Tennis Icon John McEnroe Hosts Public Tryout In Harlem

HARLEM, NY — American tennis legend John McEnroe will hold a free tryout in Harlem on Thursday for his 34-week training program at the Sportime Randall's Island Tennis Center.

Kids between the age of six and 14 are encouraged to attend the tryouts held in Frederick Johnson Playground on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and West 150th Street for the chance to win a scholarship for the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. The scholarship covers the price of group sessions, individual instruction, training camps, performance training and mental toughness workshops and transportation to the Randall's Island tennis facility.

"We could be looking at future tennis stars," John McEnroe Tennis Academy's tennis director Lawrence Kleger said in a statement.

"We want to engage young, athletic, talented children and introduce them to the world of tennis with the intention of fostering long-term participation. We want to reward these kids’ hard work while nurturing their talent. These scholarships serve as a reminder for the kids that the Johnny Mac Tennis Project is as committed to them as they are to the sport of tennis."

On-site registration for the tryouts will take place at the park from 8:30-9 a.m. and tryouts are expected to run until 12 p.m., according to a press release.

McEnroe and his brother Patrick McEnroe, also a former tennis pro, will attend Thursday's tryout sessions. McEnroe enjoyed great success during the late 80s on the professional tennis circuit, becoming one of the most decorated singles and doubles competitors in the history of the sport. McEnroe won four U.S. Open three Wimbledon singles titles and was ranked as the world's No. 1 player for 170 weeks.

McEnroe started the nonprofit Johnny Mac Tennis Project in 2012 to "remove social and economic barriers to tennis participation for NYC kids and to bridge the gap between recreational community-based programs and advanced tennis training," according to a press release. Since its founding, the nonprofit has awarded tennis scholarships to 200 kids in Harlem and the South Bronx and has engaged more than 4,700 kids in free tennis programs.

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