New York Tennis Magazine Presents Your Guide to New York Tennis Clubs
Cunningham Sports Center
196-00 Union Turnpike ♦ Fresh Meadows, N.Y.
(718) 740-6800 ♦ CunninghamSportsCenter.com
Cunningham Sports Center, where “Your success is our main goal,” is a 10-hard court facility which offers a wide array of tennis programs to suit all ages and levels. Cunningham’s Junior Development Program is one of the largest and best in the area. Using innovative techniques, players of all stages are provided with the tools and challenges necessary to advance to the next level. Cunningham’s highly successful QuickStart program, for ages four through seven, uses specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions, and modified scoring to introduce youngest players to the game of tennis.
From beginners to advanced tournament training, Cunningham offers one-, two- and three-hour programs for all levels of play. Cunningham’s newly-designed Tournament Team is by tryout only and is comprised of the best of the best. Cunningham’s tennis pros will prepare your child for high level tournament play, offering personal training, drills, fitness, tournament scheduling and assistance.
Cunningham also offers junior and adult leagues, match play and live ball programs to inspire sportsmanship and the competitive spirit. Adult drills are offered weeknights and weekends. Parents are encouraged to join Cunningham’s programs and play while their child plays, and programs are packaged to offer the most for your money. Private lessons are also available for people of all ages. Cunningham offers seasonal and open court time with special walk-on rates, senior rates and non-prime time pricing that will fit any budget. Let Cunningham help you on the road to loving the great sport of tennis.
Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club
450 West 43rd Street ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 594-0554 ♦ ManhattanPlazaRacquetClub.com
Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club (MPRC), an Advantage Tennis Club, located at 450 West 43rd Street (between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue) in New York City (open Mondays-Sundays, from 6:00 a.m. until midnight), offers luxury tennis in the heart of Manhattan with five indoor championship hard courts, air-conditioning in the summer, a luxurious clubhouse, a new tennis bubble, private lessons and group lessons, game arranging, quality tennis programs and clinics for members and non-members, leagues, tennis camps, parties, doubles play, tournaments, and a pro shop with stringing services. New to Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club members, a full membership to Manhattan Plaza Health Club. MPRC members can also 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 New Advantage Passport Tennis/Sports Multi-Club Membership.
For membership information, contact MPRC Assistant Manager and Membership Director Calvin Sharpe 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 group lessons, contact MPRC Assistant Tennis Director Bruce Barney at (212) 594-0554. MPRC will also be offering QuickStart in the fall of 2011, and for more information on programs and clinics, contact MPRC Director of Outreach Gil Amar at (212) 594-0554.
341 8th Avenue ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 989-8572 ♦ 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 preparing 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 now 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 Academy at Great Neck Estates
PO Box 220252 ♦ Great Neck, N.Y.
(631) 431-1180 or (516) 662-6351
All new for 2011-2012 tennis season, a brand new state-of-the-art, five-court tennis facility will be opening in Great Neck Estates. Under the direction of Howie Arons and Willie Notar, the programs for adults and juniors will be the best on Long Island. Both Willie and Howie bring more than 35 years of elite tennis instruction to the program, and the goal of New York Tennis Academy is to develop the best junior program in the area. New York Tennis Academy at Great Neck Estates is conveniently located in Great Neck Estates Park, which includes ample parking. If you have any questions regarding any Great Neck Estates programs, call Howie at (631) 431-1180 or Willie at (516) 662-6351.
New York Tennis Club
3081 Harding Avenue ♦ Throggs Neck (Bronx), N.Y.
(718) 239-7919 ♦ NewYorkTennisClub.com
Founded in 1886, New York Tennis Club is the oldest active tennis club in New York, as 2011 marks New York Tennis Club’s 126th consecutive season. Throughout the years, it has maintained a reputation for its restful atmosphere, the congeniality of its members and its professional approach to a truly popular sport. With new patio and viewing deck and six newly resurfaced Har-Tru courts, The New York Tennis Club is a haven in a quiet corner of the City. Convenient to Manhattan, Queens and lower Westchester, New York Tennis Club is also the best value in the Tri-State area. Sit back and relax in New York Tennis Club’s 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.
