The 2024 US Open Tennis Championship is upon us. While the professionals are battling it out in Flushing Meadows, Hamptonites will be practicing their moves at a series of new exclusive racquet clubs.
These are not your traditional, run-of-the-mill country clubs. They are chic, social, and all about wellness, both on and off the court. They offer members not just access to beautifully maintained courts, but also views; spas; personal trainers; Michelin-starred food; and exclusive soirees.
“It’s bridging the gap between private social members clubs with the traditional country club,” said Waylon Ian Chin, CEO of NAOA, a private members club that opened in East Hampton in May. “Our thesis was about creating a club that is good for you.”
Members, who pay a $30,000 initiation fee plus $12,000 in annual dues, can hit on one of ten tennis courts. Two are made of European red clay, and eight are made of har tru clay, which is crushed granular stone.
The eight-acre campus — with pristine landscaping — also boasts four pickleball courts; three padel courts; a wellness area with cold plunges and an infrared sauna; a retail shop; a bar; and a restaurant run by a Michelin-starred food group. “We felt that country clubs have a bad reputation when it comes to the quality of their menus,” said Ian Chin. “We said, ‘Let’s really lean into that.’”
Another club in full swing this summer is the Racquet Lounge at Southampton, a five acre oasis with four padel courts, six pickleball courts, and seven tennis courts (six Har-Tru and one hard.)
It was founded in 2023 by the Kent Hospitality Group, the masterminds behind SAGA, Crown Shy, and Overstory in New York City (SAGA does all the food at the Racquet Lounge making mostly gourmet sandwiches, salads, and smoothies.)
Members can play amongst themselves or take lessons from attractive professionals. They can also participate in tournaments, camps, and social events like lobster bakes and barbecues (a new clubhouse in the middle of the property offers viewing balconies for those who want to watch the action from above.)
Other new clubs are skipping tennis and offering pickleball or padel, fast growing sports, especially amongst the rich and famous.
In Montauk padel lovers can join Privé Padel, located in the Montauk Yacht Club, which reopened in May under the group that owns Proper Hotels. The new padel courts are located on the harbor and surrounded by glass walls, which mean players, who pay $500 for the season, get unobstructed views of the surrounding yachts and wildlife.
“We saw court reservations double from June to July, and we are on track to double July’s reservations in August,” said Nicholas Solarewicz, founder and CEO.
Brisas, which also opened this summer in East Hampton, has three padel courts and a 4,0000-square-foot lounge with an outdoor sauna and yoga studio; a snack bar; and a game area. All the furniture, including a wooden ping pong table, is hand-crafted from artisans in Mexico. The latter is made “from a single piece of wood sourced from a remote Mexican forest,” said founder Rohan Kamdar.
Members can join padel clinics to improve their games. But they can also try candle making; floral arranging; and ceramics (there is a pottery studio on site.)
The spirit is “Bohemian,” said Kamdar. “Brisas hopes to revitalize an antiquated industry — the classic country club — removing the ‘all-white outfits’ and instead inviting all walks of life to come play barefoot and be their most authentic selves.”
