What a difference a year makes. Eight months ago, the French Open, one of tennis's four Grand Slam tournaments, held only 1,000 fans at its peripheral Paris venue named after aviator Roland Garros. This year, the tournament is back in full force with tennis's greatest faces partaking in the action with an additional side of off-court controversy. With a total prize money pool of $41.6M, down slightly from 2020, men and women single players each compete for a championship purse of $1.4M.

The women's final is scheduled for tomorrow where Czechia's Barbora Krejčíková will square off with Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The players in the men's final have yet to be decided as the number one seed Novak Djokovic battles it out with French Open-favorite Rafael Nadal in the semi-final. The winner of that match will play 22-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas, the first Greek player, male or female, to ever reach a Grand Slam final in the modern era.

Of course, New York has its own major tennis spectacle - the U.S. Open - held every September on the grounds of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. The tournament bills itself as the highest-grossing tennis event in the world, and last year's women's single winner, Naomi Osaka, bears local childhood from the metro area. The city has also produced the seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe and has served as part-time homes of countless tennis greats over the years.

With some New Yorkers enjoying additional time for recreation, now may be the perfect time to buckle down and improve one's game. Full-season and single-play permits are once again required at public tennis courts, and those can get quite busy, limiting one's court time. For those looking to take the sport more seriously with optimal flexibility and proximity to courts, the following buildings have private tennis courts among their impressive amenity packages. These may help any player slice, serve, and ace their way into center court.

River Place has two outdoor tennis courts in addition to a year-round Olympic pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, an indoor basketball court, a golf practice green, and a billiards room. Bike storage makes taking advantage of the bike paths at Hudson River Park after a tough match. There is also a 24-hour concierge, doorman, attended lobby, full-service garage, valet and laundry services.

 

This 26-story, crown-topped co-op overlooking the East River features The River Club, which comprises a health club with two tennis courts, three squash courts, a gym, and swimming pool, as well as a library, an elite river view dining room, and bar. Ballroom and guest room facilities are included, so after perfecting your swing, try swinging your partner around the dance floor.

 

Sessanta’s name, which translates as “sixty” from Italian, alludes to the building’s location on West 60th Street, in the midst of the Upper West Side’s vibrant Lincoln Square district. The 27-story rental building offers apartments with column-free, floor-to-ceiling windows, an attended lobby serviced by a full-time doorman and concierge, a fitness center with an indoor pool, and a sunlit children’s playroom. A cozy garden sits next to a full-size outdoor tennis court, an exceedingly rare amenity among New York’s rental buildings. Sessanta sits within a short walk of Central Park, the Shops at Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, the park at Waterline Square, and the promenade along the Hudson River. Nearby Hell’s Kitchen offers abundant options for nightlife and dining, casual and fine alike.

The Skyview Riverdale complex is just a subway ride away from Manhattan, but presents a community of its own on 23 acres of outdoor space. A tennis court can be found on the grounds, along with a basketball court, dog park, playground, and 101-foot resort pool with a sun deck and full-service cafe open for home delivery.

Although 565 Broome doesn’t have a tennis court, tennis star Novak Djokovic, currently ranked #2 in Mens' single tennis following his recent Wimbledon 2019 win, purchased two separate two-bedroom units, each measuring over 2,000 square feet, on the upper floors of 565 Broome Soho, a stunning luxury condominium with architecture by world-renowned firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW).