Ivan Lendl Opens Junior Academy

Written by: Staff on 5th August 2011

Ivan Lendl Opens Junior Academy

Former tennis pros Ivan Lendl and Pat Cash shake hands after Cash's 6:1, 3:6 and 6:1 win in the Cup of Legends final at Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 22 May 2011. Several former tennis pros competed in the cup that took place from 20 to 22 May. EPA/FREDRIK VON ERICHSEN |

(Above: Pat Cash and Ivan Lendl)

Ivan Lendl and Junior Golf Corporation (JGC) have joined together to launch the Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy providing full-time tennis training and academics for players looking to reach their ultimate potential or the professional ranks.

“I am extremely excited to come to Hilton Head and open this academy,” says Lendl. “For juniors who love the game, love working hard and love challenges, we can promise a great experience on and off the court.”

The Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy (Ivan Lendl IJTA) is based on the philosophies that allowed Lendl to become one of greatest players in tennis history. Ivan’s resume includes holding the world’s No. 1 ranking for 270 consecutive weeks, eight Grand Slam singles titles, a Davis Cup championship for Czechoslovakia and appearing in a modern day record eight straight U.S. Open finals. For those achievements, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2001.

During his 1980s and ‘90s heyday, Lendl combined intense game management, training, mental and physical balance, nutrition and conditioning to achieve athletic superiority. He is revered for his tireless work ethic and meticulous game preparation, including revolutionizing racquet maintenance and optimizing equipment performance. To most tennis historians, Ivan is considered “the father of modern tennis.”

Following his retirement from the pro tennis tour, Lendl focused on his family which includes five daughters, three of whom are collegiate golfers. Ivan returned to playing exhibition events in April of 2010 at the Caesars Tennis Classic in Atlantic City. NJ. He has since been playing events around the world including rekindling his rivalry with John McEnroe this past February at the BNP Paribas Showdown at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

“I wanted to be able to get out on the court with the kids and show them how to hit certain shots as opposed to just explaining the theory,” said Lendl. “Getting back on the court has been a lot of fun and now I will be able to play with all of the students, which will also be fun.”

The Ivan Lendl IJTA exemplifies Lendl’s desire to give back to tennis and develop great players and future champions through a new-era curriculum and holistic training approach. As Director of the Academy’s tennis program, Lendl will be intimately involved in developing each player in grades five to 12.

“Junior Golf Corporation produces elite professional and collegiate athletes,” says Peter Orrell, President and CEO of JGC. “We decided to expand into tennis because teaming with Ivan Lendl, one of the sport’s most dominant forces and student’s of the game, is the best way to produce successful players and champions.”

“I monitored Junior Golf Corporation’s success for years and I’m delighted to be a part of a strong organization with the same goals and objectives as my academy,” says Lendl.

Previously, Lendl headed the Ivan Lendl Champions Academy (Vero Beach, FL) which focused on tennis and golf, training LPGA rookie Jessica Korda. The Champions Academy will be merged into the Ivan Lendl IJTA. While creating the Champions Academy, Lendl studied the junior instruction landscape to make an even bigger impact on the current state and future of tennis. When apprised about JGC’s success with up-and-coming golfers through its Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy, Lendl knew it was the ideal partner to establish an elite tennis academy. Similar to Lendl, JGC teamed with renowned instructor Hank Haney in 2007 and his students have won every major championship in professional, collegiate, amateur and junior golf.

Parents who remember Lendl during his career appreciate how hard he played the game. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, passionate junior tennis players will realize the commitment and work ethic required to be successful by learning directly from Mr. Lendl.

“You play the way you train, so if you train at a high level, you will play at a high level,” advises Lendl.

Located on the tennis and golf hotbed of Hilton Head Island, Ivan Lendl IJTA focuses on classic fundamentals, leading-edge biomechanics, strength training / fitness and mental preparation. In addition to strengthening strokes, footwork and essential mechanics, the Academy subscribes to a hands-on approach instilling dedication, focus, hard work, attitude, motivation and overall preparation.

The Ivan Lendl IJTA is already attracting interest from the world’s premier junior players in North and South America, Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia.

Students of Ivan Lendl IJTA attend Heritage Academy that is dedicated to progressive and diverse academic instruction for juniors pursuing extra-curricular passions. Classes average eight students with a maximum of 15 to promote individual attention with optional English as a Second Language, College Preparatory and Honors courses. Ivan Lendl IJTA students also receive individualized college placement services to help achieve education and career goals. The 2010 Valedictorian and Salutatorian attend Princeton and Yale University, respectively.