From Port Washington to Wimbledon
Long Island's Untold Tennis Story

The Club That Changed American Tennis

In the 1970s, a small club on the north shore of Nassau County became the most important address in American tennis. The Port Washington Tennis Academy didn't look like much from the outside. But inside, a coaching philosophy was being built that would produce John McEnroe — one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

McEnroe wasn't alone. His brother Patrick. Vitas Gerulaitis. Tracy Austin. All trained at Port Washington. All went on to become legends. The club's philosophy — aggressive baseline play, creative shot-making, mental toughness — became the blueprint for a generation of American champions.

What Made Port Washington Special

The coaching staff at Port Washington in that era understood something most clubs didn't: juniors need to play. Not just drill. Not just feed balls. Actually compete, problem-solve, and get uncomfortable. The academy created an environment where top junior players trained together daily, pushed each other, and developed the match-play instincts that can't be built on a ball machine.

The JMTA Today

When SPORTIME acquired and renovated the Port Washington club — completing an $8.5 million top-to-bottom renovation — they brought John McEnroe back as the face of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Today JMTA operates at two Nassau County locations: Syosset and Port Washington.

The philosophy hasn't changed much. Elite junior training, competitive play, and a coaching staff that takes player development seriously. Long Island families who invest in JMTA are buying into that legacy — and into a program that still produces college-bound and nationally ranked junior players every year.

What This Means for Your Child

You don't have to be the next McEnroe to benefit from Long Island's tennis infrastructure. The same geographic concentration that produced world-class pros also means there are more quality junior tennis programs within 30 minutes of most Long Island homes than almost anywhere in the country. USTA Eastern Long Island, SCJTL, Generation Next Tennis, Eastern Athletic, Nassau Indoor Tennis — the options are genuinely exceptional.