Starstruck Again on 86th Street By Georgetta L. Morque November 12, 2014
I first learned to play squash at the
Uptown Racquet Club, now the NYSC, on 86th Street and Lexington Avenue
in Manhattan not far from where I grew up. Back then, the club was a
mecca for great squash. The glass court on the first floor was the
focal point and the upstairs bar provided a popular spot for watching
top players. It wasn’t that unusual for a member of the Khan
dynasty to put on a show. It was entertainment, social and tons
of fun.
Of course the club has dramatically changed
over the years. The first floor is now dedicated to membership and
fitness facilities fill most of the building, but thankfully squash
lives on upstairs where there is a vibrant community of players. And
while the layout is completely different, the club still attracts stars
of the sport. Last week, I had the opportunity to see the greatest of
greats in the world there, Ramy Ashour. It’s incredible to me
that such a champion can roam the city unrecognized by the majority of
New Yorkers and probably many at the NYSC. Yet, upstairs at the courts,
the players were thrilled by his presence. I learned that Ramy and I
not only share the same zodiac sign but also a similar hamstring
injury. He has been working hard with doctors and therapists so he will
be in top condition for the world championships.
I was sad to learn that the club has been
sold. But hopefully a new squash facility will take its place, so that
maybe some of us can still relive the many memorable moments of squash
from New York’s Upper East Side.
