New York Tennis Magazine Presents Your 2014 Guide to New York Tennis Clubs

October 10, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning
1700 Crotona Avenue ♦ Bronx, N.Y.

www.CaryLeedsTennis.org
With a vision to serve the youth of New York City by creating a world-class facility for children and families, NYJTL is building the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. The Center will provide youngsters, who would not otherwise have the chance, with opportunities to learn and play tennis. The public/private project, which was originally envisioned nearly 15 years ago, broke ground in 2013 and is scheduled to be completed during the winter of 2014. The Capital Campaign has raised $25 million out of the $26.5 million goal.

The Cary Leeds Center, constructed in partnership with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, will house a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse and educational facility, which will be the flagship home for NYJTL coaches to provide free year-round instruction and play for young people from beginners to nationally-ranked junior players.

The Center will serve more than 30,000 families and children in and around Crotona Park, annually providing more than 6,000 hours of free tennis court time to the community.

But the tennis programs are only part of the story. The Center will also provide space for educators to help students improve their performance in school. With a library and study centers, as well as classroom space, teachers and counselors will offer young people a quiet and safe place to benefit from a wide range of programs centered on academics, healthy living and character education. Students will receive tutoring, homework assistance, SAT and Regents test preparation, and project-based learning opportunities.



 

Centercourt Performance Tennis Center
65 Columbia Road ♦ Morristown, N.J.
www.CentercourtClub.com

The Centercourt Performance Tennis Center (CPTC), located in Morristown, N.J., is a one-of-a-kind facility fully-dedicated to the development and performance of tennis players. The Performance Center has 11 hard courts, one red clay court, a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning room, and an academic center.

Our philosophy is if you want to improve, you need to train. While you don’t have to be exceptionally talented, you do need to be seriously committed to your training. Our mission is to help every student-athlete we train realize his or her full potential; athletically, academically and within life itself. We believe that the trials and tribulations that our student-athletes endure in the tennis pathway will develop our young athletes into leaders on and off the court. Our players respect the game, their peers, parents, environment, and coaches. Our players are coached to not only become great players, but hard-working, self-sufficient individuals.

The CPTC curriculum features on-court and off-court lesson programs which include comprehensive tennis instruction complimented with both physical and mental conditioning conducted by performance specialists; all of whom are committed to developing players into champions. Total athletic training programs are designed to increase player development and facilitate higher overall performance by incorporating mental toughness, nutrition counseling, speed/movement, communication, and vision/reaction skills in all of our players.

Our culture is simple. We live the sport! Seven days a week, 365 days a year. Continually striving for improvement, we do not celebrate mediocrity. We strive to get the most out of all our players. If you are serious about your tennis and want to be the best athlete you can possibly be, you owe it to yourself to experience the Centercourt Performance Tennis Center firsthand!



 

Go! Tennis
34-28 214th Place ♦ Bayside, N.Y.
(718) 224-6303

Director George Garland and Business Manager Maria Aliventi operate Go! Tennis Programs at North Shore Tennis and Racquets Club in Bayside, Queens.

North Shore Tennis and Racquets Club, home of Go! Tennis, is also the site of the new North Shore Indoor Sports facility. This is a multisport turf facility that specializes in lacrosse and soccer. North Shore has 14 outdoor Har-Tru courts, 10 that are bubbled for the indoor season.

Players are provided with beautifully-maintained courts, as well as excellent lighting and heat. The Club also boasts a beautifully appointed clubhouse, featuring spacious locker rooms, a lounge and a full-service bar and grill.

Go! Tennis Programs are under the direction of 35-year tennis veteran George Garland. The six-level junior program caters to players of all ages and skill levels. The program includes: QuickStart, Hitters, Super-Hitters, The Academy, Varsity Prep and Tournament Team. Go! Tennis is known for its high level of instruction and professionalism. The new Varsity Prep program is for high school and part-time tournament players. The Tournament Team (for ranked tournament players) is under the direction of Mike Misiti and Tennis Pro Marvin Dent.



 

Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club
450 West 43rd Street ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 594-055 ♦ www.advantagetennisclubs.com ♦ gwilhelm@mprcnyc.com

Photo credit: MPRC member Sam Kanter, courtesy of MPRC
Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club (MPRC), an Advantage Tennis Club, is located at 450 West 43rd Street (between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue) in New York City (open Monday-Sunday from 6:00 a.m. until midnight).

