Learning tennis can be intimidating, but Court 16 in Downtown Brooklyn is changing that by making the sport more accessible to beginners of all ages.

The facility uses a unique approach with three different court sizes and four types of tennis balls, allowing new players to start on smaller courts with slower balls before gradually progressing to standard equipment.

The goal is to create a welcoming environment where players can build skills at their own pace.

“Tennis is a sport that’s very intimidating. It’s very technical, it’s physical, it’s mental,” said Court 16 co-founder Anthony Evrard.

“So what we do at Court 16 is we want to create an experience that’s very welcoming, that’s approachable, where people feel really good and they’re not intimidated by the sport.”

That approach has resonated with players like Linda Anthonijsz, who plays at Court 16 every week with her grandson.

“Tennis is a sport that anybody can play,” Anthonijsz said. “I’m 70 now, and it keeps me in shape. My grandson is only eight. He started at four.”

In addition to tennis, Court 16 has embraced the rising popularity of pickleball, offering courts and coaching for the fast-growing sport.

The facility also hosts special sessions for autistic children, helping them develop motor skills, coordination, and social interaction.

Court 16 now has three locations across New York City, but its roots remain in Brooklyn, where it first launched its mission to make racket sports more accessible for all.