Tennis is a terrific youth sport; among its myriad benefits, it helps to foster development of balance, superb hand-eye coordination, and unrivaled cardiovascular conditioning. As the city where tennis legends Arthur Ashe and John McEnroe made a name for themselves, New York City is home to a wide variety of free public programs and paid private instruction for kids interested in learning about the sport and developing their skills. With any of the listed programs below, parents should be sure to check program websites to ensure registration availability well in advance.
The New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) offers the free Community Tennis Program to all city youths ages 5-18. Featuring seven independent facilities around New York and a cadre of seasoned instructors, the Community Tennis Program is a terrific opportunity for kids seeking additional instruction on their game. Any interested participants should visit their nearest location with a parent of guardian to register.
The City Parks Foundation offers similar programs for kids aged 5-16 across 36 city parks in all five boroughs. From beginner lessons to tournaments and advanced leagues, CityParks Tennis has an outlet for anyone, from the everyday neophyte to the seasoned pro.
For parents seeking extra instruction at the accompanying extra cost, there are a number of terrific private programs around the city that can help take your child’s game to the next level:
Bumblebee Tennis offers a range of programs from toddlers up to tweens.
Sportime at Randall’s Island features a number of programs for youth and adults and is home to the esteemed John McEnroe Tennis Academy.
The Sutton East Tennis Club (partnered with the Yorkville Youth Athletic Association) offers affordable programs from “pee-wee” (ages 3-6, in small groups) to the Pre-Junior Development Program (ages 8-18) with age-appropriate courts and nets.
The Riverside Clay Tennis Association features a number of joint-friendly clay courts in Riverside Park at 96th street. Children ages 10-18 who are serious about tennis are encouraged to try out for the Junior Ace Program, a comprehensive after school clinic available in the spring and fall.
The Jeff Nerenberg Tennis Academy features year-round indoor and outdoor instruction for kids ages 7-18, and offers full family clinics
The Central Park Tennis Center features 26 clay courts and a host of programs for children and adults. Programs run from the beginning of April through November, featuring private and group lessons, after school programs for 4-7 and 8 through 15-year-olds, and a series of summer camps for various ages.
NFCH Sports-Tennis for Kids features small, individually focused indoor tennis classes for kids ages 3-9 at four convenient locations on Manhattan’s Upper East and Upper West Side neighborhoods.
The Manhattan Tennis Academy at the Midtown Tennis Club is the only year-round, multi-court provider of tennis instruction in New York City. From the QuickStart Tennis Program for beginners to the Competitive Training Program for advanced players preparing for high-end match play, the Manhattan Tennis Academy offers participants top-notch instruction at a premier midtown location.
