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How to actually play tennis in New York?

NYC tennis scene can feel intimidating with permits, wait lists, and unwritten rules. Here's how to actually play this week.

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Getting started

Permits and costs: what you need to know

NYC requires permits for all outdoor public courts from April through November. Here's the complete breakdown of costs and requirements.

Permit costs breakdown

Adults (18-61)$100

Unlimited season play

Seniors (62+)$20

Season access

Juniors (under 18)$10

Season access

Single-play tickets$15/hour

Test before committing

Important details

Time limitsSingles 1h; Doubles 2h

Guaranteed court time

Where to buyNYC Parks website

Online permit portal

Indoor courts$40-80/hour

Private facilities (no permit required)

Pro tip

Buy by February 15 to avoid 3-week mail delays when season starts

Court booking

How to actually get court time

Two main systems: walk-on courts (most locations) and online reservations (limited locations). Here's how each works.

Timer for walk-on courts

Walk-on courts

Show up early when signup sheets are posted (usually 6am)
Write your full name clearly (not initials or you'll get passed over)
Wait your turn and be patient, especially at popular courts
Bring coffee and a good attitude for weekend waits at Central Park
Calendar for online reservations

Limited online reservations

Only Central Park and Prospect Park Tennis Centers offer online booking:

Cost: $16 for 1-hour reservation (on top of your permit)
Booking window: Up to 7 days in advance
Punctuality matters: Arrive within 5 minutes or lose your court
Payment: Bring $15 cash to avoid $1 credit card fee
Budget-friendly

Free and budget-friendly options

You don't always need to pay. These courts cost nothing and offer amazing experiences.

Completely free courts

Hudson River Park (Pier 25 & 40)

No permit required
Well-maintained hard courts
Beautiful Hudson River views

Roosevelt Island Octagon Park

Free year-round
Less crowded than Manhattan
Easy F train access

East River Park

Recently reopened
6 new courts with modern surfaces
Stunning Manhattan skyline views
NYC tennis courts

Money-saving strategies

Do the math: If you'll play more than 7 times, the $100 permit beats $15 daily tickets
Cross the river: Take PATH train ($2.90) to Hoboken for free courts with skyline views
Split costs: Indoor courts become reasonable when you split 4 ways for doubles
Time it right: Off-peak hours at private facilities can be 40% cheaper
Rules & etiquette

What gets you kicked out

NYC tennis has strict enforcement and unwritten rules. Know these to avoid fines and conflicts.

Strict enforcement rules

Maximum 6 balls per court
Penalty: Asked to leave immediately
Tennis shoes with non-marking soles only
Penalty: Ejected from clay courts
No permit during season
Penalty: $100 ticket (same as buying legally)

Good tennis etiquette

Write full names on signup sheets, not initials or abbreviations
Switch ends on odd games even if the scoreboard is broken (NYC tradition)
Sweep clay courts yourself after play (brooms provided on fences)
Lower nets after sessions at free courts (staff notice helpers)
Shake hands after matches even after tough losses
Finding partners

Connect with NYC tennis players

In a city of 8 million, finding compatible tennis partners shouldn't be hard. Here are the best methods that actually work.

The modern way: Tennis apps

Doyouplay
Matches you with players at your exact skill level in your neighborhood
TennisNewYork
Local ladder system for competitive players tracking improvement
UTR Flex
Universal Tennis Rating system for serious match play
Tennis app on phone

Traditional methods

Facebook groups
"NYC Tennis Players" has active members
Court bulletin boards
Old school but effective for partner requests
Tennis leagues
USTA leagues provide structured play with regulars
Action plan

Your first month in NYC tennis

Follow this step-by-step plan to go from NYC tennis newcomer to regular player within 4 weeks.

