Amy Yee Tennis Center

Le sigh. Amy Yee is a public facility with a whole lot of courts, which is awesome! Shorter waits and more court time! However, be prepared to face climate extremes when you play here. In the winter, there is practically no heat – I always need leggings and a hoodie over the course of my game, and I’ve seen people play with down vests on. In the summer, it’s like you’re playing on the surface of the sun. If that’s alright with you, then go for it – courts can be reserved for fairly cheap, they’re indoors, and they’re all in good shape. If you’re willing to spring for a bit more, I’d highly recommend looking elsewhere.

Well … this facility has lots of indoor tennis courts but there is no climate control at all. In the winter it is freezing and in summer it is hot hot hot. Instruction is hit or miss. The courts are well maintained, inexpensive and the front desk staff is always friendly. The best I can say is, if you need an indoor courts for cheap — here it is.

This facility is large and convenient. The staff is awesome and always so engaged, which makes this by far one of the best tennis centers in the Puget Sound! The only drawback is the heating/​cooling in this facility is atrocious! In the summer it is blazing as if you were in Hell sitting next to Satan himself and in the winter, you minus well be playing in an ice rink; there’s a thought, playing tennis while ice skating! The programs they offer are rather diverse and reasonably priced and they have some great Pros. For a city/​public tennis center, this place is awesome!

The Amy Yee Tennis Center is a great public facility where many inner city kids have learned to play a sport typically reserved for the privileged. I don’t really understand some of the complaints. If you are not happy, go spend big $$$ at a private club.

What this tennis center has going for it is that it’s indoors. The courts are in pretty good condition although they are not heated, but for the fees they charge that’s to be expected. $ 35 is a good deal for an hour and 15 minutes by tennis standards.
Took a class here and had a very fair-​to-​middling instructor. I understand it’s hit or miss with the instructors, but mine spent the majority of our classes flirting with two of the younger female students. I’ve taken classes at parks and rec centers in other parts of the country and this is the first time I’ve gotten a dud.
Overall, Amy Yee is a decent parks and rec tennis facility and the only inexpensive game in town if you want to play tennis year round in rainy Seattle.

I’ve been playing at Amy Yee for probably five years now but I stopped regularly coming a few years ago for several reasons. The clases (group lessons, play instructs) are very difficult to get into: you must sign up right when the online signups open and you are signing up a month in advance without knowing the class teacher (and AY will claim they can’t tell you ahead of time because they don’t know, which is ridiculous) and this is a huge drawback because some of the teachers at AY are terrible (and to be fair some are great). You don’t find out your teacher until the first class, so you have to go to the class to discover whether the class will be good or not. Then if it’s bad, you can drop out but you have to pay for the first class plus a penalty (plus you’ve generally wasted your time if it’s really that bad, and boy can it be). Besides the hit or miss teaching, the other contributing factor to whether the class is good is the makeup of the players in the class. I like that AY is enforcing the USTA rating system but I can’t tell you how many classes I have been in where someone self-​rated themselves on the website about two skill levels higher than they should be– so many of the group classes could have been good but were ruined by 1 or 2 players who were obviously beginners and couldn’t serve, rally, play pts etc with advanced intermediate players. And while some of the teachers will remove players like that who don’t belong, most will not and we all just have to suffer (or drop out and pay the penalty). I would say that about 1 out of 4 of the classes I signed up for were actually good and worth my time so I eventually stopped and now play elsewhere. I do come here for USTA matches and the cts are fine, if a bit cold. I was pretty shocked at how expensive the ct fees were when I went last month (almost $ 40 for a ct). This place could be great if they would just improve the transparency of the classes by posting who will be teaching it so you can evaluate whether you want to sign up (that would prob also decrease on the amt of people who drop out the first week) and not allow self rated players into a level unless they are evaluated by a teaching pro at AY prior to signing up.

