RACQUET SPORTS
New research shows strong pickleball growth continues
SERVICE
Define your niche to take advantage of retailing opportunities
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 / Volume 54 / Number 9 /$5.00
COACHING
Equip your players with solid mental game habits
INDUSTRY
Craig Tiley takes the reins as the new USTA CEO
SECTION STANDOUTS!
Throughout the country, dedicated volunteers, staff and organizations are capturing this sport's momentum.
g tin3 a r o .5 orp A pg c In RSP
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Contents September/October 2026 DEPARTMENTS
INDUSTRY NEWS
Tiley Takes the Reins at USTA
4 Our Serve 7 Industry News 13 Champions of Tennis 20 Pickleball Research 22 The Bench 26 Racquet Tech 30 Careers 32 Construction 26 Racquet Tech 50 Stringing 51 Ask the Experts 52 Your Serve, by Emmy Caporale
After 21 years at Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley officially started as the new CEO of the USTA. P. 7
CAREERS
Be a 'Swiss Army Knife' Young pros starting a career in racquet sports must showcase their potential and stand out from the crowd.
INDUSTRY NEWS
P. 30
CONSTRUCTION
Made in the Shade?
One of the most important features of the court may well be one that players never play on. P. 32
SECTION STARS
High Impact!
RETAILING
Serious Relationships
Whether an individual or an organization, each USTA Section has standouts that continue to influence communities, inspire others and advance the sport. P. 34
For specialty retailers, defining your niche in the community can offer great opportunities—and rewards. P. 48
PLUS p. 53
54 CEO Message 58 Board Message
54 We Want You: It Takes All of Us to Grow
58 RSPA—Where Do We Go from Here?
62 Sinner's Second Wimbledon Win May Be Sweeter Than the First
66 Getting Involved: Journey of Growth, Leadership and Community
62 RSPA Reflections 64 Certification Calendar 66 Getting Involved 72 Lobbin' With Linda
Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
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COVER PHOTOS AND THIS PAGE COURTESY USTA SECTIONS
7 Craig Tiley takes the reins as USTA CEO 7 'Coaches Open' conference debuts during US Open 8 Community tennis program honors the late Alan Schwartz 8 Diadem is official equipment partner for PTR 10 Short Sets 12 Penn unveils Pro Penn Marathon tennis ball 12 'USA Padel' is new name for National Governing Body 13 Nominate for RSI's 2026 Champions of Tennis Awards 15 Wilson debuts Defyer racquets 15 PTR Foundation changes name to honor DVDM 16 Adam Black named head of padel for Boast apparel 17 Peoplewatch 19 USTA president offers digital and technology update
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September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
3
OurServe EDITOR'S NOTE
Missed Opportunities?
Ideas for growing this sport and industry often are not flashy and take time to develop, but we can't ignore them.
W
ith the US Open in full swing, the tennis world is focused on the “big” stories in pro tennis. But, in the shadow of the biggest tennis stage in the world, maybe it’s the right time to talk about what we aren't doing (or aren’t doing effectively) to grow this sport at the grassroots—and, by extension, to grow your business. The pro game will always be able to take care of itself, but our future depends on getting more recreational players on court. That’s why the USTA’s campaign to get 35 million players by 2035 is so important. How we reach that goal, however, involves many areas and strategies. The thing is, solid ideas for growing this sport often aren’t all that flashy, and don’t yield results overnight. Often, those in positions to get things done seem to focus on the flash and sizzle, giving shortshrift to playing the “long game” when it comes to grassroots growth. I have ideas, as I’m sure all of you do, but they’re generally workaday, long-haul solutions to seemingly mundane challenges. Importantly, they’re from a grassroots/recreational/volunteer perspective that this industry too often doesn’t pay enough attention to. And while many ideas often involve the USTA, they also apply to the wider industry. So, here are just a few of the notes I’ve scribbled on Post-its cluttering my desk: »We need to make sure recreational players and advocates are involved in how this sport is marketed. It’s great that we have incredible marketing professionals involved, but a perspective and advice directly from the grassroots are keys to messages that will resonate in local markets. (One example is National Tennis Month, which the USTA uses now as one of the best vehicles for promoting tennis locally. The regeneration of NTM started five years
ago, driven by grassroots volunteers.) »Along these lines, let’s make the first day of play at the US Open “National Tennis Day,” directly leveraging the visibility of the world’s largest pro tournament to grow the sport locally. Think of the grassroots promotions we could do across the country! »We need, essentially, a “good news bureau” for tennis, to consistently tell America and the mainstream media about all the great things this sport brings—the amazing things NJTLs are doing, facility development, the incredible providers and volunteers, and so much more. »Related to this, to gain local publicity for tennis and to honor local heroes and celebrities, let’s spearhead a nationwide grassroots campaign to “name” local tennis courts. Rather than simply the “Main Street Park Tennis Courts,” why not get them renamed to the “John Smith Tennis Courts at Main Street Park”? »We need to re-emphasize and support Tennis on Campus (TOC) and tennis in the schools. Yes, I know things are progressing in these areas within the USTA right now, but we need to push them. In its heyday, TOC was one of the most important programs to bring young people into this industry, and how could we not take advantage of the fact that schools are, simply, where the kids are? These are just a handful of ideas floating around my office. There are a lot bigger thoughts and ideas out there. And, we’d love to hear your thoughts, too. Email us at info@nspmag.com, and put IDEAS! in the subject line. Peter Francesconi Editor Peter@AcePublishingGroup.com
4 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER JOHN HANNA MANAGING DIRECTOR ROBYN SOBELSON EDITOR PETER FRANCESCONI peter@acepublishinggroup.com MANAGING EDITOR CORY SEKINE-PETTITE ART DIRECTOR GARON HART PRODUCTION MANAGER MEGAN WILLIS mwillis@nspmag.com SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR BOB PATTERSON CONTRIBUTING EDITORS KIM BASTABLE, CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR, JOE DINOFFER, JUDY LEAND, GREG MORAN, KENT OSWALD, CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER, JOE TEDINO CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID KENAS CIRCULATION MANAGER AMY FINE afine@nspmag.com RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 9040 Roswell Rd., Suite 210 Atlanta, GA 30350 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR JOHN HANNA jhanna@nspmag.com/770-650-1102, x125 APPAREL ADVERTISING CYNTHIA SHERMAN cstennisindustry@gmail.com/203-558-5911 ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES SHERRY GASAWAY JENNIFER GONZALEZ
Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per year: monthly, January through August, with combined issues in September/October and November/December, by New South Publishing, Inc., 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. Periodicals postage paid in Atlanta, GA and additional mailing offices (USPS# 004-354). September/October 2026, Volume 54, Number 9, (C) copyright 2026 by New South Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and the logo are trademarks of New South Publishing, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Yearly subscriptions $25 in the US, $50+ elsewhere. Postmaster: Send address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. Racquet Sports Industry is the official magazine of the USRSA, RIRG and ASBA. Looking for back issues of Racquet Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website at TennisIndustryMag. com for free digital versions.
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IndustryNews Information to help you run your business
Craig Tiley Takes the Reins as USTA CEO
A
C OURT E SY USTA
fter a 21-year career at Tennis Australia, most recently as Chief Executive Officer and tournament director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley officially started at the end of July as the new CEO of the USTA, based at the USTA National Campus in Orlando. Tiley’s focus will be on leading the organization in growing American tennis and the US Open. “The USTA has created a great platform to inspire further growth in tennis participation,” Tiley said on his first day on the job. “We want to work with everyone within the tennis family to grow the sport beyond what anyone thought possible.” “Craig has spent his career at the forefront of our sport and brings a unique global perspective to the USTA,” said USTA Board Chair Brian Vahaly, who along with USTA COO
Craig Tiley
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‘Coaches Open’ to Debut During US Open Fan Week
Andrea Hirsch served as interim coCEOs. “We are fortunate to have him guide the organization into its next chapter as we build on six consecutive years of participation growth and continue our mission to grow tennis in America.” Tiley’s appointment as USTA CEO was first announced in February. During his time in Australia, he was responsible for driving explosive tennis growth, both for recreational tennis and at the Australian Open. His career spans successful leadership in collegiate coaching, running community tennis and administration of the Australian Open. “I want to thank Brian and the USTA Board for their support,” Tiley said. “I’m excited by the incredible opportunities in front of us and the tremendous team we have.”
U
STA Coaching will present the inaugural “Coaches Open” educational conference and workshop Aug. 25-27 in New York City. The event, held during Fan Week of the US Open, includes on-court demos, workshops, networking, a trade show and more. Attendees must be members of the USTA Coaching community. Sessions start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Hilton Midtown and run throughout the day, ending with the opening general session at 5:15 p.m. followed by a welcome party. On-court sessions on Aug. 26 will be at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where US Open Qualifying will be taking place. More presentations and general sessions continue on Aug. 27, including an all-day Trade Show followed by a closing party. Presentations will span all types of topics for tennis providers, including the Coaching Business, Financial Planning and Wellness, Inclusive Coaching, Wheelchair Tennis, Performance Analytics, High Performance Habits, Hiring and Retention, Beginner Programming, Accounting Essentials, School Tennis, Social Media Content, Understanding Your Community, Empowering Girls in Sports, Movement Training, Using AI, and more. Billie Jean King will be among the speakers. The Coaches Open, which follows in the footsteps of the former, wellrespected USTA Tennis Teachers Conference, is designed to be “a celebration of coaches and the impact they make.” Visit ustacoaching.com.
September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7
Community Tennis Program Honors Alan Schwartz Midtown Athletic Club has launched a community tennis initiative honoring the legacy of its late founder, Alan Schwartz, committing to help expand access to the sport in underserved communities across Chicago. Developed in partnership with the USTA, USTA Midwest and the Chicago Park District, the Alan G Schwartz Community Tennis Program will deliver free and low-cost coaching at 43 parks across the city over the next 20 years. Midtown Athletic Club and the Schwartz family are providing $750,000 toward a $2 million fundraising campaign that will support the program. Midtown’s team of tennis professionals and USTA coaches will deliver instruction using a shared curriculum designed to create safe, welcoming and accessible experiences for all ages and abilities. The program honors the late Schwartz, who co-founded Midtown Tennis Club in 1970 and went on to become one of the most influential figures in American tennis.
C OURT E SY USTA
Diadem Named as Official Equipment Partner for PTR The Professional Tennis Registry has named Diadem its Official Racquet, Bag and String Partner. As part of the new partnership, PTR members will receive exclusive access to Diadem’s Pro Preferred pricing program. “Strong partnerships help us better serve our members,” says PTR CEO Lynne Rolley. “Diadem is an innovative and rapidly growing brand in our industry, and we’re excited to work together to provide coaches with exceptional equipment, exclusive member benefits, and new opportunities.” A wide range of Diadem products, including racquets and demo equipment, will also be available at PTR Headquarters at Saddlebrook Resort in Florida, where members visiting for workshops, certifications, conferences and other events can experience the equipment firsthand on both hard and clay courts. Qualified PTRcertified professionals will also be
eligible to apply for the Team Diadem Advocacy Program, which provides Diadem gear packages and the chance to serve as brand ambassadors. Visit www.ptrtennis.org.
World Team Tennis Unveils Team Markets for 2026 World Team Tennis, the mixed-gender team tennis league co-founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, announced three city-based clubs in Toronto, New York City and the Miami metropolitan area ahead of its 47th season, which will launch in December. “We’re incredibly excited to bring WTT’s new vision to life in these cities as we begin the league’s next chapter. Together, these markets are home to some of the world’s largest tennis communities, incredible sports and entertainment venues, and elite player talent,” says WTT CEO Stephen Amritraj. The upcoming season will feature six events, with each team playing two home and two away matches. Opening night will be at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., before the league heads to Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto and Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., later that month. The league will introduce a redesigned match format featuring four singles sets—Men’s 1, Women’s 1, Men’s 2 and Women’s 2—and a mixed doubles Supertiebreaker. Visit WTT.com.
Tech Firm Zenniz Opens U.S. HQ in Metro Atlanta Tennis tech company Zenniz (zenniz. com) has opened its U.S. headquarters in Sandy Springs, Ga. The Helsinki-based company creates smart systems for tennis courts with professional-level electronic linecalling, automated video tracking, and artificial intelligence-powered match statistics and insights. Zenniz technology can be found at several facilities across the U.S., including two in Georgia: Intennse Tennis in Chamblee and the Rome Tennis Center. The company currently has two employees in metro Atlanta, with plans to hire more staff.
8 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
30 Aspiring Women Coaches Selected for Provider Program USTA Coaching and WeCOACH have selected 30 aspiring women coaches to participate in the initiative USTA Coaching Serving All: Aspiring Coaches powered by WeCOACH, advancing the organizations’ shared effort to create more pathways for women in tennis coaching. The Aspiring Coaches program is designed to support collegiate women tennis players entering the coaching profession, and provide aspiring coaches with practical tools, learning opportunities and ongoing professional support. The program aligns with USTA Coaching’s mission to educate and serve coaches. The participants, drawn from collegiate tennis programs and local tennis communities, include current student-athletes, graduate assistants and recent graduates who are exploring coaching as a way to positively impact the next generation of players. These future coaches will participate in a five-session virtual program and attend an in-person leadership event at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. Visit ustacoaching.com.
Chase, USTA Foundation Award $250,000 in Grants For the 13th consecutive year, the USTA Foundation has partnered with Chase to award 12 community organizations nationwide over $250,000 in grants to support year-round tennis, education and mentorship programs. The grants will impact more than 24,000 young people. To date, Chase has awarded more than $2 million to community organizations supported by the USTA Foundation. This year’s “Return the Serve” grants will go to: Tenacity, Boston; Love to Serve, Chicago; Advantage Cleveland; Sloan Stephens Foundation, Compton, Calif.; Dallas National Junior Tennis & Learning; Denver Tennis Park; MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, Jacksonville, Fla.; Pete Brown Junior Tennis Program, Los Angeles; First Serve Miami; InnerCity Tennis Foundation, Minneapolis; PASS (Programs for Afterschool Success), Phoenix; East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring, San Francisco. www.tennisindustrymag.com
Short Sets Charlie Pasarell’s new book, “Serving First: Dreams Realized and Lessons Learned from Family, Friends and a Life in Tennis,” is available on Amazon. Pasarell was interviewed and celebrated on Aug. 19 at a special book launch event at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. Wilson Sporting Goods has signed a lease to open a new retail store in the Aventura Mall in Aventura, Fla. It will be the brand’s second storefront in Florida (Wilson has a location in Naples) and 17th overall in the U.S. Pickleball paddle brand Paddletek has acquired performance paddle company PIKKL. The company has also expanded Team Paddletek with the signing of professional stars JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Julie Johnson and Hurricane Tyra Black.
10 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
The Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF) announced a two-year renewal of its Community Champion partnership with Mubadala Investment Company. Since launching in 2024, the WTEF/Mubadala partnership has helped strengthen WTEF’s ability to serve youth and families in historically underserved communities. Former professional tennis players and siblings Andy Murray and Jamie Murray have launched a YouTube channel, called “The Set,” to offer behind-the-scenes access to tennis tournaments, master classes and more. The channel will have access to archive footage from ATP Media, The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and the LTA, and the Murrays will have access to showcase players and stories during tournaments. The Missoula (Mont.) Family YMCA and Missoula Community Squash have announced the opening of two squash courts at the Y’s Airnasium facility, a covered outdoor court space. These are first regulation-size squash courts in Montana and together comprise the largest outdoor squash facility in the U.S.
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CO U RTE SY U STA FO U N DATI O N
USTA Foundation’s Tiafoe Fund Raises Over $1 Million The USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund, launched in 2023, has surpassed $1 million in total dollars raised, in its mission to inspire young people from under-resourced communities through tennis, education and mentorship. Tiafoe celebrated the achievement by hosting a special youth tennis clinic in July at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in his hometown of College Park, Md. The Frances Tiafoe Fund is a vital pillar of support for the USTA Foundation and its National Junior
Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, comprised of more than 270 community organizations nationwide that use tennis as a vehicle to prepare young people from under-resourced communities to face the challenges and opportunities of life, on and off the court. Through 2026, the Frances Tiafoe Fund expects to deploy more than $500,000 for, among other things, college scholarships, individual player grants and community program grants. For more information or to make a contribution, visit ustafoundation.com/tiafoefund.
Penn Unveils New Pro Penn Marathon Tennis Ball Penn has introduced the latest generation of its flagship Pro Penn Marathon tennis ball, featuring engineering enhancements designed to deliver longer-lasting performance while maintaining the consistency demanded by competitive players.
12 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
The updated Pro Penn Marathon incorporates Penn’s proprietary Encore Technology, which extends core longevity, along with LongPlay Felt, engineered to resist wear during extended play. According to the company, the combination is designed to provide more consistent bounce, feel and visibility throughout a ball’s lifespan while reducing the frequency of ball changes. The new ball, with refreshed packaging for the Pro Penn Marathon line, continues to be offered in Extra Duty, Regular Duty and High Altitude versions.
‘USA Padel’ Is New Name for National Governing Body USA Padel is the new name for the national governing body for padel in the U.S., officially changing from United States Padel Association. The organization remains the same nonprofit governing body, recognized by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and Padel America, with the
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Nominate Now for RSI’s Champions of Tennis Awards We’re looking for your help and suggestions for Racquet Sports Industry magazine’s 26th Annual Champions of Tennis Awards. We’ve been honored for this past quarter century to annually recognize individuals, organizations and companies that have gone above and beyond in helping to make a difference in this industry and in positively impacting the lives of millions. But we know there are so many more out there deserving of recognition. There is no formal nomination form. All we require is an email with some basic information (or as much detail as you’d like to supply). We’d like to know: » Nominee’s name, location and contact info (phone, email). Note, you can self-nominate. » Award category—see the July 2026 issue, page 19, for categories, or call up the digital edition free at tennisindustrymag.com. However, don’t worry if you’re unsure of the category; we’ll find a home for your nominee. » Why you think the person or organization is right for the award. This can be brief, or detailed, and you can include supporting material if you’d like. » Your contact email and phone—for our internal use, in case we have questions. » Email your nominations by Sept. 18 to peter@acepublishinggroup.com and put “Champions” in the subject line. (Our awards will be in the January 2027 issue.)
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September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 13
PTR Foundation Changes Name to Honor DVDM The nonprofit Professional Tennis Registry Foundation has changed its name to the “Dennis Van Der Meer Tennis Foundation,” honoring the legacy and vision of the organization’s founder. With a mission to make tennis available to everyone, the
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foundation will continue to offer education resources, grants, global goodwill, natural disaster relief, adaptive and special populations resources, and more. The foundation’s new hat-andwhistle logo is a nod to Van der Meer. Visit www.dennisvandermeertennisfoundation.org.
Wilson Debuts Defyer Tennis Racquet Line Wilson has introduced the Defyer racquet series, with four models the company says are built for advanced players—the 100, 100L, 100UL and 98 Pro, ranging from $279 to $299 suggested retail. The 98 Pro was available in late July 23; the 100 models will be available Aug. 21. Wilson says the performance
racquet franchise “delivers explosive spin and power.” Current Wilson players using the frame, many of whom were involved in the research, development and feedback on the frame prototypes, include Karen Khachanov, Sebastian Korda, Peyton Stearns, Holger Rune and Arthur Fery. Innovations include: Robust, tapered shafts (“Torq Shaft”) that Wilson says generates high stability while allowing flex in the hoop for power on groundstrokes; an airfoil design (“Airfoil Bumper”) to reduce airflow resistance, increasing maneuverability and racquet head acceleration; and optimized lateral bending (“Si3D”) to generate increase spin. The frame color is “adrenalyn red.” Visit wilson.com.
September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 15
CO U RTE SY D E N N IS VA N D E R M E E R T E N N I S FOU N DAT I ON ; WI LS ON
same leadership, membership structure, and national mission of growing padel. “From that first court in the United States in 1994 to more than a million Americans playing the sport today, everything we have built has been in service of growing padel at every level,” says USA Padel President Bill Ullman. “The name USA Padel is a reflection of that mission—direct, national and built for the next chapter of this sport.” Members and visitors can access USA Padel news, tools and resources at the new primary website, www.usapadel.org.
USA Padel has announced a multiyear partnership with Psycho Bunny, a menswear and lifestyle brand known for its bold aesthetic. The partnership names Psycho Bunny as the official uniform partner of USA Padel and the USA National Teams across all competitive categories, including the men’s, women’s and junior divisions. “Partnering with USA Padel was a no-brainer—it’s fast, dynamic, and edgy, which is exactly where Psycho Bunny thrives,” says Psycho Bunny owner and Chairman Alen Brandman. “Collaborating on the new national team uniforms gave us the creative freedom to do what we do best: mix premium quality with cool, expressive style on the court.” “USA Padel’s partnership with Psycho Bunny … is an affiliation with a brand that perfectly captures the
spirit of padel in the USA: fun, bold, and growing rapidly,” adds USA Padel President Bill Ullman.
Adam Black Named Head of Padel for Boast Apparel Apparel brand Boast has named Adam Black as Head of Padel. He joins Boast with extensive experience in the international padel industry. As founder and CEO of Aura Capital Partners and a presenter at The Padel World Summit, he built one of the United Kingdom’s leading padel platforms, focused on growing participation through coaching, events, travel, equipment and community-building.
Wheelchair Pickleball Chps. Draws Record 52 Athletes The 2026 Numotion USA Pickleball Wheelchair National Championships in Colorado Springs, held in June, brought together 52 wheelchair
16 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
athletes from 16 states. The record number of players underscores the rapid growth of adaptive pickleball. The event featured 278 professionally officiated matches, a first for wheelchair-only play. Hosted at Peak Pickleball, the championship included three divisions: Wheelchair Doubles, Hybrid Doubles (pairing wheelchair and able-bodied players), and Wheelchair Singles. More than 80 percent of wheelchair athletes competed in all three events. According to the National Sporting Goods Association’s 2026 report, participation in adaptive sports has seen consistent growth, with pickleball emerging as a leading activity.
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CO U RTE SY U S A PICKLE B ALL
USA Padel Partners With Apparel Brand Psycho Bunny
People Watch Jessica Harrell is the new Executive Director and CEO of USTA South Carolina. She has worked within the USTA network for 17 years, with USTA SC and USTA Southern. Harrell replaces Jennifer Gregg, who moved to the USTA National Advocacy staff. Longtime tennis advocate and volunteer Barbara Wynne of Indianapolis passed away July 18 at the age of 93. Wynne, who created the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest, was a recipient of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Education Merit Award and inducted into the USTA Midwest Tennis Hall of Fame. Former tour pro Melanie Oudin is the new Director of Player ID & Development for the USTA, based at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla.
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Steven Host has joined the USTA National Campus as Head of Performance The USTA Foundation will honor 2017 US Open Champion, Olympian, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sloane Stephens with the Serving Up Dreams Award at its annual Opening Night Gala on Aug. 30 at the US Open. Shane King is the new Chief Operating Officer for the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Md, bringing more than 20 years of global leadership experience. Thomas Bach, the honorary president of the International Olympic Committee, is this year’s winner of the Philippe Chatrier Award, presented by World Tennis (formerly the ITF). Bach was honored for his longstanding
support and advocacy for the sport through the Olympic movement. Eight-time Wimbledon gentlemen’s singles champion Roger Federer joined local children during the tournament for a special experience on the indoor courts of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, as part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s “Be Legendary” program. Gene Malin became the 24th tennis player inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Malin, a SoCal native, was a tennis and basketball star at Grant High School and Pierce Junior College, concentrated on tennis at Cal State L.A., and played on the pro tour. He also coached the 1987 India Davis Cup team and guided a number of WTA players.
September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 17
USTA President Offers Digital and Tech Update In an email to the USTA “family” in late June, USTA Chairman of the Board and President Brian Vahaly offered a mid-year digital and technology update. “As we pursue our goal of reaching 35 million players by 2035, we are investing in technology and artificial intelligence to help us operate more efficiently, reduce administrative burdens and better support the work happening in Sections, Districts and local communities across the country,” Vahaly said. “Our focus is not on technology for technology’s sake, but rather on practical solutions.” He noted that solutions are being built “in partnership with our Sections,” and offered examples of how the work is already being put into practice, including: » Saving time with Automated League Scheduling, through a partnership with Fastbreak.ai, to schedule 350,000 local USTA league matches.
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A pilot is targeted for Q4 in three local areas. » Streamlining Grievances through an all-in-one platform, designed to standardize and simplify how grievances are managed across the association. It also will provide actionable, data-driven insights into trends and issues affecting players nationwide. » Ensuring USTA is the top answer in AI search, by optimizing USTA.com and coaching assets for generative AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude. » Capturing the High School Market, with tennis software that has onboarded over 4,500 coaches and 62,000 players across parts of more than 30 states. Vahaly said that’s a 255 percent increase in players over 12 months, with USTA now managing 20 percent of the U.S. high school tennis market. » An AI Rules Bot, designed to make navigating tennis rules and regulations faster and easier, with a
planned launch by the end of 2026. » Interactive AI Coaching: “We are currently developing an AI Coach Beta—a swing analysis and chatbot application trained by Darren Cahill and USTA Coaching content,” said Vahaly. » Analyzing Court Traffic and Grant Effectiveness via Placer.ai: Through Placer.ai, sections can analyze foot traffic and court utilization. “We are actively geo-fencing all outdoor courts (excluding schools) and will complete this by the end of the year,” Vahaly said. The data can then track the effectiveness of grants to tennis facilities.
USRSA Names New MRTs, CS Master Racquet Technicians Mario Orozco, Covina, Calif. Rees Smith, Roswell, Ga. Irene Yeo, Singapore Certified Stringer Anthony Hoffman, LuthervilleTimonium, Md.
September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 19
Pickleball RESEARCH
Growing Seasons
Yearly research from the SFIA shows strong participation growth— again—for the sport of pickleball. By Mary Helen Sprecher
W
hen the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) publishes research on any sport, it’s always worth the read. And when the topic of the latest research is pickleball, you’d better believe it’s time to grab a cup of coffee and settle in to do some serious studying, because the insights are going to be worth your time and attention. The news on the sport is all good. That’s the immediate takeaway from SFIA’s 2026 Single Sport Report: Pickleball, which is based on yearend 2025 data. The report, which is available for purchase from the SFIA, provides a comprehensive view of participation trends, demographic breakdowns and growth data of the sport. Some of the numbers that jump out immediately include:
5: The number of consecutive years
pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.
24.3 million: The number of
Americans who played pickleball in 2025.
4.5 million: The jump in par-
ticipation since 2024 (a 22.8 percent year-over-year increase).
C O U RT E S Y S F I A
44.2 percent: The five-year
average annual growth of the sport in the U.S. (2020-2025).
13 to 24: The age group recording the highest participation rate of all.
(Pickleball is not just for players in their 50s, 60s and beyond.)
