Langley Danowitz gets a hands-on grip lesson from Yale Lang, a 91 1/2 year old tennis player who was once a tennis coach. He can be found on the Central Park tennis courts almost every weekday.
Langley Danowitz gets a hands-on grip lesson from Yale Lang, a 91 1/2 year old tennis player who was once a tennis coach. He can be found on the Central Park tennis courts almost every weekday. ( Photo: Jeff Danowitz)

The writer looks back on the history of the wildly popular clay courts and clubhouse in Central Park designed by the then-chief engineer of the Parks Dept. Gustavo Steinacher. The courts are nearly 100 years old.

Tennis Scene on Central Park Courts Still Going Strong
17 Jul 2026 | 01:42
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In 2030, the Central Park Tennis Center turns 100. And some of the seniors who play regularly are nearly as old as the clay courts themselves. Yale Lang–age 91½ plays almost every weekday. He can’t run–but boy can he hit. A former coach, he gave me a hands-on grip lesson for free. Looking to improve...

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