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

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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.

International Tennis Hall of Fame Unveils Multi-Million Dollar Museum Upgrades

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The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) reopened its Museum following a multimillion-dollar renovation and unveiled a new symbol to define Hall of Fame membership for years to come. The transformation honors the sport’s history, celebrates the legacies of its champions and contributors and redefines the guest experience with new state-of-the-art technology.

The Museum renovations were highlighted by the reimagining of the Hall of Famers Gallery and the Celebration Gallery, two areas that celebrate the sport’s history and take visitors on an immersive journey through the decades. The Hall of Famers Gallery is a unique space honoring every Hall of Famer who has received the ultimate honor in tennis with a new symbol of induction: a cast racquet. The Celebration Gallery, through unique artifacts, tells the stories of how each generation inspired the next and showcases the Inspirational Legacies AR Experience, an augmented reality sculpture engaging fans of all ages.
“We are ecstatic to unveil these innovative, interactive spaces in the Museum and are grateful to those who partnered with us to preserve the history of the game and accomplish these renovations,” said Dan Faber, Chief Executive Officer, ITHF. “We cannot wait to welcome fans from around the world to Newport and our facility to celebrate tennis history and honor some of the sport’s most transformative champions.”

The ITHF held a press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony today with Hall of Famers, donors, sponsors and local and state government officials, including Governor Dan McKee, in attendance.

The project was funded by a portion of the $12M Tennis Forever Capital Campaign, which began in 2018; these were the first renovations to the Museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame since 2015.

Additional areas updated include:
• The Majors, presented by Rolex, an interactive journey through the majors narrated by Roger Federer.
• The Newport Tennis Traditions Gallery, celebrating the origins of tennis in Newport and its connection to the US Open, featuring the US Open trophies.
• The opening of a Legends Lounge, a space for donors and Hall of Famers to gather while in Newport.
• An updated Welcome Center, newly renovated Bellevue Boutique and new Museum Store.
• A renovated Court Tennis Viewing Gallery, which details the history and development of racquet sports and overlooks one of just 49 court tennis facilities worldwide.

As part of the ITHF’s goal to display unique and contemporary items that represent tennis history in the making, some of the magnificent artifacts that will be shown to guests in the reimagined Celebration Gallery include:

• A “Statement CoolMax” shirt and shorts worn by eight-time Major winner Andre Agassi.
• Madison Keys’ outfit from her maiden major singles title earlier this year at the Australian Open.
• Jannik Sinner’s racquet from the 2024 US Open Men’s Singles Championship where he won his second major.
• Umpire’s scorecard from the 1968 match between Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall at the first-ever Open Era tournament.

The Hall of Famers Gallery will feature a Class of 2025 tribute exhibit from this year’s inductees, Maria Sharapova and Bob and Mike Bryan. Sharapova and the Bryan Brothers will be honored during an Induction Celebration taking place the weekend August 21-23, 2025. Tickets are available now at tennisfame.com.

Sharapova’s dresses from her 2004 Wimbledon, 2006 US Open and 2012 Roland-Garros titles will all be on display, along with her iconic “Lemon Frost” colorway from her semifinal appearance at Roland-Garros in 2011.

Artifacts from the Bryan brothers’ legendary careers that are on display include their Men’s Doubles Championship trophies from the 2013 Australian Open, 2013 Roland-Garros, 2013 Wimbledon, 2012 US Open and 2003 Roland-Garros. The 2012 London Olympics Gold Medal will also be available for guests to view as this accomplishment completed their Career Golden Slam.

The Museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame is open seven days a week (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets and find more information, visit: https://www.tennisfame.com/.

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Patrick McEnroe To Host International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Podcast “TennisWorthy”

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The third season of the TennisWorthy Podcast presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame officially launched today, featuring Hall of Fame President and tennis commentator Patrick McEnroe as its new host.

McEnroe and tennis journalist Chris Bowers will deliver engaging conversations focusing on eight core values in the sport and discussions reliving pivotal moments in tennis history. Hall of Famers and other legends of the game will share personal stories surrounding the themes of tenacity, boldness, independence, tradition, dedication, leadership, mental toughness and sportsmanship.

Today’s inaugural episode centers on January’s theme of tenacity, sharing two revealing stories from Hall of Famers Pete Sampras and Hana Mandlíková. Both legends reveal their mindsets during two critical moments in their careers: Mandlíková’s 1985 US Open title run when she defeated the top seeds in Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, and Sampras’ gutsy quarterfinal victory over Alex Corretja en route to the 1996 US Open title.

“We are excited to bring our audience fresh perspectives, straight from the legends themselves, on the values that define tennis,” said McEnroe. “Each episode will not only highlight key moments but also inspire listeners to appreciate the deeper lessons that the sport offers. Chris and I are excited to bring these stories to tennis fans around the world.”

Later in January, McEnroe will bring insightful conversations to listeners from Melbourne before focusing on the bold, trailblazing careers of Hall of Famers Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson in February.

Launched in 2022, the TennisWorthy Podcast aims to engage both avid tennis fans and newcomers alike, providing insights that resonate beyond the court. These engaging conversations reveal what sets someone apart on the path to being a champion and reveal the mindset, habits and relationships that guided them to the top.

The TennisWorthy Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever listeners get their podcasts. Transcripts and synopses from every episode can be found at tennisfame.com/podcast.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Patrick McEnroe To Join SPORTIME, John McEnroe Tennis Academy, As Co-Director

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SPORTIME tennis club on Randall’s Island in New York City and The John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) have announced the appointment of Patrick McEnroe as Co-Director, alongside longtime JMTA Director Lawrence Kleger. McEnroe, the younger brother of JMTA founder John McEnroe, joins a team, led by SPORTIME Managing Director Bennett Schlansky. A world-class staff of directors, coaches, trainers and others support John’s and the Academy’s mission to stimulate interest in tennis in the greater NYC area, to make tennis accessible to New York area youth and to use tennis as pathway of opportunity, helping young players to reach there potentials as players, students and people.

“I am very pleased that my brother Patrick has decided to join us at JMTA, as we continue to refine our model and expand our impact,” John McEnroe said. “There probably isn’t anybody that understands American tennis and New York tennis better than Patrick and nobody in the world that has better or more experience coaching talent at the highest levels of the game. Patrick is going to help us make a difference.”

“My brother John, Lawrence Kleger and the entire team at JMTA have set a new standard in New York with the quality and breadth of what they offer, and with their charitable efforts for young players of both genders and all backgrounds,” Patrick McEnroe said. “I am looking forward to bringing my lifetime of learning, as a player, coach and program manager, to my new role. I think that JMTA is just getting started and that my involvement can be a great addition. I am excited to work on my brother’s team! ”

Ben Schlansky explains, “The opportunity to add Patrick to the Sportime/JMTA team was unexpected and, frankly, a ‘no brainer.’ Our CEO, Claude Okin, has known Patrick for almost 20 years, and we have all watched Patrick’s evolution from touring pro, to Davis Cup Captain, to GM of USTA Player Development, and more, plus some folks forget that he won a Grand Slam. And now he is a tennis dad, so he has added that perspective. Patrick’s contribution should be amazing for Sportime and JMTA, and Claude and I are so excited to have him on our team.”

This sentiment was echoed by Patrick’s JMTA Co-Director, Lawrence Kleger, who said, “I am very excited to have Patrick join our JMTA team.  I have known Patrick since he was a kid and have always liked and respected him.  I look forward to working side by side with him.  Without question, Patrick will help us take the Academy to the next level.”

Patrick McEnroe won one singles title and 16 doubles titles, including the 1989 French Open Men’s Doubles title, during his 10-year professional career, and achieved career-high rankings of World No. 28 in singles and World No. 3 in doubles.  After retiring from the tour in 1998, Patrick had a successful run as U.S. Davis Cup captain, winning the cup in 2007. After leaving his Davis Cup role in 2010, McEnroe focused on his television commentary work, and also led the player development charge for the USTA until 2014. McEnroe is a life-long New Yorker, where he lives with his wife, Broadway star and actress Melissa Errico and their three daughters. McEnroe will impact a variety of areas in his position with SPORTIME and JMTA, including curriculum, corporate engagement, and fundraising for scholarship and community-based programs, as well as coach and staff recruitment and training, calling on his many years of working with and managing other great coaches, and learning from them.

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About SPORTIME

SPORTIME is proud to operate the finest tennis facilities in New York State, with over 150 indoor and outdoor courts at 12 clubs across Long Island, in NYC, in Westchester and in the NY Capital Region.  SPORTIME’s clubs are state-of-the-art, yet affordable, and feature the best tennis facilities and programs, along with great gyms, camps and sports and fitness offerings.  SPORTIME is proud to be the home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at Randall’s Island since 2010, with JMTA Annexes at Syosset/Bethpage, Long Island, and Lake Isle, Eastchester, since 2012.

