Doyouplay

Doyouplay. From PTLA teamLearn more

Back to blogs
Tennis community guide

Finding tennis partners in NYC (without the headaches)

New to NYC tennis? You're about to discover why finding consistent partners is trickier than expected in a city of 8 million

Tennis players connecting in New York City
NYC Tennis Community

Connect with 500+ courts and thousands of players

The NYC tennis paradox

New York has over 500 public courts and thousands of active players, yet most tennis enthusiasts struggle to find reliable partners. Here's why the city's size works against you.

Why traditional methods fall short

Popular courts like Central Park can have 100+ players on busy days, but there's no easy way to connect with them. Court bulletin boards reach maybe 20 people. Facebook groups are hit-or-miss with flaky responses.

The result? Players either stick with inconsistent partners or give up the sport entirely. There's a better way to tap into NYC's incredible tennis community.

NYC tennis community connection
Proven strategies

6 ways that actually work in NYC

Doyouplay: skill-matched connections

Best for: Busy schedules, reliable skill matching

Solves NYC's biggest tennis problem: finding players who match your skill level and availability with verified players in your area

Verified players with skill matching
NYC-specific court integration
Direct messaging for arrangements
Focus on consistent relationships
Effectiveness
Perfect for NYC

USTA leagues

Best for: Competitive players, structured play

Join local adult leagues for season-long competition with skill-based divisions across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens

Consistent matches all season
Official NTRP ratings
Organized team structure
Spring through fall seasons
Effectiveness
Very Effective

Public court networks

Best for: Budget-conscious, flexible timing

Build relationships at popular courts like Prospect Park, Fort Greene, or Hudson River Park by showing up regularly

Free with annual permit
Diverse skill levels
Local court knowledge
Flexible timing options
Effectiveness
Moderately Effective

Tennis clubs and facilities

Best for: Year-round play, premium experience

Private clubs like Sutton East or NYAC offer member communities with organized events and year-round indoor courts

Year-round indoor courts
Social events and mixers
Consistent player base
Premium facilities
Effectiveness
Very Effective

Meetup groups

Best for: Social players, beginners

Join tennis meetups like "NYC Tennis Social" for organized group play with scheduled events across all boroughs

Scheduled group events
Welcoming to beginners
Social atmosphere
Cross-borough options
Effectiveness
Moderately Effective

Other tennis apps

Best for: Additional options, backup networking

Apps like TennisPAL and Tennisbot offer additional matching services as backup options when building your network

More platform options
Established user reviews
Alternative matching systems
Backup networking tools
Effectiveness
Somewhat Effective
NYC essentials

What you need to know about NYC courts

The permit system decoded

Most public courts require NYC Parks permits
$100 for full season (April to November)
$15 for single play sessions
Some courts like Hudson River Park are permit-free

Best beginner-friendly courts

Hudson River Park: No permit, well-maintained
Prospect Park: Active welcoming community
Astoria Park: 14 courts, less intimidating
East River Park: New courts with skyline views

Court culture essentials

Central Park: Competitive morning regulars
Brooklyn courts: More laid-back atmosphere
Queens courts: Tight-knit communities
Bring proper shoes, max 6 balls, respect time limits
Pro tips

Your first month strategy

A week-by-week plan to build your NYC tennis network using proven strategies that work in the city's unique environment.

Week 1: Setup and research

Download Doyouplay and create detailed profile
Join 1-2 Facebook groups as backup options
Visit courts near you to understand local systems
Research permit requirements for your area

Week 2: Make connections

Browse Doyouplay matches in your neighborhood
Look for welcoming players or those new to city
Send friendly messages suggesting casual hits
Use app's court suggestions for first meetings

Week 3: First matches

Book 2-3 trial sessions with different matches
Suggest 45-60 minute sessions at beginner courts
Be honest about skill level in conversations
Confirm through app messaging system

Week 4: Build routine

Focus on 2-3 best matches from trials
Use Doyouplay scheduling for regular slots
Build network gradually vs meeting new people
Explore app's group features for coordination

Why Doyouplay works in NYC

Unlike generic apps or social media groups, Doyouplay understands the unique challenges of NYC tennis. The platform accounts for the city's complex permit system, helps navigate court availability, and connects you with players who understand local tennis culture.

Ready to build your NYC tennis network?

When it works, NYC tennis is incredible. The diversity of players, variety of courts, and year-round indoor options create opportunities you won't find anywhere else.

Download on App Store

Continue your tennis journey

Morris
Stacy
Erik Adams
Ivan
Nalini Arora
Dan Zamylin
Carlos
Mike B
Sam Brown
Diane H
Achyut Vemuri
Eric Williams
Tommy
Robert Petrosky
Mike
Soorya Srinivas
Quan T.
Mikhail Beltran
Yassine
Marco Iwabuchi

Your neighbors
are looking for
someone to play
with right now

Tennis players looking for matches

  • 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

  • Ivan (3.0)

    Location: Brooklyn

    looking to play in brooklyn

  • 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

  • Carlos (3.0)

    Location: Metrocenter/North Rhodes Park

    Playing at Echo Park tomorrow Thursday from 8 am till 12 noon / Doubles or singles

  • Mike B (3.0)

    Location: Rancho Park

    Any 3.0-3.5 players free to play this weekend?

  • Sam Brown (4.0)

    Singles tomorrow at or around 5pm????

  • Diane H (3.0)

    currently have torn rotator cuff -cant play

  • Achyut Vemuri (4.0)

    Location: Pasadena

    Interested in rallies, marches, singles, doubles… just want to play and have fun!

  • Eric Williams (3.0)

    Location: Wilshire Montana

    Would love a hit tomorrow between 11am and 3pm at the Christine Emerson Reed Tennis Courts in Santa Monica!

  • Tommy (4.0)

    Hi! Anyone free to play tomorrow (Monday) after 2pm but before 6pm? Poinsettia preferable but Vermont or Riverside ok. 4.0+

  • Robert Petrosky (2.5)

    Location: South Los Angeles

    Anyone wanna play Sunday around noon?

  • Mike (3.5)

    Location: Los Angeles

    4.0 Doubles anyone?

  • Soorya Srinivas (3.5)

    Location: Marina Del Rey

    Looking to hit today, I have courts I can book for free in Marina Del Rey. I am available from 3pm and 5:30pm

  • Quan T. (3.5)

    Location: West Los Angeles

    Looking for a 3.5-4.0 player for today 05/01 from 3PM-5PM at Cheviot Hills. Court is ready! Sorry for the last minute

  • Mikhail Beltran (3.0)

    Location: Northeast Los Angeles

    Will be at Hermon Park early morning practicing serves. Anyone up to rally from 9-11am?

  • Yassine (3.5)

    Location: Castle Heights

    Anyone 3 to 4 available to rally at 6pm in Marvista??

  • Marco Iwabuchi (4.0)

    Looking to play doubles —need one at ladera park at 4 pm text me at 4158660676

Find your next tennis partner

We built exactly what you need to start playing. Safe, easy, zero friction.

Connect through chat
Our chat system makes it easy to connect with other tennis players directly.
All skill levels welcome
From beginners buying their first racket to seasoned 5.0 players, everyone can find suitable partners.
It's free
Enjoy all the benefits with no fees. Finding tennis partners has never been easier.
App