The Dick Savitt Tennis Center:
Columbia University's Dick Savitt Tennis Center hosts the home courts for the men's and women's varsity teams. The Center was dedicated in September 2002 to honor Dick Savitt, former Wimbledon (1951) and Australian (1951) champion and long-time supporter of Columbia Tennis. The center has six cushioned hard courts covered by a state-of-the-art air dome. Each court has a unique blue surface that enhances visibility of the tennis ball and the lighting has been ranked among the best in the world by several tennis professionals. The Tennis Center is located in a beautifully landscaped area of Baker Field (218th Street, west of Broadway) which overlooks the Hudson and Harlem rivers. The Tennis Center won the 2002 Facility of the Year Award from the Tennis Industry/U.S. Tennis Court & Track Builder's Association.
218th Street, west of Broadway, New York, N.Y.
Gaurav Misra
Tennis Center Director
(212) 942-7100
gm320@columbia.edu
ABOUT THE TENNIS CENTER
Columbia University's Dick Savitt Tennis Center hosts the home courts for the men's and women's varsity teams. The center is also available for use by Columbia University alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students and anyone working in one of the hospitals affiliated with Columbia. Unaffiliated players may be sponsored by one of the members.
The center has six cushioned hard courts, all of which are covered by a state-of-the-art air dome. Each court has a blue surface that makes the tennis ball easy to see, and the lighting has been ranked among the best in the world by some tennis professionals. The Tennis Center is located in a beautifully landscaped area of Baker Athletics Complex (218th Street, west of Broadway) which overlooks the Hudson and Harlem rivers. Parking is available on premises, and the Tennis Center is easily accessible by subway from the 215th Street stop of the No. 1 train. It is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the subway station to the Center.
DIRECTIONS
By Subway
Take the No. 1 subway line to 215th Street and walk north on Broadway to 218th Street. Turn left on 218th street. The entrance to the tennis center is the second driveway on your right, after the football field and a stop sign. It is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the subway station to the Tennis Center.
You can also take the 'A' train to the last stop (207th Street). Take the exit for Isham Street on Broadway and follow the directions for the No. 1 train. The walk to the Tennis Center will be 15 minutes.
By Bus
The MTA has an express service from the East Side of Manhattan to Riverdale, with a stop near 218th Street and Broadway. Call the MTA or visit their website at www.mta.nyc.ny.us to get the schedule and the pick up and drop-off locations.
By Car (from Manhattan)
Take the Henry Hudson Parkway (West Side Highway) north to the Dyckman Street exit and proceed east to Broadway (the first major intersection). Take a left on Broadway and drive twenty blocks to 218th street. Make a left on 218th street. You will see the Baker Athletics Complex immediately on your right. Drive into the second driveway on your right to reach the Tennis Center.
GAURAV MISRA, DICK SAVITT TENNIS CENTER DIRECTOR
Gaurav Misra was named Director of the Columbia University Tennis Center in January 1999. He has overseen the 2002 renovation of the Center, as it has been transformed into the state-of-the-art Dick Savitt Tennis Center.
Misra came to Columbia from the Americana Tennis Club in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., where he was head tennis pro from 1984 to 1996, and managing partner and head tennis pro from 1996 to 1998. During Misra's tenure as managing partner, the club underwent major renovations and had its membership increase dramatically from 30 to 250.
Prior to the Americana Tennis Club, Misra was tennis pro at Grossinger's Hotel in the Catskills for over two years.
"He has been a great addition to Columbia tennis," Columbia men's tennis coach Bid Goswami noted. "I have known him for 35 years, and he was a heck of a player. I know he will continue to do Columbia proud."
A graduate of St. Xaviers College of Calcutta University, Misra was a member of the Indian Davis Cup team for five years. He won the Indian National in 1972 and was ranked No. 1 in the country that year.
Misra and his wife, Rene, have a son.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
All levels of players, from beginner to aspiring professional, are accommodated at the Dick Savitt Tennis Center. During the winter season we run leagues, mixers and instructional clinics for all levels. In the summer we run instructional programs for different levels. The instructional programs include supervised play. We will once again be hosting three Eastern Tennis Association sanctioned tournaments this year.
