Look, if you’re trying to find Hunts Point tennis courts, you’ve probably realized something pretty quickly: it’s not exactly the easiest place to pin down. Most people hear "Hunts Point" and they think of the massive produce market or the industrial backbone of the Bronx. They aren't thinking about a crisp backhand winner or the sound of a ball hitting a nylon string. But the courts are there. They’re tucked away in spots that feel almost like a secret unless you live in the neighborhood or you’ve spent too much time staring at Google Earth. Honestly, it’s kinda frustrating. You want to play, you want to know if the nets are up, and you want to know if some local league has hogged all the court time for the afternoon.
The Bronx has a weird relationship with tennis. While Manhattan has the high-priced clubs and Queens has the US Open, the South Bronx has these gritty, resilient spaces where the game actually lives. Hunts Point is the heart of that. It’s industrial. It’s loud. It’s incredibly vibrant. But when you’re looking for a place to serve an ace, you’re usually looking for Barretto Point Park. That’s the real destination. It’s a literal oasis sitting on the edge of the East River, surrounded by scrap metal yards and warehouses. It sounds like a strange place for a park, but once you get there, the view of the Manhattan skyline across the water changes everything.
🔗 Read more: Ronaldo Brazilian Soccer Player: Why R9 is Still the Greatest Number 9 Ever
The Reality of Barretto Point Park
Most people searching for Hunts Point tennis courts are actually looking for the facilities at Barretto Point Park. Let’s be real: this isn’t the West Side Highway. You aren't going to find a pro shop selling $30 cans of balls or a guy in a crisp white polo waiting to give you a lesson. What you get are hard courts that have seen some weather. The NYC Parks Department maintains them, but "maintained" is a relative term in the Bronx. You’ll find some cracks. You’ll find some faded lines. But you’ll also find a community that actually gives a damn about the sport.
There are two main courts here. They are outdoor hard courts, and they are free—provided you have your NYC Parks tennis permit. Don’t be that person who shows up without one and gets kicked off by a ranger right as you’re warming up your serve. It’s $100 for the season (as of the current 2025-2026 rates), which is a steal if you play more than five times a year. You can get a single-day pass for $15 if you’re just passing through.
The wind is the biggest factor here. Because the park sits right on the water, the breeze coming off the East River can turn a standard lob into a chaotic adventure. It’s basically tennis on hard mode. One minute you’re hitting into a headwind that dies halfway through your swing, and the next, a gust carries your baseline shot three feet out. It’s annoying, but it makes you a better player. You learn to adjust your toss. You learn to hit with more topspin.
Why Location Matters More Than You Think
Getting to these courts is half the battle. If you’re driving, you’re navigating the labyrinth of Tiffany Street and Ryawa Avenue. You’ll be dodging semi-trucks carrying literal tons of bananas and fish. It feels wrong until you see the greenery of the park. If you’re taking the bus, the Bx6 is your best bet. It’s a bit of a trek, but honestly, the payoff of playing right next to the Floating Pool (yes, a literal pool on a barge) during the summer is worth the commute.
Beyond the Park: The Bronx Tennis Scene
If the Barretto Point courts are full, or if the wind is just too much to handle, players often drift toward other nearby options. Hunts Point isn't an island, even if it feels like one sometimes. Just a short hop away, you have the courts at St. Mary’s Park. St. Mary’s is a totally different vibe. It’s one of the oldest parks in the Bronx, and the tennis community there is deep. We’re talking about guys who have been playing on those same courts since the 80s.
Then there’s the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in Crotona Park. Now, if you want "fancy" in the Bronx, this is it. It’s a world-class facility with 20 courts, including some that are indoors for year-round play. It’s only a few miles from Hunts Point, but it feels like a different planet. They have coaching, youth programs, and actual stadium seating. A lot of serious players from Hunts Point end up there when they want a more "professional" environment or when the winter hits and outdoor play becomes a fever dream.
