With the excitement of Wimbledon in July and the US Open in late August, many people turn their attention to tennis as a fun, recreational summer sport. Tennis has a source of allure aside from the publicity that the grand slam tournaments bring. It is actually a great calorie burner for people of any age and gender, not only for professional tournament participants. It is a sport that offers an enjoyable way to stay fit and a healthy.

Tennis becomes especially popular in Queens during the summer because of the easy access to one of the most highly regarded tennis centers in the world, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the US Open Grand Slam tournament is held. It is one of the most popular tennis venues in Queens and is located in Flushing Meadows. Although it is one of the pricier tennis courts, ranging from $20- $62 per hour, it offers 34 indoor courts, 12 outdoor courts and a proximity to tennis history that cannot be found elsewhere. The USTA also offers weeklong junior summer camps for young tennis players at all levels of expertise. Another more expensive tennis spot is the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, which is equipped with 38 courts of Har-Tru, red clay, and Deco Turf. The West Side Tennis Club offers a full day junior tennis camp program for the summer and club tournaments at every playing level. It also has regularly scheduled group clinics and adult tennis camps, with pros who can help to hone the skills of any ardent tennis player. Tennis courts can also be rented for use at Queens College for anywhere between $20 and $50 per hour.

There are also many public parks in Queens that do not have to be rented, but can be accessed with just a tennis permit. This permit is $10 for juniors below the age of 18, $200 for adults 18 to 61 years of age and $20 for seniors 62 and over. They can be purchased by mail or in person at the Queens Permit Office, located in the Passarelle Building in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and are valid through November 20, 2011. This permit provides access to the 16 hard outdoor courts in Alley Pond Park and the 14 hard outdoor courts in Astoria Park. Lessons are offered for an extra fee at both of these parks for those who are looking to sharpen their tennis skills. Lessons are also offered at Brookville Park, Crocheron Park, Cunningham Park, Juniper Valley Park and Kissena Park. A tennis permit can also be used to access the courts at Baisley Park and Detective Keith L. Williams Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Forest Park and Highland Park.