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’s flagship Randall’s Island Tennis Center in Manhattan. In September 2012, JMTA expanded its geographic reach to SPORTIME locations in Westchester and on Long Island: SPORTIME Lake Isle, an 8-court, state-of-the art, year-round facility in Eastchester, New York in lower Westchester; and 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. John’s passion and belief is that great players can be developed in urban settings, while still having the opportunity to live at home, pursue their educational goals, and participate in a variety of sports and 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 daily presence of Johnny Mac and under the guidance of JMTA Managing Director, Bennett Schlansky, JMTA Directors, Lawrence Kleger and Patrick McEnroe, JMTA Performance Director, Richard-John Mensing, Jr., and JMTA Director of Mental Performance and Toughness, Dr. Dom Lausic, and with a world-class staff of tennis, athletic training and performance directors and coaches, JMTA delivers a complete training program designed to assure the best possible outcome for serious players; whether for junior tournament players, future and current collegiate stars, or for those seeking to play on, or currently playing on the ATP, WTA and ITF tours.

About the Johnny Mac Tennis Project

The Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) changes young lives by removing the economic and social barriers to success through tennis. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, JMTP introduces the sport of tennis as a life-long health, fitness and social activity to thousands of under-resourced New York City area kids, particularly those living in East Harlem and the South Bronx, two communities immediately adjacent to our base at SPORTIME Randall’s Island. For a smaller group of dedicated young athletes, JMTP provides a pathway to success through competitive tennis, leading to college scholarships, careers in the industry, and, for a few, professional tennis careers and, perhaps, Grand Slam titles.

Patrick and John McEnroe
Patrick and John McEnroe

Andy Roddick To Play, Patrick McEnroe To Coach For World TeamTennis at Historic Forest Hills

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Mylan World TeamTennis today announced that the league will return to the New York area, with the New York Empire playing their 2016 home matches at venerable Forest Hills Stadium at The West Side Tennis Club, the home of the US Open for over 60 years. The restored facility will be configured to seat 2,500 for six home matches from July 31 through August 13. The team has also named Patrick McEnroe as head coach, and will have former US Open champion Andy Roddick as a marquee player.

“There are few more beautiful places to play tennis than Forest Hills, and it’s great to help bring professional tennis back to the facility for the 2016 Mylan WTT season,” said McEnroe. “This is a perfect way to link the past of the game with the new thinking that Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss have infused into the sport through World TeamTennis. Fans will love the exciting, competitive team play so we hope they will come out and support the Empire. New Yorkers love their championship teams and our goal in year one is to win it all.”

“We are excited that Mylan World TeamTennis is back in New York,” said Mylan WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss. “An iconic venue like The West Side Tennis Club will be a great showcase for the best in professional team tennis competition.”

The tennis setup at Forest Hills Stadium will create an intimate viewing experience for fans with individual tip-up reserved seats, boxes, and VIP hospitality packages, including courtside tables that will include full food and beverage service. Individual match tickets will go on sale later this spring. To purchase season tickets or to get more information, please email info@nyempiretennis.com, visit www.nyempiretennis.com or call the New York Empire office at (844) 5-EMPIRE (844-536-7473).

McEnroe, who won the 1989 French Open doubles title, also had a successful run as U.S. Davis Cup captain as he guided his squad to the 2007 title. After leaving his Davis Cup role in 2010, McEnroe focused on his television commentary work as well as leading the player development charge for the USTA until 2014. He is very familiar with Mylan World TeamTennis having played six seasons. McEnroe is a life-long New York City resident where he lives with his wife, Broadway star and actress Melissa Errico, and their three daughters.

“As both a player and an owner I have always enjoyed all that encompasses Mylan WTT,” added Roddick. “To be able to play on the legendary courts at Forest Hills and be involved with a team in a city that I love, New York, will make this even more special.”

Roddick will play his ninth season of Mylan World TeamTennis in 2016 and first with the inaugural New York Empire. He most recently played in 2014. In May 2013, Roddick joined the WTT Ownership Group along with Venus Williams. He won the 2003 US Open and reached the final of a Grand Slam four different times and captured 32 tour-level singles titles, including five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns. Roddick also founded the Andy Roddick Foundation which has raised more than $14 million for charity since 2001 and works to expand opportunities for young people to learn, thrive and succeed.

