In New York City, parties are easy to come by. But five clay courts to play on all afternoon? That felt almost too good to be true. So I—an avid tennis player with Connecticut roots—decided to put out a big invite with the essentials: who, what, when, where, and most importantly, why. (Because tennis is fun.)
Circulated among friends over just two weeks via WhatsApp and a steady stream of homemade tennis memes, the invite, titled “Anyone for Tennis?” (a nod to the Eric Clapton B-side), filled up fast.
Then, on Saturday, October 25, the courts came alive with friendly competition, sparkling wine, and an endless flow of French pastries (local tip: one of the players runs Raphaël's Bakery with his family, and it’s the best in town). Photographer Danté Crichlow for BFA captured the mash-up of vintage Greenwich charm and low-key city energy. It was proof that sometimes the best parties happen on court.
“Everyone who plays here is considered family,” said Darren, the club’s head pro. “This place is about connection. No matter your age or level, you’ll find a place to play and make friends.”
As the day wound down, Susi Orbanowski, OGTA’s owner, shared her retirement hobby: painting seashells and decoupaging tiny tennis scenes inside to gift to her friends. She surprised the group with one of her handmade wreaths, featuring her delicate shell art with rackets and OGTA motifs. The whimsical gift was a perfectly unexpected finishing touch to a day that blended buzzy creativity with Old Greenwich tradition.
Sara Morano is an event curator and tennis enthusiast based in New York, where she hosts experiences designed to blend sport, style, and culture.
