John McEnroe

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s Roland Garros Classic – Jim Courier, Patrick & John McEnroe, Sam Querrey Discuss On TNT

June 9, 2025 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

The Carlos Alcaraz victory over Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller was one of the greatest tennis matches of all time and capped the first of 10 years of coverage of Roland Garros to American audiences by TNT Sports. Read about some of the specifics and the history that was made here: https://worldtennismagazine.com/heres-the-history-carlos-alcaraz-and-jannik-sinner-made-in-their-epic-roland-garros-final/25069

The following is the commentary that TNT host Adam Lefkoe had immediately after the final, then followed by the post-match panel comments from John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Patrick McEnroe and Sam Querrey on the instant classic.

Adam Lefkoe

An absolute marathon thriller. Gladiators in the Cathedral of Clay. The longest championship match in the history of Roland-Garros. Every shot, the greatest you’ve seen until the next one. White-knuckle exhaustion while maintaining hall of Fame skill. An epic first final between the two brightest stars in tennis. He was down two sets. A deficit he has never overcome. Three championship points. The defending champion didn’t just survive, he ascended. Carlos Alcaraz retains his crown as the king of the Roland-Garros play. His fifth major title final at just 22 years old. If this is a sign of what’s to come, we are blessed beyond belief.

John McEnroe

I can’t think of a better Roland Garros final than what we just witnessed. And you’re after all the talk over the course of the last couple years. Where’s tennis going to go from here? Because we’re losing Federer, we lost Nadal and Djokovic. What’s going to happen with him? It seems like we’re in pretty good hands with these two guys. So many things happen. We always talk about the French Open being a roller coaster, but I mean in two sets of break early in the third you’re like, okay, it’s like it’s going to be Sinner’s days going to win in three. He doesn’t capitalize. He goes to a four set. You’re thinking, okay, he hasn’t played a four or five set match since Australia and he didn’t play too many long ones there either five-three-forty Love or three-five Love forty on serve. You’re like, okay, you know this is a reality is set in somehow. I mean, he tightens up a little bit, but nonetheless, he forces,- And then Jannik he gets to serve for it after he lost that.

Adam Lefkoe

What we were marveling at here was they were so tired, yet the level of their play never decreased. Not once.

Jim Courier

I mean that level from Carlos in that tiebreaker was as close to heavenly tennis as I can possibly imagine. I cannot, still cannot rack my head around the shots that he was able to come up with at that moment. The pressure, the moment, the fatigue, all of it, and Jannik, I mean, to come back from all of that disappointment and nearly two hours later he’s still fighting and grinding and scraping. He’s down the entire fifth set and somehow gets back and into a tiebreaker. It was just an absolute pleasure to be able to see this in any way, shape or form. And I got to tell you, people talk about the future to us. The future is already happening people we just may not have realized it. This is a sixth straight major one by one of these two guys. This is their, we’re living in their time right now. It happened a year and a half ago. It started. The clock is already moving forward, but they’re so young. We might have another decade if we’re lucky of all these guys. I mean, this is the very first time they’ve met in the major final. And it did not disappoint quite the contrary.

Adam Lefkoe

Jim, before the match, you urge us to enjoy the present because you don’t know how many of these you’re going to get. If it is an appetizer I can’t wait for the meal. If it’s the meal, feed me dessert. But at five hours and twenty-nine minutes, it is the second-longest slam that we’ve ever seen. And every single second is action packed.

Sam Querrey

I mean, I don’t know how you watch that match and not think to yourself, tennis isn’t the hardest sport in the world. There’s no end cost for you to know that the end is coming up. There’s no, there’s no timeouts. There’s no substitution. And these guys just played for five hours and twenty-nine minutes. And as Jim just said, the fifth set tiebreaker from Alcaraz was borderline perfect and credit to Jannik Sinner as well. Looked like he was down and out in the fifth set. He found a second gear and brought it back. It was just such a pleasure.

John McEnroe

You know what’s also nice that they didn’t leave the court and they stayed on the entire time. In like five and a half hours. Maybe these bathroom breaks are a bit overrated. What do you think, Bro?

Patrick McEnroe:

No medical time timeouts, no physios visited the court. This is an old-fashioned street fight, but played with incredible sportsmanship from both players. Incredible grace from Jannik Sinner and his comments on court after the match and the only match in major in the open era, and the major final that has been longer was the Australian Open final when Djokovic beat Nadal when both guys were cramping during the ceremony, and you see he’s not cramping, I don’t think, but he’s pretty exhausted. But it was, I said it was going to be an epic five set of win for Alcaraz. I didn’t realize it was going to be this epic.

John McEnroe Pays Homage To Respected Tennis Physical Therapist Gary Kitchell On French Open TV Broadcast

June 3, 2025 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

While commentating on the French Open on television network TruTV, John McEnroe paid homage to Gary Kitchell, the beloved tennis personality known around the world of tennis as one of the best physical therapists in the sport. Kitchell passed away in Vero Beach, Florida on Sunday, May 18 after a long illness.

McEnroe, commentating alongside younger brother Patrick McEnroe, took the opportunity to acknowledge Kitchell, with whom he worked with for many years, when discussing an ankle tape job that Ben Shelton received in his first round match at Roland Garros.

“(Ben) was having his ankle work done, and I talked to him about how it was jammed and it reminded me of my late great friend Gary Kitchell,” said McEnroe, the four-time U.S. Open champion. “He just passed away recently, because he literally did that exact move to me and a bunch of other players. He worked with Ivan (Lendl). He worked with Michael Chang, Jim Courier. You can go down the list. Great man. So I want to just say, Gary, you’re up there, man. We love you, and thanks for everything you did for the sport of tennis all these years.”

Added Patrick McEnroe of Kitchell, “(He was) one of the unsung heroes of the sport, working behind the scenes with a lot of players.”

John then continued, in discussing the situation with Shelton and how important physios like Kitchell are such an important part of the sports, “When the trainer came out at the end of the fourth set, and Ben was looking like he was struggling. Then suddenly, the guy worked on him for a few minutes, and then he comes out. And there was no signs of any problems. So, these guys play an important role in our sport, and Gary’s one of the main men there. So, rest in peace my friend.”

In addition to working with players like McEnroe, Lendl, Chang and Courier, Kitchell also worked with current pros such as Tommy Paul and Reilly Opelka. In 2021, Kitchell hosted Paul and Opelka for a special exhibition match at The Boulevard that you can read about here: https://worldtennismagazine.com/an-entertaining-qa-with-reilly-opelka-tommy-paul-from-vero-beach-florida/20458

John McEnroe Charity Raises Record $625,000

August 30, 2023 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

The John McEnroe Foundation’s Johnny Mac Tennis Project today announced that Saturday’s PRO AM event at SPORTIME Amagansett raised a record $650,000 in one day, besting the previous record of $600,000. It is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, with all proceeds going towards the foundation’s mission of transforming young lives by removing the economic, racial and social barriers to success through tennis.

Founded by tennis hall of famer John McEnroe, JMTP introduces tennis to thousands of under-resourced New York City area children, particularly those living in East Harlem and the South Bronx.

There were 75 teams competing in the event alongside legends: John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, James Blake, Reilly Opelka, Jim Courier, Rennae Stubbs, Andrea Petkovic, Luke Jensen and Richey Renenberg.

Pro Am Winners: Adam Sklar and Gui Medeiros

Pro Am Runners up: Dave Eisenberg and Dylan Breen

Pro Am Rose Flight Winners (Rose Flight is the Non-advancing flight): Amy Kline and Josep Baro

About the John McEnroe Tennis Academy In September 2010, tennis legend John McEnroe and SPORTIME partnered to launch the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, in John’s hometown of New York City, at the SPORTIME Randall’s Island Tennis Center in Manhattan. SPORTIME Randall’s Island is SPORTIME’s flagship location, and the flagship location of the Academy. In September 2012, JMTA expanded to SPORTIME Lake Isle, an 8-court, state-of-the-art, year-round facility in lower Westchester, and to SPORTIME Syosset in central Long Island, an 11-court indoor facility that has long served as SPORTIME’s high performance training center on Long Island. In 2013, JMTA Summer Tennis Training was added in the Hamptons, at SPORTIME Amagansett, SPORTIME’s 34-court, seasonal, outdoor tennis facility in the Town of East Hampton. With the satellite locations, the JMTA brand is currently featured at 4 sites with a total of 77 tennis courts, serving approximately 1,500 players annually and, as of September 2023, will be featured at 5 sites with a total of 96 courts, serving more than 2,000 players annually. Learn more: www.sportimeny.com/jmta

Historic Port Washington Tennis Academy To Return To Glory Under SPORTIME, John McEnroe Academy

July 26, 2023 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

SPORTIME, the New York area’s most substantial operator of state-of-the-art racket sports facilities, announced that a $7 million renovation and modernization of the former Port Washington Tennis Academy, which launched the careers of John McEnroe, his brother Patrick McEnroe, who Co-Directs the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and serves as President of both the Johnny Mac Tennis Project charity and the International tennis Hall of Fame, Vitas Gerulaitis, Tracy Austin and other legends. The facility will now be rebranded SPORTIME Port Washington and will be the Long Island home of The John McEnroe Tennis Academy.

“Our new Port Washington facility has been a part of American tennis history on every level, and a part of the history of the McEnroe family. We are proud to be able to make this restorative investment and to return this iconic facility to elite status,” said SPORTIME CEO Claude Okin. “Bringing the Port Washington facility into the SPORTIME family of clubs, and bringing Johnny Mac back to Port, along with the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, will truly link the past with the future in Port Washington. Our belief is that our investment and expanded commitment on Long Island will be great for local players and families, and for the racket sports business here.”

“The Port Washington Tennis Academy, now SPORTIME Port Washington, is a special New York place that is part of tennis history, and was a big part of my life and my brothers’ lives when we were training as juniors, ” said tennis legend John McEnroe. “I am thrilled to be able to expand my Academy to Port Washington, a full circle moment for me. I look forward to supporting and mentoring a new generation of talented and motivated young players there, and across the tri-state area.”

Upon completion of the facility renovations, currently underway, SPORTIME Port Washington will provide SPORTIME members and guests, and John McEnroe Tennis Academy students, with 7 beautiful soft-surface, Har-Tru tennis courts, 6 new hard-surface tennis courts and 12 new, dedicated, pickleball courts in their own building. These upgrades, along with countless others, and with SPORTIME’s introduction of John McEnroe Tennis Academy programming, will make SPORTIME Port Washington a premier destination for adult and junior tennis and pickleball on Long Island.

Scheduled to be completed by September 2023, SPORTIME’s $7 million dollar + facility improvement project will include the following:

New or refurbished roofs for all buildings
New court building interiors with upgraded insulation in all buildings
New and improved court lighting in all buildings
Upgraded locker rooms
New, easily accessible bathroom locations, in addition to the locker rooms, near courts and dining areas
New HVAC systems serving the entire facility – all court buildings will now be air-conditioned, providing comfortable temperatures and dehumidification year-round
Conversion of 6 existing Har-Tru courts to 6 new, cushioned, oversized hard courts, so that our future John McEnroe Tennis Academy stars, and adult players, can play, train and compete on both surfaces

The John McEnroe Tennis Academy now has its second Long Island location at SPORTIME Port Washington, 100 Harbor Road, Port Washington, NY. For more information, visit www.SportimeNY.com/portwashington.

