John McEnroe Tennis Academy Student Noah Rubin Wins Wimbledon Juniors

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 John McEnroe, “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 10th 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.

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