The Misconception About "Dangerous" Areas
People still have this outdated idea of the South Bronx. They think they’re going to walk onto a tennis court and it’s going to be some scene out of a 70s grit movie. It’s just not like that anymore. Barretto Point Park is families. It’s people fishing off the pier. It’s joggers. It’s a neighborhood that reclaimed its waterfront. Is it "gentrified"? Not really. It still feels like the Bronx. But it’s safe, and the tennis players there are generally just happy to have someone to hit with.
Technical Tips for Playing at Hunts Point
The surface at Barretto Point is standard asphalt-based hard court. It plays fast. If you’re used to clay or those soft "Har-Tru" courts, prepare for your knees to feel it the next morning.
- Racket Tension: Because of the wind and the fast surface, a lot of locals string their rackets a bit tighter. You want control when the air is moving.
- Ball Choice: Don’t bother with high-altitude balls, obviously, but go for "Extra Duty" felt. The asphalt at public NYC courts eats through regular felt like a buzzsaw.
- Timing: Mid-morning on weekdays is a ghost town. If you show up at 5:30 PM on a Tuesday, you're going to be waiting. Saturday mornings are for the regulars—if you aren't there by 8:00 AM, forget about it.
The city uses a sign-in sheet system. It’s old school. You write your name on a chalkboard or a clipboard near the gate. You get an hour for singles and two hours for doubles. Simple. If people are waiting, don't be a jerk. Finish your set and move on. Or better yet, invite the person waiting to play doubles. That’s how the local ladder starts.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake is assuming there's some secret indoor facility right in the middle of the Hunts Point industrial zone. There isn't. If the weather is bad, you're heading to Crotona Park or over the bridge to Manhattan. Another thing: people forget that Hunts Point tennis courts aren't just for adults. The New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) program often runs clinics in the area. This is huge. It’s one of the few ways kids in the neighborhood get access to a sport that is historically gated behind high country club fees.
The courts are also a great barometer for the neighborhood's health. When the nets are new and the fences aren't sagging, you know the local council is paying attention. When the nets are tied together with zip ties... well, you know it's a "bring your own equipment" kind of day. Honestly, I always keep a few spare zip ties in my tennis bag just in case. You'd be surprised how often a quick DIY fix saves a match.
The Economic Context
It’s impossible to talk about these courts without acknowledging the area’s history. Hunts Point was long ignored by city planners. The fact that Barretto Point Park even exists is a testament to community activism. Organizations like The Point CDC fought for years to get green space in an area that has some of the highest asthma rates in the country due to truck traffic. So, when you’re playing tennis there, you’re playing on "contested ground." It’s a luxury that was earned, not just given.
📖 Related: Lewandowski 5 goals 9 minutes: What Really Happened That Night
Summary of Actionable Steps
If you're actually going to play, don't just wing it. Follow this checklist to make sure your trip to the Hunts Point tennis courts doesn't end in a wasted drive:
- Check your Permit: Go to the NYC Parks website. If you don't have a $100 season pass, buy a $15 single-play permit online. Keep the PDF on your phone.
- Bring Water: There is a fountain at Barretto Point, but in the heat of a Bronx July, it’s often warm or crowded. Bring a gallon.
- Check the Wind: Use a weather app. If gusts are over 15 mph, maybe rethink the Barretto Point location. The waterfront location makes wind a genuine game-changer.
- Security: The park has a parking lot, but don't leave your expensive tennis bag visible in the backseat. It’s basic NYC common sense.
- The "Third Set" Plan: After your match, walk over to the pier. The view of North and South Brother Islands is one of the best "undiscovered" sights in the city.
The Hunts Point tennis courts represent the best of New York sports: no frills, high energy, and a bit of a struggle to get there, but totally worth it once the ball is in play. Whether you’re a local looking for a hitting partner or an outsider trying to see a different side of the Bronx, these courts offer a perspective you won't find at a suburban club. Just remember to aim low when the wind kicks up.