MPRC offers luxury tennis in the heart of Manhattan with five indoor championship hard courts, air-conditioning in the summer, a luxurious duplex clubhouse with terrace, a new tennis bubble, private lessons and group lessons for all ages and levels, game arranging, quality tennis programs for members and non-members, leagues, tennis camps, parties, doubles play, tournaments, a pro shop with stringing services, and nice locker rooms. Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club membership includes a full membership to Manhattan Plaza Health Club. MPRC members can fully access the Health Club’s many fitness classes, climbing walls, gym, glass enclosed swimming pool, sundeck, sauna and more. There is indoor parking also available on the premises.

MPRC’s most popular program for members is game arranging that follows the NTRP Rating System. MPRC has some of the best tennis-teaching professionals in New York City who offer private lessons and group lessons.

MPRC offers several categories of membership, including the Advantage Passport Tennis/Sports MultiClub Membership to Roosevelt Island Racquet Club & Sports Park and the New York Tennis Club. For membership information, contact MPRC Assistant Manager and Membership Director Milos Vojvodic at (212) 594-0554.

MPRC also offers season/open tennis time, and for more information on these opportunities, contact MPRC Manager Gertrud Wilhelm at (212) 594-0554. For more information on tennis lessons and Adult Tennis Programs, contact MPRC Assistant Tennis Director Bruce Barney at (212) 594-0554. MPRC also offers QuickStart Junior Programs, for more information, contact MPRC’s Youth Program Administrator, Gabriel Slotnick at (212) 594-0554.



 

Midtown Tennis Club
341 8th Avenue ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 989-8572 ♦ www.MidtownTennis.com

Midtown Tennis Club is Manhattan's original indoor tennis facility conveniently located in the heart of New York City. Situated on 8th Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets, Midtown Tennis Club is easily accessible by public transportation. In a city filled with commitments and membership dues, it’s a breeze to reserve at Midtown for an hour or more of court time, a private lesson or one of Midtown’s clinics.

Midtown has four indoor Har-Tru courts for year-round use and four outdoor Har-Tru courts which are bubbled and heated during the winter months. Midtown’s outdoor season enables City-dwellers to play on our open-air courts with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.

Midtown offers an extensive team of tennis professionals who are available to provide lessons to all ages and levels. If you are looking to develop your existing skills, learn new techniques, get a great cardio workout or prepare for your next tournament, Midtown has a pro for whatever your interest.

Midtown’s clinics are offered for total beginners and all levels up to competition players. Sign up for one month, one day or all year. The Friday Night Round-Robin is a popular event in the winter season which attracts intermediate to advanced players looking for friendly doubles matches. It is a great way to meet new tennis friends.

Midtown is the home of John Curtis’s Manhattan Tennis Academy, Midtown’s new Junior Development Program. John’s after-school classes are available for juniors of all ages and levels. The Manhattan Tennis Academy also will feature the USTA 10-and-Under program and will offer small classes beginning in September.



 

New York Tennis Club
3081 Harding Avenue ♦ Throgs Neck (Bronx), N.Y.
(718) 239-7919
♦  www.AdvantageTennisClubs.com
lhartman@advantagetennisclubs.com

Founded in 1886, New York Tennis Club is the oldest active tennis club in New York. In fact, 2014 marks their 128th consecutive season. Throughout the years, the Club has maintained a reputation for its restful atmosphere, the congeniality of its members and its professional approach to a truly popular sport. With a new patio and viewing deck and six newly-resurfaced Har-Tru courts, the Club is a haven in a quiet corner of the City. Convenient to Manhattan, Queens and lower Westchester, it’s also the best value in the Tri-State area. Sit back and relax in the recently renovated clubhouse and lounge, grab a bite to eat at the snack bar or unwind in the remodeled locker rooms. There is also on-site racquet stringing in the pro-shop and ample free parking located on the premises.

A club for all seasons
For the upcoming indoor season, mid-October to the end of April, New York Tennis Club offers high-quality courts at competitive rates. The two climate-controlled bubbles are equipped with shadow-less, non-glare lighting, with hourly court time at rates between $36-$74 per court, as well as seasonal court options. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., seven days a week, and no membership is required.

The rest of the year is outdoor season, when the Club offers unlimited play—as much tennis as members wish. Tennis lovers can soak up the sun on lush lawns surrounded by flower gardens, sit in the shade of willow trees or have lunch on a covered patio or in the clubhouse, which offers dining facilities, locker rooms and showers. For additional information, please visit www.newyorktennisclub.com.