Colleen Hopkins will serve as team general manager. Hopkins is the founder of Hopkins Events, a special event agency with a focus on event management and operations, sponsor activation and client hospitality.

The 2016 season marks a return to professional tennis at one of the sport’s most historic facilities. The West Side Tennis Club hosted the US Nationals/Open Tennis Championships a total of 62 times, first from 1915 to 1922 on the grounds, and from 1923 to 1977 in the stadium. Built in 1923, the stadium was America’s first tennis stadium.  In addition, the finals of the Davis Cup were held at the club 10 times, more than any other venue. Following the US Open, the WCT Forest Hills Invitational was held at the venue two times, and the WCT Forest Hills Tournament of Champions, was held at the venue 11 times, the last time in 1990 before the facility was renovated to its current grandeur.

The Nationals/Open saw some of its biggest moments and changes while at West Side, including the introduction of seedings in 1927, tiebreakers in 1970, equal prize money for men and women in 1973, and night play and the conversion of the courts from grass to clay in 1975. Currently, the stadium is also used as a music venue for concerts. One of the highlights of the 2016 Forest Hills Stadium summer concert series will be Mumford & Sons on June 16.

The Empire schedule, promotions and full roster of players will be announced in the coming few weeks with the 2016 Mylan WTT Player Draft taking place in Miami on March 25.  For all other details on the Empire go to www.NYEmpireTennis.com or follow on Twitter (@nyempiretennis) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/NYEmpireTennis).

West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills
West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills

“The Choke of the Year:” Victoria Azarenka Behind The Mic

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Victoria Azarenka takes a medical timeout. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Barring a toe injury that kept her from finishing a warm-up event in Brisbane, Victoria Azarenka has not lost a match all year. There have been a few tense moments during her matches in Australia, most notably when she fell behind a break to American Jamie Hampton in the third, and most recently when she squandered five match points against Hampton’s compatriot Sloane Stephens. But the World’s No. 1 has been solid when it matters most and finds herself in her second consecutive Australian Open final.
If only she could be as clutch when she trades the racquet for a microphone.
In another serious gaffe, the Belorussian spoke to Sam Smith after her win over Stephens:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUbWztL4ozQ&w=560&h=315]
The crux of Smith’s question spoke to Azarenka’s “difficulties” in finishing off the feisty American, who was in her first Slam semifinal. However, the former player and commentator was referring to the medical timeout Azarenka took before the start of the final game, one that lasted nearly ten minutes and required the top seed to leave the court.
Evidently under the impression that Smith was asking about her inability to serve out the match at 5-3, Azarenka laughed off the scary prospect of having avoided “the choke of the year” and admitted to feeling “overwhelmed…one step away from the final.”
Smith’s first question made a brief reference to the timeout, but when she got no answer, she moved on. The decision not to press Azarenka about her apparent injury, both by Smith and later Tom Rinaldi, only fueled the speculation further and gave the defending champion more rope with which to hang herself.
To Smith she admitted, “I just couldn’t lose, that’s why I was so upset!” When Rinaldi asked her why she left the court, she said she could not breathe and had “chest pain.”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldpEmOoIsL4&w=560&h=315]
By the time she made it the formal press conference, Azarenka faced a lengthy interrogation about her injuries and their legitimacy. Azarenka defended herself and called her prior diction “my bad.” Critical of the MTO process, Patrick McEnroe called for an overhaul of the rule itself so players like Azarenka are not “able to manipulate the rules.”  Stephens’ coach David Nainkin called what happened to his charge “cheating within the rules.”
A meme-interpretation of Twitter’s response to        Azarenka’s MTO.

