Head Visits John McEnroe Tennis Academy

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, October 26, 2024

Corridor of Famer John McEnroe is within the development enterprise.

The previous world No. 1 in singles and doubles is dedicated to constructing champions in New York Metropolis.

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McEnroe not too long ago hosted Head, his racquet sponsor, on a go to to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randall’s Island the place McEnroe shared his teaching method.

New Yorker McEnroe is invested in what he calls an important mission: Creating a New York Metropolis tennis champion—and profitable junior and school gamers—heading his Johnny Mac Tennis Challenge.

The Johnny Mac Tennis Challenge (JMTP), a non-profit based by John McEnroe and others, strives to enhance younger lives by eradicating the racial, financial and social limitations to success by tennis. This system is run by the John McEnroe Tennis Academy on Randall’s Island in New York Metropolis.

A glass trophy case on the second flooring options a few of McEnroe’s most prized trophies, starting from his Orange Bowl trophy to his US Open trophy, reminders of the journey from Douglaston, Queens to Randall’s Island. The person who grew up enjoying basketball and soccer along with tennis took an unconventional path to the historical past.

Ask McEnroe about that and he’ll inform you he would have imploded if his dad and mom shipped him off to a Florida tennis academy.

The Corridor of Famer believes what some see as a non-traditional path is definitely the wisest method ahead for a lot of children most snug residing at house with their households, growing friendships and even perhaps enjoying group sports activities.

“I don’t assume I’d have made it if my dad and mom despatched me to a Bollettieri or another academy in Florida,” McEnroe advised Tennis Now. “I’m a giant believer in going to high school, growing friendships to nurture these younger gamers to allow them to deal with the pressures that may come from tennis as we seen now with psychological well being points.

“I performed different sports activities in addition to tennis rising up and that helped me. Some children are home-schooled. The purpose is tennis is a person sport and we’re attempting to method it individually in this system and do what’s finest for every child as a result of each scenario is totally different.”

Photograph credit score: Sportime/John McEnroe Tennis Academy