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About the John McEnroe Tennis Academy

In September 2010, tennis legend John McEnroe and SPORTIME partnered to launch the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, in John’s hometown of New York City, at the SPORTIME Randall’s Island Tennis Center in Manhattan. SPORTIME Randall’s Island is SPORTIME’s flagship location, and the flagship location of the Academy. In September 2012, JMTA expanded to SPORTIME Lake Isle, an 8-court, state-of-the-art, year-round facility in lower Westchester, and to SPORTIME Syosset in central Long Island, an 11-court indoor facility that has long served as SPORTIME’s high performance training center on Long Island. In 2013, JMTA Summer Tennis Training was added in the Hamptons, at SPORTIME Amagansett, SPORTIME’s 34-court, seasonal, outdoor tennis facility in the Town of East Hampton. With the satellite locations, the JMTA brand is currently featured at 4 sites with a total of 77 tennis courts, serving approximately 1,500 players annually and, as of September 2023, will be featured at 5 sites with a total of 96 courts, serving more than 2,000 players annually. Learn more: www.sportimeny.com/jmta.

John’s passion and belief is that great players can be developed in urban and suburban settings, while still having the opportunity to live at home, pursue their educational goals, and participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. The Academy works to recruit the most talented and the most highly motivated young athletes in the New York Metropolitan area and beyond. Inspired by the vision and presence of Johnny Mac, under the guidance of JMTA Managing Director, Bennett Schlansky, executed daily by Co-Directors Patrick McEnroe and Lawrence Kleger, and featuring an international staff of tennis, athletic training and performance directors and coaches, JMTA delivers a complete on and off-court training program, and develops complete players. JMTA includes off-court athletic training, mental toughness, video analytics, educational seminars, college placement assistance and more, designed to assure the best possible outcome for elite junior players, and for other committed players striving to be the best that they can be. JMTA’s youngest students, who train with red and orange balls on 36’ and 60’ courts, participate in cutting-edge Mac Red and Mac Orange programs designed by world-renowned U-10 visionary Mike Barrell, now SPORTIME’s Executive Director of Tennis, and executed by SPORTIME/JMTA’s expert U-10 directors and coaches.

About SPORTIME Clubs

Since 1994, SPORTIME has been proud to operate the finest tennis and sports facilities in New York State. SPORTIME’s 15 club locations, most recently expanded to include the iconic Port Washington Tennis Academy, now SPORTIME Port Washington, currently offer 194 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and 62 pickleball courts, as well as rinks, turf, camps, gyms and more, at sites across Long Island, in NYC, in Westchester and in the NY Capital Region. SPORTIME clubs are state-of-the-art, yet affordable, and feature the best tennis, sports and fitness facilities and programs, including the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) and SPORTIME Volleyball Club (VBC). SPORTIME clubs serve individuals of every age and athletic ability, 365 days a year. Learn more: www.sportimeny.com.

Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova To Join Andre Agassi, John McEnroe For Pickleball Slam 2

July 18, 2023 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Tennis icons John McEnroe and Andre Agassi return for the Pickleball Slam, and will be joined by Stefanie Graf and Maria Sharapova, two of the greatest female tennis players of all time. The four legends will compete in SLAM 2 for a total prize purse of $1 million. Created and produced by Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) and InsideOut Sports & Entertainment (ISE), SLAM 2 will be televised live in primetime, exclusively on ESPN on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. (EST) from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.

Tickets for SLAM 2 go on sale today, July 18, at noon and start at $46. Tickets are available at myhrl.com and Ticketmaster. All seats are reserved. Doors open one hour before the event. Additional fees may apply.

SLAM 2 will be highlighted by an electrifying doubles match featuring the duo of McEnroe and Sharapova, who have a total of 12 Grand Slam singles titles between them, facing off against Agassi and Graf, who earned a combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles during their respective careers.

The inaugural Pickleball Slam showcased McEnroe, Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang competing for a $1 million purse, the largest tournament purse in pickleball history. The event was broadcast live on Sunday, April 2, 2023 on ESPN before a record-breaking capacity crowd at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. A first-of-its-kind event, the afternoon telecast was the highest-rated competition in pickleball history.

“Following the success of the inaugural Pickleball Slam, we’re excited to once again partner with and return to the Hard Rock and present SLAM 2 in primetime on ESPN, an ideal timeslot coming out of the network’s coverage of the NFL Pro Bowl and a NBA regular season game,” said David Levy, Co-CEO of HS&E. “It’s great to have both John and Andre return for SLAM 2. In pairing them up with Stefanie and Maria, two of the greatest and most competitive players in the history of tennis, there’s sure to be no shortage of incredible action and entertaining moments on the court.”

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Horizon Sports & Entertainment and InsideOut Sports again for the return of the Pickleball Slam to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.,” said Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming. “The inaugural event last April was a resounding success, with Hard Rock’s desire to be entertainment first-movers paying massive dividends. This time around, we’ll build on our initial success with John McEnroe and Andre Agassi, by also adding Steffi Graf and Maria Sharapova to the lineup – arguably two of the best players of all time in racquet sports. To have all this in The Guitar Hotel live in primetime on ESPN; it’s going be a special evening of pickleball.”