Week 1: Get setup

Buy your NYC Parks permit online
Download Doyouplay to browse partners
Visit Hudson River Park for pressure-free practice
Study court locations near you

Week 2: Find your people

Try 2-3 different partners through the app
Join "NYC Tennis Players" Facebook group
Book a lesson if you're rusty
Observe court etiquette at popular spots

Week 3: Explore courts

Reserve Central Park online for full NYC experience
Try free East River Park for amazing views
Connect with local players in your neighborhood
Test different court surfaces and locations

Week 4: Build routine

Establish regular times with 2-3 compatible partners
Join a casual league or tournament
Share court recommendations with your network
Plan for indoor season transition
Avoid these mistakes

NYC tennis rookie mistakes

Learn from others' mistakes. These common errors can cost you time, money, and court access.

Showing up without proper shoes
Clay courts will turn you away immediately
Always bring tennis shoes with non-marking soles
Bringing too many balls
Six is the maximum. Period. More gets you ejected
Count your balls before heading to any NYC court
Not understanding wait times
Popular weekend morning courts can have 2-hour waits
Arrive early or book online reservations when available
Forgetting your permit
Random checks happen and fines are expensive ($100)
Always carry permit. Take a photo backup on your phone
Ignoring court etiquette
NYC has specific unwritten rules that regulars enforce
Observe before jumping in. Ask questions politely

Ready to start playing tennis in NYC?

NYC tennis rewards those who understand the system. Start with Doyouplay to find partners at your skill level, grab your permit, and experience tennis in the greatest city in the world.

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Tennis players looking for matches

  • Matt M (2.5)

    Location: Los Angeles

    Looking to play Echo Park anytime during the week

  • idanjaffe60 (3.5)

    Let’s play today in weho of West La!

  • Max M (3.0)

    Location: Rancho Park

    Anyone free to play this evening at Penmar Rec?

  • Ivan (3.0)

    Location: Brooklyn

    Looking to play in or around East Village

  • Ethan Day (2.5)

    Location: East Hollywood

    If anyone is into art, looking for a steady coworking buddy (separate projects). Assemblage Artist: IG @ethanboydday. Helps me concentrate. Friends moved in the past 5 months.

  • Karam H (3.5)

    Location: Los Angeles

    Looking for a game around mar vista today at 4:30PM?

  • Kim (3.5)

    Location: Glendale

    Rallies at Riverside?

  • David (3.5)

    Location: Hollywood

    Open to playing today (Tuesday). Poinsettia, Echo Park, etc.

  • Elina Shaffy (2.0)

    🎾 Looking for Doubles or Aggressive Rallies This weekend @ MRC – late afternoon (Sat or Sun) ✅ 3.0+ players and up ✅ Fast-paced, focused, fun ✅ Open to mixed, men’s, or women’s doubles ✅ Prefer players who actually want to win points (not just tap it around) DM me.

  • Alejandra (3.0)

    Open to play tennis. Want to play more consistently.

  • Afif (4.5)

    Single, doubles, flexible time

  • Mihri (3.0)

    I play Gallup Park after work

  • Sheldon (3.5)

    Location: Alhambra

    Looking for a singles hit 4pm @Almansor Park (Alhambra CA) text me 3.0-4.0 Male/Female/Non-Bin) (213) 291-5030

  • Brian (3.5)

    Looking for singles. New to the area would love to check out some courts.

  • Adit Dileep (3.5)

    Location: Garvey

    Weekdays after July 4th?

  • Morris (4.0)

    Location: Del Aire

    I typically just rally and don't play sets. I'm in El Segundo so I play anywhere from South Bay to Santa Monica. Ready to play Today!!

  • Stacy (3.0)

    Location: Los Angeles

    About a 3. Love doubles but play singles, as well.

  • Erik Adams (3.0)

    Available to rally Saturday - Riverside, Scholl, Vermont… hit me up

  • Nalini Arora (3.0)

    Location: Downtown Los Angeles

    Have tennis lined up for the week but open for the weekend.

  • Dan Zamylin (3.0)

    Location: Sherman Oaks

    Playing at VNSO this Sunday

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