John McEnroe Selects 5 N.Y. Boys For Scholarships To New Tennis Academy On Randall's Island

July 15, 2010 - PRLog -- NEW YORK – Former World No. 1 John McEnroe has chosen five boys from an open tryout for boys ages 6-16 Wednesday for scholarships to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at Sportime on Randall's Island.  The five were selected from almost 200 who came to the day-long event at SPORTIME on Randall’s Island, where the Academy will formally open in September. The five finalists were announced before a sold-out crowd at halftime of the New York Sportimes' World TeamTennis match against Andy Roddick and the Philadelphia Freedoms.  Aleksandar Kovacevic, 11, of Manhattan, is the full scholarship winner, while Jameson Corsillo, 7, of White Plains, N.Y., Ethan Leon, 9, of Woodhaven, N.Y., Mitchell Ostrovsky, 12, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Lamar Remy, 14, of Roslyn, N.Y. will attend the Academy with substantial grant assistance.

Kovacevic and the other winners showed off their skills and had the chance to play with McEnroe and Andy Roddick between events in the Sportimes' match.

“I just went out and tried my best and I'm glad the coaches think I have potential, and I can't wait to learn from the best,” said Aleksandar.  “It was exciting to hit on the same court with John McEnroe and Andy Roddick, and I hope to be playing on this court as a pro one day.”

McEnroe and the Academy staff will conduct a similar tryout for girls, ages 8-16, at Sportime on Monday, July 19, beginning at 8:30 a.m.  Almost 200 hopefuls have already signed up for the tryouts, which  will last the entire day for those who progress to the final rounds. The finalists will be invited to watch the Sportimes and US Open Champion and former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters in their final home match of the season.  Clijsters will help present the girls scholarship winner at halftime.

Clijsters and McEnroe will be joined by Claude Okin, Sportime CEO, Mark McEnroe, GM of Sportime at Randall's Island and the Academy, and Gilad Bloom, Academy Tennis Director and former ATP Tour professional in conducting Monday's tryout.  Former World No. 1 Martina Hingis will also assist in Monday's presentation to the winners.

The Sportimes have two home matches remaining, including tonight's battle for first place in the WTT Eastern Division with co-leader Washington, beginning at 7 p.m.  They conclude the home season on Monday vs. the New York Buzz, with Hingis, Clijsters and McEnroe all competing.

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The World TeamTennis N.Y. Sportimes compete at the new Sportime tennis facility on Randall's Island in Manhattan, in July. Visit http://www.nysportimes.com for more info.