Nike to Sponsor John McEnroe Tennis Academy

Nike has agreed to become the first official corporate partner of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, which will open in mid-September at the new $19 Million Sportime at Randall’s Island in New York City. Nike will be the official athletic apparel and sneaker for the students and staff of the Academy. The partnership is for a minimum of five years.

Rather than the tennis-only approach favored by residential academies, the McEnroe Academy concept will advocate life balance to the developing elite player. Students who are selected to the program will almost always attend conventional school and will train at the Academy before and after school hours and on weekends. The Academy will offer tennis and related fitness training, as well as academic support. Most students will live full-time in the New York metro area. Scholarship recipients may receive group and private lessons, fitness, performance and cross training, as well as equipment and apparel. The Academy will also provide match play, tournament travel and coaching for its elite team.

McEnroe will personally supervise two tryouts in July open to boys and girls under 16 years old who are interested in attending the McEnroe Academy when it opens in September. One boy and one girl will be selected by McEnroe to be awarded a full-year scholarship to the Academy. The tryouts will be held on July 14 for boys and on July 19 for girls, beginning at 8:30 am each day. Those attending the tryouts and making the initial cut will also be invited to watch McEnroe’s New York Sportimes World TeamTennis team play that evening.