The USTA Eastern honors those who have made remarkable contributions toward growing and promoting tennis at the grassroots level. The recognize Individuals and organizations that demonstrated what makes the Eastern section so unique and innovative. Please join us in congratulating our Executive Director of Tennis, SPORTIME Clubs, Mike Barrell, for receiving the Clinician of the Year for 2024.

For a full list of winners, click here. Congratulations Mike!

Dear Members, Players and Parents:

Thank you!

Having wrapped-up our 36th outdoor tennis season at SPORTIME Amagansett early this month, and as we are reflecting on another amazing season, we thank you, our members, friends, players and guests, for sharing your love of tennis with us and for being a part of our SPORTIME Amagansett community.

We also want to congratulate all of our 2024 Club Tournament Champions!

Although our 33 beautiful, outdoor courts are now closed until spring, the fun continues for all ages with Adult Pickleball and Junior Sports Clinics in our Arena, or you can visit and play at any of our other Sportime locations, including our flagship club in NYC, Sportime Randall's Island, now the largest indoor tennis facility in the world.

Of course, we look forward to seeing you all on April 12th, 2025, for the start of our 37th season, if not before!

We also want to welcome Gabi Jasmim as our new Assistant General Manager. Gabi, sister of our Director of Tennis, Gui Jasmim, has been working at the club since spring 2024, so many of you know her and have benefited from her attention to detail and total commitment to customer service. Gabi holds advanced degrees in business and engineering from her home country, and has now made a long-term commitment to life in Amagansett, where she is raising her daughter, Olivia. We are lucky to welcome her as a key team member.

SPORTIME Amagansett, home of the summer John McEnroe Tennis Academy in the Hamptons has been featured as one of the 5 places to play tennis in the Hamptons. 

See article >

To all SPORTIME Amagansett Members, Players and Guests:

On Saturday, August 24, 2024, SPORTIME Amagansett will be hosting the 10th Annual Johnny Mac Tennis Project Pro-Am Charity Event. The event will include 150 pro and amateur participants, which makes ours one of the biggest tennis charity events in the world!

The Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) changes young lives by removing the racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by tennis legend John McEnroe, JMTP introduces the sport of tennis as a life-long health, fitness and social activity to thousands of under-resourced New York City area children.

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.

The Pro-Am event requires the use of all of SPORTIME’s 33 tennis courts, which means that we will be closing the club for regular member and guest play from 12pm on Saturday, 8/24.

As all of our coaches, and many of our members, are participating in the event, we hope that we will not be inconveniencing too many of you. And we will do all we can to make sure that our members and guests get all the tennis they can handle on the morning of Saturday, 8/24.

If you are interested in playing in the event, there are a few player spots remaining, in addition to spectator tickets. As always, we are offering SPORTIME Amagansett members and their guests a 50% discount off the regular price of spectator tickets. Just use "FIFTYOFF" as the discount code when checking out. You can go to the JMTP website at www.jmtpny.org for additional info on the charity, and http://proam2024.givesmart.com/ to register for the event or to purchase your discounted event tickets and to access the event's silent auction.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience and we thank you in advance for your support!

Claude Okin
President & CEO
SPORTIME Clubs

Hana Sromova
General Manager
SPORTIME Amagansett

SPORTIME Pickleball is proud to become a Platinum partner of DUPR, the world’s most accurate rating platform for pickleball players. Over 1 Million players use DUPR, providing them with real-time match results and assessments, access to historical match data, and the ability to network with other players within the pickleball community.

SPORTIME will be offering special DUPR-rated Open Play sessions and tournaments at multiple facilities this fall, ensuring that each event will include players of the same level, based upon their DUPR rating.

If you haven’t already set up your free DUPR account, sign up now at https://www.dupr.com/  and be sure to select SPORTIME as your home club to get started! Click here to visit our webpage.
 

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports and the demand for courts is greater than ever. With that mind, SPORTIME Pickleball has announced second and third locations in New York and New Jersey as part of broad expansion plan.  

The Westbury Long Island, Wayne New Jersey Locations, joining already announced Armonk New York Location with goal of 200+ dedicated indoor courts by 2030.

Read full story and listen >

SPORTIME / John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) To Host the Eighth Annual College Recruiting Combine on June 22nd and 23rd at SPORTIME Port Washington, formerly the iconic Port Washington Tennis Academy. Rising High School Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are Invited To Participate In Recruiting Combine At SPORTIME Port Washington, the newest SPORTIME and JMTA location. College Coaches From Brown, Baylor, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn State, William & Mary, Wake Forest, Bentley, Middlebury, Wesleyan, Stony Brook, Bryant, St. John’s, Hofstra, Union and Colgate Committed To Attend With Many Others Expected.

New York, February 1, 2024 – Helping young athletes attend the colleges of their choice, on full tennis scholarships when possible, is a foundational goal of SPORTIME and JMTA. With dozens of JMTA students currently competing at top colleges across the country, today the Academy announced the Eighth Annual John McEnroe Tennis Academy College Recruiting Combine, scheduled for the weekend of June 22nd and June 23rd, 2024, to be held at the newest SPORTIME and JMTA location, SPORTIME Port Washington.

The Combine, a substantial success in its first seven years, will again give select rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, from around the country and beyond, both JMTA and non-JMTA students, the opportunity to showcase their technical and tactical tennis skills, and their athletic abilities, in front of coaches from top colleges and universities. The Combine also features a live-streaming platform, which gives players the opportunity to perform for a wider group of coaches; last year, over 100 coaches from across the country “attended” the event, virtually, joining those who attended in-person.

“JMTA is committed to preparing our players for college tennis, and to working with them to identify and to help them to attend the colleges and universities that best suit them,” said John McEnroe. “The Combine has been a big hit in its first seven years, and with the 2024 event being hosted at SPORTIME Port Washington, where my brother and I, among others, trained as juniors, it promises to be extra special for me and Patrick.”

The Port Washington Tennis Academy, now SPORTIME Port Washington, and one of two JMTA satellite locations on Long Island, was where legends John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Vitas Gerulaitis, Mary Carillo and Tracy Austin, among others, trained as juniors. An $8 million plus facility renovation is nearing completion, and the facility features 7 oversized, sub-irrigated, soft-surface, Har-Tru tennis courts, 6 new hard-surface tennis courts and 12 new dedicated pickleball courts, as well as many other upgrades and amenities.

The Combine will welcome 50 boys and 50 girls. Coaches representing all three NCAA Divisions are expected to attend, and 2024 commitments to-date have been more impressive than ever, including coaches from Brown, Baylor, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn State, William & Mary, Wake Forest, Yale and many other top programs, with many more coaches expected to confirm their attendance before the Combine. Representatives from prestigious leagues, including the Ivy League, ACC, Big East, SEC, Big 10, Patriot League and NESCAC attended in previous years and are expected again this year.

Interested players can get more information, and apply to participate in the Combine, at www.Sportime.com/JMTACombine. Combine applications will be accepted from March 1st through May 31st for the 100 Combine spots available. The Combine Selection Committee will evaluate each application based upon objective criteria, and applicants will be informed of their status as “admitted” or “wait-listed”. Those who are wait-listed will be contacted if they are, subsequently, admitted.  

Player check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. for all players on both Combine days. Participants will compete in singles and doubles match play with tracked results that count toward their UTRs. Players will also receive athletic performance assessments and will be invited to participate in Sports Vision Testing and in a College Coaches’ Panel Discussion. Combine partner, Tennis Analytics, will be video-recording all matches and will offer participant packages, including match videos with detailed analytics. Included for each Combine participant is an integrated recruiting package, including the match videos, which are made available, digitally, to both participants and coaches, at the touch of a button on their personal Player Portals. For further details, visit www.SPORTIMENY.com/JMTACombine or email jmtacombine@sportimeny.com.

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 then 20-court SPORTIME Randall's Island Tennis Center in Manhattan. SPORTIME Randall's Island, recently expanded to feature 30 courts, 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 2015, 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. In 2023, JMTA Long Island was expanded to include SPORTIME Port Washington, adding 13 more courts to the region. With the satellite locations, the JMTA brand currently covers 5 sites with a total of 96 tennis courts, serving 3,000 plus 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 SPORTIME/JMTA Senior Managing Director, Bennett Schlansky, and executed daily by Executive Director Patrick McEnroe and 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, 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. SPORTIME currently offers 190 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and 71 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, pickleball, sports and camp 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.

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Venus Williams—world champion, Bombas investor, and now sock designer—co-created our new limited edition collection of All-Purpose Socks.

For every pair purchased from this collection, Bombas will donate another pair to organizations using sports to engage under-resourced youth, like Johnny Mac Tennis Project and Play Like a Girl. To further celebrate this collab, Bombas will also donate 20 scholarships through these programs to help more kids play the sports they love. 

Find out more

SPORTIME Clubs and Hornig Capital Partners Partner to Develop Pickleball Facilities throughout the Northeast, to be Operated Under the Brand SPORTIME Pickleball  
For Immediate Release - New York, October 2, 2023: SPORTIME Clubs and Hornig Capital Partners announced today that they have signed a partnership agreement to establish a new company, SPORTIME Pickleball, LLC, that will develop and operate state-of-the-art, standalone, pickleball facilities in the tri-state area under the SPORTIME brand. The joint venture is a collaboration of SPORTIME Clubs, the largest and most sophisticated operator of racket sports facilities and programs in the Northeast, including the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, and Hornig Capital Partners, a NY-based real estate development company with a track record of success in developing value added properties. 

SPORTIME Pickleball is currently preparing to offer a limited $14 million tranche of founding partner equity to qualified investors, and has executed a long-term lease for a site under development in Armonk, NY, scheduled to open in 2024. SPORTIME Pickleball is currently negotiating 8 lease transactions on Long Island and in Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey and NYC, with the goal of having more than a dozen dedicated pickleball centers in operation by the end of 2027. Claude Okin, President & CEO of Sportime Clubs, explains, “for SPORTIME, this is a natural expansion of our business and allows us to utilize existing talent and expertise across racket sports lines. There are inexperienced pickleball start-ups everywhere at the moment, but we plan to leverage our 35-year advantage to offer the best pickleball facilities and programs and to acquire dominant market share in the geographies where we do business and nearby.”

SPORTIME Pickleball will operate dedicated indoor and outdoor pickleball sites throughout the Northeast, and expects to become the dominant pickleball club operator in the area and beyond, leveraging SPORTIME’s existing infrastructure, which already includes 70 pickleball courts, management and programming expertise and player database of more than 30,000 active members/players. SPORTIME recently opened the largest indoor pickleball facility in New York State at their Port Washington facility, consisting of 12 dedicated courts. Each SPORTIME Pickleball location will feature 10-20 state-of-the-art pickleball courts that will be available for social and competitive open play sessions, court-time rentals, tournaments, clinics, instruction, and private events. Some locations will feature restaurant and event spaces, which will be operated by food and beverage partners. 

“We are continuing to see terrific growth in all racket sports, but especially in the unprecedented boom of pickleball. In response, SPORTIME is committed to bringing world-class pickleball facilities to our markets and beyond,” explained Okin. “Our goal in pickleball, as in tennis, is to develop lifelong and committed players, who choose SPORTIME Pickleball locations to enjoy best-in-class facilities, instructional programs, customer care and amenities. We plan to grow our pickleball capacity as quickly as possible, and we are launching this new undertaking with the team at Hornig Capital Partners, who are experts in real estate development and planning.” 

Daren Hornig, Managing Partner of Hornig Capital Partners shared, “I am thrilled to be partnering with SPORTIME to help to build a business around a sport that I love, in markets that I know very well. My role is to source the best locations and to negotiate the best possible leases or acquisitions for our growing network of dedicated pickleball clubs.” Hornig added, “It is very exciting to be participating in this joint venture with SPORTIME Clubs, as they represent the gold standard of excellence in racket sports facilities and programs in the Northeast. The pickleball boom is bringing more people to the court every day, and SPORTIME Pickleball will be providing high quality facilities and programs for our communities to embrace and enjoy.”

