Junior Tennis at the Clay Courts!
Afterschool and Weekend Group Lessons - Spring and Fall
RCTA’s junior program is a great way to encourage a love of tennis and develop the skills needed for lifelong, independent play. This is not a performance tennis program to prepare juniors for advanced tournaments or collegiate play. For that level of instruction, we recommend private lessons and would be happy to to refer you to the right pro on the Riverside Tennis staff.
RCTA Membership is required to register for junior programs. Create an RTA profile under the parent or guardian’s name and add juniors during this process when prompted. You may also add juniors after logging in by clicking “Add a Family Member” on the bottom right of the Profile & Billing Info page. Join the RCTA Here or by visiting the Join the RCTA tap at the top of the page. Member dues are $60 per year and grant you and all of your children under 18 access to all RCTA programs for 365 days regardless of when in the year you join.
Junior programs require committing to a full session, usually 6 or 8 weeks. If a group has space left, you may join midsession at a prorated price. Please select a program below to view specific schedule and price information for each program type. If you are unsure what group is best, reach out to us for advice! Level adjustments based on RCTA’s evaluation will be made as needed to maintain appropriate group levels.
Up to 6 players per group, 1 hour lesson, $45 per hour. Junior Aces is 2 hours per week.
You may register for any level one day a week, or multiple days.
Spring Session 2025 - April 21 to June 22, Registration Opens Feb. 20
Red Ball
(5 to 6)
For the beginners playing tennis for the first time. The red ball is 75% slower than a regulation tennis ball. This allows for the development of proper fundamentals and technique with agility, balance, coordination and fun.
Weekdays 4pm
Saturdays 11am and Noon
Orange Ball
(7 to 8)
For beginners and juniors progressing from Red Ball, orange balls bounce higher and move faster than red, but lower and slower than green balls. Young players will continue to improve their technique in a fun and manageable way.
Weekdays 4pm
Saturdays 11am and Noon
Green Ball
(9 to 12)
Progressing from Orange Ball, the green dot ball is 25% slower than a standard yellow ball. At this level, players will continue working on their grip, strokes and serve with more speed and bounce.
Weekdays 4pm
Saturdays 11am and Noon
Rising Rackets
(12 to 17)
This group is for juniors who have prior tennis training but have not reached the level of consistent rallying, ball-feeding and point play. This is NOT a beginner group, and is intended to prepare players for Junior Aces.
Beginners 13 and up may register for Teen Beginner at 119th St or private lessons.
Weekdays 5pm
Saturdays 1pm and Noon
Junior Aces - Ages 13 to 17
Players registering for this class must be able to self-ball feed, consistently rally and play points. This is our highest level junior program only intended for players fully on this level. Junior Aces will complete two hours of fast-moving drills including varied competitive situations. Participants will also learn the rules and strategies of formal match play.
Weekdays 5pm and Saturdays 1pm
- Makeup Policy:
- If you miss a lesson, it may be possible to find a makeup. You may check online to see if there is an opening in another group of the same program at the same location as your group. When the lesson begins, ask the pro if there is a space available for a makeup player. If there is, you may join. No more than 6 players can be on court.
- If you are 20 minutes late to your group lesson, you are no longer guaranteed a spot that day. A player doing a makeup in your place may finish the hour with the group, and the late player may find a makeup on another day if six players are already on court 20 minutes or more into the lesson.
- There are no refunds for absences and makeups are not guaranteed. Makeups do not carry over from one session to another. If you are absent during Spring session you may not do a makeup with a Summer session group.
- Rain Policy:
- The final week of the group schedule serves as the makeup date for rainouts, unless the specific registration page notes otherwise. This will always be on the usual day and time in the week. Players absent on the rain date are not eligible for a refund or credit.
Please call the RCTA Hotline at (212) 978-0277 to check if the clay courts are open for lessons.
RTA may remove any player from a group that does not fit the skill level of the program. This is for the benefit of both the player and the group. Please do not register for programs that do not match your level – contact us if you are not sure what group is best for you!
Please email info@riversidetennis.org if you have any questions.
Summer Camp
Riverside Park Conservancy
Multisport Summer Camp
RCTA offers a fun and affordable summer camp in partnership with Riverside Park Conservancy for ages 4 to 16.
Older campers spend the whole day on the red clay working on their strokes and playing games. Younger campers learn the basics on mini-nets while also leaving time for other outdoor fun and games.
Tennis camp is offered at two locations. Please be sure to select the correct location when registering.
Riverside Park: 102nd Street – June 9 to August 22, 2025
Fort Washington: 181st Street – July 14 to August 15, 2025
We are hiring summer camp coaches! Email Sara@riversidetennis.org with questions about camp, register and apply below.