All of this came days after her battle with Hampton, who was visibly hampered despite bringing her higher-ranked opponent to the brink of defeat. During another one of her now-infamous on-court interviews, Azarenka accidentally implied Hampton’s injury was not as bad as it seemed, quipping, “Can I have a back problem?”
Hampton was later revealed to have two herniated discs.
How can the woman who can seemingly do no wrong on the court be so inept the moment she steps off of it? She combines perfectly timed, almost balletic groundstrokes with a boxer image, usually taking the court with earbuds in and hoodie up. Prickly between points, her signature celebratory moves include finger spinning and tongue wagging. Often (to quote rival Maria Sharapova) “extremely injured,” she has become notorious for withdrawing from smaller events only to show up on the biggest stages playing flawless tennis.
A woman that cannot afford even one bad quote, Azarenka is quickly compiling a chapbook full of verbal “oops,” one big enough for the tennis community to want to ride their No. 1 out of town on a rail.
But before we burn a 23-year-old woman at the stake, let us remember with whom we are dealing. Victoria Azarenka is, above all things, an athlete. The “swagger” for which many deride her is proof of that. What goes on with an athlete’s mind and body is sacred to them and ultimately irrelevant to the task at hand.
As Azarenka was asked about her “difficulties,” there was no doubt that she believed Smith (and others) were referring to her near  “Choke of the Year.” How often do we criticize players for blaming injuries on missed opportunities? Yet here is a woman who made no excuses, blamed mind before body, and the media calls for a crucifixion.
There are many things about Victoria Azarenka that grate. Her honesty should not be one of them.

Around The Corner: Sydney, Auckland and the Kooyong Classic

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Juan Martin del Potro

With just over a week until the start of the Australian Open, there is little time to tinker with one’s game for the first Grand Slam of the year.
While the top four players in the world will be taking the week to rest themselves in anticipation for a deep-run in Melbourne, there are plenty of other of the game’s great players who are in action.
The ATP has two tournaments, one in Sydney and another in Auckland, while the Kooyong Classic exhibition will boast a strong field as well. Here’s a closer look at what tennis fans can expect.
Apia Sydney International
Juan Martin Del Potro starts his year in Sydney as the top seed. After making a strong return to the circuit last season following a wrist injury, the 2009 U.S. Open champion is ready to make some noise this year. Del Potro is certainly capable of challenging anyone in the top four and I would put him in the  mix of the few serious contenders at the Aussie Open.
The Argentine could see Marcos Baghdatis in the quarters here and then Feliciano Lopez who is the fourth seed. I would however, put the winner of the first round match between Viktor Troicki and veteran Aussie Lleyton Hewitt to advance against Del Potro in this section of the draw.
Hewitt has won the even four times, in 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005. Don’t expect a repeat as his career is clearly on the downward spiral and injuries have taken their toll on the two-time Grand Slam champion. This may be the last year we see Hewitt playing on the ATP Tour, so enjoy him while you still can.
John Isner from the United Statesis the second seed. Patrick McEnroe recently stated that he feels Isner has the potential to reach the top ten in the ATP rankings. While I do not see that as being a realistic assessment for the 6’9” Isner just yet, this guy is certainly a strong top-thirty player who can cause incredible damage on a hard court due to his imposing serve. It will be Isner’s first action of the year so it will be interesting to see how he comes out of the gate.
Isner could face either veteran Xavier Malisse or Radek Stepanek in the quarters and given his ranking he should be beating opponents like these. However, at this stage of the year anything is possible.
A likely semi-final opponent would be third seeded Richard Gasquet who had a solid week at the Hopman Cup where he defeated Fernando Verdasco, Lleyton Hewitt and Wu Di before falling to Tomas Berdych in the finals.
Heineken Open
All-court wonder and the always hustling David Ferrer is the number one seed in Auckland. Ferrer started the year off by making the finals of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi and was the runner-up in that exhibition to Novak Djokovic. Ferrer starts his week off with a bye at the Heineken Open and will face the winner of the match between Albert Ramos and Lukas Rosol. In other words, a nice way to ease into the tournament.
Ferrer’s main opposition will be from third seeded Fernando Verdasco who has just competed in the Hopman Cup. There, the Spaniard defeated Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, knocked-off Wu Di of China 6-3, 6-4 and was beaten by Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-4. So essentially, he won the two matches he was supposed to win and could not find a way to be competitive against a solid opponent in Gasquet. Never any consistency with Fernando, but he has the tools to go deep in any draw.
The second seed here is Nicolas Almagro, but unless we’re talking about a clay court match I wouldn’t count on this guy to get too far. While he did make the semi-finals in Chennai, the field was rather weak and he was no match for Canadian Milos Raonic who took him out 6-4, 6-4.
Look for guys like Philipp Kohlschreiber, Donald Young and perhaps Sam Querrey to enjoy some success in this draw. It is nice to see Young seeded in the tournament (7th) and hopefully able to build on a nice season in 2011. There is still so much potential with the American and he still has many years ahead of him despite already being a presence on the ATP Tour for several seasons.
AAMI Kooyong Classic
Always a high-quality exhibition tournament, the Kooyong Classic again boasts a strong field in 2012. Ten players make-up the draw that has both a championship and consolation side to it.
American Andy Roddick will be the most high-profile player involved and will make his season debut on the tennis court at Kooyong. Roddick’s buddy and current number-one American male tennis player, Mardy Fish, will also be present.
This year will be of the utmost importance to Roddick who struggled mightily a year ago. He needs to re-assert himself and prove to his fellow players that he is still relevant in the sport today. Usually a strong starter, Roddick will be one to watch closely here this week.
Continuing with North-American players, we have Canadian Milos Raonic who has just made the finals in Chennai. Raonic is going to be very exciting to watch this year, especially if he can stay healthy. This guy’s game is perfectly suited toWimbledonand it is no surprise that he grew up idolizing Pete Sampras.
The rest of the players here include Jurgen Melzer, Bernard Tomic, Tomas Berdych and recent Qatar finalists Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Of all the stops this week, Kooyong will be the one I’m most interested in due to its very strong field.
Keep checking back with us all week long for updates and check out my Twitter feed as well if you like. Only one more week until the first Slam of 2012 so we have lots to look forward to!

