Club Bulletin
Feb 26, 2026
Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) Update - Kicking Off 2026
2026 is already shaping up to be a milestone year for JMTP - from college commitments and national championships to expanding access across New York City.
REMINDER: Comedy Night!
We’re excited to remind our community about JMTP Comedy Night - one of our most anticipated events of the year, being held on April 16th at Sony Hall in NYC!
Join us for an unforgettable evening hosted by John & Patrick McEnroe, featuring:
- Top stand-up comedians
- A live auction with exclusive experiences
- Cocktails, light bites, and plenty of laughs
Tickets are available now. We hope you'll join us!
Honoring Black History Month: Arthur Ashe’s Legacy
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"I'd like to get involved with doing some of the things Arthur Ashe does, clinics, maybe even open some kind of academy in New York someday. It bothers me that the best tennis player in history might never pick up a racket." - John McEnroe
As we recognize Black History Month, we reflect on the enduring legacy of Arthur Ashe - a champion not only in tennis, but in leadership, education, and social change, and someone who directly inspired the creation of JMTP.
Arthur’s impact on the sport extends far beyond his Grand Slam titles. He believed deeply in access, opportunity, and using tennis as a vehicle for growth, all of which are values that remain central to JMTP’s mission today.
Arthur also played a meaningful role in the early career of JMTP's Founder, John McEnroe, serving as both a mentor and an example. John has often spoken about Arthur’s integrity, intelligence, and commitment to something bigger than the game itself. Their relationship was rooted in mutual respect, and Arthur’s influence helped shape John not just as a player, but as a person.
At JMTP, we carry forward that spirit by breaking down economic, racial, and social barriers, ensuring every student has access to opportunity, mentorship, and a pathway to success.
This month, and every month, we honor Arthur Ashe’s legacy by continuing the work he believed in.
His legacy reminds us that access to sport shapes not only champions, but leaders.
A Milestone Moment: Dylan Ortiz's College Commitment
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We proudly celebrated a historic JMTP moment; Dylan Ortiz’s college commitment and signing day.
A Bronx native, Dylan joined JMTP as a second grader at Our Lady Queen of Angels, a longtime JMTP partner school. He is the first student to progress through every stage of our Tennis Pathway to Success® - from the Community Program, to the Excellence Program, to earning a scholarship at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Dylan is now the first to go on to earn a college tennis scholarship.
Dylan has committed to Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he’ll continue his academic and tennis career this fall.
Dylan’s journey reflects the long-term impact of access, consistency, and belief. It also marks the beginning of many more success stories to come. We are incredibly proud of all he has accomplished.
Learn how you can support a young tennis aspirant.
Celebrating the Class of 2026
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We were also proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 College Signing Day with Ligaya and Jesse, recognizing the next step in their academic and athletic journeys.
Ligaya will be continuing her tennis and academic career at Baylor University, while Jesse has committed to the University of Chicago. Both moments were a reminder of what years of dedication on the court and in the classroom can lead to.
We’re excited to support them as they take this next step and represent the JMTP community at the collegiate level.
Community Partner Feedback: Measuring Impact
Because of your support, JMTP’s Community Programming continues to create measurable growth for students across New York City. As part of our year-end reflection, we asked our school and community partners to share how the program is impacting their students. The results were overwhelmingly positive.
Highlights from our partners:
- 100% would recommend JMTP’s Community Program
- The majority rated their partnership with JMTP as Excellent
- Students were consistently described as Highly Engaged
- Partners reported noticeable improvements in students’ confidence, teamwork, social skills, focus, behavior, attendance, and interest in tennis
One teacher shared that students who often struggle behaviorally in the classroom are “listening really well during tennis and are incredibly motivated.”
This feedback directly informs how we continue to evolve our programming in 2026 by strengthening instruction, inclusivity, and student engagement. Thank you for your help in making this impact possible.
Welcoming Brooke Sangster: The Lawrence Kleger Next Level Fund Scholar-Athlete
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We’re proud to welcome Brooke Sangster as a new JMTP scholarship recipient, supported by the The Lawrence Kleger Next Level Fund.
Lawrence dedicated his life to developing players with care, patience, and belief. His impact on our community is still felt every day, and The Lawrence Kleger Next Level Fund was created to make sure that legacy continues. The Fund helps remove financial barriers and gives young athletes like Brooke the opportunity to train, grow, and pursue their goals.
We’re honored to carry forward Lawrence’s legacy through this scholarship and excited to support Brooke as she begins this next chapter with JMTP.
Support the next generation through the The Lawrence Kleger Next Level Fund.
Player Highlights
JMTP scholarship players closed out 2025 with standout performances on both the national and international stages.
National Indoor Championships - 9 JMTP athletes competed:
- Mary Podkhyneychenko - Girls’ 12s Singles Champion - Gold Ball
- Anna Kapanadze - Girls’ 14s Singles Champion - Gold Ball
- Jesse Yang - Boys’ 18s Singles & Doubles - Third Place, Bronze Balls
National Winter Championships - 10 JMTP athletes competed
- Mary Podkhyneychenko - Girls’ 12s Singles Finalist - Silver Ball
- Evelynn Kwak - Girls’ 16s Doubles Third Place - Bronze Ball
Lexus Junior International Bolton
- Anna Kapanadze - Girls’ 14s Singles Champion