Extensive adult and junior programs throughout the year
The Club offers adult programs for skill sets of all levels. Program offerings include singles and doubles leagues, a comprehensive game arranging program for both singles and doubles players, private and group instruction for all levels, cardio-tennis classes, and tennis parties where guests are welcome. Whether you are new to tennis, or want to take your game to the next level, New York Tennis Club has a program for you.

The Junior Tennis Program at New York Tennis offers year-round classes, camps, and programs for all ages and levels. There are QuickStart classes for ages four through ten, summer and holiday camp programs, after-school programs, tournament training for advanced competitive players, and match play. During the school year, classes are offered both after school and on Saturdays. The Junior Tennis Camp offers one-week sessions during the month of August.

Tennis all over town
One more special feature: Advantage Passport Membership, which offers members a whole new level of benefits and access. Passport memberships include free summer court time on reserved courts at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) and New York Tennis Club, plus membership privileges at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Health Club and New York Tennis Club. For more information, call Manager Lauren Hartman, or Director of Adult Programs & Advantage Sea and Sports Camp Paul Fontana at (718) 239-7919. See you on the courts!



 

Roosevelt Island Racquet Club
281 Main Street ♦ Roosevelt Island, N.Y.
(212) 935-0250 ♦ gkent@advantagetennisclubs.com
www.RIRCTennis.com

Now in its 21st year of operation, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) is part of Advantage Tennis Clubs. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club is conveniently located on beautiful Roosevelt Island, New York City’s oasis on the East River. The Club features 12 Har-Tru courts under new bubbles with shadowless, non-glare lighting, heated and air-conditioned for comfortable year-round play. The exercise room includes a treadmill, exercise bikes, elliptical trainers and free weights to accommodate almost any workout. The Club boasts a completely stocked pro shop, locker room facilities, two social lounges, Riverview Lounge with a breathtaking view of Manhattan’s skyline, a snack bar and free parking.

RIRC is easily accessible by tram, subway or car (free on-site parking). The Roosevelt Island Tram (from 60th Street and 2nd Avenue) stops adjacent to the Club, and the subway (F Train) stops one block from the club. Members also have use of an indoor swimming pool and fitness center next door in the Sports Park.

RIRC offers a range of adult programs for players of all levels. Program offerings range from the Advanced Singles League for the experienced competitive player, to Beginner Group Lessons for people new to the sport of tennis. Cardio-tennis is one of the Club’s most popular programs and is offered daily for those looking to combine a cardio workout with tennis. Whatever your goal, there is a program for you! The Advantage All-City Junior Tennis Program offers year-round classes, camps and programs for all ages and levels.

There are QuickStart classes for ages four through nine, summer and holiday camp programs, after-school programs, tournament training for advanced competitive players, and match play. During the school year, classes are offered both after-school and on Saturdays. The Advantage All-City Junior Tennis Camp offers one-week sessions from mid-June through the end of August.

Roosevelt Island Racquet Club offers a Gold Membership that includes full Club privileges, 14-day advance reservation privileges, member court fees with an average savings of $35 per court hour, game arranging and member discount on all programs. The Club is excited to offer Advantage Passport Membership, which offers members a whole new level of benefits and access. Passport Memberships include free summer court time on reserved courts at RIRC and New York Tennis Club, plus membership privileges at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Health Club and New York Tennis Club. For more information, contact Gordon Kent, Tom Manhart or Kimberly Latif at (212) 935-0250.



 

SPORTIME Randall’s Island, Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy
One Randall’s Island ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 427-6150 ♦ www.SportimeNY.com/Manhattan
www.JohnMcEnroeTennisAcademy.com ♦ membershipri@sportimeny.com

SPORTIME Randall’s Island, a state-of-the-art, 20-court facility located on Randall’s Island in Manhattan, is the home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA). New York sports legend John McEnroe partnered with SPORTIME to open his world-class training academy in the world’s greatest city in September 2010. JMTA is led by Academy Director Lawrence Kleger, who has trained and coached more nationally and world ranked juniors than anyone in the history of the USTA Eastern Section. This includes JMTA’s Noah Rubin, a top American tennis prospect, who recently won the 2014 Boys Wimbledon Championship in singles and the 2014 Boys National Championship in singles and doubles, which secured him a spot in the main draws of the 2014 US Open in singles and doubles.

The JMTA tennis and athletic development coaching staff is comprised of more than 40 experienced professionals from around the world, including Associate Academy Directors  Felix Alvarado and Nate Emge, Athletic Development and Performance Director Andrew Small, and Assistant Academy Directors Phil Simmonds, Derek Porter, Greg Evans, Greg Bolitsky and Cosmin Cotet, all personally selected by Johnny Mac and Lawrence Kleger to help lead the Academy. In addition to world-class training for top juniors, Sportime offers a player pathway for children of all ages and levels, including our Tennis Whizz program for preschoolers, our red and orange ball programs for our youngest and newest players, as well as the trademarked Junior Tennis Kinetics recreational program for juniors. 