42.9 percent: The percentage of women now playing pickleball—up from 38.6 percent in 2020.
7.5 million: That’s the number
of core pickleball players (defined as those playing eight or more times each year), which is up from 1.4 million players in 2020. What does all this tell us? That the sport is growing, obviously. However, to sustain that growth, it is imperative to pay attention to the headwinds. While these are not mentioned in the Single Sport Report, they are brought up separately in research by SFIA, in conjunction with DUPR: The Pickleball Market Playbook: Consumer Spending, Gear Preferences and Play Habits. That SFIA/DUPR report, which constituted more of a deep dive into
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direct-from-player insights, stated the most common complaints were court crowding (the number of players continues to outpace the supply of facilities available), followed by difficulty finding opponents of similar skill levels—and problems with scheduling matches. Interestingly, cost was not mentioned as a concern among players; in fact, according to the Pickleball Market Playbook, core players were more willing to invest in the sport and to travel to play. Beyond the numbers in the Single Sport Report, however, there are some other interesting insights—and those can be incredibly valuable to clubs and racquet sports facilities: • Pickleball players are crosspollinating into an enormous number of other sports. Among the most popular are bicycling (on roads and paved surfaces, as opposed to trail, BMX or mountain biking), bowling, tent camping, free weights, hiking, swimming, golf and treadmill use. • In terms of other racquet sports played by pickleball enthusiasts, only tennis and table tennis had strong followings. Racquetball and badminton both showed marginal participation, and squash and padel barely registered. The report also covers participation statistics according to level of players’ education, as well as geographic and demographic information. A few other points worth knowing: Pickleball has grown by more than 479 percent over the course of five years (between 2020 and 2025) and it is among the top 25 most-played sports and activities in the U.S. (Those last two points are from the SFIA’s 2026 Topline Participation Report.) Information on purchasing the 2026 Single Sport Report: Pickleball (as well as other research published by SFIA) can be obtained from the website, sfia.org. www.tennisindustrymag.com
The Bench COACHING
Mind Bending
equipping your players with a good toolbox of mental game habits. Most of these concepts and activities apply regardless of the setting, but some work better in a team setting than in an individual lesson.
By Coach Pete Scales, Ph.D.
1. HAVE PLAYERS SPEND FIVE MINUTES REFLECTING ON THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT WINNING AND LOSING.
Equip your players with a toolbox of effective and solid mental game habits. RSPA, PTR, USTA Coaching
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to do: Decide to spend at least 10 percent of your lesson or practice time on the mental game. That’s six minutes in a one-hour individual lesson and 12 minutes in a two-hour team practice. I assure you that even that small investment will reap big dividends for your players. Once you commit to it, then how do you teach the mental game? Here are the top five tips I take away from my 35 seasons and 18 years coaching boys’ and girls’ high school tennis. Of course, positive self-talk and positive body language are essential, as are a bunch of other mental and emotional habits to develop. These five, however, are less obvious. But to me, they are the foundation of you and your program
2. HAVE THEM WRITE DOWN OR RECORD WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT PLAYING TENNIS. I created a worksheet for this great exercise (visit competelearnhonor. com to download it) from the USTA
V E C T E E Z Y: P I S U T KO N G K I T
ost coaches and teaching pros would agree that the mental game is one of the most critical aspects of playing effective racquet sports. And yet, most would also agree that it’s one of the areas most coaches and pros spend the least amount of time on. I ask this in coach workshops: “What percentage of tennis is mental?” Answers usually range from 50 percent to 90 percent. And then I ask, “So how much time do you spend teaching the mental game?” There’s often a lot of nervous laughter, and mumbling that it’s less than 10 percent. So here’s the one thing for you
Write down or record into their phones how they react to winning and losing, and whether those reactions seem effective for them or not. After they’ve done the exercise, remind them that the most fundamental key to an effective mental game is having a deep belief that you are not a better person or a better human being if you win, and you are not a worse person if you lose. By what you as their coach or pro say and do, you must convince them of that truth. Everything else in the mental game flows out of that.
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Mental Skills and Drills Handbook. Their responses to this then become a resource they can keep going to, especially when they feel lousy about their game, to remind them of why they love playing in the first place. An effective mental game is founded on loving the game more than how you perform. In all the years I’ve been having students do this, not once has someone said “winning” was what they love about playing. What they write/record here is also the basis for them creating and rehearsing a solid between-points routine so they can react positively or at least neutrally to the point just ended, then relax, refocus on the upcoming point, and be ready to start the next point.
3. INSIST ON AND MODEL RESPECTING EVERYONE, INCLUDING OPPONENTS, AND HONORING THE GAME.
When we get angry at ourselves for poor play, it’s often a variation on, “How am I losing to this player?” That comparison creates unhealthy focus
on the self, and lots of energy directed somewhere other than problem-solving. Instead, if your players respect all opponents, they can simply acknowledge, OK, right now they’re playing better than me—how can I turn that around? They’re giving me a tough match—thanks for the challenge!
4. TEACH STUDENTS TO “LOVE THE BATTLE AND SOLVE THE PUZZLE.”
Jim Loehr created the first part of that principle, and allowed me to add the last part about solving the puzzle. Freeze play and ask students frequently, why did you take that shot or move to that position? What was your purpose? The more you get them to focus on the why of what they’re doing, the strategic and tactical, and who is doing what to whom, the less they will get caught up in how they’re feeling, and the more they’ll focus on solving the problems and puzzles in front of them. Having those feelings briefly is fine. Dwelling on them isn’t. All a match is, is a series of puzzles to solve. Teach
your students that every match should be close—if they are, that’s a great, competitive match. You need your opponent to play great in order to bring out your own greatness.
5. SHOW PLAYERS HOW TO ADJUST AND ADAPT IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.
The puzzles of a tennis match come fast and furious, one after the other. It’s rare that game plan A is all you need to do the whole match. So your players should be coming to the court with written game plans A and B. We are constantly adjusting our game, adapting our approaches as our opponents adjust and adapt to us. That’s an unpredictable dance at the heart of effective puzzle- or problem-solving. I use a music metaphor with my students. I tell them that tennis is like jazz more than classical music. In classical, respect for the score, the notes, for the tradition, means we try to play it mostly like the composer wrote it. In jazz, we start with what they wrote and then riff creatively around it. It never sounds the same the next time you play it. Jazz is improvisation around a solid structure. I like classical music, too, but tennis is jazz! Coach Pete Scales is a developmental psychologist known internationally for his work in promoting positive youth development, and the creator of the acclaimed Compete-Learn-Honor® approach to coaching and person-player development, which places effort, learning and character above winning as goals in youth sports (www. competelearnhonor.com). A certified tennis teaching professional by three credentialing bodies, he has been a boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at Parkway South High School in Missouri for 35 seasons, and mental game advisor to college teams and world top 10 pro pickleball players. His award-winning books for coaches, parents and students on Compete-Learn-Honor and the mental and emotional game in sports are available on Amazon. Got a question for Coach Pete? Email him at coachpetementalgame@gmail. com and put “The Bench” in the subject line.
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September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
25
Racquet Tech SERVICE
Meet the Need!
Whether you offer just restringing or full racquet customization, the key to service is giving customers what they need—and that means listening. By Bob Patterson, Executive Director, USRSA
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ervicing racquets can encompass many things. Some of you may just restring racquets, while others may offer a full line of services that may include regripping, bumper/grommet replacement, and racquet customization. Regardless of how broad, or narrow, your scope may be, at the center of your racquet service, one thing should be your ultimate goal: meeting the needs of your customers.
you just rock along doing what you do. However, we know that things will always change. To continue to be successful, we must adapt and we must anticipate. There are many aspects to this train of thought, but for now, let’s stick to the topic of meeting your customers’ needs and how we can best do that. First and foremost, you need to listen! What are your customers saying? This can often be subtle because
So, how do you go about that? And more importantly, how do you determine exactly what those needs are? Often when a business is established, we get tunnel vision and don’t take time to review or analyze what we do. This is often more true for successful businesses. You are doing well and
they may not know what to ask for, but when they bring a racquet in for service, listen to what they say. Did they mention any changes in their game or playing style? Did they mention recent injuries or problems playing their best? What they say should prompt you to ask more
questions and offer solutions. It is easy to assume all is OK and no change is needed, but don’t let that happen. Instead of asking, “Same as last time?” Maybe ask, “How are you playing?” If the answer is anything other than, “I am playing the best ever,” then more questions should follow: “Are you getting good depth on your shots?” “Are you experiencing any discomfort in your arm when playing?” These are just a couple of questions that help you gather the information you need. Solutions may be as simple as a slight adjustment in tension, or it may require more questions and analysis to find the answer. The key is information. The more information you have, the better you can meet your customers’ needs. The information you glean should come both from the customer and from the racquet itself. Even a quick examination of a frame can tell you a lot of information. How long has it been since the last service? Has your customer waited too long? How is the string bed wearing? What is the condition of the grip? How are the grommets and bumper wearing? This information, coupled with the information from the customer, may give you a more in-depth picture of what the needs are and how to meet them, so your client is playing at his or her best. If you see excessive wear or ball fuzz outside the sweetspot, it may indicate a different racquet or a change in swing weight or head size might be recommended. If you notice more than one overgrip applied, it may be a sign that the player would be more comfortable with a larger handle size. It may end up that your customer may simply need a restring or a fresh grip installed, but never fall into the habit of simply assuming that. Engage your customer. Examine the racquet. Ask the questions. You’ll be meeting the needs of your customers better and ensuring that they are happy with their game and your service.
Have an idea or article for Racquet Tech? Email USRSA Executive Director Bob Patterson at bob@racquettech.com.
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Careers Be a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Young pros starting a career in racquet sports must showcase their potential and stand out from the crowd. By Mark McMahon Young professionals aspiring to success as a Director of Racquet Sports can make more informed career decisions by learning about the successful pathways of other young professionals, which is why at McMahon Careers we created our “YPG Live” panel discussion series, for our Young Professionals Group (YPG)—those with fewer than 20 years of industry experience. The insights shared here were inspired by a recent YPG Live panel discussion, “How Young Pros Stand Out from the Competition.” (The next YPG Live panel discussion will be on Sept. 8. Attendance is free, but registration is required at mcmahoncareers.com/ypg.)
SHUTTERSTOCK
I
n an industry where candidates often compete against veterans with decades of experience, earlycareer professionals must find ways to pivot their lack of longevity into a showcase of potential. As the saying goes in many high-level management circles, a great leader will often “hire for the soul and train for the role.” For young professionals looking to make their mark in racquet sports and private clubs, the key is not just being a great coach, but being a business-minded asset to the entire organization.
BECOME A ‘SWISS ARMY KNIFE’
The most valuable racquet professionals are those who refuse to be “pigeonholed” into one area of the club. To stand out, you need to become a “Swiss Army Knife”—someone who understands the club as a whole, including membership growth, events, grounds and overall operations. When the Director of Racquets can speak the language of a General Manager regarding the club’s vision and business side, they move from being an instructor to a vital department head.
PROACTIVE EXPERTISE
One of the most effective ways to gain a competitive edge is to become the “expert in the room” before you are even asked to be. This means taking the initiative to pursue certifications and education before they are required for your current role. For example, getting certified in emerging sports like padel before your club even has courts demonstrates foresight and a willingness to lead future growth. Gain exposure to a wider range of perspectives by engaging in activities where you can learn from your peers.
INNOVATION AND TRADITION
Young professionals often bring high energy and a desire for change, but it’s important that innovation be married with tradition. If you try to
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immediately overhaul established systems, you risk alienating the membership. Instead, use more subtle tactics to build support for new ideas. This could mean playing padel matches on the pro shop TV or taking members to visit other facilities to build organic interest. When you finally present a new idea to leadership, bring a complete plan that includes vendors, budgets and anticipated member responses.
CULTURE FIT OVER TECHNICAL SKILL
Often, technical coaching skill is secondary to “culture fit.” A “10 out of 10” on technical skills will fail if the professional lacks the humility to buy into the team’s service standards. Distinguished pros focus on “we/ us” rather than “I/ me,” taking personal accountability for departmental failures while giving staff credit for successes. True engagement also extends beyond the court. Building trust and rapport with members can be as simple as watching a junior member’s high school match on your own time.
