Veteran ATP World Tour professional and NY Sportimes standout Robert Kendrick has been named to the dual posts of Director of Tennis at the Sportime location in Syosset, N.Y., and Co-Director of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy Annex at the Sportime location in Bethpage, N.Y., by Sportime CEO Claude Okin. Kendrick, who has helped the Sportimes advance to the World TeamTennis Eastern Conference finals for the second time in three years, will begin his duties full-time following WTT Finals Weekend presented by GEICO, Sept. 14-16 in Charleston, S.C.
Kendrick, 32, is completing his fifth season since 2002 playing for the NY Sportimes. He was a member of the Sportimes’ WTT championship team in 2005 and was protected by New York in the first round of this year’s draft. Kendrick, also a new father, has been ranked as high as No. 69 on the ATP World Tour. After achieving All American honors at the University of Washington and at Pepperdine, Kendrick’s decade on the ATP Tour was highlighted when he took Rafael Nadal to five sets on center court Wimbledon in 2006. Kendrick contributed 45 men’s doubles and 44 mixed doubles game wins during the 2012 regular season as the Sportimes earned a second-place, 9-5 mark. He will compete as the Sportimes take on Washington in the first round of the Finals next weekend.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Robert Kendrick’s ability, experience and temperament in these important positions at Sportime Syosset and with the John McEnroe Tennis Academy Annex at Sportime Bethpage,” said Sportime Clubs and NY Sportimes CEO Claude Okin. “I have known Robert since he came out of college as a Davis Cup practice player and joined our New York WTT franchise in 2002. He is a world-class tennis player and an even better person. He is going to have a major impact on our aspiring junior players and he is going to bring his normal fun and energy to our adults and recreational players. We couldn’t be more pleased to have him in a key leadership role on Long Island.”
“I am very excited to begin this new phase in my life, working every day with club members and students of all ages in Syosset and with our future college players and pros at JMTA in Bethpage,” said Kendrick. “My wife Tara, my baby girl Kenzie and my son who is scheduled to arrive in a few months, are all excited to be making this move to New York, as begin what I know will be a long career with Sportime. I look forward to the opportunity to share the knowledge I have gained in my almost 30 years playing competitive tennis as a junior, a college player and professional on the ATP Tour. It is so special for me to be able to create this new opportunity with my friends Claude Okin and John McEnroe, and with Sportime.”