For more information, email info@SportimePickleball.com. 

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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. SPORTIME currently offers 194 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and 70 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. 

About Hornig Capital Partners  
Based in New York, Hornig Capital Partners LLC (HCP) is a privately held real estate investment and development firm specializing in value-added opportunities throughout the United States. Led by Daren Hornig, a real estate industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience, HCP pursues purchases of fee simple interest assets, as well as select joint venture structures, with capital appreciation opportunities and risk-adjusted returns. HCP also invests in assets for long-term property appreciation and to effectively recapitalize existing properties with owners to maximize returns. In the past ten years, HCP has successfully closed on more than $1 billion worth of property and development projects. Most recently, HCP purchased the iconic Port Washington Tennis Academy and successfully leased and partnered with Sportime Clubs to create the SPORTIME Port Washington, featuring over 200,000 square feet of tennis and pickleball courts and amenities; the largest racket sports center on Long Island. 
 

BY RANDY WALKER

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.

Read story >

On August 26th, the 9th Annual JMTP Tennis Pro Am Tournament took center stage at SPORTIME Amagansett. With doors opening at 1:00pm, the event buzzed with excitement for a day of tennis excellence for a great cause, the Johnny Mac Tennis Project.

The tournament featured a star-studded lineup of 128 pro and amateur players, including tennis legends John and Patrick McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake, Rennae Stubbs, Andrea Petkovic, Mats Wilander, and Christina McHale. The courts came alive with intense matches that showcased the blend of skill and passion that defines tennis.

The tournament's structure consisted of 8 flights: the Legends Flight showcased tennis icons, while the Non-advancing Flight allowed players to participate without the pressure of advancement. The 6 Regular Flights delivered intense doubles play, with 12-minute rounds and a unique scoring system that ensured fairness and excitement.

But the event wasn't just about competition; it was a celebration of tennis camaraderie. Spectators relished in thrilling matches while enjoying delectable food and refreshing drinks. 
The JMTP Pro Am After Party extended the festivities, featuring an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and music by DJ David Katz. The night also included a meaningful live auction, with ticket proceeds benefiting the Johnny Mac Tennis Project.

In a nutshell, the 2023 JMTP Tennis Pro Am Tournament encapsulated the essence of tennis excellence, camaraderie, and giving back. As the sun set on a day of remarkable sportsmanship and connection, it marked another successful chapter in the event's legacy of providing game changing tennis opportunities for inner city kids and communities and promoting aspiring tennis players.

For more information or to get involved with the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, visit www.jmtpny.org.
 

Tennis legend Patrick McEnroe held a tennis clinic at Lexington Academy on Thursday August 18, 2023 for inner-city children in order to showcase tennis as not just a sport, but a gateway to life skills and opportunities.

A collaboration between Patrick McEnroe, the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), SPORTIME, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, the Children's Aid Society and Union Settlement, to promote tennis as part of a summer youth initiative.

Key figures such as New York City Councilmember Diana Ayala and the children from the Children's Aid Society of New York also attended the event, and their participation underscored the significance of this initiative for the community.

The overarching objective of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project is to remove the racial, social, and economic barriers that stand in the way of the sport of tennis, especially for the children in NYC's under-resourced communities. The sheer impact of JMTP’s efforts shines through its achievements - since its inception, the project has positively influenced the lives of over 10,000 kids through its community programs.

The commitment to fostering community growth, development, and positive change is evident in this initiative. For those looking to learn more about the Johnny Mac Tennis Project and its invaluable contributions, further details are available at https://www.jmtpny.org/.
 

SPORTIME continued our commitment to the growth of Pickleball by hosting an IPTPA training certification workshop at our tennis and pickleball facility in Port Washington, NY.