WINNING THE INTERVIEW
For those looking to land their first director role, charisma, energy and comfortability are the most important traits in the first 15 minutes of an interview. GMs are looking for candidates who can navigate a myriad of personalities, from 3-year-olds to 90-year-olds. If you have limited experience, do not let it hinder your confidence. Admit when you do not have an answer and offer to find it. Experience is gained with time, but potential is what gets you in the door. Be authentic and focus on how you can make the club better, rather than just making yourself look good, and you will naturally stand out. www.tennisindustrymag.com
Construction Made in the Shade? FACILITIES
One of the most important features of the court may well be one that players never play on. By Jay Rivera
C O U RT E S Y U S A S H A D E
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uring tournaments and other events, thoughtfully designed shade can transform the court experience for players, parents, staff and spectators. I see this all the time in my role in the sports facility industry. As racquet sports continue to grow, outdoor facilities have an oppor-
Research Foundation, skin cancer is already the most common cancer in the U.S., with melanoma diagnoses projected to climb by more than 10 percent in 2026 alone. Many existing courts were designed before this level of sun exposure was top of mind, which is why forward-thinking facilities are now building shade into the
tunity to plan beyond the courts themselves and create environments where players and spectators can stay comfortable, be protected and remain engaged throughout the day. By including shade in the earliest design conversations, owners can build facilities that are better prepared for the future and more welcoming for everyone who uses them, inviting players, families and fans to stay longer and enjoy the experience in comfortable, inviting spaces. According to the Melanoma
plan from day one, and why legacy facilities are looking to add shade to their venue. The good news is that both new and existing facilities have options for incorporating shade. At established courts, a strategic site evaluation can identify the best locations for shade while accounting for existing footings, drainage, sightlines and access points. While retrofitting may require additional coordination and, in some cases, can increase project costs by up to 20 percent compared with
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including shade in the original design (based on what I have seen across hundreds of projects), even so, the improvement in comfort, protection and overall facility experience can make it a worthwhile investment. For facilities planning new courts or future renovations, bringing shade into the conversation early can help simplify installation, maximize the available budget, and create a more cohesive design. The facilities that get this right start by asking what their players and spectators are actually experiencing on a tournament day. Based on testing we have done at USA Shade, our shade fabric can block up to 97 percent of UV rays and lower the temperature underneath a structure by at least 25 degrees compared with open sun, which makes a real difference for someone sitting courtside for hours and for the court surfaces and equipment that would otherwise absorb heat all day long. Facility owners planning improvements for next season should be asking their architects and vendors where shade fits into the layout before a court is poured, rather than waiting until after the ribboncutting to figure this out. As facilities compete for tournaments, memberships and everyday use, the ones that consider player and spectator comfort as part of the original design are going to have an easier time attracting events and keeping courts full year after year. Heat is not going away, and facilities that plan for it now will spend far less time and money catching up later. The racquet sports industry needs to treat shade the same way we treat court surfacing or lighting—as a core planning decision rather than a line item to consider once everything else has already been built. Jay Rivera is Senior Vice President at USA Shade (usa-shade.com), where he works closely with municipalities, architects and developers to design and implement high-performance shade solutions for public, private and recreational spaces. www.tennisindustrymag.com
SECTION STARS
High Impact TENNIS PROVIDERS
Whether an individual or an organization, each USTA Section has standouts that continue to influence communities, inspire others and advance the sport. Compiled by Judy Leand
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CARIBBEAN
A Life Dedicated to Tennis > Born in 1936, Rubén Guadalupe Luna, like many Puerto Rican children of his era, aspired to be a pro baseball player and played the game day and night. The ballpark was close to the Río Piedras Tennis Club, and one day, on his way to the diamond, he saw a sign that the tennis club would be offering free clinics and holding a tournament. The winner would travel to St. Thomas and represent the club in a tennis tournament. This was his chance to travel for the first time in his life—he just needed to win the tournament. He found some discarded racquets, took the clinics, competed in the tourney—and won. Then he won in St. Thomas. And it sparked a lifelong love of tennis. Guadalupe Luna became a national collegiate champion in the late 1950s. Later he helped develop a tennis club, then in the 1980s started a tennis project in Guaynabo, where he still lives. Now, at 90 years old, he still teaches free classes at the Guaynabo courts four days a week. In the 1980s and ’90s, Guadalupe Luna led the new Tennis Training and Development Program, created by the Caribbean Tennis Association and the Puerto Rico Department of Recreation and Sports, developing tennis in communities and schools across Puerto Rico. His contributions to the game also include leading and developing the wheelchair tennis program for three decades. This past January, Guadalupe Luna received the Lifetime Achievement Award from USTA Caribbean. “His championships as a player, his triumphs as a manager, and his work as a program administrator make Rubén an immortal pillar of our sport,” says USTA Caribbean Executive Director Rosa Martinez. “Rubén is an iconic figure.”
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PHOTOS COURTESY USTA SECTIONS
2026
FLORIDA
SPECIAL OLYMPIANS SHINE > Four Florida tennis athletes won six medals—two gold and four silver—at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games held in June at the Baseline Tennis Center at the University of Minnesota. Kiera Phoebus (Orlando) and Lizanne Viplav (Lake City) both struck gold in singles, while Garrett Lanier (St. Cloud) and Alexander Polodna (Oviedo) rounded out the medal haul with silver performances across singles and doubles. The four athletes were part of a 73-player tennis field representing delegations from across the country. Florida was one of more than 25 states with tennis athletes competing in the Games. Held every four years, the Special Olympics USA Games is the largest national multi-sport event of its kind, uniting thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities from all 50 states for a week of competition that showcases skill, courage and dedication at the highest level. The 2026 Games in Minneapolis spanned more than a dozen sports across traditional and unified formats, building on the legacy of the 2022 Games hosted in Orlando. —Jaret Kappelman
EASTERN
More Than a Family Affair > Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP) Director Simone Spigner knows a thing or three about being a kid learning to play tennis in New York City. Growing up in the Kensington neighborhood of Brooklyn with parents who loved the game, Spigner says she can’t remember a time in her childhood when she wasn’t hanging out on a court in the city—or something like it, at least. “My father used to drive around with a net in his trunk,” recalls Spigner. “And if there were poles, he would put the net up and we would just practice anywhere.” After a standout junior career and a tennis scholarship to South Carolina State University, Spigner now works to share her family’s preferred pastime with other young people across the five boroughs, overseeing programming for the 165 students in HJTEP classes. “I want them to enjoy it,” she says of her instructional philosophy. “I always tell them, ‘Tennis is a game. Have fun.’” And her tennis-loving family continues to stand alongside; her brother Brian coaches for HJTEP, while her mother and father serve as volunteers. Both of her children, Shayna and Donovan, developed their games through the organization and, just like their mom, received college scholarships. “We owe a lot to tennis, and to HJTEP,” Spigner says. “My kids have gotten to go all over the world playing. And to this day [staff from HJTEP] check in on them. So, [tennis] is home. And it’s a great place to be.” —Scott Sode
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HAWAII-PACIFIC
A Class Act > Lauren Conching has built an accomplished career as a college tennis coach, athletic administrator and national leader in coach education. A former collegiate player at Collin College and Stony Brook University, she spent 17 years at Hawai’i Pacific University (HPU), where she helped build one of NCAA Division II’s premier tennis programs. As Head Women’s Tennis Coach, she earned two ITA National Coach of the Year honors while leading the Sharks to more than 200 victories, six NCAA DII Final Four appearances, and consistent Top 10 national finishes. During her tenure, she also served as HPU’s Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. In 2023, Conching transitioned from collegiate coaching to join the
Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) as Director of Coach Education, where she leads the organization’s coach education strategy and creates programs that support the growth and professional development of college tennis coaches nationwide. Beyond the ITA, she serves as a co-lead coach for USTA Sectional Camps, a lead coach for 10 & Under Tennis in the USTA Hawaii-Pacific Section, Chair of the USTA HawaiiPacific Nominating Committee, and a member of the USTA National College Recruiting Pathway Committee.
INTERMOUNTAIN
COURTING SUCCESS > Cedar City, Utah, might just be the next big tennis town, thanks to the passion of Southern Utah University student Fernanda Pérez. Pérez came to Utah from Peru in 2024 to pursue her higher education and got involved with tennis during the summer of 2025. “Tennis was mostly a summer hobby for me, something I did to pass time with a friend who was really into it, but it felt so natural to me,” says the 20-year-old, who grew up playing and competing in volleyball, basketball and soccer. When Pérez saw a “really good player” slip on one of the tennis courts at Southern Utah, she was shocked. “I was used to seeing beat-up tennis courts in Peru. But I thought that was abnormal here and I wanted to make sure that surface got
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“I’m so fortunate to work in an industry that I love,” says Conching. “I hope my service can inspire others to get involved and become active in their local tennis communities.”
fixed,” she explains. With support from Tiger Funk, Southern Utah University's V.P. of operations, and USTA Utah, Pérez spent eight months working on grant applications to resurface the courts at the school. As a result of her work, six beautiful courts now showcase the culmination of Utah’s tennis industry working together. “Fernanda is nothing less than incredible,” says Gretchen Soffe, USTA Utah’s outreach manager. “USTA Tennis Venue Services helped with the resurfacing project that was finished in May of 2026. But Fernanda spearheaded it and got the project off the ground.” “I feel really honored to have been part of this process,” Pérez says. “It makes me kind of emotional because a year ago I didn’t spend much time on the courts. Now, every time I walk by them, I think ‘Oh, my goodness, I helped do this!’” —Wendy Anderson
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MID-ATLANTIC
FROM ‘HELPER DAD’ TO CHAMPIONSHIP COACH > “If you’re in the past, that’s where anger lives. If you’re in the future, that’s where anxiety lives. In the present is being able to perform at your best no matter what you’re doing,” says Tennis Director John Neal, who oversees the boys’ and girls’ programs at Charlottesville (Va.) High School. It is a mindset he has learned not just through tennis, but through an unexpected journey that reshaped his career. When his son was a freshman on the high school tennis team, Neal found himself becoming what he calls the team’s “helper dad”—a role that would quietly change the course of his career. Seven years ago, just before the season began, the team’s coach approached Neal to take over for the year. That one season became the foundation for everything that followed. Fast-forward to 2025, and Neal was recognized as the 2024-25 National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations Coaches Association. That honor followed his recognition as the 2025 Central Virginia Coach of the Year. In just seven years at Charlottesville High School, he has helped build one of the top high school tennis programs in Virginia, including back-to-back State High School League Championships. “High school coaching has given me the opportunity to see the long-term growth of the players,” says Neal. “A lot of the kids are beginners and you water that seed for years, then a tennis player emerges.”
MIDDLE STATES
Advantage Lancaster > What’s in a name? If you ask Shayne Meadows and Ty Bair, the founders of Advantage Lancaster in Pennsylvania, they’ll tell you that there is a whole lot. The NJTL program’s original moniker, Exit Lancaster, was born from a reality they observed in their neighborhood. “My brothers had never seen anything beyond Lancaster City,” Bair says. “And I thought about how many kids are living in that same situation. We wanted them to exit any excuse that they might have had that they couldn’t make it in life.” With that, and in memory of his late brothers, the program began as a summer project, but it quickly took on a life of its own. “Mr. Meadows said something that was profound:
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‘Once you step into a young person’s life, you can’t just step out if you really want change to happen,’” Bair says. “So, we decided that we were going to stay with these kids as long as they wanted to stay with us.” That promise turned a temporary summer trial into a permanent commitment that has now spanned 26 years. Twelve years ago, Exit Lancaster changed its name to Advantage Lancaster, better reflecting its core mission to equip students with the skills to succeed beyond high school. For the past five years, Advantage Lancaster has maintained a 100 percent high school graduation rate. “What Ty and Shayne have done for that community and for those children is just beyond belief,” says
Judy Levering, the first female president of the USTA and founder of the USTA Foundation. “They have given them a completely different outlook on what life can be.”
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MIDWEST
Going to the Dogs > In 2018, to create more inclusive and comprehensive tennis programming, Joe Tegtmeier founded First Service Doubles (FSD), designed for veterans, first responders and anyone 15 years of age or older who has physical disabilities or invisible injuries, including PTSD. But the unique part of the program is that it invites participants to play tennis alongside their service dogs, or any well-trained dog. By thoughtfully adapting the on-court environment to recognize the important role service animals play, the program removes barriers and helps players build confidence and make connections. In fact, the program has become so successful, it’s been picked up by other USTA sections—Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Southern and Southern California have begun hosting FSD events.
Jaime Oppenlander, who leads the USTA Midwest Adaptive Tennis Committee, is encouraged by the program’s growing attendance and positive feedback. “It is a powerful example of how ... adaptations can create belonging and lifelong engagement
in our sport,” says Oppenlander. “First Service Doubles demonstrates that innovation in adaptive tennis isn’t only about changing the equipment or rules. It can be about creating an environment where every participant feels supported, understood and welcome.”
MISSOURI VALLEY
MAKING TENNIS MORE WELCOMING > When Jason McFarley was 10 years old growing up in South Bend, Ind., he was flipping through TV channels when he came across Wimbledon. He was drawn to pros like Andre Agassi and Monica Seles and their intensity on the court. At the same time, he was also aware that not many players looked like he did at the pro level or in his own community. Instead of letting that deter him, it actually pulled him in. “It made me want to take up that mantle—to see if I could find my own place in the sport,” he says. “I got my first racquet shortly after that and have been playing for more than 30 years since. That early spark has never really left.” McFarley now lives in Lincoln, where, among other things, he plays and captains USTA Nebraska leagues, is involved with the Lincoln Tennis Association and is part of the USTA Missouri Valley Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Outreach Committee. He understands how powerful visibility can be, and he’s helping create pathways to make tennis even more welcoming. “When people see someone who looks like them participating, leading and enjoying the sport, it can change their perception of whether tennis is for them,” he explains. “For me, DEI isn’t just about race—it’s about broadening participation across different sexes, ages, physical conditions and intellectual disabilities.” —Andrea Gallagher
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NEW ENGLAND
The Best of New England Tennis > For the Moe family of Avon, Conn., tennis is more than a sport. It’s a way of life. Recognized as the 2026 Edwin Goodman Family of the Year by USTA New England, the family embodies the values of leadership, sportsmanship, service and excellence, on and off the court. At its core is Erika Moe, tennis director at Racquets For Life Simsbury and a former DI college player. Through her more than 25 years of coaching, community outreach and dedication to growing the game, she has helped introduce countless players to tennis while creating opportunities for juniors of all ages and abilities. Even after overcoming a life-changing spinal cord injury, she’s remains a constant presence on court, continuing to inspire players through her passion, resilience and
NORTHERN
WHEN TENNIS BECAME A LIFELINE > When uncertainty and fear spread through parts of the greater Minneapolis area this past winter, a tennis facility at the epicenter of the turmoil became much more than a place to play. The Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC), located near the Whipple Federal Building that houses Minnesota’s Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices, found itself at the center of a community facing significant disruption. As Operation Metro Surge, demonstrations, and heightened anxiety affected daily life, many of the families served through FWTEC’s National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) program were among those most impacted. Rather than scaling back its commitment, FWTEC leaned into its mission of serving the community.