For the Outdoor Season, The New York Tennis Club offers unlimited summer play from May through October. Members can play as much tennis as they wish and 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, offering eating facilities, locker rooms and showers. The Indoor Season offers the same high-quality courts during the winter at competitive rates. New York Tennis Club Indoors features two climate-controlled bubbles, equipped with shadow-less, non-glare lighting, offering hourly court time with rates between $34-$64 per court, as well as seasonal court options. Hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, and no membership is required.
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 with guests are welcome. Whether you are new to tennis, or want to take your game to the next level, The New York Tennis Club has a program for you.
The Advantage All-City 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 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.
We are very excited to announce the launch of the Advantage Passport Membership, which offers our 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, Director of Adult Programs & Advantage Sea and Sports Camp Paul Fontana, or Director of Tennis & Junior Programs Ajay Kumar, Director of Tennis & Junior Programs at (718) 239-7919.
Prospect Park Tennis Center
50 Parkside Avenue ♦ Brooklyn, N.Y.
(718) 436-2500 ♦ ProspectPark.org/Tennis
Prospect Park Tennis Center is located at the Parade Ground on the corner of Coney Island and Parkside Avenues (Park Circle). Street parking is available on Parkside Avenue. The facility is open daily year-round, from 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. The 2011 Outdoor season begins May 21 and runs through Oct. 9, and the 2011-2012 indoor season begins Oct. 24.
If you are a tennis lover, Prospect Park Tennis Center has programs for you. Group or individual tennis lessons for adults and children are available for players of all levels. The Tennis Center also hosts tournaments, round-robins and league play at a variety of levels and times. Adult group classes are offered throughout the week and the Tennis Center’s professionals are available for private and semi-private lessons.
Prospect Park Tennis Center offers 11 courts, two Deco-Turf hard courts and nine Har-Tru clay courts. All the courts are protected under bubbles in winter. In warm weather months, the action continues outdoors. Five of the 11 courts are available for play even when the sun goes down, thanks to state-of-the-art lighting. The Tennis Center features a two-story, air-conditioned clubhouse with locker rooms, showers, viewing areas, outdoor patio and other amenities.
Prospect Park Tennis Center’s Junior Development Program has introduced thousands of local children to the sport of tennis. Youth scholarships for programs are awarded periodically based on merit and need. Special Aces, the Prospect Park Tennis Center’s program for children with special needs, promotes health, fitness, coordination and confidence through experience on the courts.
The Prospect Park Tennis Center at the Parade Ground is a program of the Prospect Park Alliance, which is committed to providing a high level of service to the community. All proceeds benefit Prospect Park and the ongoing maintenance of the Tennis Center.
For more information or to reserve a court, visit ProspectPark.org/Tennis.
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club
281 Main Street ♦ Roosevelt Island, N.Y.
(212) 935-0250 ♦ RIRCTennis.com
Now in its 19th 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 in the East River. The club features 12 Lee green clay courts under translucent 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.
The club offers a wide 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 announce the launch of the 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
1 Randalls Island ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 427-6150 ♦ SportimeNY.com/Manhattan
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 opened his world-class training academy in the world’s greatest city in September 2010. The JMTA is led by former ATP pro and Israeli Davis Cup player Gilad Bloom and a staff of experienced teaching professionals, including Assistant Academy Directors Fritz Buehning, Bruce Haddad, Harel Srugo and Karim Balagh. Fritz is a former world top 20 player and U.S. Open finalist, Bruce is a two-time All-American at Arizona State University, Harel is a former ATP professional and was captain of the men’s tennis team at UCLA, and Karim has coached with the Moroccan Davis Cup team.
In addition to world-class junior tournament training program, Sportime Randall’s Island offers the best New York City has to offer 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 teaching pros who are training the next Johnny Mac in the JMTA.
The club also offers adult singles and doubles leagues, private and group personal training in our well-equipped fitness center, early morning cardio-tennis, and monthly mixers where you can meet new people as you improve your tennis. Members enjoy preferred rates for court times and seasonal courts.
Sportime Randall’s Island features 160,000 sq. ft. of tennis courts and amenities, including five indoor and five indoor/outdoor Deco-Turf hard tennis courts, and 10 indoor/outdoor Har-Tru clay tennis courts. All 20 courts are covered from October through May.
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 cafe serving healthy food, snacks and beverages; 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 Membership Director Zef Lekaj at (212) 427-6150 or e-mail membershipRI@sportimeny.com for more information and to schedule a visit.