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“After Andy and I took home the hardware at the first Pickleball Slam, I said I would be playing pickleball as long as I can walk – that’s how much I enjoy this game. Naturally, I am so excited to share this experience with one of the best tennis players, my wife,” said Agassi.

“When I watched the inaugural Pickleball Slam in April and stepped onto the court, I was hooked. Andre and I can’t wait to get back out on the court together to face off against Maria and John,” said Graf.

AMATEUR SLAM CHALLENGE RETURNS

The weekend will once again feature the Amateur Slam Challenge on Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb 3, 2024. The amateur tournament will include doubles teams competing for a cash prize and the opportunity to play against the tennis legends.

For more information and to register for the Amateur Slam Challenge, visit www.thepickleballslam.com.

PLAYER INFORMATION

Andre Agassi is one of the most successful and recognized players in the history of tennis, capturing eight Grand Slam titles during his Hall of Fame career, including the career Grand Slam for winning each of the four major professional tennis tournaments – Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open and the U.S. Open at least once. He also captured the gold medal at 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

In 1988, Stefanie Graf earned tennis immortality when she became the first player to win all four major singles titles and the gold medal during the Summer Olympics. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, she won 22 major singles titles during her Hall of Fame career and was ranked the number one women’s singles player in the world for a record of 377 weeks.

Recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of professional tennis, John McEnroe won 17 Grand Slam titles, including four singles titles at the U.S. Open and three Wimbledon titles. He captured a remarkable 77 single titles, as well as 77 doubles titles, and is the only male player in tennis history to simultaneously hold the world number one ranking in both singles and doubles. During his illustrious Hall of Fame career, he also contributed to five Davis Cup titles for the U.S. and was a team captain.

Considered one of the best competitors of her generation, Maria Sharapova is one of only 10 women to achieve the career Grand Slam. During her stellar career, she also won a silver medal in women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics.

ABOUT HORIZON SPORTS & EXPERIENCES (HS&E)

Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) is an affiliate of Horizon Media, the largest U.S. media agency according to AdAge Data Center 2022, and provides a unique and complementary combination of sports, experiential marketing, and media capabilities. HS&E has a core focus on IP creation and monetization, strategic advisory and consulting, media rights, sponsorship, sales, and experiential, Metaverse, and Web3.0 strategy and activation. HS&E is led by co-CEOs David Levy and Chris Weil.

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT (ISE)

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment (ISE) is a Los Angeles based independent event producer founded in 2004 by former world No.1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. InsideOut owns and operates numerous proprietary events and promotions including Champions Series Tennis, the Legendary Night Series, The World Series of Beach Volleyball, Major League Pickleball and numerous customized private and public outings. To date, InsideOut has produced over 300 events in 44 states and 12 countries and is committed to a strong charity tie-in with every public event it owns or produces. Since inception, InsideOut events have contributed over $5 million to various charitable causes.

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About Hard Rock Live

Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is South Florida’s premier entertainment venue. An investment of more than $125 million, the 7,000-person capacity indoor venue features clamshell-style seating, offering guests an intimate experience. In 2023, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood won an Academy of Country Music Award in the Casino of the Year – Theater Category. Hard Rock Live also ranked No. 5 worldwide in 2022 gross revenue for both Pollstar Magazine and Billboard in its respective categories. Designed by Scéno Plus, the 225,000-square-foot facility is equipped with state-of-the-art, in-house sound and lighting, large HD viewing screens and mobile-stage technology. With its advanced capabilities, Hard Rock Live can support some of the entertainment industry’s biggest performers, as well as nationally and internationally televised awards shows, sporting events and more. A-list entertainers to perform at Hard Rock Live include The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Maroon 5, Billy Joel, and Dave Chappelle, among others.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship-integrated resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveiled a $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, highlighting the debut of the world’s first and only Guitar Hotel. Between three hotel towers, the resort boasts 1,271 luxury guestrooms. Amenities include a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa® & Salon; an 18-acre recreational water experience; private “Bora Bora” style cabanas; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; an expansive gaming floor with more than 2,700 slots, more than 200 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. Hard Rock Live, ranked No. 5 worldwide in 2022 gross revenue for both Pollstar Magazine and Billboard in its respective categories, highlights A-list entertainers and performers, sporting events and live broadcast productions in an intimate 7,000-person capacity setting. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441). For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com call (800) 937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly.

John, Patrick McEnroe To Lead Tour Group To Tanzania, Dedicate Serengeti Tennis Court

February 21, 2023 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

McEnroe Brothers to Host Eight Day Trip in December; Will Dedicate Court In The Serengeti and Support Growth and Awareness With Other Charitable Initiatives In Cooperation With The Tanzanian Government

(New York, February 21, 2023) -Insider Expeditions, a leader in global travel excursions, today announced a new partnership with John and Patrick McEnroe to bring the tennis legends to Tanzania this December as part of a new goodwill, awareness and sport initiative. In cooperation and support of the Tanzanian government, the Brothers McEnroe will be accompanied by as many as 120 tennis aficionados during a special eight-day trip which will include the dedication of a tennis court in the Serengeti.

“We are excited to welcome John and Patrick McEnroe and their guests to Tanzania for this special event in December,” said Tanzania’s Hon. President Samia Suluhu Hassan. “Our country continues to grow through efforts like this, which expose the vistas and our people to new experiences from visitors around the world. Adding a special element like tennis to this mix will also help us with another one of our key initiatives, which is to create more health and lifestyle opportunities for our young people. While many know of John, their interests sometimes lie with sports like soccer, so using a great individual sport like tennis to teach life skills from legends first-hand will make for an experience people will never have imagined.”

“My family and I look forward to a very exciting trip to Tanzania, where we will have the chance to introduce tennis to the Maasai youth, probably for the first time,” John McEnroe said. “Thanks to Insider Expeditions for creating this opportunity for us all to learn about this beautiful country while being able to expand the game of tennis to a new audience in a country on the rise in the global business and tourism landscape.”

“To be able to go to on this unique trip with ties to a tennis growth experience for all involved is going to be very special,” Patrick McEnroe added. “We have all heard about the beauty of Tanzania, so being able to make this trip with my wife and those individuals joining us should be quite amazing.”

The luxury journey will include a tennis match between the McEnroe brothers in the midst of the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Unmatched wildlife, local cultures and stunning landscapes combine to produce what is often described as the holiday of a lifetime and coupled with celebrity tennis professionals as hosts—this is truly a once in a lifetime experience. The itinerary includes the best Tanzania’s National Parks including the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti which are home to the Big Five as well as numerous birds and reptiles.

Guests will also join John and Patrick when they visit a traditional Maasai Village to bring good will and cultural exchange and introduce the Maasai youth to the game of tennis as part of a special court dedication.

Travelers will enjoy African hospitality while staying at the Four Seasons Serengeti, And Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and the Gran Melia. This bucket list tour package includes all gourmet meals on an all-inclusive basis, domestic air, almost daily Safari game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, a welcome reception hosted by the President of Tanzania, tennis themed activities and memories to last a lifetime.

Tennis fans will not want to miss this historic moment in tennis history. This is a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to one of the most majestic landscapes on the planet with tennis legends.

To learn more or join the tour, please visit: https://insiderexpeditions.com/mcenroe.

About Insider Expeditions

Insider Expeditions is a premier travel company that curates and hosts one-of-a-kind experiences for groups and individuals on all seven continents. Our extensive global network — from presidents to poets, prestigious universities to pioneering explorers, superstar artists to high impact non-profits — enables us to create genuinely unparalleled voyages to the most remarkable corners of our planet.

Our trips range from educational journeys for leading universities, to business delegations for Fortune 500 companies; from mission-driven expeditions with non-profits to creative brainstorming journeys for entrepreneurs; from wellness and yoga retreats to extraordinary family reunions; from creative workshops with artists, to musical or sports adventures with celebrities.

John McEnroe documentary dives deep into his life

June 8, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

SHOWTIME Sports Documentary Films today has announced McENROE, a captivating and powerful film that dives deep into the life of John McEnroe, one of tennis’ all-time greats who rose to world No. 1 for four consecutive years, all the while battling intense bouts of perfectionism and self-doubt. The documentary will have its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, June 10, and will be available Friday, September 2 on all streaming and on demand platforms for SHOWTIME subscribers, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, September 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The film will release theatrically in the U.K. on Friday, July 15.

Here is the trailer of the movie:

McENROE takes viewers inside the mind of one of the most controversial tennis players in the history of the sport as he traverses the streets of New York City over the course of a single night, retracing his life in previously unseen archival footage. From his upbringing in Douglaston, N.Y., to a Wimbledon semifinals run as an 18-year-old qualifier, to his sole year at Stanford University winning the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships and his Hall of Fame professional career where he captured seven Grand Slam singles titles, the documentary covers everything inside and outside the lines.

“Greatness is a combination of things,” opines McEnroe as the film opens. “You look back and you say, ‘Well, someone gave me an ability to do something better than others.’ You have to recognize that and put yourself on the line. Especially when you’re out there by yourself. And I didn’t do a good enough job of that. In fact, I did a sh—y job of it. I’m the greatest player who’s ever played the game, at this point. Why does it not feel that amazing? I felt like I was doomed.”

McEnroe’s journey to the top of the sport wasn’t just championships and accolades, there was loss and heartache along the way too. And while every sports icon needs a rival, McEnroe lost his when Björn Borg walked away from the sport at the age of 26 following a devastating loss to McEnroe at the U.S. Open Tennis Championship in 1981.

“The complexity, intensity and depth of John’s multifaceted persona makes this film transcend from sports documentary to character study,” said Stephen Espinoza, President Sport and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “John McEnroe is not just a tennis great; he is a true icon whose career created cultural touchstones and captured the world’s fascination. McENROE is the latest addition to a growing list of must-see compelling, unscripted programming on SHOWTIME. We’re proud to showcase these great films that tell culturally relevant stories about subjects at the intersection of sports, culture and society.”

McENROE features interviews with Borg, tennis icon Billie Jean King, doubles partner Peter Fleming and rock stars Chrissie Hynde and Keith Richards. While they attest to his impact on the sport and culture at large, it is McEnroe’s children and his wife Patty Smyth who provide a profound level of intimacy and take the film beyond sports biopic and into the realm of the deeply confessional.

“That singular drive is part of what made John great,” said younger brother Patrick McEnroe, who often sits next to John in the commentating booth at tennis Grand Slam tournaments. “And also, part of what maybe got in the way.”

McENROE is the third theatrical documentary written and directed by Douglas (Warriors, The Edge). The film is produced by Sylver Entertainment with producers Victoria Barrell, Paddy Kelly, and Anna Godas for Dogwoof and executive produced by Simon Lazenby, Oli Harbottle and Gary Swain

“Everyone has an opinion on John McEnroe,” Douglas said. “In making this film I was interested in creating something intimate and unexpected. I had to get in his head and find out how he thinks. To reach as many people as possible, this film needed to tap into the universal themes of connection, purpose and love. What develops feels deeply confessional at times, as if John is interrogating himself.”

2019 Invesco Series QQQ Schedule Announced

March 4, 2019 by tennisbloggers

The Invesco Series QQQ, the North American tennis circuit for champion players over the age of 30, announced its full remaining 2019 circuit of events, featuring 10 total events, concluding in Austin, Texas. The 2019 Invesco Series QQQ circuit will also again partner alongside ATP and WTA events in Charleston, S.C., and Newport, R.I. The series of one-night tournaments, featuring two one-set semifinal matches and a one-set final-round match played between tennis legends, will feature for a fifth straight year players making their own line-calls with the assistance of electronic line-calling.

The 2019 Invesco Series QQQ schedule is as follows:

Newport Beach, CA – January 26 (Newport Beach Country Club): Tommy Haas def. Andy Roddick 7-6 (2)
Tampa, FL – April 4 (Innisbrook Resort): John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Mardy Fish, James Blake
Charleston, SC – April 6 (Volvo Car Open): Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Jim Courier, Mats Wilander
Maui, HI – May 5 (Royal Lahaina Resort): John McEnroe, Mardy Fish, Tommy Haas, Michael Chang
Newport, RI – July 21 (International Tennis Hall of Fame): Players TBA
Boston, MA – September 7: Venue and Players TBA
Toronto, ON – September 26 (Mattamy Athletic Centre): Players TBA
Orlando, FL – Date and Venue TBA: Players TBA
Los Angeles, CA – Date and Venue TBA: Players TBA
Austin, TX – November 15: Venue and Players TBA

The 2019 schedule already kicked off in January in Newport Beach, California at the Oracle Champions Cup with Tommy Haas defeating Andy Roddick 7-6 (2) in the one-set championship match.

Each Invesco Series QQQ event also features special VIP experiences, including hit-with-the-pros opportunities and special back-stage access. All ticket, experience and event information can be found at www.InvescoSeries.com
In 2018, Blake won his first Invesco Series QQQ year-long points championship by winning titles in Winston-Salem, New Haven and Houston, while also finishing as runner-up in Los Angeles and Orlando.

In 2017, the year-long points championship was decided in the final match of the season when Andy Roddick defeated James Blake in the Los Angeles final at the Sherwood Country Club. Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion and world No. 1, won four PowerShares Series titles in all in 2017, winning in Birmingham, Ala., Chicago, Lincoln, Neb., and Los Angeles. Blake, the former world No. 4 and former U.S. Davis Cup star, won series titles in Charleston, S.C., Winston-Salem, N.C. and in Lynchburg, Va.

In 2016, Mark Philippoussis won the Series points title with 1600 points and tournament titles in Memphis, Tulsa, Newport, Winston-Salem and New Haven. Roddick finished in second place, also earning 1600 points but losing the head-to-head tiebreaker with Philippoussis 5-2, while winning titles in Charleston, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Orlando. Blake finished in third place with 1100 points and tournament titles in Chicago, Portland and Brooklyn.
In 2015, Roddick won the Series points title in his second year of competing on the series with 1,600 points. Roddick won a record eight events Los Angeles, Lincoln, Chicago, Austin, Little Rock, Dallas, Richmond and Minneapolis. Blake finished second in the points rankings with 1,200 points, winning events in Boston and Cincinnati. Philippoussis finished in third with 1,100 points, winning titles in Salt Lake City and Vancouver. The year before in 2014, McEnroe won the points title for the first time in the nine-year history of Champions Series tennis by winning events in Kansas City, Indianapolis, Nashville and Charlotte.

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT
InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a Los Angeles based producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Champions Series, a collection of tournaments featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including “Legendary Night” exhibitions, The World Series of Beach Volleyball and numerous corporate outings. Since inception, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment has raised over $4 million for charity. In 2014, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment merged with Horizon Media, the largest privately held media services agency in the world. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or InvescoSeries.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

ABOUT HORIZON MEDIA
Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest and fastest growing privately held media services agency in the world. The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York and has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Chicago. Horizon Media was chosen as 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek, Brandweek, and Mediaweek as well as by Ad Age and as one of the world’s ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company in 2011. In 2012, Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO and Founder, was honored by Advertising Age as Industry Executive of the Year. Most recently, in 2014, Bill Koenigsberg was named 4As Chair of the Board and is the first person from a media agency to hold this prestigious position in the 100 year history of the 4As, the marketing industry’s leading trade association. The company’s mission is “To create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere.” By delivering on this mission through a holistic approach to brand marketing, Horizon Media has become one of the largest and fastest-growing media agencies in the industry, with estimated billings of over $5.3 billion and over 1,200 employees. The company is also a founding member of Columbus Media International, a multi-national partnership of independent media agencies. For more information, please visit horizonmedia.com.

ABOUT INVESCO
Invesco Ltd. is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. NYSE: IVZ; invesco.com. Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco Ltd. and is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Invesco Ltd.

James Blake Moves To No. 1 In Invesco Series Points Race With Houston Victory

October 6, 2018 by tennisbloggers

James Blake edged John McEnroe 7-6(3) Friday night in an electric one-set final at the Camden Wealth Advisors Champions Cup in front of an raucous standing-room-only crowd of 4,500 at the Tudor Fieldhouse on the campus of Rice University in Houston.

The tournament victory is the third title for Blake this year on the North American tennis circuit for champion tennis players over the age of 30 and moves him into the No. 1 position in the year-long points standings ahead of Tommy Haas, who won titles earlier this year in Charleston and Hawaii. In August, Blake won back-to-back titles in Winston-Salem, N.C. and New Haven, Conn.

The 38-year-old Blake broke the 59-year-old McEnroe in the opening game of the final, but was unable to serve out the match at 5-4 as McEnroe was able to save four match points before tying the score at 5-5 on a Blake double-fault. Blake’s forehand proved too much for McEnroe in the later stages of the match as Blake was able to hold on to win his 13th career Invesco Series QQQ title.

“I know everyone loves John McEnroe. I love John McEnroe and I want to cheer for him too, but not when he is playing against me,” said Blake, the former world No. 4, in New Haven earlier this year after beating McEnroe in the final.

In the semifinals earlier in the evening, Blake beat former U.S. Davis Cup teammate Andy Roddick 7-6(4) while McEnroe avenged his loss to Jim Courier from the previous night in St. Louis with a 6-3 decision.

The Camden Wealth Advisors Champions Cup was held nearly 13 years to the week of when the Invesco Series QQQ circuit began in Houston across town at the Westside Tennis Club in 2005 with Courier winning the inaugural tournament.

The Invesco Series QQQ continues Sunday, October 21 at the Sherwood Country Club outside of Los Angeles featuring Andy Roddick, James Blake, Tommy Haas and Mardy Fish. The remaining schedule, with player fields, is as follows

The remaining 2018 Invesco Series QQQ schedule is as follows:

October 21: Los Angeles, CA (Sherwood Country Club) – Andy Roddick, James Blake, Tommy Haas, and Mardy Fish

December 6: Orlando, FL (USTA National Campus) – Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, James Blake and Mardy Fish

2018 Invesco Series QQQ Results

April 7: Charleston, SC (Family Circle Tennis Center) F: Tommy Haas def. Andy Roddick 6-1; SF: Tommy Haas def. Michael Chang 6-2; Andy Roddick def. Mark Philippoussis 6-3

May 5, 6: Kohala Coast, HI (Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows) F: Tommy Haas def. John McEnroe 7-5 SF: Tommy Haas def. Mardy Fish 6-3, John McEnroe def.Jim Courier 6-3

May 17: Toronto, ON (Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre) F: Mark Philippoussis d. John McEnroe 7-5, SF: Mark Philippoussis d. James Blake 7-6 (5); John McEnroe d. Jim Courier 6-2.

July 22: Newport, RI (International Tennis Hall of Fame) F: Lleyton Hewitt d. Tommy Haas 7-6(2) SF: Lleyton Hewitt d. James Blake 6-3; Tommy Haas d. Jim Courier 6-3

August 19: Winston-Salem, NC (Wake Forest University) F: James Blake d. Andy Roddick 6-1 SF: Andy Roddick d. Robby Ginepri 7-6 (4); James Blake d. Michael Chang 6-3

August 23/24: New Haven, CT (Yale University) F: James Blake d. John McEnroe 6-4 SF: John McEnroe d. Todd Martin 6-3, James Blake d. Tommy Haas 6-4

October 4: St. Louis, MO (Chaifetz Arena) F: Mark Philippoussis d. Jim Courier 6-1; SF: Jim Courier d. John McEnroe 7-6(3), Mark Philippoussis d. Andy Roddick 6-3

October 5: Houston, TX (Tudor Fieldhouse) F: James Blake d. John McEnroe 7-6(3) SF: John McEnroe d. Jim Courier 6-3, James Blake d. Andy Roddick 7-6 (4)

Each Invesco Series QQQ event features special VIP experiences, including hit-with-the-pros opportunities and special back-stage access. All ticket, experience and event information can be found at www.InvescoSeries.com

In 2017, the year-long points championship was decided in the final match of the season when Andy Roddick defeated James Blake in the Los Angeles final at the Sherwood Country Club. Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion and world No. 1, won four Invesco Series QQQ titles in all in 2017, winning in Birmingham, Ala., Chicago, Lincoln, Neb., and Los Angeles. Blake, the former world No. 4 and former U.S. Davis Cup star, won series titles in Charleston, S.C., Winston-Salem, N.C. and in Lynchburg, Va.

In 2015, Roddick won the Series points title in his second year of competing on the series with 1,600 points. Roddick won a record eight events Los Angeles, Lincoln, Chicago, Austin, Little Rock, Dallas, Richmond and Minneapolis. Blake finished second in the points rankings with 1,200 points, winning events in Boston and Cincinnati. Philippoussis finished in third with 1,100 points, winning titles in Salt Lake City and Vancouver. The year before in 2014, McEnroe won the points title for the first time in the nine-year history of Invesco Series QQQ tennis by winning events in Kansas City, Indianapolis, Nashville and Charlotte.

ABOUT HORIZON MEDIA
Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest and fastest growing privately held media services agency in the world. The company was founded in 1989,
is headquartered in New York and has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Chicago. Horizon Media was chosen as 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek, Brandweek, and Mediaweek as well as by Ad Age and as one of the world’s ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company in 2011. In 2012, Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO and Founder, was honored by Advertising Age as Industry Executive of the Year. Most recently, in 2014, Bill Koenigsberg was named 4As Chair of the Board and is the first person from a media agency to hold this prestigious position in the 100 year history of the 4As, the marketing industry’s leading trade association. The company’s mission is “To create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere.” By delivering on this mission through a holistic approach to brand marketing, Horizon Media has become one of the largest and fastest-growing media agencies in the industry, with estimated billings of over $5.3 billion and over 1,200 employees. The company is also a founding member of Columbus Media International, a multi-national partnership of independent media agencies. For more information, please visithorizonmedia.com.

ABOUT INVESCO
Invesco Ltd. is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. NYSE: IVZ; Invesco.com, Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the US distributor for Invesco Ltd. and is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Invesco Ltd.

James Blake Wins Invesco Series QQQ Title On Home Ground In New Haven

August 25, 2018 by tennisbloggers

James Blake won his second Invesco Series QQQ title of the week Friday beating John McEnroe 6-4 in the one-set championship match at the Invesco Legends New Haven as part of the Connecticut Open WTA Tour event at Yale University.

Blake, a native of nearby Fairfield, Connecticut, was buoyed by support from the Connecticut crowd that included his mother Betty.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Blake. “When I come home here, things seem to come easier for me. It’s a lot of fun when I have crowd support. I know everyone loves John McEnroe. I love John McEnroe and I want to cheer for him too, but not when he is playing against me. Otherwise, I would cheer for John McEnroe. I still have a lot of fans here. It gives me a little bit of an adreline boast. I’m always competitive but especially here in Connecticut.”

On Sunday, Blake, 38, successfully defended his title at the Invesco Legends Winston Salem in North Carolina beating his good friend and former Davis Cup teammate Andy Roddick 6-1 in the final. Blake’s title in New Haven marked his 12th career title on the North American tennis circuit for champion tennis players over the age of 30. Blake also won the Invesco Series QQQ title in New Haven in 2016, also beating McEnroe by a 6-4 scoreline in the final. Last year, he was defeated in the New Haven final by Mardy Fish. During his career on the ATP World Tour, Blake won two of his career 10 titles in New Haven, winning in 2005 and in 2007.

Earlier in the night, McEnroe, age 59, advanced into the final with a 6-3 win over Todd Martin. Martin, the CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., was competing in his first Invesco Series QQQ events since 2014 and played well, despite labeling himself as “desk jockey” devoting most of energies into his day job and no longer having the pleasure of wearing tennis shorts to work any longer. Blake advanced into the final on Thursday night when he defeated Tommy Haas 6-4.

Blake earned 400 Invesco Series QQQ ranking points to close within 100 points of Haas in the top-ranking spot. With his loss to Blake on Thursday, Haas earned 100 points to move to 1100 for the year while Blake’s 400 points move him to 1000 points. With his runner-up showing, McEnroe moves into third place with 600 points and is followed by Mark Philippoussis in fourth place with 500 points and Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt with 400 points in fifth place.

The Invesco Series QQQ continues on October 4 in St. Louis, Missouri featuring McEnroe, Roddick, Jim Courier and Mark Philippoussis. The remaining schedule, with player fields, is as follows

The remaining 2018 Invesco Series QQQ schedule is as follows:

• October 4: St. Louis, MO (Chaifetz Arena) – John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, and Mark Philippoussis
• October 5: Houston, TX (Tudor Fieldhouse) – John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Jim Courier
• October 21: Los Angeles, CA (Sherwood Country Club) – Andy Roddick, James Blake, Tommy Haas, and Mardy Fish
• December 6: Orlando, FL (USTA National Campus) – Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, James Blake and Mardy Fish

2018 Invesco Series QQQ Results

April 7: Charleston, SC (Family Circle Tennis Center) F: Tommy Haas def. Andy Roddick 6-1; SF: Tommy Haas def. Michael Chang 6-2; Andy Roddick def. Mark Philippoussis 6-3

May 5, 6: Kohala Coast, HI (Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows) F: Tommy Haas def. John McEnroe 7-5 SF: Tommy Haas def. Mardy Fish 6-3, John McEnroe def.Jim Courier 6-3

May 17: Toronto, ON (Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre) F: Mark Philippoussis d. John McEnroe 7-5, SF: Mark Philippoussis d. James Blake 7-6 (5); John McEnroe d. Jim Courier 6-2.

July 22: Newport, RI (International Tennis Hall of Fame) F: Lleyton Hewitt d. Tommy Haas 7-6(2) SF: Lleyton Hewitt d. James Blake 6-3; Tommy Haas d. Jim Courier 6-3

August 19: Winston-Salem, NC (Wake Forest University) F: James Blake d. Andy Roddick 6-1 SF: Andy Roddick d. Robby Ginepri 7-6 (4); James Blake d. Michael Chang 6-3

August 23/24: New Haven, CT (Yale University) F: James Blake d. John McEnroe 6-4 SF: John McEnroe d. Todd Martin 6-3, James Blake d. Tommy Haas 6-4

In 2017, the year-long points championship was decided in the final match of the season when Andy Roddick defeated James Blake in the Los Angeles final at the Sherwood Country Club. Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion and world No. 1, won four Invesco Series QQQ titles in all in 2017, winning in Birmingham, Ala., Chicago, Lincoln, Neb., and Los Angeles. Blake, the former world No. 4 and former U.S. Davis Cup star, won series titles in Charleston, S.C., Winston-Salem, N.C. and in Lynchburg, Va.

ABOUT HORIZON MEDIA
Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest and fastest growing privately held media services agency in the world. The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York and has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Chicago. Horizon Media was chosen as 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek, Brandweek, and Mediaweek as well as by Ad Age and as one of the world’s ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company in 2011. In 2012, Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO and Founder, was honored by Advertising Age as Industry Executive of the Year. Most recently, in 2014, Bill Koenigsberg was named 4As Chair of the Board and is the first person from a media agency to hold this prestigious position in the 100 year history of the 4As, the marketing industry’s leading trade association. The company’s mission is “To create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere.” By delivering on this mission through a holistic approach to brand marketing, Horizon Media has become one of the largest and fastest-growing media agencies in the industry, with estimated billings of over $5.3 billion and over 1,200 employees. The
company is also a founding member of Columbus Media International, a multi-national partnership of independent media agencies. For more information, please visithorizonmedia.com.