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commitment. That love of the game extends to the Moe children. Kaya will begin her collegiate tennis career at Auburn University this fall, following a decorated junior career that included top New England and national rankings as well as numerous sportsmanship honors. Karina is currently No. 5 in New England in the girls’ 16s division, while also being recognized for outstanding sportsmanship. Both Kaya and Karina regularly work and volunteer as coaches and mentors. Their father, Jeff, has been an unwavering supporter of the family’s tennis journey,
volunteering with the Racquets for Life Foundation and making tournament trips possible. The Moe family is united by a shared passion for the game and an enduring commitment to giving back. —James Maimonis
Home to more than 6,000 players each year, including nearly 2,000 youth participating in free NJTL programming, FWTEC became a source of consistency during an uncertain time. Patrons continued showing up to play despite the environment outside, while others supported the organization by making financial contributions, providing meals for staff, offering professional expertise and contributing to mutual aid efforts for affected families. Those acts of generosity allowed FWTEC’s coaching staff to extend their impact far beyond the tennis court. During January and February, trusted coaches completed more than 275 home visits, delivering over $40,000 worth of groceries and other essentials directly to families in need. At the same time, staff expanded their training in trauma-informed coaching, equipping themselves with additional tools to support children and families experiencing stress and uncertainty.
“There’s a tennis community here that wants to respond and help,” says FWTEC Executive Director Christine Nickels. “We cannot prevent adversity, but we can buffer the impact. For some, playing tennis here was the one hour they could escape what was going on around them and have some normalcy.”
September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 41
2026
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
A PASSION FOR PARKS & REC AND TENNIS > Pam Sloan of Stockton, Calif. has spent decades helping tennis grow through public parks, grassroots programs and community service. Her passion for Parks and Recreation and the game of tennis has shaped a lifetime of opening doors for others, creating opportunities to play, and helping communities connect through the sport. From local programming to leadership roles across the tennis community—including serving as USTA NorCal board president and as a delegate— she has remained a steady and passionate advocate for making tennis welcoming, accessible and community-driven for all. These efforts have certainly not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Sloan has been honored as the Billie Jean King Public Parks Tennis Person of the Year, an annual award given by the National Public Parks Tennis Association (NPPTA). She also received
the Barbara Williams Service Award, which recognizes a female volunteer who, through her leadership and example, has encouraged and inspired others. Among her accomplishments—and the list is extensive—Sloan assisted in the development of the initial Public Parks Committee and advocated for the inclusion of parks and recreation systems to promote the game of tennis and carry on the mission of making tennis accessible in public parks everywhere. As a board member of the NPPTA and a past director for the National Recreation and Park Association, Sloan has leveraged these relationships to build a bridge between the USTA and the two organizations. “I hope the USTA always has a relationship with the National Recreation and Park Association and that sections remain engaged with local public parks,” says Sloan. “They are a natural delivery system, and tennis will continue to grow. USTA and sections need to be there for local park and recreation agencies.”
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Tennis as a Pathway to Success > As the executive director of Portland Tennis & Education (PT&E), Campbell Garonzik has been dedicated to expanding opportunities for youth through tennis and education. Under her leadership, PT&E was named the 2025 USTA Foundation NJTL Chapter of the Year, a national honor recognizing excellence in using tennis as a pathway to academic achievement, mentorship and lifelong success. As an NJTL, PT&E is part of the nationwide network of more than 270 community-based organizations that use tennis, education and mentorship to prepare young people from under-resourced communities for the challenges and opportunities of life.
42 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
Since its inception in 1996, PT&E has empowered nearly 20,000 young people, and participants and their family members receive approximately 1,000 hours of annual support. Additionally, every PT&E senior has graduated on time and pursued a secondary education path, with a number of graduates receiving scholarship support from the USTA Foundation. “Campbell embodies the very best of what leadership in our section looks like,” says Matthew Warren, CEO and Executive Director of USTA Pacific Northwest. “Under her direction, Portland Tennis & Education has shown what’s possible when you give a young person both a court and a classroom. We share a deep belief that tennis can change the trajectory of a life, and Campbell lives that belief every day. We are so proud to celebrate her.”
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SOUTHERN
Supporting Female Tennis Leaders > Using tennis as a platform to build confident female leaders was something Mildred F. Southern valued greatly throughout her life. Southern was a former USTA Southern president and devoted volunteer who helped launch numerous junior tennis programs. In 1974 she received the USTA Eve Kraft Outstanding Service award in its inaugural year. She established Young Folks Tennis in WinstonSalem, N.C., for any child to learn to play tennis, and her daughter, Debbie Southern, notes, “It is still going strong today!” When USTA Southern approached Debbie to ask about naming a girls’ leadership program after her late mother, she was excited about the idea. “[My brother and I] thought it really aligned with our mother because she always wanted every child to learn to play tennis,” says Debbie, who spent 31 seasons as the Furman University women’s tennis head coach and is
currently chair of the USTA Southern High School, Tennis on Campus & Collegiate Committee. The Mildred F. Southern Girls Leadership Program, also known as Southern Stars, is designed to nurture the potential of girls ages 11-18 involved in NJTL programs. The six-week program partners with the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), founded by Billie Jean King, to use
the foundation’s WePlay interactive curriculum. The WSF staff supports USTA Southern NJTL chapters with curriculum delivery through training and additional resources. “I just know that [my mother] would have loved this opportunity for girls to learn some of the values and characteristics they are learning through this program,” Southern says. —Rhiannon Potkey
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STRENGTHENING THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION > In a world in which stress and burnout are increasingly common across the sports landscape, tennis can be “a mental health intervention,” says Susan Zinn, a licensed psychotherapist, national clinical counselor, certified trauma and eating disorder specialist, executive board member of UCLA’s Friends of Semel Institute, founder of Westside Counseling Center, and Southern California tennis parent. Zinn, also known as “The Heart Therapist,” notes that, “Many people don’t think about tennis as having mental health benefits, but it certainly can. It combines aerobic activity, cognitive demand, social interaction and nervous system regulation.” Zinn encourages players, especially young athletes, to reframe how they function daily and instead learn to reconnect with what she calls “heart qualities: genuine joy, real connection and the feeling of being fully alive.” Ultimately, she believes that if we integrate and normalize mental health into the culture of tennis, we will raise a generation of players who are not just better athletes, but more fully alive human beings. “Tennis gives people something they are quietly starving for right now: a way to feel fully alive. But that only happens when we protect what makes the sport powerful,” she emphasizes. “Connection over comparison. Regulation over pressure. Community over ranking. Play for the sensation first. The results follow.” —Riley Shear
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SOUTHWEST
Promoting Empowerment, Hope & Enthusiasm > The pop of tennis balls against strings is the distinctive sound of tennis—but listening for a deeper meaning, it’s also a sound emblematic of a changing community every time a new player strikes a ball. At the heart of this change in the Phoenix tennis community is Leslie Banks, a tennis coach whose impact has extended into the neighborhoods that need it most. As founder and executive director of the Phoenix nonprofit youth tennis group Serve the Future AZ, Banks has made her program into an engine of not just tennis, but of incalculable social goodwill. She’s helped introduce nearly 800 children to tennis since the program’s inception in 2021, bringing new and different faces into the game and arming them with quality tennis instruction as well as life skills.
She also has been a leader in the coaching community, serving as a board member of the RSPA Southwest Division. She received the first-ever USTA Champion of Equality award for the Southwest in 2023, and she was named the RSPA Star Award winner in 2022 for her
work in advancing diversity and inclusion in tennis. In a city known for unrelenting heat, Banks provides a different kind of warmth to the Phoenix community—one built on empowerment, hope and enthusiasm to change lives through tennis. —Jeff Sikes
foundation for a growing community rooted in access, connection, and a shared love for tennis across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “Tennis has the power to bring people together, and through DFW Black
Tennis we’ve seen that firsthand,” says Henderson. “It has created a space where the Black community in Dallas can connect, build relationships, and feel represented in a sport that hasn’t always reflected them. [It shows] how the game can unite and uplift a community.” “Jasmine is one of those rare leaders who sees what is possible and has the passion, courage and determination to bring that vision to life,” remarks Katy Rogers, USTA Texas Director of CTAs & Facilities. “Through DFW Black Tennis, she’s created more than just a tennis community—she’s built a movement rooted in connection, belonging and opportunity. Her vision and leadership are breaking barriers, opening doors, and creating a lasting impact that will continue to shape the future of tennis for generations to come.”
TEXAS
MAKING STRONG CONNECTIONS > What started off as a simple idea to bring the tennis community together grew into a powerful movement. Jasmine Henderson, co-founder of DFW Black Tennis, explains, “In the early days, it was about showing up to the court, inviting a few people, and creating a space where everyone felt welcome. People came looking for a game, but stayed for the connection. Standing almost three years strong, DFW Black Tennis has impacted 500-plus players, bringing tennis to the culture, and culture to tennis.” In 2026, the group was named the USTA Texas Small CTA of the Year. DFW has partnered with entities such as Wilson and the American Heart Association to provide resources to the community, thus laying the
46 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
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A dedicated local advocate leads the charge to expand and renovate the courts at South Carolina’s Waccamaw Regional Tennis Center. By Wendy Anderson
S
outh Carolina community tennis advocate Nate Fata and his friends always appreciated playing on the relatively forgiving clay courts at the Waccamaw Regional Tennis Center at Stables Park on Pawleys Island. But pre-pandemic, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the group to secure time on the two clay courts at the public tennis facility. “Clay absorbs more impact, reducing stress on joints and muscles, which is really appealing to the many retirees in the Grand Strand area,” Fata explains. “The two clay courts at Waccamaw Regional [commonly referred to as Stables Tennis Center (STC)] were always full. We really needed more clay courts, and luckily, there was room to expand.”
In 2019, Fata, a local attorney, began the process of grassroots fundraising and advocating for improvements at STC, rallying community government leaders, USTA South Carolina and the local CTA, the Grand Strand Tennis Foundation. Five years later, with grants from USTA National, USTA Southern and USTA South Carolina secured, the $1.7 million project moved forward. The renovation, completed this past July, resulted in the conversion of four existing hard courts to clay, construction of three new clay courts with LED lighting, and the conversion of 10 existing court lighting systems to LED. Now, STC offers a total of nine clay courts, along with four hard courts. “The Waccamaw project was the ideal
partnership between USTA National and USTA South Carolina, with a local interested volunteer and advocate taking the lead to get it done,” says Sheryl McAlister, Senior Director of Advocacy & Community Development for USTA South Carolina. “The significance of this project cannot be overstated in the context of South Carolina’s growing tennis-playing population,” especially along the state’s Atlantic coast. “It was very organic how everything came together, but none of it would have happened without Nate,” notes Karen Zuidema, consultant and project manager for USTA’s Tennis Venue Services. “His dedication and commitment went above and beyond. I deal with hundreds of projects, but this one stood out. It takes a lot of patience and time to see these things through. I could always hear the passion for this project whenever I talked to Nate.” Both McAlister and Fata also acknowledge the work and support of local Georgetown County Councilwoman Stella Mercado and the Grand Strand Tennis Foundation in getting the ball rolling. “Seven years—it took a while,” Fata says. “In the beginning, we probably met with Georgetown County and the parks and rec department six or eight times. But everyone was always very receptive, and we just kept pushing forward, one step at a time. It was much more work than I expected, but I’ve always been passionate about being outdoors and about the social benefits of tennis.” “Where we have been the most successful in South Carolina are in areas of the state where local volunteers and passionate tennis players come together to work with the USTA to create or establish something for the community,” McAlister notes. “This work would not be possible without our terrific partners at Tennis Venue Services. They are the experts in this area, and the partnership we have developed with them over the years has benefited our state tremendously. “But the passion of a tennis advocate like Nate, that ultimately makes all the difference in whether a project is started— and completed!” Sponsored content. For more on how USTA’s Tennis Venue Services can help your facility or project, visit usta.com/facilities or email facilities@usta.com.
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September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 47
C O U RT E S Y U S TA S O U T H C A R O L I N A
Passion Play ADVERTORIAL
Retailing Serious Relationships SERVICE
For specialty retailers, defining your niche in the community can offer great opportunities—and great rewards. By Kent Oswald
T
he value each customer assigns to a store’s selection, price, location and personal service will vary when deciding where to purchase racquets, paddles, shoes, balls, etc. Big-box and online megastores will appeal to some consumers, but the ones who most prize knowledge and personal service rely on specialty retailers.
Not that specialty retailers don’t also often match their big-pocket competitors in terms of selection, price and location, but they always outshine them in talking with players and matching them with the perfect playing option. Jim Diekroger, whose family is celebrating its golden anniversary owning St. Louis’s Racketman, explains
48 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
that, “Big-box stores have never had much of an impact on our business. They don’t take tennis very seriously and barely stock any court shoes. Bigbox dabbles in pickleball, but good luck finding any help.” The bigger competition comes from online options. “We don’t do a lot of advertising,” says Diekroger, “so we rely on word-of-mouth, [and] the word is out there!” That word is about what online can’t offer in terms of personal and knowledgeable service for shoe fitting from a wide selection, exceptional racquet repair, or discussion about a player’s experience taking advantage of the demo program. New employees at Racketman are hired with a passion for racquet sports, get a grounding in materials about the inventory, and train by shadowing more experienced salespeople. Adds Diekroger, proudly, “Our customer service is top-notch; that’s what keeps people coming back.”