20 tennis coaches, many of them international, from 7 different SPORTIME locations, participated in the 9 hour training session, designed to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to introduce and teach Pickleball to beginner and advanced beginner players. With 50 pickleball courts currently and 17 more on the way by October, we are positioning ourselves to be a true leader in this growing industry.

If you are interested in a career in Pickleball with SPORTIME, please click here for open opportunities.

For Immediate Release - New York, July 26, 2023: The club where legends John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Vitas Gerulaitis, Mary Carillo and Tracy Austin, among others, trained as juniors now part of the SPORTIME Clubs Family of Racket Sport Facilities

SPORTIME, the New York area’s most substantial operator of state-of-the-art racket sports facilities, today 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.

A New York native, Lisa has excelled at a variety of sports, including pickleball, paddleball, tennis, softball and paddle tennis. Lisa is a member of the Paddleball Hall of Fame, but, a few years ago she shifted her focus to playing and teaching pickleball exclusively, and she has achieved great success in prestigious tournaments across the Tri-State area and nationwide. As a Professional Pickleball Registry certified pickleball coach, Lisa enjoys introducing newcomers to the game and helping players of all ages and levels improve and compete. Lisa is a devoted ambassador for the sport, and SPORTIME is excited to have her at the helm of pickleball at its flagship facility in NYC!

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is in the final stages of a facility expansion, which includes the addition of 10 new tennis courts, making the 30-court facility one of the largest in the world. In an effort to respond to the unprecedented growth of pickleball, and to welcome NYC pickleball players, SPORTIME will retrofit five of its bubbled, hard-surface, tennis courts, so that those courts can also provide 12 hybrid pickleball courts, which will be available for pickleball players to enjoy seven days a week.  

“Pickleball is a natural expansion of our racket sports business in NYC and at our clubs across New York State, and we are thrilled to be bringing the first large-scale, indoor, pickleball facility to NYC,” explains SPORTIME CEO & President, Claude Okin. “Our goal is to welcome thousands of NYC’s most committed picklers during the indoor season, so that they can keep playing all year and experience the best-in-class facilities, programs and amenities that SPORTIME has to offer!” Added Okin, “With the unveiling of our $45 million expansion project at Randall’s Island this fall, and the addition of pickleball, SPORTIME hopes to be the go-to destination for racket sports players of all ages and abilities to learn and enjoy our lifetime sports.”  

Pickleball players of all levels will have the opportunity to improve their games, to join social and competitive, level-based group play, to rent courts seasonally or by the hour, and to enjoy a host of special events and tournaments throughout the year. SPORTIME tennis and pickleball members enjoy great benefits, including 7-day advanced court-time reservations, member pricing on lessons and events and access to SPORTIME Pickleball programming.  

Contact Lisa by emailing lscotti@sportimeny.com or calling (212) 427-6150.

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SPORTIME Randall’s Island, the NYC home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, is in the final stages of a $45 million expansion that will make the 30-court facility the largest indoor tennis club and training facility in NYC and in the world.   In an effort to accommodate unprecedented demand from millions of NYC pickleball enthusiasts, SPORTIME will retrofit 5 of its bubbled hard-surface tennis courts so that those courts can also provide 12, oversized, hybrid pickleball courts, which will be available for pickleball players to enjoy 7 days a week at designated times.  

Players of all levels will have the opportunity to learn the game of pickleball and to improve their games, to join social and level based group play, to rent courts seasonally or by the hour, and to enjoy a host of special events and tournaments throughout the year. SPORTIME tennis and pickleball members will enjoy great pickleball benefits, including 7-day advanced court-time booking privileges, member pricing on lessons and events and access to SPORTIME pickleball programming.    

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is located at 1 Randall’s Island, in Manhattan.  For more information, visit www.SportimeNY.com/Manhattan. To communicate with a member of our Pickleball team, email pickleballnyc@sportimeny.com.  

The weather did not dampen the 7th season for the acclaimed JMTA College Recruiting Combine hosted at SPORTIME Randall’s Island. The past weekend of June 24th and 25th witnessed a grand display of skill, talent, and potential at the much-anticipated event. For two days, the spotlight shone on the future stars of collegiate tennis.

