John McEnroe Tennis Project (JMTP) Changes Students’ Lives Through Tennis
Christasha, JMTP Scholarship Recipient, and her father at the JMTP 2022 Pro Am
The John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTP) hosted their Annual JMTP Pro Am in the Hamptons. There were 100+ players at the event, including 9 Tennis Legends, 63 professional players, and 72 amateurs, making JMTP’s event the biggest one-day Pro Am event in the world.
JMTP is a nonprofit founded by tennis legend John McEnroe that transforms the lives of young people from underprivileged areas in NYC by removing the racial, economic and social barriers to tennis. Participants in the program often come from East Harlem and South Bronx, communities near their base at Sportime Randall’s Island. JMTP Initially introduces tennis to children as a physical and social activity, and for the most dedicated athletes, provides support for pursuing tennis competitively by providing college scholarships, career guidance, a path to professional careers in tennis. Since the founding of the program, JMTP has reached over 6,200 students and awarded over $7m in scholarships.
Christasha McNeil, High School Junior, JMTP Scholarship Recipient
“I want to be a pro tennis player. Receiving the JMTP scholarship is a once in a lifetime opportunity because not many people can afford to train the way I get to. It gives me a chance to go out on the court and do my best no matter what and show myself and everyone else what I’ve got.”
During the event I met with Christasha McNeil, a junior in high school and incredible tennis athlete. She was one of many students to perform during the event, and it was incredible to watch such a skilled athlete - her talent was truly mesmerizing and inspiring. Christasha shared how the support she’s received from JMTP has allowed her to improve her skills in the game, and has provided her with meaningful scholarships.
David Clarke, a 13-year old 5-Star recruit from Bronx, NY and John McEnroe
“I love that the JMTP scholarship allows me to make friends and meet new people and to practice skills I wouldn’t get to practice elsewhere. I see tennis playing a lifelong role of keeping me fit and healthy and maybe giving me career opportunities.”
I think it cannot be underestimated how critical it is for students from underrepresented areas to have access to an otherwise inaccessible sport like tennis, which for economic and social reasons is essentially completely out of reach for students in the inner cities like South Bronx and East Harlem. Not only does providing access to tennis enable students to take up a really unique sport, but it gives them access to a world they would otherwise never have, and enables them to build confidence, character and discipline, which allows a transformation that shifts every aspect of their life.