Heating system? Is there even a heating system? If so, I doubt it works because in the winter I pile on the layers, including but not limited to several pairs of tops, with a down vest, and at least two pairs of pants/​warm-​ups.
However, when it comes to indoor public tennis facilities in Seattle there is no competition. Literally, there are no other indoor facilities that are public. When we live in Seattle and it rains over half the year or more, is cold for three quarters of the year, it makes it difficult for any tennis enthusiast to maintain their love of the sport.
Amy Yee has 10 courts inside, sometimes freezing in the winter, sometimes boiling hot on the rare summer day, but they are fast. Four courts outside and they’re looking to expand in the years to come.
Amy Yee also gathers a great tennis community and provides lots of opportunities for encouraging more tennis activity in the area. When I started playing competitively again, this is where I was able to find other players at my level and join a fantastic USTA team! If you’re looking to play, improve your game, or learn how to play without paying an arm and a leg to join a club, Amy Yee has a variety of options and many people around to invite you to do so. The reservation system can be frustrating, court fees have gone up slightly in the past years, but with no other real options in the greater Seattle area for the average wage tennis player, Amy Yee is undoubtedly the place to go!

One of the few indoor public tennis facilities in Seattle. 10 indoor courts make it a decent size. Viewing is terrible though only being at court 1.
The teaching staff is well trained and friendly. Good selection of coachs, camps and lessons for all levels of player.
I play here all the time and the courts are always clean. If you play during the Winter, make sure you dress warm because the heating is horrible.
Prices are ridiculous and reservation system makesit very difficult to get a court, but you have no choice if you want to play indoors in Seattle.
Make sure you lock your car because they have had many breakins in their parking lot.

It’s tough to find good courts in Seattle — and these are not my favorite of the bunch. I’ve been here twice to play in USTA matches… and twice I’ve been disappointed… Why?
* It is freezing cold in here. Even on the hottest day, you will need mittens to keep your fingers from freezing to death. And who plays tennis with mittens on? I don’t know why they keep it so cold in here, but they do. Make sure to dress is layers… as if you’re playing outside. In the winter!
* The courts are FAST. Maybe I just suck — but the courts seem to add additional pace to the ball that I don’t need.
* Noone uses the court curtains. Even while playing in the USTA matches — noone uses the court curtains. Which means you have stray balls constantly being fired into your court and interrupting your play. Which leads me to the next one…
* You are kicked off your court promptly after your hour and a half finishes. I don’t know why their USTA league only books an hour and a half for their matches — unless you’re getting schooled, it’s unlikey you’re going to finish any decent match in an hour and a half, especially if your opponent is dilly dallying and letting stray balls come into your court.
* There is no room for spectators unless they are sitting on the bench… on your court.
Overall, Amy Yee has 12 indoor courts — I don’t know how much court time is — but people here are the most punctual in getting people off their courts when it’s their time. There’s also a small lounge that we have snacks in after beating up on the other teams. It’s super ghetto and I can’t remember the last time I saw such an old-​school tv. Everytime I play here, I cross my fingers that my car won’t get broken into in the parking lot and my match passes as quickly as possible.

This place is my stomping grounds and has been for as long as I can remember. I’ve been a life long tennis player and the Amy Yee tennis center has definitely helped me. I remember being taught by Amy Yee a long time ago too :)
The facility has 10 courts; 5 upper and 5 lower, plus 4 outdoor courts all the way up those steps next to the center. They always have classes going on, from younger tots to older adults, they offer tennis camps, leagues, flights, you name it. You can always find someone to play with. In the wintertime it is a bit hard to find a court, for the obvious reason its cold and/​or wet outside, but during the summer it is a ghost town. I will say this, do not leave valuables in your car and do not park in that center section. Your car can and probably will get broken into. It’s a high prowl area. All my years I’ve been lucky (knocks on wood) but some jerk did steal my antenna. Thanks alot dude, i can’t even hear the morning traffic without hearing static… But don’t let that deter you, the center is a great place to learn from good and established instructors. And the neighborhood is not terrible/​ghetto/​low class (whatever word losers want to use to stereotype my neighborhood). Have an issue with it, go to Bellevue’s sad little center or pay a yearly fee to join a private club, stay out of my tennis center!