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“A donation [to a school or community group or tennis association] is good marketing. Good reviews are good marketing. Word of mouth is good marketing.” TAKING CARE OF TEACHING PROS
Drew Phillips, manager of Queen City Tennis in Charlotte, N.C., says, “The online companies make it very difficult as they do a very good job. We always price-match the big online competitors. Our demo program is huge for us, and we get lots of people in the door that way. Racquet stringing [keeps customers coming to us] as well. And customers need to try on shoes to make sure they are comfortable with the fit, so that helps us compete. … It is so important to take care of regular customers and teaching pros because those relationships move the needle for a long, long time." As we often hear in the racquet sports industry, the current times offer great opportunities. The Physical Activity Council’s 2026 Overview Report on Participation highlights that well over 20 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 6 engaged in a racquet sport in 2025, continuing the upward trend from the 10-year low of 13 percent participation in 2019. It is also true that while a great deal of attention is diverted by discussions of sedentary lifestyles and engagement with screens, in practice, consumers are showing a preference for experiences with actual people. A recent report from the Boston Consulting Group notes both the challenges of today’s retail environment and how “specialty retailers can turn their unique combination of sensory richness, deep assortment, and in-house expertise into a powerful competitive advantage.” No matter their presumed advantages, the report continues, “Online retailers can’t replicate the full sensory richness of an in-store experience,” nor offer the type of www.tennisindustrymag.com
person-to-person engagement that “drives foot traffic, increases brand loyalty, and encourages more purchases.”
TRUSTING THE CUSTOMERS
Or, as Chris Gaudreau, with 30-plus years owning and operating The Racquet Koop in New Haven, Conn., puts it, “We try to offer fair pricing and really good service. People are willing to spend a little bit more to get the right product from the get-go.” Like those of other successful specialty retailers, his customers respond to a store philosophy of trusting the customer to make their own best decision instead of reacting to them as a collection of data points. Gaudreau, who describes himself as a racquet sports enthusiast with a staff playing the same sports and testing the same equipment the store sells, says, “I let the individual make the decision based on the information we are giving them [and] I’ve always made it a point of never trying to sell something to someone they don’t need.” For consumers, feeling that they got what they needed is a key to satisfaction and comfort in a marketplace flooded with choices that may make buying a product feel overwhelming. Since the pandemic in 2020, sporting goods wholesale sales have increased by 34.7 percent, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association’s most recent manufacturers report. The report cited pickleball as having the most dramatic growth among the categories it tracked, with 2025 sales of pickleball equipment at nearly $410 million. While tennis equipment sales increased by 27 percent since 2020 to reach sales of $287 million, pickleball
sales outpaced tennis beginning two years ago. Padel equipment sales have not begun to be tracked, but this, too, is a growth category, with a recent report by Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications cataloging 30 courts in the U.S. in 2020, 600 in 2024, and projecting up to 30,000 by the end of the decade.
DEFINING YOUR NICHE
In other words, if the retailer can define their niche in their community, there is a great opportunity now and for the foreseeable future. No racquet sports specialist will be able to outspend big-box or online retailers, but it is also not necessary. Sales is a people business, and as Gaudreau explains, building relationships that lead to success is not something you need to spend big money on. “A donation [to a school or community group or tennis association] is good marketing. Good reviews are good marketing. Word of mouth is good marketing,” he says. Perhaps the most important ingredient to specialty retailers’ success is no secret at all and certainly nothing that can be taught. Even with the growth of financial opportunities, racquet sports sales is not an easy business. Success and personal fulfillment ultimately depend on having and communicating a passion. Phillips at Queen City Tennis sums up what that is like: “I feel I was born to do this job, and I can’t imagine ever doing anything else. I have been [in the shop] since the first day the door opened, and being surrounded by tennis, even on the most challenging days, has given me so much perspective. I love every minute of it.
September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 49
Tournament Stringing Stringed Instruments WIMBLEDON
As the Official Stringer for Wimbledon, the Babolat team prepared a record number of racquets at this year’s tournament.
B
P H O T O S C O U RT E S Y B A B O L AT
abolat has had a formal relationship with The Championships–Wimbledon since 2013, but their history together goes back much further. The French company invented tennis string in 1875, just two years before the first edition of the Wimbledon Championships, the oldest and most prestigious tournament in the world. For more than 150 years, both global brands have continued to inspire players. Babolat is not only the official stringer of Wimbledon, it’s also the tournament’s official shoe, worn by all ball kids throughout the fortnight. And the partnership includes a collection of Wimbledon-branded tennis racquets, bags, footwear and accessories. As the official racquet stringer and racquet preparation service for the tourney, Babolat is responsible for racquet service across all draws—ATP, WTA, juniors and wheelchair. Service is provided by an international team of Babolat stringers, working across three main sites: Aorangi Park, which is within the All-England Club; Raynes
Park, home to the All-England Club Community Tennis Centre, located about a mile from the tournament; and the All-England Club Community Sports Centre at Roehampton, home to Wimbledon qualifying. This year, the Babolat stringing team at Wimbledon consisted of 26
stringers and a total of 60 on the racquet service staff, from 14 countries. And they strung 7,264 racquets, a record for the team. “Responsiveness, expertise and precision are at the core of Babolat service,” says company President Eric Babolat. “Wimbledon and Babolat are two pioneering brands that both embody passion for the sport. Even with more than a century and a half of history together, our partnership remains a tremendous acknowledgement and recognition of our expertise as inventors of the first tennis string. And of course, Wimbledon also is an important moment for our Babolat players, including two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz.”
Babolat—Official Stringing Partner of the Wimbledon Championships 2026—By The Numbers
• Number of racquets strung: 7,264 (a record for the tournament) • Amount of string used: 285,984 feet (over 54 miles!) • Lowest string tension requested: 20 lbs. • Highest string tension requested: 88 lbs. • Number of players served: 806 • Total racquet service staff: 60 • Total stringers: 26 Eric Babolat
50 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
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Ask the Experts What Does It Mean When Cross Strings Break? Q:
I think we’d all agree that nearly every broken string we see is a main string. But what does it tell you about someone’s game or swing when they consistently break a cross string? I’m talking about a full bed of quality multifilament string, which is visibly worn—but on the crosses, not the mains.
A:
SHUTTERSTOCK
Apart from something that is happening during the stringing process to put undue wear on the cross strings, I would usually see this on a player who hits the ball extremely flat, causing the cross strings to move more than the mains, concentrating intersectional friction on the crosses
rather than the mains. But a lot of factors go into this other than just the swing path. Let’s think about the causation of string breakage outside the abnormal shearing breaks, poor quality strings, shoddy techniques causing friction burn during string installation, and the many other things that could lead to premature breakage. Concentrating on “normal wear
and tear” breakage, the usual cause is the friction between the intersecting main strings and cross strings. As you point out, generally the main strings take the brunt of this and are more likely to break. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, the mains are longer than the crosses and are more apt to move during hitting. Second, most tennis swings are on the path of low to high to create topspin, or high to low to create underspin. These movements cause the mains to move during impact. The mains sliding back and forth with each ball strike creates friction with the intersecting cross strings, which usually tend to remain more stable during this process. That friction wears on the moving main string, which eventually notches and begins to weaken. Now let’s consider other factors. It is not uncommon now to use a hybrid string set-up, with two different strings for mains and crosses. This can either hasten or deter the process described above. If the main strings are thicker or of more durable material, it could lessen the effect somewhat and lengthen the time before breakage. (Of course, the opposite could be true, too.) Obviously, these changes would also affect playability, but for our purposes, let’s stick to durability. The reference tension is also a factor. Even if the reference tension is the same for mains and crosses, as we have stated, the mains are longer and so,
all things being equal, the resulting actual tension of the mains would be lower. However, we know that the mains and crosses intersect and are woven in place, which creates a tremendous amount of friction during string installation and thus affects the resulting actual tension, so the overall string-bed deflection is the industry standard of measure rather than individual string tension. Having said that, how do different reference tensions between mains and crosses affect the durability? With minor differences, probably not much, but I have also seen rare cases where the player insists on a much lower cross tension than main tension, again allowing the cross strings to move more, so that would certainly be a factor. Some multifilaments are comprised of thousands of tiny fibers twisted together and bonded with resin. As these begin the wear process, they tend to lock in with a few hits and if the player is a big hitter, it could just break the crosses if the mains aren’t getting a lot of force from topspin or slice movement. The bottom line is that like with many aspects of stringing and string/tension selection, there is no one answer. The various components of the string, tension and player’s style of play make each case unique. Knowing all the processes and doing a bit of critical analysis can help offer solutions, but be aware that changes may well affect other aspects such as playability, power, spin, durability and feel. It comes down to giving the best analysis and allowing the player to choose how to prioritize the information provided. Are they willing to give up playability for more durability? Either way, they are making the decision, and you have done your best to provide the information needed.
We welcome your questions. Email them to bob@racquettech.com. www.tennisindustrymag.com
September/October 2026 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 51
Your Serve
Central Intelligence TECHNOLOGY
Tech and AI are transforming racquet sports—and for your business, they’re no longer luxuries. By Emmy Caporale
SHUTTERSTOCK
T
ennis has certainly come a long way, baby! While wood racquets, net cord judges and linespeople have become obsolete on the pro tours, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have propelled the sport into another dimension. Datadriven analytics in real time and electronic line-calling are pervasive at elite levels, and utilization continues to increase at the recreational level. Bottom line: Technology is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. And it’s transforming this sport—rendering courts smarter, training safer and more productive, and matches more insightful. If you haven’t fully embraced all that AI and technology can do for this industry and for your business, you’re going to be left behind. Just consider: With enhanced AI driven apps and devices, you and your players can obtain personalized performance-based training plans. Utilizing insights gleaned from match data analytics and its predictive abilities, players can modify strategies to counter their opponents’ strengths and take advantage of their weaknesses. By tracking biomechanics and movement data, through wearable technology and intelligent courts, AI can optimize training and help prevent injuries. Technology offers the
opportunity to learn remotely, and it can connect players with similar skills and goals and help organize local competition. All of this can expand your business. Statistics, real-time performance analysis and footwork feedback are now accessible at academies, clubs and resorts. AI-powered tracking systems like Hawk-Eye, Wingfield and Playsight utilize multiple high-speed cameras and AI algorithms to track spin rate, ball speed, shot placement and movement, enabling coaches and players to modify technique, scrutinize exchanges and identify previously imperceptible patterns. These “smart court” systems can recommend drills following a match, keep score and offer heat maps of footwork. Accessed via a mobile app or touchscreen kiosk, these tools bring an elevated experience and
real value to members and guests, increasing retention. They permit facility operators to offer matchmaking and level-based matches while fostering social engagement, community and long-term commitment. Moreover, they help attract a younger, tech-fluent demographic. Virtual training tools have inundated the market for players of all levels. Sens Arena, for instance, allows players to simulate playing scenarios off court while boosting their mental development. AI has also impacted equipment. Smart dampeners, for instance, positioned on the strings can collect data on speed, accuracy, strokes and sweetspot vibrations. However, there can be some drawbacks. A perpetual stream of data and analytics can overwhelm players, causing unrelenting pressure and contributing to burnout. In some cases, an increased reliance on tech and data can actually lessen in-person engagement and socialization. If players rely almost exclusively on AI tools, it could impede their ability to adapt and compete instinctively. And, as more personal performance data is amassed, privacy and security can be a concern. Also, advanced training tools and equipment can be costly. But as AI continues to evolve, the transformational potential for racquet sports is infinite. In the future, look for AI-based injury prevention systems utilizing motion analysis, voice-enabled coaching assistants and much more. The confluence of AI with performance psychology, tailored nutrition and biomechanics will craft a more holistic, data-driven methodology for player development and fulfillment. Emmy Caporale has been a contributing writer for Tennis View Magazine since 2016 and a volunteer at the International Tennis Hall of Fame since 1996.
We welcome opinions and comments. Email peter@acepublishinggroup.com.
52 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY September/October 2026
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54
WE WANT YOU
58
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE
62
JANNIK SINNER SECOND WIMBLEDON TRIUMPH
64
CERTIFICATION CALENDAR
66
GETTING INVOLVED WITH RSPA
72
LOBBIN’ WITH LINDA
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LEADERSHIP
We Want You
It Takes All of Us to Grow
John Embree, RSPA Interim CEO
reetings from Lake Nona! As you are
G
sociation and industry in the face of significant
on your RSPA account as part of our Refer &
reading this issue of RSI Magazine and
headwinds. As an independent, not-for-profit
Earn Program. We’ve made it easier for coaches
our ADDvantage section, the team is in
association, our most important asset is our
who have trained under our Elite and Master
final preparations for the World Rac-
membership. It drives over 60% of our revenue.
Professionals to join our association with a new
quet Conference in Dallas, taking place Sept.
Given the competitive environment in today’s
experienced certification pathway too. Those
20-23. Putting on a show of this magnitude
marketplace, it is incumbent upon all of us to
coaching under the services of seasoned RSPA
is no easy feat, given the complexity of the
bring new talent into the fold.
Professionals are eligible for an RSPA member-
scheduling, the coordination of speakers, the
Here is my ask: if 2,000 RSPA members
ship if they meet the below:
planning of social events, the extensive com-
could recruit ONE new member to join the
• They must be at least 19 years old.
munication required, the back-office logistics,
RSPA this next year, that would be a HUGE
• They must work as an employee and not an
etc. Given we produce a WRC every year, one
home run. If we could convince 1,000 lapsed
might think it is routine. But that is hardly the
independent contractor. • Their supervisor must be an RSPA Elite or
case. Every year brings new challenges, new
Master Professional.
thinking, bigger hurdles to overcome. Believe
• They must have received training and
me when I say, it does not get any easier.
guidance from their superior on teaching
The team begins the process in Jan-
methods.
uary. Monthly staff meetings early on turn
• They must have taught for at least 1,000
into weekly meetings as summer heats up.
hours under their supervisor.
Since I came back in mid-May, I have been so
If you have a coach on your staff who qualifies,
impressed by the quality of the work that the
email mentoring@rspa.net to get them certified.
staff continues to do to make this event special.
And yet, there is still much to celebrate. It is
It is a heavy lift, and each department is driven
not too early to start thinking about our WRC in
to provide an exceptional program so that the
September of 2027, when we will be celebrating
attendees come away wanting more. I must
our 100th anniversary! We will reconvene in
sincerely thank every person involved with the
Orlando and pay homage to those members who
conference for their hard work and dedication
have had a significant impact on our history.
to RSPA.
From past national presidents to Tim Heckler
It is not too late to register! We want as
Hall of Famers, we should recognize them for
many of our members who can make it to come
their contribution to our organization and to
and see what is new in our industry, network
our sport. It is less than 13 months away, so once
with colleagues and hear about the vision for
or dropped members to come back, the impact
we catch our breath from this year’s conference
RSPA’s future. The marketplace is changing
would be dramatic. Our best tool at growing
in Dallas, we will turn our attention to this
daily, and we must be prepared to embrace AI,
our membership and racquet sports as a whole
milestone and begin planning what should be a
understand the latest trends in wellness and
is you, our rank-and-file members, who employ
ginormous birthday!
know how to improve our individual branding.
professionals or who have colleagues who are
I have a deep sense of gratitude to the
If you are a director at a facility, please consider
not certified. Some of you (longtime members)
national Board, to our division EDs and division
bringing along a colleague or one of your staff
would remember the old advertisements that
boards for putting their trust in me to lead us
pros who may not have attended a WRC previ-
the U.S. Army would run on TV or in mag-
in the short term. While I am in this position, I
ously. Once they get a taste, they will hopefully
azines: “WE WANT YOU!” with a picture
promise to give you 100% and do what I believe
become regular attendees. Naturally, I am
of Uncle Sam pointing his finger. The same
is in the best interest of RSPA. See you in Dallas!
biased, but it should be a great event—come
message applies to us. And if a new member
join us!
mentions that you referred them during the
This will be a great celebration of our as-
Serving Our Sports,
application process, you will earn a $50 credit
ADDvantageMagazine Magazine| September/October | September/October2026 2026 5454- -ADDvantage
CEO MESSAGE
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56 - ADDvantage Magazine | September/October 2026
- 57
LEADERSHIP
RSPA – Where Do We Go from Here? Trish Faulkner | RSPA Past President s we approach our 100th anniversary in 2027, I want to look ahead at how we build on our momentum and reach the next set of milestones together.
A
What’s Changed and Why It Matters Over the past few years, the RSPA has evolved to better serve members and to strengthen our standing across racquet sports. Every major decision started with two questions:
Will this benefit members professionally or financially? Will this sustain or grow the association’s resources? Our boldest move was expanding beyond tennis and updating our name and logo. While a few were concerned we’d stray from our tennis roots, the results are clear: adding pickleball and padel has created new certification pathways, additional income opportunities for professionals and clubs and greater visibility in the U.S. and internationally. We’re also creating space for platform tennis and squash where facilities support them. Today, the RSPA offers best-in-class education, certification, mentoring and career development for current and aspiring teaching professionals alike in five different racquet sports.
How We Thrive Together The RSPA’s financial health rests on membership dues and brand partnerships. Membership naturally ebbs and flows as careers evolve. Our role is
to make the RSPA so valuable—through community, education, certification and insurance—that newcomers stay and veterans remain engaged.
Turning Influence Into Partnership Value
For years we operated without a dedicated business development function. Today, RSPA Business Development Manager Tim Buwick—backed by our office team and our Business Development Committee—secures brand partnerships for the benefit of all members. Here’s the often-overlooked truth: as racquet sports professionals, we collectively interact with and influence millions of consumers each year. The products we use, recommend and purchase—personally and for our programs and clubs—shape buying decisions. There is nothing more powerful than a trusting personal relationship. These touchpoints are exactly what Tim leverages when negotiating partnership value. When we choose, recommend and talk about partner products, we strengthen the RSPA’s case for current and future partners. Why? Because brands know that we will support them, which delivers a measurable Return On Investment (ROI). This second pillar is where you, the member, have the most influence in our association’s health. By supporting our partners, you can ensure we receive the support to sustain the RSPA longterm.
You’re Already an Influencer My years as the WTA marketing director taught me that sponsors invest in the impact of a sport, not just
58 - ADDvantage Magazine | September/October 2026
individual stars. The RSPA has a highly engaged army containing more than 11,000 members. Consider our aggregate purchasing and recommending power across sunscreen and sunglasses to shampoo, hydration, recovery and everyday essentials. Students and members constantly ask what products we use and trust. That’s influence…and influence is power.
Support Those Who Support Us Let’s talk specifics. Our major partners—Volkl Tennis, Centerline Athletics (apparel), Tennis, Pickleball and Padel Warehouse, Dunlop balls, and NOX pickleball and padel—generously support the RSPA. The foundational question is: How can we best support them? When was the last time you… • Put a Volkl frame into a student’s hands for a demo? • Bought or recommended to someone Centerline apparel? • Made a purchase from Tennis, Pickleball or Padel Warehouse? • Bought Dunlop tennis balls? • Played with a NOX pickleball paddle or padel racquet or wore a pair of their shoes?
If we don’t direct business to our partners, we risk losing them when agreements renew. Most of our partners offer member discounts with no minimums. Many contracts also include re-
BOARD MESSAGE
ferral incentive programs which reward us when we steer business their way. Buyers save with RSPA discounts, and some agreements earn the RSPA royalties or revenue that funds enhanced member benefits. Some partners contribute by offering in-kind services or products—like Sportsfield Specialties who builds padel courts for our World Racquets Conferences. This saves the RSPA expenses that greatly benefit our bottom line, hence more income for providing great member experiences.
Where Your Dues go Our largest expense is member benefits, member relations, member insurance, facilities, conferences, taxes and of course to support our fabulous RSPA staff. Membership growth and strong sponsor relationships allow us to expand member services without compromising quality.
A Simple Playbook You Can Act On Know our partners. Review the logos at the bottom of this page and learn and promote what each company or product offers as part of our RSPA agreement. Get access to your discounts at rspa.net and use what can elevate your day-to-day.
When you buy anything, start with our RSPA list of brand partners. If a product is priced lower than your RSPA discount price, then tell our sponsor so they can react and work with you. Use your RSPA discount every chance you get for personal use, family gifts and particularly for club special events. Tell others about the discounts and products available from our partners. Put partner products in play— racquets and balls on demo days or member guest prizes or even outfits for your staff. At RSPA conferences, spend time with the vendors at the Vendor Village. Make an effort to talk to the new vendors, as they might be looking at the RSPA as a possible new marketing or promotional partner. Think like a business person—a marketing manager for your business, which is not just your place of employment, but also the RSPA. Your suggestions and recommendations move products and help sales. Sell your organization and the companies we represent because they believe in the RSPA and the power we possess to help move products.
Bottom Line
We need members and our brand partners. We should always be reaching out and looking for ways to increase both. One without the other isn’t enough. We cannot survive as a strong organization without both parts of our whole. Think more globally and become one of our key promoters of our partner products or services. Shift your purchasing power toward our sponsors. Imagine yourself as Tim Buwick. Do you know all the numerous benefits that our organization offers? We are a family made up of diverse, talented, committed racquet sports coaches and we have the power to make a difference. You hold incredible power! You are front-line brand ambassadors! You can influence consumer’s decisions. You can strengthen our image and standing in the sports industry. Support your fellow members and our great staff. Take the time to know and understand the role our brand partners play in the future of the RSPA. Together we will get stronger and go further. You will impact your own career and the future of all RSPA members for the next 100 years. Thanks for all you do for the RSPA and the racquets industry.
Thank You to all of our Partners!
BOARD MESSAGE
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Jannik Sinner Second Wimbledon Triumph May be Sweeter than the First Steve Flink, International Tennis Hall of Fame PHOTO CREDIT: Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA
W
e live in an era when premier athletes blessed with charisma and easily able to express their emotions are celebrated on a much wider scale than those of a different ilk. Those who perform with quiet dignity while keeping their emotions under wraps in the arena are often under appreciated. They may be exemplary sportsmen and individuals of considerable character, but those commendable qualities tend to be overlooked by legions of observers. And yet, the enduring champions know how to set their priorities, and don’t worry about whether or not they will be received affectionately by fans who can be fickle. Jannik Sinner is a prime example of a towering tennis figure who seems to perpetually remain true to himself and his values. The Italian simply steps out on the planet’s showcase stages and plays tennis better than anyone else, seldom revealing how he feels but speaking eloquently with his racket. He knows precisely who he is and what
he wants out of the sport. He will never be a dynamic personality, but Sinner need not apologize for making professionalism and utter devotion to a craft his chief priorities. In my view, Sinner winning Wimbledon for the second year in a row is not a story that should be taken for granted. His 2026 season prior to his splendid fortnight in Great Britain had been highly impressive but somewhat disappointing. Sinner opened his campaign with a semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. He won 16 more points in that absorbing five set clash with the Serbian, but Djokovic was the better man when it counted the most. Beaten in his next tournament by Jakub Mensik, Sinner then went on a spectacular and unprecedented tear on the ATP Tour. He improbably captured five consecutive Masters 1000 tournament titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. On the heels of that string of victories, Sinner arrived at Roland Garros as the prohibitive favorite to round out his record with the only Grand Slam title he has not yet collected. But, in a shocking upset, he bowed out in the third
62 - ADDvantage Magazine | September/October 2026
round against Juan Manuel Cerundolo after being ahead by two sets to love and 5-1 in the third set. His undoing was entirely related to severe cramping in the debilitating heat of Paris. It was a devastating way to lose out on a title he seemed destined to win, but Sinner accepted his fate, realizing he was exhausted from his long line of successes earlier in the season. And so he did not play again until Wimbledon, which was a clear departure from years gone by when he would play a grass court tournament in Halle and find his footing on that surface. He understood that the lack of match preparation on the grass could backfire, and it nearly did in the opening round at the shrine. Sinner found himself in an arduous Centre Court predicament, falling behind two sets to one against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. Sinner turned that match around comprehensively to prevail in five sets and did not lose another set on his way to the final. In the penultimate round against Djokovic, he put on one of the most stellar displays of unrelenting power tennis I have ever seen. Djokovic performed stupendously himself but he
REFLECTIONS
INDUSTRY was outpointed by the Italian from the baseline in the big hitting exchanges and he could not make any impression on his opponent’s serve— which has now become the anchor of the Sinner arsenal. There may be no deadlier weapon in the game of tennis. That win could not have been more timely because Sinner had not been playing his usual brand of tennis over the course of the tournament. His serve had come through for him at propitious moments in match after match, but his ground strokes had frequently been misfiring. Peaking so propitiously against the formidable Djokovic sent Sinner into his final round contest against No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev in precisely the right frame of mind. Be that as it may, Zverev, too, was primed for this appointment despite having lost to Sinner four times in a row this season and nine in succession altogether. The 6’6” German came at Sinner with full force, unsettling the Italian in the process. Sinner has grown accustomed to being the pace setter in rallies. He controls points with controlled aggression and unrelenting authority. Sinner nearly always sets the agenda and keeps his adversaries on their heels. Seldom does he find himself on the defensive with his big hitting game.
In his recent meetings with Zverev, Sinner has predominantly been in that role as the aggressor, but that was not the case in their riveting Wimbledon final. Zverev committed to flattening out his forehand and beating Sinner to the punch. He served magnificently and nearly established a two set lead against the world No. 1. But Sinner defined himself by how he responded when his back was to the wall. Having lost the first set in a tiebreak, Sinner was in a perilous place heading into another tie-break in the second set. Had he lost that one, he likely would have been beaten by an inspired adversary. Yet the Italian met that moment with typical temerity. Sinner raised his game decidedly, securing the first four points, surging through that sequence seven points to two, arriving at one set all. Thereafter, his play gradually improved and soon enough he had taken a second Wimbledon in a row and a fifth major title altogether. Through it all, Sinner conducted himself with his usual dignity and self restraint, stoically going about his business while competing on the sport’s preeminent stage. This was far and away the best version of Zverev that Sinner had ever seen. The German competitor was a transformed individual in many ways after capturing his first Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros five weeks earlier. He was striking the ball immaculately and serving thunderously across those first two sets. But Sinner weathered the storm and calmly found a way to succeed when he was nowhere near the top of his game. Winning under those circumstances must have been immensely satisfying to a champion who frequently demolishes formidable opponents by taking matters into his own hands and blasting them off the court. On this occasion, Sinner had to fend off a rival who was making him awfully uncomfortable. In this instance, he won reactively rather than proactively, astutely recognizing that he had no
alternative. Most significantly, Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon title defense was fundamentally about his character and composure. A loss on the British lawns would have been hard to digest after his misfortune on the red clay at Roland Garros. In the final analysis, Sinner reminded us all at Wimbledon that he is a towering figure with a wide range of extraordinary qualities and a quiet yet unmistakable sense of self. The hope here is that in the years ahead the public will realize at last that this is a prodigious player they can and should embrace not only because he plays sublime tennis, but also in recognition of his unshakable integrity and authenticity.
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CERTIFICATION CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
Stay Competitive! Add a Sport Today!
SEPTEMBER 2026 TUES
WEDS
30
MON 31
1
6
7
8
SUN
FRI
SAT
2
THURS 3
4
5
9
10
11
12
Lvl.1
Lvl.2
13
14
16
15
17
18
19
Lvl.1 Lvl.1
20
22
21
23
24
25
26
Lvl.1
WORLD RACQUETS CONFERENCE 2026
Lvl.1
29
28
27
30
1
3
2
Expand your skills! Become an ALL-STAR Professional!
OCTOBER 2026 SUN
MON
TUES
WEDS
27
28
29
30
THURS 1
FRI
SAT
2
3
6
5
13
12
11
8
7
15
14
9
10
16
20
21
22
17
23
24
Lvl.2
27
26
28
29
30
31
Squash
See RSPA.net for availability
Lvl.2
Platform
Lvl.2 Lvl.2
25
Lvl.1
19
Lvl.1
18
Lvl.1
4
OCTOBER
Tennis
Pickleball
Padel
Tennis Level 1 Virtual (2 sessions) *usually, sessions are 7-days apart check rspa.net for all details
*Check Certification Calendars on RSPA.net for the most up-to-date information
64 - ADDvantage Magazine | September/October 2026
CERTIFICATION CALENDAR
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Getting Involved with RSPA:
A Journey of Growth, Leadership & Community Greg “Moose” DeMoustes | RSPA Member, CRSE,, PTR, PPR, LSA
W
hether you are new to the racquet sports industry or a seasoned professional, the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) offers meaningful opportunities to learn, connect and lead. Yet for many professionals, the idea of getting involved raises familiar questions: Where do I begin? Who should I reach out to? How can I contribute meaningfully? While the first step may feel uncertain, involvement with RSPA can shape not only individual careers but also the future of our industry. My own journey reflects how curiosity, service, and accountability can open doors to leadership and community impact. My path began in 2020 during the early months of the pandemic — a period of reflection and recalibration for many of us. Like others across the industry, I found myself asking how I could contrib-
ute beyond my day-to-day coaching responsibilities. Around that time, RSPA distributed a survey seeking interest in local divisional involvement. I completed it honestly, with no expectations, simply a desire to learn and give back. Shortly afterward, I received a call from John Embree (now Interim CEO), who took the time to listen, offer guidance, and suggest committees and initiatives aligned with my interests. That moment reinforced an important lesson: involvement often begins by raising your hand and remaining open to opportunity. That conversation led me to Jenny Gray, RSPA Master Professional, chair of the DEI Committees, and current RSPA national vice president. Through working closely with Jenny and other dedicated colleagues, I gained insight into RSPA’s commitment to community outreach, member engagement and professional development. More importantly, I witnessed leadership rooted in
66 - ADDvantage Magazine | September/October 2026
service, collaboration and vision. That experience ignited a passion that continues to shape my work today — a commitment to contributing to the organization and the communities it serves in meaningful, lasting ways. What I quickly learned is that RSPA involvement is far greater than any one individual. It is a platform for connection, mentorship and leadership development. Through divisional service, committee work, and national engagement, I built relationships with professionals across the country; people who challenged me to grow, supported my development and broadened my perspective. These opportunities instilled confidence on and off the court and reinforced the value of shared leadership within our profession. In 2023, I was honored to serve as regional president for the Florida Division while also participating in national committees, including the LGBTQ+ and Adaptive Task Forces. I was fortunate to speak at both divisional and national events, including the World Racquet Conference in 2024. Each experience reinforced the importance of engagement at every level of the organization. Beyond RSPA, my involvement with Women Coaching Racquet Sports, Love Serving Autism, and USTA Florida’s Love to Learn and Love to Roll programs further demonstrated how collaboration across organizations strengthens the industry and expands access to racquet sports for all.
GETTING INVOLVED WITH RSPA
LEADERSHIP Through this journey, I have learned to lead with empathy, communicate with intention, embrace change, and support growth — not just within programs but within people. Involvement with RSPA goes beyond professional advancement; it provides the opportunity to impact lives through racquet sports, creating environments rooted in inclusion, confidence, and opportunity for players of all ages and abilities.
Align Passion with Purpose
For those considering involvement, know this: the RSPA community is welcoming, supportive and built on shared values. There is a place for every professional who is willing to show up, contribute and grow. Getting involved is not simply about career progression — it is about giving back to the game, strengthening our profession and supporting the communities that make racquet sports so special.
Join committees or communities that reflect your interests and values, such as DEI, Adaptive, LGBTQ+, Education, or Member Engagement. Authentic alignment leads to meaningful contribution.
Be Present and Engaged
Attend division meetings, workshops, and national conferences. These gatherings offer education, connection and leadership pathways.
Accountable Ways to Get Involved with RSPA:
Volunteer Consistently
Start Local and Take Ownership Connect with your executive director, divisional president, or board members. Introduce yourself, express interest and ask how you can support current initiatives. Local involvement is often the most impactful entry point.
Respond with Intention
When surveys or outreach requests are sent, take time to complete them thoughtfully. These responses help shape leadership decisions and often open doors to committee opportunities.
Leadership does not begin with a title. Volunteer your time, skills, and perspective where support is needed. Consistency builds trust and momentum.
Build Relationships
Take initiative to connect with fellow professionals and RSPA leaders. Strong relationships are the foundation of collaboration, growth and long-term impact.
A PARTNERSHIP MADE ON THE COURTS — Aer-Flo Sports & 10-S Tennis Supply —
Aer-Flo Sports and 10-S Tennis Supply are proud Official Suppliers of the RSPA, supporting more than 15,000 racquet sports professionals worldwide. Backed by decades of expertise in windscreens, court equipment, and facility solutions, they’re the trusted partner for pickleball, tennis, and racquet sport facilities of every size.
OFFICIAL WINDSCREEN OF RAQUET SPORTS PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION
OFFICIAL COURT SUPPLIER OF RAQUET SPORTS PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION
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: s m e t s y S g n i g t n h i t g h i g L i L r t e r n u e o C e s i w T nn e T & l l a b e l k c i P k
Article and Image Provided By 10-S Sports
Rethin
T
weener LED Lighting is a linear, fence-mounted court lighting system for Tennis and Pickleball courts. First publicly launched in the states in December of 2021, the new innovative lighting solution has been installed on over 350 tennis and pickleball courts at more than 150 different facilities in 23 states. For many country clubs, HOAs, and residential courts around the country, this system has become the best and sometimes only solution to light their courts for several reasons.
What is Tweener? The system is made up of sixteen 12’ 6” fixtures that run 100 feet in length down each side of the court or bank of multiple courts to light the playing area. These fixtures are mounted directly to the vertical fence posts within the existing fencing structure at 9-10 feet in height or directly below the top rail. Each 100 foot run is powered by a power supply box that is mounted directly to a vertical fence post in the same fashion as the fixtures.
Easy Installation
The design of the system makes installation and maintenance a quick, easy, and inexpensive process for players and facilities looking to light their courts. With no need for concrete footers, 24’ poles, or lift rentals, Tweener can be installed and fully functional for about half the price of traditional lighting in as little as 1-2 days with no structural or building permitting required.
Cost/ Energy Efficiency The ability to install the Tweener system in a fraction of the time compared to traditional lighting not only saves time but also money for its customers. On average, Tweener saves its customers up to 30% on materials and installation costs compared to a traditional high mast LED installation for a single court and more than 50% on a bank of 2 courts.
68 - ADDvantage Magazine | September/October 2026
Minimal Lighting Spillage/ Pollution This installation process along with the system’s low mounting height allows it to be used in areas where traditional high mast lighting can’t. Tweener’s linear design produces Class III/IV level lighting as classified by the USTA and USA Pickleball while also meeting light height regulations almost anywhere. In addition to areas with light height restrictions Tweener can be used in places with light spillage restrictions. It produces less than one foot candle of light spillage 10 feet outside the fence line of the court meeting most lighting ordinances in strictly regulated areas.
Why Players Love Tweener Peter McFadden, GM of The Lauderdale Yacht Club, said the following about his recently installed system: “The Tweener Lighting System has completely transformed our evening Tennis matches! The lighting is bright, evenly distributed, and glare-free, making play so much more enjoyable and easier on the eyes. Installation was straightforward and the sleek design blends perfectly with the court. We’ve had numerous compliments from players about how professional the setup looks and feels. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade their tennis court experience!” To learn more about the cutting-edge lighting technology, visit www.tweenerusa. com or contact Lucas Hemingway at (954) 393-2306 or lucas@10-s.com.
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- 69
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70 - ADDvantage Magazine | September/October 2026
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OPERATIONS
WRC 26 Snapshot
T
he RSPA World Racquets Conference 2026 (WRC26) is just around the corner, and it’s not too late to register and be a part of one of the biggest educational events in the industry! This year’s conference will be hosted in Dallas, Texas, from Sept. 20-23 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Right in the heart of the city, WRC26 will provide an opportunity to enjoy the educational and networking sessions on property and the ability to explore a lively city as soon as you step out of the lobby! We kick off the conference on Sunday, with a multi-sport-focus centered around pickleball and padel. On Sunday, we will have two incredible specialty courses. “The Business of Wellness,” facilitated by Frank Guengerich & Chris Hagman, will teach you how to incorporate a culture of wellness into your personal and professional life. They’ll equip you with the knowledge and tools to integrate wellness principles into your programs and everyday life. Craig O’Shannessy will also be presenting his course on “How to use New Tennis Data to Best Organize your Practice Court,” which will discuss how AI and advanced analytics are transforming complex performance data into clear, actionable coaching insights. Our annual Vendor Village trade show will top off the night with an opportunity to see all the endorsees that we are partnered with, along with companies who are shaping the industry! Opportunities to expand your multisport knowledge will include sessions from our coach developer Dominique
Lemperle on creating repeat business in pickleball, to adaptive pickleball for autism from longtime member Susan Nardi, to a variety of padel seminars hosted by our lead coach developer Marcos del Pilar, there is no shortage of content that will provide you with the tools you need to run a successful racquet sports program and facility. On Monday morning, start your day with cardio tennis, pickleball or padel open play to either get some practice in or test out a new sport that you may not have had the opportunity to play yet! Throughout the day, classroom sessions discuss topics like managing group sizes for doubles, using match stats to organize baseline practice, the tactical game of pickleball and how ai empowers racquet sports coaches. Two great panel sessions, “Hospitality that Drives Member Retention” and “Staffing Strategies” provide valuable tips on parts of the business that are most vital to its overall success. The night is then yours to explore all that Dallas has to offer, strolling around Bishop Arts District, trying some delicious BBQ and maybe finishing the night with some line dancing! We start Tuesday morning off with more tennis, pickleball and padel open play. After, experience a leadership session from former RSPA Chief Operating Officer Fred Viancos, “A Perfect Padel Lesson Structure” from Marcos and some panels on innovative programming and navigating difficult con-
Linda Gordon | RSPA Director of Membership versations. The RSPA Board of Directors will also lead the General Membership Meeting, with updates on the association, industry and all that we have to come! We will end the night with our Networking Happy Hour, providing attendees with a more relaxed structure to a valuable event that offers you the opportunity to connect with your fellow peers! Our final day on Wednesday will start with open TYPTI play, where you can get a chance to play the newest racquet sport turning heads! Some great sessions on Wednesday include talks about fundraising, 10 and under group lessons, kinesthetic corrective techniques and more. After education sessions, experience our Awards Ceremony, celebrating those who have gone above and beyond in the last year and their career, including our newest Tim Heckler Hall of Fame inductee, Roy Woods. You’ll end the conference with our Division Parties, a great opportunity to spend some more time with old friends and make some new ones who live and work in communities near yours. Your division executive director will reach out and notify you of the exact details of your respective division party after registration. We’re truly excited to host you all at this year’s RSPA World Racquets Conference, and if you’re not able to make it, don’t worry, we will be recording nearly every single session for later purchase. With next year being our 100-year anniversary, we’re excited to give just a sneak peak of all that is to come at our World Racquets Conference 2027 here in our backyard in Orlando, Fla. As always, reach out to the membership team at membership@rspa. net or give us a call at 407-634-3050, option 2, with any questions you may have!
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE
President.......................................................... Mark Faber First Vice President........................................... Kevin Theos Vice Presidents... ..Molly Card-Beckmann, Jenny Gray, Milos Vasovic, Mel McRee and Scott Burton Immediate Past President............................... Trish Faulkner Interim CEO & Contributing Editor.............John R. Embree Legal Counsel...............................................George Parnell
Editor......................................................................Collin Brazan Layout/Design....................................................... Sara Schetritt Editorial Assistance .........................................Laumaur Lindsay, Linda Gordon Circulation.................................................................. Tim Baum RSPA World Headquarters 11961 Performance Dr. Orlando, FL 32827 407-634-3050 – www.RSPA.net
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ADDvantage is published monthly by the Racquet Sports Professionals Association. The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the Racquet Sports Professionals Association. Copyright© Racquet Sports Professionals Association, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from the RSPA.
LOBBIN’ WITH LINDA