USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Flushing Meadows Park, Queens (718-760-6200). Subway: 7 to Willets Point–Shea Stadium.
Hours Accessible all year except during the U.S. Open. Mon–Fri 6am–midnight; Sat–Sun 8am–midnight
Rates $16–$56 for courts in center. Eleven courts (just outside the gates) are NYC Parks owned and free for permit holders.
Accessibility Medium. Secure up to two days in advance.
No./type of courts 33 hard outdoor, 9 hard indoor
Quality Excellent. It’s the home of the U.S. Open, and the largest public tennis center in the world.
Indoor/outdoor Indoor and Outdoor

Yorkville Tennis Club
1725 York Ave at 89th St (212-987-0301). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St.
Hours Daily 6am–11pm, year-round
Rates $60–$160 per hour
Accessibility Hard. There are only two courts, so book one week in advance.
No./type of courts 2 hard
Quality Excellent. Located on an Upper East Side garage roof, this center houses high-ceilinged competition courts with state-of -the-art lighting.
Indoor/outdoor Indoor

Riverside Park

Photo: Sarah Garzhorn

Sutton East Tennis
488 E 60th St at York Ave (212-751-3452) Subway N, R, W to Lexington Ave–59th St; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.
Hours Daily 6am–11pm, Sept 24–Apr 20 (instruction at satellite courts  all summer)
Rates $80–$160 per hour
Accessibility Hard without a reservation. Book up to a week in advance.
No./type of courts 8 red clay
Quality Great. Housed in a big white bubble under the 59th St Bridge, this public facility boasts NYC’s largest staff of pros.
Indoor/outdoor Indoor

PRIVATE COURTS

Cityview Racquet Club
43-26 32nd Pl between Queens Blvd and 43rd Ave,Long Island City, Queens (718-698-3664). Subway: E, V to 23rd St–Ely Ave; G to Court Square; 7 to 33rd St.
Hours Daily 6am–midnight, year-round.
Rates $1,200 initiation fee plus  annual dues; $4,000 for full access; $2,200 off-peak access.
Hourly rate: $24–$30.
Accessibility Exclusive. The hardest part is  scoring a membership (enrollment is limited). But once you’re in, claiming a court is no sweat.
No./type of courts 7 Har-Tru
Quality Excellent. When it opens its doors in early September, this $10 million, 80,000-square-foot facility will provide luxury tennis, squash and spa facilities. Its views of the Manhattan skyline probably won’t be bad either.
Indoor/outdoor Indoor

Roosevelt Island Racquet Club
281 Main St (212-935-0250, rirctennis.com). Travel: F to Roosevelt Island; or take tram from 59th St and Second Ave.
Hours Daily 7am–11pm, year-round.
Rates Hourly rate: members $42–$64; nonmembers $66–$100 (Annual membership from $950, plus $100 initiation fee)
Accessibility Medium. Claim a game at least 24 hours in advance, 48 for weekdays after 6pm and weekends before 3pm.
No./type of courts 12 Lee green clay
Quality Good. While it’s located on a remote island, this club is appointed with heated courts, nonglare lighting, and two lounges with food and drink.
Indoor/outdoor Indoor

Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club
450 W. 53rd St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-594-0554) Subway A, C, E, N, R, Q to Times Sq
Hours 6am–midnight Mon–Fri; 7am–Mid Sat–Sun
Rates Memberships starting at $1,350. Games $42–$70/hr (members split price of court)
Accessibility Hard (members only)
No./type of courts 5 hard
Quality Great. Built on a rooftop overlooking the Manhattan skyline, this club offers group lessons, singles and doubles leagues and more.
Indoor/outdoor Outdoor (summer season), Indoor after Labor Day (when they erect bubble)

Roosevelt Island

Photo: Sarah Garzhorn

The Tennis Club
15 Vanderbilt Ave at 42nd St (212-687-3841) Subway 4, 5, 6 to 42nd St–Grand Central
Hours Mon–Fri 7am–10pm; After Labor Day Mon–Fri 7–10, Sat–Sun 7am–5pm
Rates $130–$160 per hour
Accessibility Hard
No./Type of courts 2 hard courts
Indoor/outdoor Indoor

UN Plaza/Park Hyatt Hotel
44th St between First and Second Aves St (212-702-5016) Subway 4, 5, 6 to 42nd St–Grand Central
Rate $75–$105 per hour
Hours 7am–10pm daily, year round
Accessibility Hard
No./Type of courts 1 hard court
Indoor/outdoor Indoor

River Club
447 E 57th St between First Ave and FDR Drive (212-751-0100) Subway: 4, 5 to Lexington Ave–59 St
Disclaimer This tennis club is very exclusive and filled to capacity, socall at your own risk. Players seeking membership will likely be turned away.
No/Type of courts 2 clay courts

CITY PARKS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC COURTS*

Central Park Courts
Midpark at West Dr and 96th St (212-280-0205). Subway: B, C to 96th St.
Hours Daily 6:30am–8pm (courts close earlier as days get shorter)
Rates Free for permit holders
Accessibility Easy. Wait times rarely exceed one hour. You can book up to a month ahead.**
No,/type of courts 26 fast-dry; 5 asphalt
Quality Good. Of all the NYC Parks facilities, these are the best kept.
Indoor/ outdoor Outdoor

Prospect Park Tennis Center
Parade Ground at Parkside Ave, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn (718-436-2500). Subway: F to Fort Hamilton Pkwy, Q to Parkside Ave.
Hours Daily 7am–11pm, year-round
Rates Free for permit holders. After 7pm, $32/hr (including permit holders)
Accessibility Medium. Book in advance for prime times (before noon and after 6pm) and weekends.**
No./type of courts 9 Har-Tru, 2 hard
Quality Good. It also offers private and group classes, youth instruction,  night tennis, center rentals for parties and a gourmet café.
Indoor/outdoor Outdoor (bubble is installed mid-November)

Riverside Park
Riverside Dr at 96th St (212-978-0277). Subway: 1, 2, 3 to 96th St.
Hours Daily 7am–dusk
Rates Free for permit holders
Accessibility Easy. It’s first-come, first-serve.
No./type of courts 10 hard
Quality Good. Surrounded by trees, flower beds and a view of the Hudson, these courts are as lovely as any private facility’s.
Indoor/outdoor Outdoor

Because there are more than 100 other City Parks Department courts, we were unfortunately unable to provide a detailed assessment of each one. For a complete list of locations and court types, please click through to page 2 below.

* A $100 permit ($20 for seniors, $10 for juniors) grants access to all courts from April 1 to November 30, 7am–7pm daily (unless noted above); single-play tickets are $7. Permits and passes can be purchased at Paragon Sporting Goods (867 Broadway at 18th St, 212-255-8036), as well as other locations (check nyc.gov/parks for a list).

** You must have purchased an additional $7 ticket before you can secure a reservation.