FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – John McLean IV, assistant men’s tennis coach at North Carolina Central University, won the men’s open division of the 98th annual American Tennis Association (ATA) National Championships at The Tennis Club of Fort Lauderdale and Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in early August.

"My goal was to try to win the 98th ATA National Championships this year, because of the prestige of the tournament and past men’s and women’s champions like Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson, Bob Ryland, Lori McNeil and others,” said McLean. “But I have not played a tournament in five to six years so I knew it would be challenging with such a good field of players this year.”

McLean’s run to the title featured outstanding play winning four consecutive clay-court matches in straight sets, including upsetting the No. 2 and No. 4 seeds along the way. He was scheduled to play his championship match on the final day but his opponent had to default out of the tournament.

“In the end, unfortunately my opponent had to withdraw in the finals, which you never want to see that happen,” said McLean. “But I am happy with the results of my matches leading up to the finals to win the tournament."

The Durham, N.C., product will be entering his ninth season with the Eagles tennis programs in 2015-16 while also serving as a tennis instructor at the Seven Oaks Swim and Racquet Club (Raleigh, N.C.). McLean joins a historic list of ATA winners, as mentioned such as grand slam champions Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson.

The ATA is the oldest African-American sports organization in the United States. The first ATA National Championship was played in 1917. The 98th annual competition showcased hundreds of players and awarded champions in nearly 40 men’s and women’s competitive categories ranging from all ages.