John McEnroe Tennis Academy Student Noah Rubin Wins Wimbledon Juniors

NEW YORK - July 6, 2014 - PRLog -- Noah Rubin has completed his storybook run through the Wimbledon Boys' Singles draw, becoming the first American in seven years to win the title, defeating fellow American Stefan Kozlov, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, today on No. 1 Court. Rubin, who trains at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in New York, defeated three seeded players, advancing through the qualifying draw. In all, Rubin won seven matches to take the Championship.

“I am proud to see two American boys in the finals of the Wimbledon juniors for the first time since my first visit to Wimbledon in 1977,” said JohnMcEnroe, “and prouder still to see Noah take the title. He has worked very hard on and off the court, and it is exciting to see him come through in such a big way on the big stage.”

Rubin, 18, has been a student at SPORTIME since age seven and at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy since 2010. His personal coach since 2003, JMTA and SPORTIME Director of Tennis Lawrence Kleger, was unable to accompany Noah on the trip, as he is recovering from a hip replacement surgery, but explains, "Noah did a phenomenal job of maintaining his focus and keeping his compete level high from the first match in qualies to the final against Stefan. That is what is required to win a slam. I couldn't be more proud of him."

"This is obviously an exciting day for me," said Rubin. "I would like to thanks everyone at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy for their support and especially my coach, Lawrence Kleger, who has been there for me for as long as I can remember. The personal and financial support of JMTA, and of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, made it possible for me to compete internationally in ITF and pro events the last couple of years. This victory would not have been possible without that support."

Rubin broke Kozlov early in the first set before both players held through for a 6-4 Rubin triumph. After the two exchanged early breaks in the second, Kozlov broke in the 10^th game to win, 6-4. In the third set, Rubin broke in the seventh game and closed out the final two, the latter on a break, to win the Championship.

It was the first All-American boys' singles final since 1977 (won by Van Winitsky) and fourth U.S. winner since then (1981, Matt Anger; 1994, Scott Humphries; 2007, Donald Young). Winitsky, incidentally, was a frequent doubles partner of current JMTA Westchester director Fritz Buehning, teaming to reach the U.S. Open final in 1983.

About The John McEnroe Tennis Academy:

Founded in September, 2010, The John McEnroe Tennis Academy, headquartered on Randalls Island with annexes on Long island and in Westchester, encourages students to continue their schooling during normal school hours and supports kids continuing to participate in other sports. Full and partial scholarships are available for qualified and promising young players who cannot afford the full tuition. Lawrence Kleger is the Director of Tennis of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Hall-of-famer, McEnroe, hand-picks the more than 30 JMTA pros and coaches from around the globe and is personally involved in daily instruction. McEnroe also provides strategic direction for all Academy business.

About the Johnny Mac Tennis Project

The Johnny Mac Tennis Project, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity whose purpose is to expose young athletes in the greater New York metropolitan area to the life-changing sport of tennis without regard to their economic circumstance. To this end, JMTP raises public and private funds in order to provide tennis academy scholarships and financial assistance to New York City Metropolitan area children. JMTP promotes the lifelong sport of tennis to and for players of all levels, from introductory programs that reach out to schools and neighborhoods in surrounding communities, to world-class tournament training for aspiring professionals. For NYC juniors striving to achieve at the highest levels of the game, JMTP funds the costs associated with travel to regional, national and international tournaments and provides on-site coaching.

About SPORTIME:

SPORTIME is proud to operate the finest tennis facilities in New York State, with over 160 indoor and outdoor courts at 13 clubs across Long Island, in NYC, in Westchester and in the NY Capital Region. SPORTIME strives to provide its members with welcoming and comfortable environments and the best instructional programs anywhere. SPORTIME's "fitness for real life" philosophy is reflected in clubs that are state-of-the-art, yet affordable, and that offer the best tennis facilities and instruction, along with great gyms, camps and sports and fitness programs. SPORTIME is most proud to be the home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at Randall’s Island since 2010, and home the JMTA Annexes at Bethpage, Long Island, and Lake Isle, Eastchester, since 2012.