Patrick McEnroe To Join SPORTIME, John McEnroe Tennis Academy, As Co-Director

NEW YORK - Dec. 21, 2016 - PRLog -- SPORTIME and The John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) today announced the appointment of Patrick McEnroe as Co-Director, alongside longtime JMTA Director Lawrence Kleger. McEnroe, the younger brother of JMTA founder John McEnroe, joins a team, led by SPORTIME Managing Director Bennett Schlansky. A world-class staff of directors, coaches, trainers and others support John's and the Academy's mission to stimulate interest in tennis in the greater NYC area, to make tennis accessible to New York area youth and to use tennis as pathway of opportunity, helping young players to reach there potentials as players, students and people.

"I am very pleased that my brother Patrick has decided to join us at JMTA, as we continue to refine our model and expand our impact," John McEnroe said. "There probably isn't anybody that understands American tennis and New York tennis better than Patrick and nobody in the world that has better or more experience coaching talent at the highest levels of the game. Patrick is going to help us make a difference."

"My brother John, Lawrence Kleger and the entire team at JMTA have set a new standard in New York with the quality and breadth of what they offer, and with their charitable efforts for young players of both genders and all backgrounds," Patrick McEnroe said. "I am looking forward to bringing my lifetime of learning, as a player, coach and program manager, to my new role. I think that JMTA is just getting started and that my involvement can be a great addition. I am excited to work on my brother's team!"

Ben Schlansky explains, "The opportunity to add Patrick to the Sportime/JMTA team was unexpected and, frankly, a "no brainer". Our CEO, Claude Okin, has known Patrick for almost 20 years, and we have all watched Patrick's evolution from touring pro, to Davis Cup Captain, to GM of USTA Player Development, and more, plus some folks forget that he won a Grand Slam. And now he is a tennis dad, so he has added that perspective. Patrick's contribution should be amazing for Sportime and JMTA, and Claude and I are so excited to have him on our team."

This sentiment was echoed by Patrick's JMTA Co-Director, Lawrence Kleger, who said, "I am very excited to have Patrick join our JMTA team.  I have known Patrick since he was a kid and have always liked and respected him. I look forward to working side by side with him.  Without question, Patrick will help us take the Academy to the next level."

Patrick McEnroe won one singles title and 16 doubles titles, including the 1989 French Open Men's Doubles title, during his 10-year professional career, and achieved career-high rankings of World No. 28 in singles and World No. 3 in doubles.  After retiring from the tour in 1998, Patrick had a successful run as U.S. Davis Cup captain, winning the cup in 2007. After leaving his Davis Cup role in 2010, McEnroe focused on his television commentary work, and also led the player development charge for the USTA until 2014. McEnroe is a life-long New Yorker, where he lives with his wife, Broadway star and actress Melissa Errico and their three daughters. McEnroe will impact a variety of areas in his position with SPORTIME and JMTA, including curriculum, corporate engagement, and fundraising for scholarship and community-based programs, as well as coach and staff recruitment and training, calling on his many years of working with and managing other great coaches, and learning from them.

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About SPORTIME

SPORTIME is proud to operate the finest tennis facilities in New York State, with over 150 indoor and outdoor courts at 12 clubs across Long Island, in NYC, in Westchester and in the NY Capital Region.  SPORTIME's clubs are state-of-the-art, yet affordable, and feature the best tennis facilities and programs, along with great gyms, camps and sports and fitness offerings.  SPORTIME is proud to be the home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at Randall's Island since 2010, with JMTA Annexes at Syosset/Bethpage, Long Island, and Lake Isle, Eastchester, since 2012.