 hard courts, located on the Hudson River Greenway, are open year-round for public use on a first-come, first-served basis. The courts also host lessons and summer camp for kids, managed by the Riverside Tennis Association. While popular with local players, the courts are not as well-maintained as some others in the five boroughs—but that’s set to change in 2026, when they’ll undergo much-needed resurfacing.
Prospect Park Tennis Center
One of Brooklyn’s most popular tennis destinations, the Prospect Park Tennis Center offers both hard and clay courts, along with a seasonal bubble so players can serve year-round. The facility is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Courts may be reserved up to seven days in advance and must be cancelled at least 24 hours ahead of time. Night play rates are $40 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and $32 during the same hours Friday through Sunday.
Lincoln Terrace Park
Straddling Brownsville and Crown Heights in Brooklyn, Lincoln Terrace Park has offered relaxation and recreation to residents for almost 100 years. The park’s 11 tennis courts, reconstructed in 2014, are overseen by the Lincoln Terrace Tennis Association, which offers programs for kids, teens, and adults. Danielle describes the park as having a “very Caribbean and very community vibe.”
Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park
This sprawling tennis center at the Bronx’s Mill Pond Park offers 16 courts alongside a wide range of adult and junior programs, lessons from professional staff, and reservable court time. From May through September, an NYC tennis permit can be used for walk-on outdoor play. But during the winter, spots in the climate-controlled dome must be requested for specific days and times. More information on court rentals can be found here.
Private courts
SPORTIME Randall’s Island
Constructed in 2019 for over $20 million and fresh off a $50 million expansion and renovation, SPORTIME on Randall’s Island now stands as the world’s largest indoor tennis club and academy. The one-of-a-kind racquet hub features over 260,000 square feet of facilities and amenities, including 29 hard and soft-surface courts in climate-controlled buildings year-round. During the summer, five hard-surface and seven soft-surface courts are outdoors, with lighting for evening play, while the remaining 17 courts are indoors the entire year. The club also has six pickleball courts, an athletic training center, a cafe, and much more. SPORTIME members can rent courts seasonally or by the hour. Learn more about court rentals here.
Vanderbilt Tennis
Since 2011, Vanderbilt Tennis at Grand Central Terminal has offered court rentals and programs for adults and youth. Located on the terminal’s 4th floor, the facility features a full-size court available by the hour or through seasonal reservations, which guarantee a weekly recurring time slot. The club also offers practice courts equipped with automated ball machines and a ball retrieval system, allowing players to hit up to 300 strokes in just 30 minutes. You can view openings and book a court here.
Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club
This intimate tennis club is known for its tight-knit community of regulars, with generations of players finding a home away from home. Open seven days a week, the club offers five hard courts, with a seasoned coaching team with years of experience and a tailored approach to make sure visitors leave loving tennis even more than when they first walked in. Members can book court time up to two weeks in advance, while non-members can book 24 or 48 hours in advance. You can learn more about court rates here.
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club
Priding itself as a “hidden gem” of tennis on Roosevelt Island, the racquet club features 12 clay courts, a comfortable clubhouse, and a dedicated team offering top-tier programs for both adults and juniors. Members can book court time up to two weeks in advance, while non-members can book 24 or 48 hours in advance. Learn more about court rates here.
Philip & Cheryl Milstein Family Tennis Center
Columbia’s tennis center has become one of the city’s premier facilities, with six indoor and six outdoor courts, state-of-the-art locker rooms, a reception area, excellent court viewing, and a gym. The center offers memberships that get you lower rates for court time, but non-members are also welcome to reserve time slots. Learn more about court rentals here.
Hudson River Tennis Club
Located on the former site of the New York Mercantile Exchange pit, the Hudson River Tennis Club offers four indoor hard courts with stunning views of the Hudson River. The 55,000-square-foot, year-round facility first opened in May, according to the Tribeca Citizen, and is currently open to the public for fee-based play, with plans to transition to a membership model. The club also offers clinics led by seasoned staff, including director Noah Rubin. Court fees range from $200 to $350 per hour, while clinics cost $200 per hour per person. Learn more about the club’s offerings here. Note that HRTC is currently undergoing construction and will reopen in late August.
Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
You don’t need to be a pro to play on the same courts as the sport’s best players. When the U.S. Open isn’t in town, you can book courts at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Both indoor and outdoor hard courts are available, and you can even book a ball machine. Courts are bookable by the hour or day. You can book a court here.
Cary Leeds Center
Located in the South Bronx, the Cary Leeds Center features 22 courts and offers year-round instruction and play. The $26.5 million facility opened in 2015 through a public-private partnership, aiming to impact youth across all five boroughs. In addition to a variety of engaging junior and adult programs, the center also offers courts for rent, with hourly rates varying by time slot. Learn more about booking court time here.
New York Tennis Club
Standing as New York’s oldest tennis club, the New York Tennis Club marks its 139th season this year. Founded in 1886, the club once hosted tournaments attended by Theodore Roosevelt, George and Ira Gershwin, Jimmy Walker, and other prominent figures. Now, the club continues to be a haven for tennis in the Bronx, with six well-maintained Har-Tru courts, a clubhouse with a covered patio, and ample parking. Learn more about club membership rates here.
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