Stadium Tennis Center
725 Gateway Center Boulevard at East 152nd Street and the Harlem River
Bronx, N.Y.
(718) 665-4684 ♦ StadiumTennisNYC.com
The new 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. 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.
The new 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 cardiotennis 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 is one of the largest tennis “bubbles” or domes of this type in the world, covering an area of more than million cubic feet and a footprint of more than 75,000 sq. ft. In addition, an adjacent planned clubhouse will be completed in the coming months and will feature 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.
Vanderbilt Tennis Club at Grand Central Terminal
15 Vanderbilt Avenue, 4th Floor ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 599-6500 ♦ TennisInManhattan.com
For more than 30 years, we have been providing top quality tennis programs for the residents of this island. Sutton East Tennis Club at Sutton Place and 59th Street, Yorkville Tennis Club at York Avenue and 89th Street, and with the grand opening of our newest location, Vanderbilt Tennis Club at Grand Central Terminal, we are proud to offer a wide range of programs at three Manhattan locations, all with no membership fees!
Our largest program provides professional instruction to pre-schoolers and juniors alike: Pee-Wee tennis (ages three to five) is the best way for a young child to get familiar with the game of tennis in a safe and fun-filled environment, while our Junior program (ages six through 18) emphasizes stroke production and match-playing related skills. All children’s programs conform to the USTA QuickStart guidelines for 10 and Under tennis, and all groups have a 1:4 instructor to student ratio.
Even though our locations are open to the public, we do offer Seasonal Court Time, where one can commit to a weekly time slot throughout the year. For those who can not commit to a specific time slot, we offer a wide range of options: Open court time, leagues and round-robin match play are ideal for advanced players. Those who further need to hone their skills can take private, semi-private or group lessons. Our trained professionals are committed take you to the next level.
Tennis as a cardio workout has proven to be in high demand in recent years, cardio-tennis classes are offered every day and throughout the day, early mornings to late evenings. The cardio-tennis classes are maxed at six players per court and your heart rate is guaranteed to increase significantly.
In addition, Vanderbilt Tennis Club offers: Personal training sessions and open gym time; two state-of-the-art practice lanes with automated ball machines that will provide players of all levels a controlled environment for improvement; video analysis, the latest word in visual instruction, as nothing beats seeing yourself hitting in slow-motion; and much more.
West Side Tennis Club
1 Tennis Place ♦ Forest Hills, N.Y.
(718) 268-2300 ♦ ForestHillsTennis.com
The West Side Tennis Club is well-known for hosting the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. Today, it is home to 825 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 14 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 min. 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 ForestHillsTennis.com or call (718) 268-2300.
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Meridian Road at Grand Central Parkway ♦ Flushing, N.Y.
(718) 760-6200 ♦ USTA.com
The Community Tennis Development program at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (NTC) is intended to promote and develop the game of tennis as a means of healthful recreation and physical fitness for youngsters and the general public while utilizing the facilities at the NTC.
The NTC is open to the public seven days a week, except for the time period of the U.S. Open. The general public is encouraged to come utilize the indoor/outdoor tennis courts and other facilities. Courts may be reserved two days in advance or used on the day of play on a first-come/first-served basis. In 2010, it is estimated that more than 75,000 individuals utilized the facility in this manner.
Among the many participants in the programs are the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Star Track/Say Yes to Tennis, No to Violence clinics for Queens at-risk youth, etc., providing thousands of youth with a free opportunity to learn and play tennis. Free tennis clinics are 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).
The NTC tournaments program promotes tennis play at the NTC by providing various tournaments for local players. At the junior level (ages eight to 18), more than 1,000 boys and girls compete against each other based on their abilities. The USTA NTC Junior Classic, a larger, Level 1 sectional tournament, is held for boys and girls ages eight through 18 from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This tournament has more than 350 competitors.
NTC summer camps provide 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 of 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.
NTC’s teaching programs provide the public with reasonably-priced tennis instruction from USPTA- or PTR-certified, full-time teaching staff. These teaching programs service thousands of players, from the very young (four years old) to senior citizens (92 years-plus) with a wide variety of lesson plans suited to their abilities.
Project ACES (Alternative Classroom Environment for Students) started at the NTC in 2009. The program is geared toward six- to 10-year-old children from schools around the five boroughs, providing them 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 Tennis Center.