More than a tennis event, the JMTA College Recruiting Combine is an arena where ambition meets opportunity; a place where players from across the country come to compete, impress, and connect. 

Click here for the gallery.

This Combine could not have been possible without the coaches who took the time out of their busy schedules to evaluate these promising athletes. They offered insightful feedback, their valuable time, and, most importantly, the opportunity for these young talents to prove themselves. We'd like to extend our gratitude to each one of them for their participation and commitment.

As we reflect on the success of the 7th Annual JMTA College Tennis Recruiting Combine, we’d also like to take some time to thank our sponsors that played a significant role in shaping this unforgettable experience.

Our partners, UTR Powered by Oracle, deserve a special mention for providing the digital platform that aided us in managing the event. The detailed player profiles and the comprehensive rating system ensured a fair evaluation of all participants.

A special acknowledgement goes to TennisAnalytics for stepping in with their top-tier live-streaming capabilities. Their exceptional service enabled coaches who couldn't attend in person to witness the talent firsthand, ensuring that no swing, serve, and volley was missed.

We’d also like to extend our thanks to the College Planning Alliance for organizing a financial aid seminar on planning and college aid. It proved incredibly beneficial for both athletes and their parents, providing valuable guidance in navigating the complexities of college expenses.

Gold Coast Vision Performance for conducting comprehensive vision testing for all athletes. Their contribution is greatly appreciated as it helped identify potential vision concerns, emphasizing the importance of eye health in sports.

Our thanks also extends to Nike, Head, Solinco, and Penn for providing the players with top-notch tennis equipment. The premium rackets, balls, and other gear ensured that the athletes had everything they needed to perform at their peak.

Each sponsor contributed to the seamless execution of the Combine, elevating the experience for the players, coaches, parents, and everyone else involved. We are thankful for their support, and look forward to continuing these partnerships for future Combines.

The JMTA College Tennis Recruiting Combine's primary objective has always been to facilitate a space where athletes can showcase their skills in front of college coaches, and this year was no different. We can’t wait to see how these athletes progress and are eager to welcome another set of talented players next year.
 

For Immediate Release - New York, June 15, 2023: The iconic Port Washington Tennis Academy is now part of the SPORTIME family of clubs. After a $7 million + renovation, currently underway, the new SPORTIME Port Washington will become a John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) location and the largest indoor pickleball club on Long Island.
MAC is Back!

American tennis legend, and New York icon, John McEnroe, who spent many years as a junior training and playing at the Port Washington Tennis Academy, along with his brother Patrick McEnroe, Vitas Gerulaitis, Tracy Austin and other legends, will return to the facility this fall to kickoff the dawn of a new area, as the John McEnroe Tennis Academy launches at the newly renovated SPORTIME Port Washington.

Upon completion of the facility renovations, currently underway, SPORTIME Port Washington will provide SPORTIME members and guests, and JMTA 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 three buildings
• New and improved court lighting in all three 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 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 and my brothers’ lives when we were training as juniors, " said tennis legend John McEnroe. “I am thrilled to be able to bring my Academy to the same location, a full circle moment for me. I look forward to supporting and mentoring a new generation of talented and motivated young players from across the tri-state area.”

JMTA Long Island is located 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 188 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and over 50 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.

This year's Scholarship Tryouts for the 2023-24 season brought out players across the Island, Connecticut and beyond. While full and partial scholarships were limited, the talent was incredible. The tryouts marked an incredible opportunity for aspiring tennis players to showcase their skills, determination, and passion for the sport.

The JMTP Scholarship Tryouts featured a team of skilled tennis pros and coaches who evaluated the participants' performance. The evaluation process was rigorous, with the coaches meticulously analyzing every aspect of the participants' game - technical proficiency, strategic decision-making, physical fitness, mental resilience, and overall potential.

Throughout the day, unforgettable moments unfolded as the athletes pushed themselves to their limits, but that’s not all. The tryouts were not just about intense competition and evaluation; they also provided moments of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Playing incredible rallies, precise serves, and lightning-fast footwork, the players proved that they were more than capable of stepping onto the tennis stage.