Ugh… I cannot stand this tennis center but the rain has held me hostage to it.
First thing, you cannot reserve a court without driving up there. Way to be environmentally friendly, Seattle. Or, you could opt to spend a $ 50 fee for the option of calling, opposed to physically going there. Yeah, I know. How bogus.
Second thing, if I am going to pay $ 25 for some indoor courts for only one hr and fifteen minutes, I expect it should be heated. It is not. It’ll protect ya from rain and allow you to play, but dress as though you were playing in outdoor weather.
Third thing, the balls go under the indoor lining and to the walkway, which is a pain in the ass and deters from my expensive hour of tennis.
Last, they have no benches on the courts… Really? For that amount of money Seattle can’t invest in some benches to add to their poorly constructed, expensive facility?!
Go to Robins Wood if you can stand the drive to Bellevue… Sooooooooo much better!

How do you know you’re in classy Seattle? When you go to a public tennis facility and park in the lot. Now you have to worry about getting you ass kicked in match AND getting your your Lexus jacked at the same time
And then when you walk to your court you step in a puddle and see a sign that explains that players have been caught pissing there
But what are your options? If you’re part of the tennis scene in rainy Seattle you’re probably part of either one group:
1. UW student who can play in the indoor courts they have there.
2. A millionaire who can afford the $ 10K membership and $ 300 monthly court fees at a private tennis club.
3. Member of Seattle’s only public tennis courts at the Amy Yee Tennis Center.
Unfortunately I’m neither or student or wealthy. I know I pull the loser card twice by being poor and playing tennis which is considered a girly sport by most people (sorry mom!).
They have 12 indoor courts which you have to purchase a $ 35 annual membership card for reservations. They also have a few outdoor courts too. Remember to reserve early because during prime time they have lessons and leagues playing so there’s not a lot of slots open. If you’re going to play singles is $ 20 for a 1 ¼ hours. If you’re playing doubles you pony up to $ 28. There are certain exceptions (kids can play free, discounts) so check out their website for details.
The courts have two small heaters at the end of end which are nice but on really cold days it’s guys are still going to have to worry about shrinkage. The courts play at an average speed and fairly clean so the ball will spin well. The net between the courts are of average spacing for an indoor court and yes I’ve pulled the short angle shot for cheap points. The ceiling is low so your pipe dream that your mishit that flies 200 ft in the air and land in the court won’t work. On the other hand it neutralizes any moon ballers who are thinking cheap to get you backed up in the limited space behind the court.
The back of the court has the normal curtain so you won’t have to chase balls. But who’s peeing behind the courts? Who does that when there’s a restroom with a shower and lockers in the facility? Maybe people are afraid to use the locker room because apparently the Seattle jock strap bandit is stealing from the lockers

You can take lessons here. The classes get full quickly so if you want to sign up you have to do it on line right when it starts. You get about 6 classes for $ 60 – 70 which is pretty decent. The classes are also 1 and be aware that if you’re a NTRP rated 3.5 player you’re not going to find it very challenging in any class. Most seem to be geared to beginners so you’re not going to become the next Rafael Nadal but taking these classes. You’re going to have to take private lessons with that which you can inquire at their front desk. The instructors are very well practicing in running a clinic and I definitely give them a thumbs up.
There’s also the most ghetto lounge ever that offers a 12 inch TV, a few tables, the second most stained couch in Seattle (I assume first place goes to the Wet Spot) and a snack/​drink machine. You can also get your racket strung here which is nice because the next closest place I know of who restrings is Avanti Sports in the U-​district.
The two things they could do to improve the facility is first open more group lessons (they are always filled by the first day of registration) and secondly lower the court fees. Overall I’m glad that Seattle has an indoor tennis facility since it rains 12 months out of the year. The court fees are pretty high and the facility is pretty aged but like any other public road/​building they are always in the process of renovating and hopefully good things will be here to come.
Now what the hell are you waiting for? Let me put on my 80’s tennis shorts and bandanna and I’ll see you out there!

After watching the French Open on TV for a couple hours I wanted to test out the theory of osmosis to see if I had picked up any new tennis skills from the pros.
After 10 minutes of chasing down stray balls and unintentionally hitting home runs, we concluded that the virtual lessons had done nothing to improve my game.
Fortunately, there was the Amy Yee Tennis Center to the rescue. With 10 indoor and 4 outdoor courts, this is one of Seattle’s largest public tennis facilities. The friendly staff, knowledgeable instructors, nice indoor facilities, affordable prices for lessons and indoor court time, tennis leagues and tournaments, makes this place very appealing to all avid tennis fans.