Okay, here’s my blog post about my experience at the 96th Street Clay Tennis Courts:
So, I finally checked out those clay tennis courts up on 96th street. I’d heard about them forever, and you know, always meant to go, but… life. Anyway, I booked a court online a few days ago. It was pretty easy, the website was fine, nothing fancy, but it got the job done. Paid my fee, got my confirmation, and I was good to go.
Getting There and First Impressions
I headed up there this morning. Found parking on the street, no problem, which was a relief. I walked over, and honestly, the place is bigger than I expected! Lots of courts, all red clay, and they looked to be in really decent shape. Not all cracked and busted up like some public courts I’ve seen. I checked in at the little booth they have there – just a simple “Here’s my name, I have a reservation” kind of deal.
- Plenty of courts available.
- Courts seemed well-maintained.
- Easy check-in process.
The Actual Playing
I warmed up for a bit, and then my buddy showed up. We started hitting, and man, it’s different playing on clay! The ball bounces slower, higher… it just feels different. You really have to adjust your game. We played for a good hour and a half. I definitely got a good workout. The clay is more forgiving on the joints, which is nice, especially as I’m not getting any younger, hah!
I noticed a few things while we were playing. There were people of all skill levels there. Some serious players, some just casual folks like us. It felt pretty relaxed, not super competitive or anything. Everyone was just there to have a good time and get some exercise. And the courts themselves? They were great. Nicely groomed, the lines were clear, the nets were in good shape. No complaints there.
Wrapping Up
After we were done, we just gathered up our stuff and headed out. No fuss, no hassle. Overall, I had a really good experience. It was a nice change of pace from the usual hard courts. Would I go back? Absolutely. I might even try to make it a regular thing. If you’re looking for a place to play some tennis, and you’re curious about clay, definitely give the 96th Street courts a try.