SPORTIME Randall’s Island also delivers the best programming and facilties in NYC for adult players of all levels. We have a wide range of adult tennis and fitness offerings, including group clinics and private lessons, taught by the same great coaches who are training the next Johnny Mac at JMTA.

The club offers USTA and corporate teams and leagues, private and group personal training in our well-equipped fitness center and studio, and a variety of events, including Pro-Ams and tennis mixers. Members enjoy preferred rates for court times and seasonal courts.

SPORTIME Randall’s Island features 160,000-square feet of tennis courts and amenities, including five indoor and five indoor/outdoor Deco-Turf tennis courts, and 10 indoor/outdoor Har-Tru clay tennis courts. All 20 courts are available for year-round play.

This extraordinary club also features a functional training and fitness center; comfortable lounge areas with excellent viewing; a junior lounge/computer lab; a pro shop featuring top brands and 24-hour stringing; a complimentary nursery; steam baths in the member locker rooms; a café serving healthy food, snacks and beverages; and classrooms, party rooms and meeting facilities.

So come see for yourself. It’s all right here on Randall’s Island under the RFK/Triboro Bridge. Contact our membership director at (212) 427-6150 or e-mail membershipri@sportimeny.com for more information and to schedule a visit.



 

Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park
725 Exterior Street at East 152nd Street and the Harlem River ♦ Bronx, N.Y.
(718) 665-4684
www.StadiumTennisNYC.com

Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park, located in the shadow of Yankee Stadium at East 152nd Street and the Harlem River, can be labeled “the best-kept secret in New York City tennis.” With 16 cushioned, U.S. Open-style deco-turf, hard courts—including 12 indoor courts which are open for indoor play from October through April, New York City’s newest indoor/outdoor tennis center commenced its first indoor season at the end of 2010. Our pristine indoor courts are brand new, having been resurfaced in July of 2014. The excellent lighting, high indoor ceilings and spacious backcourts of the new Stadium Tennis Center are sure to please the tennis playing public and tournament level players.

Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park offers a full complement of tennis programs for juniors and adults of all skill levels in partnership with Gotham Tennis Academy, a leader in developing and operating tennis programs in New York City and the Hamptons. Through its partnership with Gotham Tennis Academy, the new Tennis Center has established a team of top-notch, experienced tennis professionals and offers popular junior development and advanced training tennis programs including high performance elite training for ranked juniors.

For adult players, fast-paced group clinics and cardio tennis workouts are offered daily, in addition to indoor seasonal court rentals, private lessons, game-arranging, leagues and tournament play.

The state-of-the art indoor seasonal “bubble” covering 12 tennis courts at the new Stadium Tennis Center is one of the largest tennis “bubbles” or domes of this type in the world, covering an area of over four million cubic feet and a footprint of more than 75,000-square feet. For the convenience of our regular players and their families, the Tennis Center offers complimentary on-site parking. In addition, an adjacent clubhouse features a pro shop, café, locker rooms and lounge areas, Wi-Fi computer access, a workspace where children can do schoolwork and read and a tennis library.

More information about Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park can be found at www.stadiumtennisnyc.com or by calling (718) 665-4684. More information about Gotham Tennis Academy can be found at www.gothamtennis.com or by calling (646) 524-7069.



 

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Flushing Meadows Corona Park ♦ Flushing, N.Y.
(718) 760-6200 ♦ www.USTA.com

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is the largest public tennis facility in the world. Operated by the USTA for the City of New York, the facility opened in 1978 when the USTA moved the U.S. Open from the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, NY. It is, most certainly, a “Tennis Welcome Center.”

In 1997, the USTA opened Arthur Ashe Stadium as its main stadium and expanded the tennis facilities at the USTA National Tennis Center. The construction increased the number of courts on the grounds from 25 to 45 and saw the acreage more than double to 46.5 acres. In 2006, the USTA renamed the entire facility the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of one of tennis’ finest ambassadors and a product of public courts in her native Long Beach, Calif.

Expansion of the USTA National Tennis Center has increased the number of outdoor courts available for public play to 30. This does not include Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium or the Grandstand. In addition, there are 12 indoor courts for public use in the Indoor Training Center.

