Big things are happening at our club! Under the leadership of our new Junior Programs Director, Magnus Gunnarsson, we’re bringing junior tournament play back to Roosevelt Island—a long-overdue revival for NYC’s passionate young competitors.
Growing up in Massachusetts, I had the privilege of playing tennis on free public courts at local parks and high schools. Learning the game in New York City, however, is an entirely different experience. Here, tennis isn’t something you simply stumble into. With Manhattan’s limited space, there are no sprawling parks with a dozen courts or easy-access public facilities. A true NYC tennis player is a rare breed—one who finds their way to the game despite the city’s challenges.
Yet, those who do grow up playing in New York are among the sport’s most devoted fans. Having the US Open in their backyard fuels their passion, and despite the lack of open space, they embrace the game with unwavering dedication and classic New-York-City grit.
Ask any NYC tennis native about their junior days, and you’ll likely hear:
“Oh yeah, I remember playing a tournament on Roosevelt Island.”
One player once told me:
“I had just switched to contact lenses when I played there. I’ll never forget your club’s green clay—it got stuck in my eye! But I still won my match. I remember that.”
Even Adam, one of our top coaches and a former pro tour player, recalls competing at Advantage Tennis Clubs as a junior. Now, he’s training the next generation on the very courts where he once battled for wins.
The Next Step for Junior Players: USTA Tournaments
With junior tournaments returning to Roosevelt Island, now is the perfect time to understand the USTA ranking system. Parents often ask, “How can my child take the next step in their tennis development?” If your young player is thriving in practice, the next move is entering USTA-sanctioned tournaments.
The USTA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the game at every level—from grassroots programs to professional tours. It is the nation’s governing body of tennis and oversees player development and rankings, ensuring clear competitive pathways for young athletes. USTA also provides training for coaches, and we’re proud to say that all of our coaches are Safe Play certified.
The junior tournament system, structured from recreational play to elite competition, allows players to earn points contributing to sectional and national rankings. These rankings, in conjunction with the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR), Tennis Recruiting Network (TRN), and the World Tennis Number (WTN), provide college coaches with accurate performance metrics and player profiles—crucial for scholarship and career opportunities.
Join Us on Court
Starting this semester, we’re offering:
🎾 UTR Level 1-5 Green Ball Tournaments– Saturdays, 6-8 PM
🎾 USTA Level 7 Yellow Ball Tournaments (Ages 10+) – Saturdays, 4-8 PM
The Roosevelt Island Racquet Club and Advantage Tennis Clubs have long been a cornerstone of New York’s junior tennis scene. By bringing tournaments back, we’re not just providing opportunities for today’s young athletes—we’re reclaiming our legacy as a premier destination for NYC tennis. This club is where the city’s tennis history continues to unfold.
Be part of the revival of true New York tennis tradition. See you on the courts!
Josie Underwood
Josie is a passionate life-long tennis player. Growing up in Massachusetts, she played varsity tennis for her high school team in Cambridge. After moving to New York City, she rediscovered her love for the game and is now both a dedicated player and a junior coach. Specializing in early development for 10-and-under red ball players, Josie is committed to creating a fun, supportive environment for young athletes. Working for Advantage Tennis Clubs has only deepened her passion for the sport, reinforcing her belief in the power of tennis to foster community and personal growth. She finds inspiration in the energy of the US Open, which fuels her excitement for the game and her work in developing the next generation of players.
