Just in time for National Tennis Month, SPORTIME Randall’s Island in New York City unveiled a $55 million expansion on Tuesday, April 30, making it the largest indoor tennis facility in the United States.
The two-year project, fully funded by SPORTIME Clubs, brought the total investment to over $75 million.
The revamped facility reflected SPORTIME’s commitment to New York City — a legacy built on leadership, personal dedication, and corporate investment that has withstood two recessions and a global pandemic, all without taxpayer dollars.
“I am a lifelong New Yorker, I learned to play tennis in New York City public parks, including at Randall’s Island,” said Claude Okin, SPORTIME’s President and CEO. “So, there is no achievement more personal to me, or of which I am prouder, than SPORTIME’s flagship facility on Randall’s Island. Our goal, since 2004, has been to create a year-round tennis club and training center like no other in the world, right here in our hometown: NYC. And we have done that.”
This expansion has not only rendered SPORTIME’s deep-rooted connection to the city, but has reinforced its ongoing commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for local youth.
Since its launch in 2010, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at SPORTIME Randall’s Island has served as a beacon of excellence for junior players striving to reach the highest levels of tennis.
Named after tennis legend John McEnroe — a Queens native, former world No. 1, and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion — the academy was built on his vision to provide top-tier coaching while allowing local athletes to stay connected to their communities.
“The goal wasn’t just to develop great players, it was to create access, to give New York kids real opportunity, and to build something lasting in the city I grew up in,” said McEnroe. “The expansion of this facility is a big moment. It means more courts, more kids, and more chances to do it right. And for me, that’s what it has always been about.”
The development of the facility has also highlighted SPORTIME’s commitment to making an impact beyond tennis.
Situated on parkland owned by the city of New York, SPORTIME Randall’s Island has operated as both a public tennis club and a community hub, offering accessible recreation to all New Yorkers.
With half of its courts allocated for public use under the city's tennis permit system, SPORTIME partnered with the Randall’s Island Park Alliance in a public-private effort to expand recreational access.
"It is thrilling to see the completion of this significant project that only elevates the offerings Randall's Island Park and SPORTIME bring to both the local and greater NYC communities," said Randall's Island Park Alliance President Deborah Maher.
The project represented a significant step in a long-term investment in both the future of tennis and New York City’s community.
“We raised, borrowed and invested $75 million to build the largest and best publicly accessible indoor tennis facility in the world on NYC parkland, and owned by NYC, at which we welcome players and students of all ages, levels and backgrounds,” said Okin. “We are very proud of what we have built, and even more excited about the opportunities that these world-class facilities will create for our players, coaches and community members, and, most of all, for our kids.”
