Why I’m building a tennis group for New York City
Hi, I’m Tony. I live in San Francisco. I started playing tennis in 2020, and the hard part was finding people at my level who showed up. So I started a Slack group there, and it now has about 1,800 players.
New York has 569 courts in the NYC Parks dataset, and finding someone to play with on them should be just as simple. That is why I’m building this.
I don’t play in New York, so I won’t pretend to know your courts. I want New York players to run the local community. There is no local organizer yet. If that could be you, tell me in the group.
Free now. New members pay $5/year after the 200th member. Adults 18 and older.
Players by NTRP level
Group rules
- Adults 18 and older, and the terms of service apply.
- Post the day, time and court when you look for a game.
- Join if you are serious about playing, and show up when you say you will.
- No sales pitches.
From joining to playing in 3 steps
- Join the Slack group with the button above.
- Write a post in your level channel, such as
#3-5-hitting-partners, with the day, time and court or neighborhood you want. - Agree on the details with whoever replies, check the permit rules below, and play.
Courts and levels
The NYC Parks dataset shows 569 courts:
- Queens 183
- Brooklyn 150
- Manhattan 125
- Bronx 99
- Staten Island 12
Working in the middle of Manhattan? See tennis near Midtown.
The group is for NTRP 2.5 to 4.5 and UTR 1 to 8.5. Not sure of your level? Check the USTA NTRP descriptions.
Permits and walk-ups
The NYC Parks permit season runs from the first Saturday in April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and every player needs a permit. An adult season permit is $100. A single-play permit is $15 and covers one hour of singles or two hours of doubles. NYC Parks tennis permits has the current rules.
To walk up without a permit, Hudson River Park has 3 free no-permit courts at W Houston St.
Playing in the cold months? See winter and indoor tennis.
More guides
Terms of service. Updated October 31, 2026.
Questions
How do I find a tennis partner in New York City?
Join the Slack group and post in the channel for your level with the day, time and court or neighborhood you want. Anyone who can make it replies and you agree on the details together.
What does it cost?
Free now. New members pay $5/year after the 200th member.
What levels is the group for?
NTRP 2.5 to 4.5 and UTR 1 to 8.5. The group is for adults 18 and older.
Do I need a permit to play on NYC Parks courts?
During the permit season, from the first Saturday in April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving, every player needs one. An adult season permit is $100. A single-play permit is $15 and covers one hour of singles or two hours of doubles.
Are there free courts with no permit?
Hudson River Park has 3 free no-permit courts at W Houston St.
Who runs the group?
Tony Tam started it. They live in San Francisco and do not play in New York. The aim is for New York players to run the local community, and there is no local organizer yet.