The JMTP Scholarship Tryouts at SPORTIME Syosset was an extraordinary showcase of young talent, determination, and love for tennis. It was a day filled with unforgettable moments, where participants proudly displayed their skills.

With the JMTP Scholarship program, they have the opportunity to embark on an amazing journey, guided by experienced coaches, and propel themselves towards a future of excellence. All winners of this year’s tryouts will be announced at the end of July.

Reported by By Judy D’Mello:

Hana Sromova and her husband, Claude Okin, of Sportime were honored at a Retreat gala in Sag Harbor Saturday for their longtime support of the agency, which aids victims of domestic violence. Read full article >

SPORTIME Amagansett/JMTA Hamptons has been featured in Long Island Tennis Magazine:

Located in the Town of East Hampton, SPORTIME Amagansett’s 23 acre campus features 33 pristine outdoor Har-Tru tennis courts, one hard-surface tennis and pickleball court, a heated outdoor pool and so much more for members, students and campers to enjoy. The Hamptons’ summer home to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, SPORTIME Amagansett welcomes aspiring young players to train at one of the world’s best academies when on the East End. The club is also home to East Hampton Sports Camp @ SPORTIME, which offers preschool and multi-sport full-day, full-summer fun for kids ages 3-13.

The SPORTIME Amagansett Sports Arena, open year-round, features a climate-controlled, regulation size rink that subdivides into three smaller courts that allow for multiple sports activities and small group training. Sports offered include hockey, soccer, basketball, volleyball and pickleball.

SPORTIME Amagansett offers both residents and Hampton visitors of all ages world-class tennis, pickleball and sports programming, camps, events, tournaments and more.  

Read all about it >

It was great to see many of you over the beautiful holiday weekend. Summer is here!

I am writing to share that this coming Saturday night, June 3rd, Hana and I are being honored by the wonderful, local organization, the Retreat, at their annual All Against Abuse Gala Benefit. The Retreat is a volunteer-founded, not-for-profit, social service agency, in its fourth decade providing critically needed, 24-hour, emergency help and shelter, along with counseling and legal services, to victims of domestic and relationship violence. SPORTIME is proud to have been a friend and supporter of the Retreat since its inception.

Hana and I both feel a bit embarrassed about receiving this honor, as well as totally undeserving. Our support of the Retreat has been heartfelt, not at all about personal recognition, and really the least we can do. Not to mention that longtime SPORTIME members like Steve Bergerson, and others, have inspired us with their dedication as Retreat Board Members. The work that the Retreat does is really so important and essential.

Last year, SPORTIME member, Markie Hancock, also a Retreat Board Member, made a wonderful documentary film about the founding of the Retreat, and the work that it does, titled "The Power of Community: How One Town Stood Against Domestic Violence", which was featured at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The above is all to say, although we have had flyers and invitations to the event prominently displayed at the club, we have maybe been a little too quiet about it. The Gala is taking place next Saturday evening, from 6pm-8pm, at The Church, in Sag Harbor. You can read more about it by clicking here. and you can also access a terrific silent auction, with lots of great local items, and more, by clicking here.

For those of you who are going to be around next weekend, and who may not have been aware of the event, or for those who have not yet committed, please consider joining us in Sag Harbor next Saturday at 6pm for cocktails, delicious food, great conversation, and more, to support The Retreat. If you are unable to be a last-minute guest or sponsor, then please bid or give.

Thank you so much for anything you can do, and hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
Claude & Hana

New York, May 9, 2023:  The Johnny Mac Tennis Project and SPORTIME/ John McEnroe Tennis Academy Present their Annual Scholarship Tryout and Athletic Scouting Combine at SPORTIME Randall's Island, Saturday June 17th 
Tryout for Aspiring Tennis Players, Ages 7-16, JMTP and SPORTIME/ JMTA will Award Full and Partial Scholarships to Selected Tryout and Combine Participants for the 2023-2024 Season at SPORTIME Randall's Island.

For the eleventh year, young hopefuls from across the tri-state area will be out in force at SPORTIME Randall's Island, the flagship location of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA), on Saturday, June 17th, as JMTA coaches seek to discover untapped tennis and athletic talent.

The goal of both the tryout and the combine is to find young players who are deserving of full or partial scholarships to attend the SPORTIME and JMTA program, starting in Fall 2023.

The event is a joint initiative of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) and SPORTIME/JMTA. JMTP, a 501(c)(3) charity, changes young lives through its commitment and efforts to remove racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis. The organization provides free tennis programs and scholarships to under-resourced young athletes from the NY Metropolitan area, providing a pathway to success through high level coaching and competitive tennis opportunities. The ultimate goal is to lead these young people to college scholarships, careers in the industry and, for a few, professional tennis careers.

Open only to players ages 7-16, who do not currently participate in SPORTIME/JMTA programs, but who have some tennis experience, the tryout will take place on Saturday, June 17th, from 9:30am-12:00pm, with check-in at 8:30am. Participants will be evaluated by a Selection Committee, consisting of SPORTIME/JMTA directors, coaches and leaders, including JMTA Co-Directors Lawrence Kleger and Patrick McEnroe. The tryout will include tennis and athletic drills, point/match play and athletic/fitness testing.

“We look forward to our scholarship tryout day each year, as it is an opportunity to meet new talented athletes and their families," said JMTA Co-Director Patrick McEnroe. “Our mission is to provide access to quality tennis programs for those who may not otherwise have that opportunity. We are excited to welcome young players to the Academy and look forward to another great tryout. I urge anyone interested in learning more to be sure to attend on June 17th.”

Scholarship winners for both the tryout and combine will be notified at a later date. Means testing is a requirement for JMTP scholarships so winners will be required to submit requisite financial information prior to approval.

SPORTIME Randall's Island and JMTP are located at One Randall’s Island, in Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan. For more information, parents of interested players/athletes can email scholarshipnyc@sportimeny.com or visit www.SportimeNY.com/JMTA.

Proper athletic attire, including footwear, is required. Participants will have access to locker room facilities. Water will be available on court. SPORTIME Randall’s Island features the “Courtside Cafe” with a variety of food, snack and beverage options, and a full-service pro shop, including professional stringing services. Registrants can visit www.sportimeny.com/jmtascholarship for online registration or to print and submit via postal mail, online form or fax.

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About Sportime Clubs
Since 1994, Sportime has been proud to operate the finest tennis and sports facilities in New York State. Sportime locations currently offer over 188 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, as well as rinks, turf, camps, gyms and more, at 15 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.

About the Johnny Mac Tennis Project
The Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) changes young lives through its efforts to remove the racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by tennis legend John McEnroe, JMTP introduces the sport of tennis as a life-long health, fitness and social activity to thousands of under-resourced New York City area children. 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. Learn more: www.jmtpny.org.

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 2015, 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 currently covers 4 sites with a total of 73 tennis courts, serving approximately 1,500 players annually.

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, 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, including mental toughness, sports vision training, video analytics and more, designed to assure the best possible outcome for serious junior players. 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, and SPORTIME’s Global Executive Director of Tennis, Mike Barrell, and executed by SPORTIME/JMTA’s expert U-10 directors and coaches. Learn more: www.SportimeNY.com/JMTA.

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JMTA Scholarship Tryout & Athletic Combine
What: Opportunity for young area tennis players to earn scholarships to Sportime and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy
When: Saturday, June 17, 2023
Tennis Tryout, 9:30am-12:00pm; check-in: 8:30am-9:30am
Athletic Combine, 10:30am-11:30am; check-in: 9:30am-10:30am
Where: SPORTIME, One Randall's Island, New York, 10035 Who: Players ages 7-16 with tennis experience (Tennis Tryout) Children ages 6-10 with little to no tennis experience (Athletic Combine) Info: /www.sportimeny.com/jmtascholarshipmeny.com/jmtascholarship