Birmingham, Ala., to host USA vs. Switzerland Davis Cup Series

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The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena in Birmingham, Ala., has been selected as the site for the 2009 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas first round match between the United States and Switzerland, March 6-8. The indoor arena is expected to seat more than 17,000. Tickets will go on sale in mid-January.
The United States and Switzerland are two of the 16 nations competing for the 2009 Davis Cup title as part of the Davis Cup World Group. The U.S. leads all nations with 32 Davis Cup titles.
“The tennis fans in Alabama are in for something special. There is nothing in tennis, or sport, like a Davis Cup match,” said U.S. Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe. “It’s a tough assignment at home, so crowd support will certainly be an advantage for us. It should be one of the most star-studded Davis Cup matches this year.”
The United States has used the same line-up – world No. 8 Andy Roddick, No. 10 James Blake, and the world’s second-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan – for 10 of the last 11 Davis Cup matches, including all four wins during its 2007 title run. World No. 2 and five-time reigning US Open champion Roger Federer has announced his intention to play in the first round of Davis Cup for the first time since 2004 and is expected to be joined by No. 13 Stanislas Wawrinka, with whom he won the Olympic gold medal in men’s doubles this past summer in Beijing.
The best-of-five match series begins Friday, with two singles matches, featuring each country’s No. 1 player against the other country’s No. 2 player. Saturday’s schedule features the pivotal doubles match. The final day of play on Sunday will feature two “reverse singles” matches, when the No. 1 players square off followed by the No. 2 players meeting each other in the final match.
“We are excited that the USTA has chosen Birmingham to host the Davis Cup,” said Gene Hallman, Executive Director of the Alabama Sports Foundation. “We look forward to showcasing our fine state in front of a global audience and expanding on Birmingham’s strong tennis tradition.”
This will be the first Davis Cup tie ever played in Alabama, making it the 33rd state to host the prestigious competition. It also will be the first major professional tennis event in Birmingham since the city hosted the 1994 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships. The city also hosted a USTA Pro Circuit men’s challenger from 1991-93 and 1995-2003 as well as a women’s $10,000 event from 1983-88. Blake won the doubles titles and was the singles runner-up at the Challenger in 2001 and the Bryan brothers won the doubles title in 1999.
The United States and Switzerland have split their two previous meetings in Davis Cup. Switzerland won the last meeting in the 2001 first round in McEnroe’s debut as U.S. Davis Cup Captain and Roddick’s Davis Cup debut. The Swiss were led by relative unknown Federer who won both his singles matches and the doubles point.
The two nations first met in the 1992 Davis Cup Final in Ft. Worth, Texas, as Andre Agassi and Jim Courier each won a singles match and Pete Sampras and John McEnroe teamed for a doubles victory to give the U.S. the title. A 10-year-old Roddick was among the capacity crowds. He said the experience “changed my life. It changed the way I viewed tennis, especially the way I viewed Davis Cup.”
Founded in 1900, Davis Cup is the world’s largest annual international team competition. The USTA organizes, stages and promotes all Davis Cup events in the U.S.
Wilson is the official ball of the U.S. Davis Cup team.