In actuality, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is open to the public seven days a week, 11 months a year, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has a staff of more than 20 USPTA and/or PTR-certified professionals conducting programs, clinics, private lessons, leagues and tournaments year-round. The NTC also supports all USTA Community Tennis and Player Development initiatives.

Other tournaments held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center include the Men's and Women’s College Tennis Invitational (an ITA event) and other ITA college events and conference championships; the Jana Hunsaker Memorial Eastern Wheelchair Championships (an ITF event); the USTA Men's and Women's National Open Indoor Championships and a host of USTA Eastern sectional tournaments for juniors, adults and seniors as well as New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) and New York City Parks Foundation programs for junior and senior players.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center professional staff also conducts community tennis programs, including 10 & Under Tennis for children 10 years of age and under to learn tennis in a fun and dynamic way; USTA Junior Team Tennis for youth match play; USTA League Tennis for competitive, level-of-play competition, and an official Cardio Tennis site for on-court heart pumping fitness.

Initiatives for USTA Player Development include an Invitational USTA Competition Training Center for ranked players, Player Development programs for top-ranking juniors residing in the Northeast, and a year-round USTA Tournament Training Program for ranked juniors.

In addition, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosts events for coaches training and education, including United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) functions, four Certification Training Courses and Developmental Coaches Workshops each year, annual meetings and conventions and at least four Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Teaching Essentials Workshops and Professional Development Workshops.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis also provides for diverse community outreach programs including; the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, the Queens District Attorney’s Star Track/Say Yes to Tennis, No to Violence program for Queens at-risk youth, and free tennis clinics conducted for NYC Department of Education teachers/coaches. The NTC hosts various tennis opportunities for special populations, including wheelchair tennis instruction for the physically-challenged from the months of October through July, HERO (Help Expand Recreational Opportunities) for developmentally challenged adults and tennis for autistic children through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children). There is an extensive summer camp program which provides basic tennis instruction, including the 10-and-Under QuickStart format for younger children, and basic fitness programs; encourages good sportsmanship; and leads to general character building for the children in the New York City area. These services are provided at nominal cost, making it affordable for youngsters who would not otherwise get the chance to attend camp or receive tennis instruction. Lastly, our Project ACES (Alternative Classroom Environment for Students) which was implemented at the NTC in 2009, is geared toward six- to 10-year-old children from schools from the NYC Metropolitan Area. This program provides students the opportunity to visit the NTC and learn about the history and the game of tennis. The kids are given a walking tour of the entire site (excluding Stadium 2/3), including Center Court in Ashe, a video presentation in Interview Room 1 on the history and the game of tennis and the great players of the sport, a tour of the locker rooms, and roughly an hour of tennis instruction from the NTC’s pro staff, ending with lunch at the Indoor Training Center.



 

West Side Tennis Club
1 Tennis Place ♦ Forest Hills, N.Y.
(718) 268-2300 ♦ www.ForestHillsTennis.com

The West Side Tennis Club is well-known for hosting the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. Today, it is home to 830 members, maintaining the best of our celebrated past and rich history. The West Side Tennis Club often surprises first-time visitors. Anchored by its historic stadium, the renowned Tudor-style clubhouse, along with a junior Olympic pool complex, West Side's 12 acres are both a majestic setting and a tranquil oasis in the heart of New York City.

West Side Tennis Club is located just 20 minutes from the bustle of midtown Manhattan, easily accessible by car, bus, subway or the Long Island Railroad. West Side maintains 38 tennis courts on four different surfaces: Grass, Har-Tru, Red Clay and Deco-Turf and provides year-round tennis utilizing its 10-court indoor facility.

Members can take advantage of group or private lessons, clinics, tournaments, ladders, arranged matches, round-robins and a year-round junior program, including summer camp, a pro shop and swimming lessons. West Side Tennis Club also offers a full-service restaurant and bar with spectacular sunset dining, and private party and corporate outing facilities. Platform tennis, bridge, and fun-filled activities and social events for all ages at all levels are scheduled year-round.

On weekends and weekdays, it’s a fabulous warm weather getaway for families, with a tennis day camp that is the perfect summer activity for children. So convenient, what better way to end a day at work than with a game of tennis, a dip in the pool, and watching the sun set having drinks on the club house patio.

And for getting business done in a special way, it’s a unique place to spend quality time with customers, business associates and colleagues. There is even wireless Internet access available anywhere in the clubhouse. Want to do a truly special event for a small or large group of people, West Side Tennis Club has everything you could want to create a special occasion. There is something for everyone at the West Side Tennis Club. For more information, visit www.ForestHillsTennis.com or call (718) 268-2300.

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition