Your 2021 Guide to the Top Tennis Clubs/Programs

February 3, 2021 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
club guide pic
Photo courtesy of Getty Images

 

New York tennis players have great choices when it comes to where to play tennis. We have compiled a list of some of the top clubs and programs with descriptions of what each has to offer.

 

Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 

1720 Crotona Avenue

Bronx, N.Y.

(718) 247-7420

CaryLeedsTennis.org

CaryLeedsInfo@NYJTL.org

The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning houses a two-story, 12,000-square foot clubhouse, educational spaces, and access to 20 courts (10 bubbled for winter/indoor use) and two stadium courts that seat up to 800 spectators. Led by a world-class team of tennis professionals offering programs and private lessons for juniors and adults of all skill levels, the Center also hosts summer camps, tournaments and community-based events.

The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is the flagship home of New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL), the largest youth tennis and education non-profit in the nation. In serving its larger mission, the Cary Leeds Center provides 6,000 hours of free tennis court time to the community.

 


Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy 

222 N Passaic Ave.

Chatham, N.J. 07960

Centercourtcta.com

(973) 855-3111

Conrad@CentercourtClub.com

(862) 308-3029

Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy boasts the toughest playground in the North East and has created a true Culture of excellence. The quality and intensity of programs, daily in-person academic support, personalized competitive scheduling as well as hosting a full calendar of UTR/ITA tournaments monthly makes Centercourt Tennis Academy the top choice.

Our coaches have walked the pathway and take pride in delivering only the best cutting edge Player Development Programs which are personalized to the needs of each athlete.  Centercourt’s methodology is well-proven with the number of top players coming from our programs who are currently attending some of the best colleges in the country.  Our specialized approach, teamwork, world-class facilities as well as the unique experience each player receives makes Centercourt a great the place to call home.

Centercourt’s facilities are comprised of eight New Jersey locations, with more on the way. Centercourt’s Performance Tennis home base is located in Chatham, N.J., conveniently located 45 minutes from New York City with transportation and boarding options available.

While Centercourt encourages a tennis culture of excellence, Centercourt also places a strong emphasis and focus on academics and work ethic. Since its full-time academic inception Centercourt’s scholar-athletes have committed to play collegiate tennis at strong academic institutions such as Yale, Columbia University, Wake Forest University, New York University and many more. Centercourt offers schooling through K12, Laurel Springs and The Dwight School, however our point of difference are our on-site teachers who work individually with each student-athlete to ensure they are at their potential daily.

Team, long-lasting relationships and family at Centercourt that is essential in creating the ideal training environment. Our world-class staff of coaches are proven globally in the industry and boast decades of experience at the highest levels. 

We firmly believe in communication between the players, parents and coaches and that players need to be developed holistically to become the best they can be.  We believe that Competition is the backbone to development with players competing locally, nationally and at ITF level regularly. Centercourt’s full-time athletes become proficient in Technical through the use of our SMAP Video Analysis Programs and also undertake weekly mentally tough tennis seminars.  We challenge players to become top student-athletes through our academics guided by our team in class daily.

We strive daily to ensure that our objective is clear—to ensure our environment always feel like home to our players. 

Visit Centercourtcta.com for more information on after-school programs, specialized weekend training and our Full-Time Academy. Our Annual Calendar of UTR, ITA, College Series, Junior Series and Official Match Play is also a perfect supplement for anyone ready to compete.

 


Chris Lewit Tennis Academy 

3997 VT-100

Londonderry, Vt.

(914) 462-2912

ChrisLewit.com

Chris@ChrisLewit.com

Chris Lewit Tennis Academy (CLTA) is a serious high performance academy set in the natural paradise of Vermont.

CLTA offers year-round full-time training, short-term training, and a world-famous high Performance summer camp.

Players have the opportunity to train personally in very small groups with Chris Lewit, one of leading high-performance junior development coaches in the United States. Chris is known as an expert in technique and biomechanics, and in Spanish training methods. He has developed numerous top 10 nationally-ranked juniors, many of whom are now graduating to the pro circuit. He also has experience building the foundations of many young prodigies.

Players live in a charming Vermont Inn and have exclusive use of a private tennis club, CLTA Vermont, which offers both outdoor red clay courts and indoor hard courts in the event of rain, gym, yoga studio and clubhouse. New this year: Visiting players and families can stay in Chris’s private carriage house apartment!

CLTA offers a unique teaching system based on the Bruguera Method from Spain, as well as other European influences based on Chris Lewit’s travels abroad. Author of the best-selling book, The Secrets of Spanish Tennis, Chris has spent the last 14 years studying with many of the legendary coaches in Spain and Europe. He brings the most cutting-edge training methods from Europe back to the U.S. for his students.

All students receive personal coaching and mentoring directly from Chris Lewit, and are supported by his trained staff of top college and ATP players.

For more information, contact Chris directly to discuss your player’s development plan by e-mail at Chris@ChrisLewit.com, call (914) 462-2912 or visit ChrisLewit.com.

 


CourtSense Tennis Training Centers at Tenafly and Bogota Racquet Club 

195 County Road 

Tenafly, N.J.

(201) 569-1114

156 W Main St

Bogota, N.J.

(201) 489-1122

CourtSense.com

CourtSense offers the top tennis facilities in Northern New Jersey and provides a comprehensive program of tennis instruction delivered by professional coaches, using the finest techniques and technologies. With CourtSense, you’ll achieve your personal best, because our training is of the highest professional caliber—and easily tailored to suit your age and skill level. Children under 10 years of age benefit immensely from a proper training foundation—eliminating poor techniques that could mar their game later in life.  We love helping juniors and adults achieve their goals on and off the tennis courts.

CourtSense Tennis Training Centers have a whole range of activities to support junior and adult tennis lovers. From teddy tennis and afterschool clinics to high-performance full-day program, cardio tennis, internal and USTA leagues, and private and group sessions, we have something to suit everyone. CourtSense students have access to 15 indoor tennis courts (All of them are PlaySight smart-courts), world-class strength and conditioning centers and luxury players’ lounges.  The indoor facilities have also been updated with state of the art UVGI systems that are constantly sanitizing the air inside the facilities.

CourtSense’s club in Bogota, N.J. primarily specializes on the high-performance and tournament players. We have worked with players who have become ATP- and WTA-ranked players, U.S. Olympians, as well as many college scholarship athletes, and currently work with some of the top juniors in the Eastern Section. CourtSense’s high-performance coaches, in collaboration with its fitness staff and a sports psychologist, have developed a program that maximizes athletes’ strengths, both on and off the court. The goal is to use tennis as a vehicle to teach life lessons by tapping into the spirit of every player, with passion, expertise and character. We want our juniors to be the best tennis players they can possibly be, but at the same time, be prepared to be successful in anything they want to be once their tennis careers are over.

Another unique aspect to CourtSense’s facilities is the fitness programming provided in partnership with Magnus: Expand Human Potential. Magnus’ team has the ability to assess, correct, enhance and reassess an athlete–giving you everything you need to compete at the best of one’s abilities. CourtSense members have access to cutting-edge strength and conditioning technology, private sessions, nutritional counseling and mental toughness training.

For more information on CourtSense programs, call (201) 569-1114 and (201) 489-1122 or e-mail Info@CourtSense.com. Registration is now open for the winter and summer sessions at CourtSense.com.

 


Evert Tennis Academy 

10334 Diego Drive South

Boca Raton, Fla.

EvertAcademy.com

The Evert Tennis Academy (ETA) is located in the Mission Bay area of Boca Raton, Fla. With 23 courts, pristine grounds, state-of-the-art-equipment, a caring staff and family atmosphere combine make Evert Tennis Academy a beautiful and unique training environment.

As the proud home to more than 15 Grand Slam participants and 100 Division I college athletes, Evert Tennis Academy has a proven record of success in developing champions at the highest levels. Chris Evert, tennis legend and winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, and John Evert, world-renowned developmental coach and academy director, believe in designing personalized programs that consist of a strategic balance between technical, tactical, mental and physical training. They pride themselves on handpicking some of the finest developmental coaches working in the sport who are dedicated to the instruction, development and success of each athlete

Academy and Developmental Programs

The Academy Program at Evert systematically addresses every aspect of a player’s game through a daily regimen of technical, tactical, mental and physical training. The Morning Training Session is composed of drilling, and strength and conditioning. The program is continued in the afternoon with a focus towards competition and tactics. The Developmental Program at Evert Tennis Academy is designed to take players to the next level by providing a very exclusive, individualized program and the difference between it and the Academy Program lies within the daily 1:1 lesson. Boarding students age 18 and younger enrolled in the Full-Time, Weekly or Camp programs, stay in our three-story dormitory. Each dorm room houses up to two students during the school year and up to four students during Camp and Summer Sessions with boys and girls being housed on separate buildings.

Evert Tennis Academy conveniently provides one-on-one airport transportation for its boarding students, for a fee (subject to change), to all three area international airports: (PBI) West Palm Beach (35 minutes), (FLL) Fort Lauderdale (35 minutes), (MIA) Miami International (55 minutes).

All transportation coordination is handled directly through the Academy, making it stress-free and easy for you.

Please contact Evert Tennis Academy at (561) 488- 2001 for more information or e-mail Andrew.Parker@EvertAcademy.com.

 


Gilad Bloom Tennis 

(914) 907-0041

Bloom.Gilad@gmail.com

GiladBloom.com

Gilad Bloom Tennis has been operating in New York City since 2000 and is a boutique junior program geared for juniors ages six through 18, who want to take their game to the next level. It is a year-round program which offers group sessions, private lessons and tournament travel, seven days a week.

The program is personally run by Gilad Bloom, there’s a strong emphasis on technique and footwork, and a lot of personal attention, as well as attention to detail, with a maximum of four kids per court.

During the Fall/Winter Season, Gilad Bloom Tennis runs sessions at Riverdale Tennis Center (May-October), on Oct. 20, it moves indoors to New York Tennis Club until May 1, and then it moves back outdoors to Riverdale TC.

Gilad Bloom Quick Start Tennis Program for ages 4-8

Bloom is a former Israeli Davis Cup player and two-time Olympian, who has been running his own tennis program since 2000. Gilad served as director of tennis at John McEnroe Tennis Academy for two years. He played on the ATP Tour from 1983-1995, reaching the fourth round of the U.S. Open in 1990. Gilad reached a career-high singles ranking of 61st in the world and was Israel’s singles champion on three occasions.

For more information, visit GiladBloom.com or e-mail Gilad Bloom directly at Bloom.Gilad@gmail.com.

 


Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club 

450 West 43rd Street New York, N.Y.

(212) 594-0554

AdvantageTennisClubs.com

Milos@AdvantageTennisClubs.com

Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club (MPRC), an Advantage Tennis Club, is located at 450 West 43rd Street (between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue) in New York City (open Monday-Sunday from 6:00 a.m. until midnight).

MPRC offers luxury tennis in the heart of Manhattan, with five indoor championship hard courts, air conditioning in the summer, a luxurious duplex clubhouse with terrace, a new tennis bubble, private lessons and group lessons for all ages and levels, game-arranging, quality tennis programs for members and non-members, leagues, tennis camps, parties, doubles play, tournaments, a pro shop with stringing services, and nice locker rooms. MPRC membership includes a full membership to Manhattan Plaza Health Club. MPRC members can fully access the Health Club’s many fitness classes, climbing walls, gym, glass enclosed swimming pool, sundeck, sauna and more. There is indoor parking also available on the premises.

MPRC’s most popular program for members is game arranging that follows the NTRP Rating System. MPRC has some of the best tennis-teaching professionals in New York City who offer private lessons and group lessons.

MPRC offers several categories of membership, including the Advantage Passport Tennis/Sports MultiClub Membership to Roosevelt Island Racquet Club & Sports Park and the New York Tennis Club. For membership information, contact MPRC Assistant Manager and Membership Director Lauren Hartman at (212) 594-0554.

MPRC also offers season/open tennis time, and for more information on these opportunities, contact MPRC Manager Milos Vojvodic at (212) 594-0554. For more information on tennis lessons and Adult Tennis Programs, contact MPRC Assistant Tennis Director Bruce Barney at (212) 594-0554. MPRC also offers QuickStart classes for ages three and older as well as Junior Development Programs for boys and girls ages six to 17. For more information, contact MPRC’s Junior Program Administrator Gabriel Slotnick at (212) 594-0554.

 


MatchPoint NYC 

2781 Shell Road

Brooklyn, N.Y.

(718) 769-0001

MatchPoint.NYC

MatchPoint NYC Mill Basin

2350 East 69th Street

Brooklyn, N.Y.

(718) 444-3600

MatchPointComplex@gmail.com

MatchPoint NYC

9000 Bay Parkway

Brooklyn, N.Y.

(718) 372-9000

MatchPoint.NYC

MatchPoint NYC clubs are your sports and fitness destination for the entire family and with three locations throughout New York City, you are never too far from your next tennis adventure.

MatchPoint NYC is the sports and fitness destination for the entire family, with three locations in Brooklyn, N.Y., only 30 minutes away from downtown Manhattan. Spread across 120,000-square-feet, MatchPoint’s premier health and fitness complex features a cutting-edge tennis facility that includes nine indoor tennis courts.

MatchPoint’s Tennis Coaching Team is led by Numrud Nino Muhatasov, co-founder and director of MatchPoint NYC (a former coach of top WTA and ATP players, former captain and number one singles and doubles player for the St. John’s University Tennis Team, Big East Conference Finalist and two-time Most Valuable Player), together with Director of Tennis Sergey Igel (U.S. Open Official Hitting Partner, 2011 MAAC MVP of the Year, USPTR Certified Coach).

MatchPoint NYC’s world-class junior tournament training programs (by invitation only) are comprised of highly-ranked players on national and international levels. The club offers personalized coaching for each player, plus private lessons, intensive drills, match play, tennis-specific fitness conditioning and mental conditioning. MatchPoint has a wide range of programs for all levels, including adult leagues, QuickStart, Junior Development (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and private lessons taught by accredited USPTA-certified coaches.

MatchPoint NYC’s WiFi-enabled Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Relax and unwind after a game, grab a bite to eat or relax while you watch your child on the court. Enjoy a healthy snack or get refreshed with a smoothie at the juice bar. Stop by the Pro Shop if you forgot something or if you need your racket restrung. Free parking is also offered on premises.

Additional club features include a luxury full-sized gym, three group fitness studios, a Junior Olympic pool, a basketball court and a variety of youth and adult recreational and competitive training programs. MatchPoint NYC-certified instructors and personal trainers are friendly, approachable and ready to assist in your individual fitness objectives. The group swimming and exercise classes in MatchPoint’s specialized studios or outdoor field, health metrics assessments, and one-on-one training will get you the desired results in your quest for a healthier lifestyle. Complete your day of health and fitness by winding down and relaxing in the steam sauna. Join MatchPoint NYC and FIND YOUR GAME!

 


Midtown Tennis Club 

341 8th Avenue

New York, N.Y.

(212) 989-8572

MidtownTennis.com

Midtown Tennis Club is Manhattan’s original indoor tennis facility, conveniently located in the heart of New York City. Situated on 8th Avenue, between 26th and 27th Streets, Midtown Tennis Club is easily accessible by public transportation. In a city filled with commitments and membership dues, it’s a breeze to reserve at Midtown for an hour or more of court time, a private lesson or one of Midtown’s clinics.

Midtown has four indoor HarTru courts for year-round use and four outdoor HarTru courts which are bubbled and heated during the winter months. Midtown’s outdoor season enables City-dwellers to play on our open-air courts with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.

Midtown offers an extensive team of tennis professionals who are available to provide lessons to all ages and levels. If you are looking to develop your existing skills, learn new techniques, get a great cardio workout or prepare for your next tournament, Midtown can accommodate your needs!

Midtown’s clinics are offered for total beginners and all levels up to competition players. Sign up for one month, one day or all-year! The Friday Night Round-Robin is a popular event in the winter season which attracts intermediate to advanced players looking for friendly doubles matches. It is a great way to meet new tennis friends.

Enroll your aspiring tennis prodigy in Midtown’s Junior Development Program.  Classes are available after school for ages 4 and up and for all levels.  The Club features the QuickStart programs, as well as a competitive program for more advanced players.  Midtown maintains small group classes for maximum progress.  Classes are offered throughout the school year as well as camp during the summer months. The Club also hosts mini programs during the Winter and Spring breaks.  A great sport for social distancing!

 


New York Tennis Club 

3081 Harding Avenue

Throgs Neck (Bronx), N.Y.

(718) 239-7919

AdvantageTennisClubs.com

MarkKeye@AdvantageTennisClubs.com

NYTCTreasurer@gmail.com

Founded in 1886, New York Tennis Club is the oldest active tennis club in New York. Throughout the years, the Club has maintained a reputation for its restful atmosphere, congeniality of its members and its professional approach to a truly popular sport. With a patio and viewing deck and six HarTru courts, the Club is a haven in a quiet corner of the City. Convenient to Manhattan, Queens and lower Westchester, it’s also the best value in the Tri-State area. Sit back and relax in the recently renovated clubhouse and lounge, grab a bite to eat at the snack bar or unwind in the remodeled locker rooms. There is also on-site racquet stringing in the pro shop and ample free parking located on the premises.

New York Tennis Club is a club for all seasons. For the upcoming indoor season, mid-October to the end of April, New York Tennis Club offers high-quality courts at competitive rates. The two climate-controlled bubbles are equipped with shadow-less, non-glare lighting, with hourly court time at rates between $42-$95 per court, as well as seasonal court options. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m.-Midnight, seven days a week, and no membership is required.

The rest of the year is outdoor season, when the Club offers unlimited play—as much tennis as members wish. Tennis lovers can soak up the sun on lush lawns surrounded by flower gardens, sit in the shade of willow trees or have lunch on a covered patio or in the clubhouse, which offers dining facilities, locker rooms and showers. For additional information, visit NewYorkTennisClub.com.

The Club offers adult programs for skill sets of all levels. Program offerings include singles and doubles leagues, a comprehensive game arranging program for both singles and doubles players, private and group instruction for all levels, cardio tennis classes, and tennis parties, where guests are welcome. Whether you are new to tennis, or want to take your game to the next level, New York Tennis Club has a program for you.

Advantage Tennis Clubs hosts over 30 USTA sanction tournaments at NYTC throughout the year.  Players enrolled in Advantage QuickStart and the Jr Development Program receive a 20 percent discount on entry fees. For more information please contact Bill Wiese at BWiese@AdvantageTennisClubs.com or call (718) 239-7919.

One more special feature: The Advantage Passport Membership, which offers members a whole new level of benefits and access. Passport memberships include free summer court time on reserved courts at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) and New York Tennis Club, plus membership privileges at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Health Club and New York Tennis Club. For more information, call (718) 239-7919. See you on the courts!

 


New York Tennis at Great Neck 

12 Shore Drive

Great Neck, N.Y.

NYTAGN.com

(516) 233-2790

A hidden gem conveniently located and open to players of all ages and levels, New York Tennis at Great Neck is a short ride from anywhere in Nassau County and Queens. This scenic club overlooking the Little Neck Bay features five year-round clay courts, two outdoor season hard courts, and a highly-skilled and experienced coaching staff comprised of former ATP, ITF and NCAA players.

New York Tennis at Great Neck has been serving up tennis in this location since 2010. Initially formed over 30 years ago by the late and legendary Tennis Director Howie Arons, the junior program has produced more than 90 NCAA players, 250 ranked junior players, and 1,000 high school players. The club’s adult program prides itself in having a wide array of programming, from dynamic clinics and express tennis for beginners, to high energy cardio tennis and in-club competitive leagues, ensuring adults have exactly what they’re looking for. The waterfront location, accommodating staff, and friendly atmosphere has also made the club an increasingly popular destination for those looking to host events, such as birthday parties, holiday parties and corporate outings.

What players enjoy most about playing at the club is the comfortable, relaxed and welcoming environment that they feel when they walk through the doors of New York Tennis at Great Neck. Passion, consistency and authenticity ring true every day at the club, where everyone feels at home and part of one big, but at the same time, tight-knit tennis family.

 


Roosevelt Island Racquet Club 

281 Main Street

Roosevelt Island, N.Y.

(212) 935-0250

RIRCTennis.com

SOKeefe@AdvantageTennisClubs.com

Now in its 27th year of operation, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) is part of Advantage Tennis Clubs. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club is conveniently located on beautiful Roosevelt Island, New York City’s oasis on the East River. The Club features 12 HarTru courts under new bubbles with shadowless, non-glare lighting, heated and air conditioned for comfortable year-round play. The exercise room includes a treadmill, exercise bikes, elliptical trainers and free weights to accommodate almost any workout. The Club boasts a completely stocked pro shop, locker room facilities, two social lounges, Riverview Lounge with a breathtaking view of Manhattan’s skyline, and free parking.

RIRC is easily accessible by tram, ferry, subway or car (free on-site parking). The Roosevelt Island Tram (from 60th Street and 2nd Avenue) stops adjacent to the Club, and the subway (F Train) stops one block from the club.

RIRC offers a range of adult programs for players of all levels. Program offerings range from the Advanced Singles League for the experienced competitive player, to Beginner Group Lessons for people new to the sport of tennis. Cardio tennis is one of the Club’s most popular programs and is offered daily for those looking to combine a cardio workout with tennis. Whatever your goal, there is a program for you! The Advantage Junior Tennis Program offers year-round classes, camps and programs for all ages and levels.

There are QuickStart classes for ages three and older, summer and holiday camp programs, after-school programs, tournament training for advanced competitive players, and match play. During the school year, classes are offered both after-school and on Saturdays. The Advantage Junior Tennis Camp offers one-week sessions from mid-June through the end of August.

RIRC offers a Gold Membership that includes full Club privileges, 14-day advance reservation privileges, member court fees with an average savings of $35 per court hour, game arranging and member discount on all programs. The Club is excited to offer Advantage Passport Membership, which offers members a whole new level of benefits and access. Passport Memberships include free summer court time on reserved courts at RIRC and New York Tennis Club, plus membership privileges at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Health Club and New York Tennis Club.

For more information, contact Steve O’Keefe at (212) 935-0250.

 


Ross School Tennis Academy 

20 Goodfriend Drive

East Hampton, N.Y.

Ross.org/Tennis

TennisAcademy@Ross.org

(631) 907-5162

Ross School Tennis Academy (RSTA) is the premiere training center in the Hamptons, boasting a beautiful tennis facility that is open to the public and located on the Ross Upper School Campus in East Hampton, N.Y. The Tennis Center features six HarTru courts that are enclosed by a bubble from mid-fall through mid-spring, allowing for year-round play. The Tennis Center features state-of-the-art amenities such as spacious locker rooms, lower level lounge, convenient snack bar, and ping-pong tables, and the staff provides a fun and supportive atmosphere that allows for the greatest amount of success.

After-school programming, a dynamic program for junior players, and specialized summer programs are offered to make Ross Tennis Academy the place to play tennis in the Hamptons.

After-school Programs (Pre-K–Grade 12)

Nursery-Grade 4: Specialized one-hour training program where players build a strong foundation through a variety of game-based and cooperative activities using 10U age appropriate (Red, Orange or Green) balls and nets that will prepare them for eventual full court play.

Grade 5-Grade 12: Players build off their 10U foundation to further develop fundamental skills and techniques as they transition into yellow balls and prepare for full-court tournament competition. Ball control, strategy, and work ethic are all emphasized in this 90-minute session of drills and point play.

Players in kindergarten and higher are required to play twice per week in this program.

Integrated Training + Academic Program

►Designed for USTA/ITF players in grades seventh through 12 and postgraduates, RSTA is the first in the New York City area to have a full academic program with a complete physical and mental conditioning program. In addition, unlike other tennis academies, RSTA is a small, intimate program that allows student-athletes to develop lasting relationships with coaches, while receiving personalized instruction. Students who attend the Academy experience high-performance tennis training, while studying alongside their peers in a stimulating college preparatory learning community following a regular academic year (Ross.org/Tennis).

►Lessons and Court Rentals: Ross Tennis Academy also offers adult clinics, court rentals and private and group instruction for all ages and levels. The Tennis Center is also used for a variety of special events and is available for private parties.

 

 


 

SPORTIME Randall’s Island 

Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and the 501(c)(3) Johnny Mac Tennis Project

1 Randall’s Island

New York, N.Y.

(212) 427-6150

SportimeNY.com/NYC

JKarl@SportimeNY.com

SPORTIME Randall’s Island, a state-of-the-art, 20-court tennis club and training facility located on Randall’s Island in Manhattan, is home to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) and to the 501(c)(3) Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP).

SPORTIME Randall’s Island features 160,000-square feet of tennis courts and amenities, including five indoor and five indoor/outdoor Deco-Turf tennis courts, and 10 indoor/outdoor HarTru clay tennis courts. This extraordinary club also features a functional training and fitness center; a sports vision training lab operated by Dr. Anne Hanna, MD, founder of Gold Coast Optometric Vision Performance; comfortable lounge areas with excellent viewing; a pro shop featuring top brands and 24-hour stringing; locker rooms with steam; a café serving healthy food, snacks and beverages; and classrooms, party rooms and meeting facilities.

In 2010, SPORTIME and tennis legend John McEnroe together launched JMTA at SPORTIME Randall’s Island. The Academy is led by Managing Director, Bennett Schlansky, General Manager, Michael Ward, Directors Patrick McEnroe, who needs no introduction, and Lawrence Kleger, who has trained and coached more nationally-ranked and world-ranked juniors than anyone in the history of the USTA Eastern Section, Director of Sports Performance, Richard-John Mensing Jr. and many other world-class directors. The athletic development and tennis coaching staff comprises more than 40 experienced professionals from around the world, all selected by Johnny Mac and the SPORTIME/JMTA leadership team, who, under that team’s guidance, implement the innovative and unique vision of JMTA. Faced with the challenges of COVID-19, we responded immediately with new guidelines and protocols designed to keep our players, members, guests and staff safe and healthy. To find out more, go to SportimeNY.com/Covid19_Guide.

SPORTIME/JMTA is proud to have developed hundreds of players who have received full or partial scholarships, or favored admissions, to top colleges and universities including, to name just a few, Wake Forest University, University of North Carolina, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Brown, Louisiana State University, Auburn, William and Mary, Tufts and Vanderbilt. Current pro players who train or have trained at JMTA include Christina McHale, Noah Rubin and Jamie Loeb.

In addition to world-class group training for top juniors, SPORTIME offers a wide variety of programming for players of all ages and levels, including SPORTIME Bounce for preschoolers, JMTA’s trademarked Mac Red Ball and Mac Orange Ball programs for younger, developing players, and the best group programming and facilities in New York City for adult players. Also based at SPORTIME Randall’s Island is the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which provides scholarships to JMTA players and introduces the sport of tennis as a life-long health, fitness and social activity to thousands of under-resourced New York City area kids. JMTP’s mission is to change young lives by removing the economic and social barriers to success through tennis.

 

 

 


USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center 

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Flushing, N.Y.

NTC.USTA.com

(718) 760-6200

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open Tennis Championships, is the largest public tennis facility in the world. It is, most certainly, a “Tennis Welcome Center.” The Tennis Center is open to the public year-round for court rentals and offers exciting programming, as well as numerous events throughout the year.

Programs are offered for all ages and levels, as well as clinics, private lessons, leagues, tours, field trips, summer camps, corporate events, birthday parties, and tournaments. The NTC also supports all USTA Community Tennis and Player Development initiatives.

The professional staff of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center also conducts community tennis programs, including 11 & Under Tennis for children 11 years of age and under to learn tennis in a fun and dynamic way; USTA Junior Team Tennis for youth match play; USTA League Tennis for competitive, level-of-play competition, and an official Cardio Tennis site for on-court heart-pumping fitness.

Initiatives for USTA Player Development include an Invitational USTA Competition Training Center for ranked players, Player Development programs for top-ranking juniors residing in the Northeast, and a year-round USTA Tournament Training Program for ranked juniors.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis also provides for diverse community outreach programs including; the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, various Community outreach events, the Queens District Attorney’s Star Track/Say Yes to Tennis, No to Violence program for Queens at-risk youth.

The NTC hosts various tennis opportunities for special populations, including wheelchair tennis instruction for the physically-challenged from the months of October through July, HERO (Help Expand Recreational Opportunities) for developmentally challenged adults and tennis for autistic children through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children).

There is an extensive summer camp program which provides basic tennis instruction starting as young as 11 and under up through and including Academy level players. Camps include instruction and fitness programs; the encouragement of good sportsmanship leading to general character building for the children of all ages and levels. These services are provided at a nominal cost, making it affordable for youngsters who would not otherwise get the chance to attend camp or receive tennis instruction. Lastly, the Project ACES (Alternative Classroom Environment for Students), implemented at the NTC in 2009, is geared towards children from schools from the New York City Metropolitan Area. This program provides students the opportunity to visit the NTC and learn about the history and the game of tennis. The kids are given a tour of the entire site, including Center Court in Ashe, a video presentation on the history of tennis and the great players of the sport, followed by an hour of on-court tennis instruction.

 

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Oneononedoubles banner art resize
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition