April 2022 Racquet Sports Industry Magazine

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY RACQUET SPORTS CERTIFICATION
Tennis family How National Tennis Gigi Fernandez on Pros are now able
pulls together for Month can help learning from both to earn the title of
Colorado fire victims promote your business tennis and pickleball Certified Director
PICKLEBALL
April 2022 / Volume 50 / Number 4 /$5.00
WINNERS
Our 2022 Champions of Pickleball honor
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Contents April 2022

DEPARTMENTS
2022
4 Our Serve
7 Industry News
14 Racquet Tech
16 National Tennis Month
18 The Bench
22 Racquet Sports: Beach Tennis
38 Ask the Experts
40 Your Serve–by Jennifer
Gelhaus
Champions of Pickleball
INDUSTRY NEWS
7 Participation, equipment
sales numbers increase
7 APP NYC Pickleball Open
to be at Nat'l Tennis Center
8 Lynne Rolley takes over
as new chair of PTR
P. 24-29
8 Life Time opens its first
pickleball-only destination
8 MGM to start filming tennis-
themed romantic drama
9 Short Sets
10 Davis Cup sets dates
for Group Stage, Finals
10 New brand skullU inks
Fromuth distribution deal
10 Tourna launches new
850-ES stringing machine
11 Bollettieri invest in,
partners with Bounx
11 Gamma signs pickleball AWARDS RACQUET SPORTS CERTIFICATION TENNIS COMMUNITY
pros, releases new paddles 2022 Champions A New Facing the Rallying
12 Peoplewatch of Pickleball Courtship Challenge Back
12 ITF World Tour offers
1,000 events in 2022 We honor the people, Tennis Hall-of-Famer This industry has had After the tragic fires in
12 Europe's Playtomic acquires organizations and Gigi Fernandez talks no pathway to prepare Colorado, the tennis
management platform Kourts companies that about how she pros for the role of community and the
are helping to keep enjoys, and learns ‘director,’ but with a USTA pulled together
13 Har-Tru adds HyQ system pickleball at the top from, both tennis unified effort, that is to help serve those
to Charleston Open courts of its game. and pickleball. finally changing. affected.
13 USTA Foundation raises $10M P. 24 P. 30 P. 32 P. 36
PLUS
43 From the CEO

p.41
45 Vice President's Message
47 Marketing Tips
C OV E R P H O T O : S H U T T E R S T O C K
43 45 53 58
49 Member Feature
Have You Be the Brand The State of How to Run
Thought About Ambassador Pickleball and a Better Club- 53 Member Feature
Your Long-Term of the USPTA Padel in the U.S. Level Doubles 57 Certification Calendar
Financial Plan? in 2022 Warm-Up
58 Member Feature
Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 60 Membership Update
2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2022 www.tennisindustrymag.com

®
OFFICIAL
SURFACE OF sportmaster.net | (800) 395-7325
OurServe
EDITOR'S NOTE PUBLISHER
JEFF WILLIAMS
The Most Important EDITOR
Rally in Tennis
PETER FRANCESCONI
MANAGING EDITOR
SCOTT GRAMLING
The tennis community came CREATIVE DIRECTOR
together to support those in need

IAN KNOWLES
SENIOR EDITOR
after the tragic Colorado fires. ED McGROGAN
ART DIRECTOR
CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ
A
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
BOB PATTERSON
mong the more than people. It helps them live their lives, and CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
1,000 houses destroyed it helps them live them better. DAVID LASOTA, JUDY LEAND, KENT OSWALD,
in Boulder County from Sure, we can talk about all the specific CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
the tragic Colorado fires health and fitness benefits tennis brings
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
at the end of December to people, which are incredibly impor- BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS
was that of Rob and Abby Scott. They tant in helping to bring people into
lost everything, barely escaping with the game and to keep them playing the EDITORIAL DIRECTION
10TEN MEDIA
their dog and their cars as flames swept sport. But for many, this sport is about
through their neighborhood and en- creating, maintaining and enhancing RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY
gulfed their home of 30 years. their lives. It’s about becoming a part 60 East 42nd St., Suite 740, NY NY 10165
Rob, as many of you know, is a tennis of that tennis family—both on the large info@tennisindustrymag.com
industry veteran, having spent many national scale and on the close, local
years at Babolat before being tapped to level—a family that rallies to support ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
JOHN HANNA
be the executive director of the USTA each other. 770-650-1102, x125
Intermountain Section in 2012. This issue also contains articles on hanna@knowatlanta.com
As often happens when members of good news in this sport—such as the
our tennis family suffer a tragedy, the in- positive and even record-breaking par- SALES DIRECTOR
dustry and fellow players come together ticipation and equipment sales numbers RORY ELLIS
914-715-8896
to help. Immediately, a GoFundMe was (page 7) from year-end research, and all
acellis@tennis.com
started for Rob and others to help in the the positive things happening around
rebuilding process. National Tennis Month (page 16) to help APPAREL ADVERTISING
Then, as Intermountain Section com- grow the game at the grassroots level CYNTHIA SHERMAN
munications manager Wendy Anderson and spread the word about what a great 203-558-5911
writes in her story on page 36 of this sport tennis is. cstennisindustry@gmail.com
issue, USTA Colorado, USTA Inter- It’s great to see that our sport has been
mountain and USTA National partnered growing, and that using National Tennis Racquet Sports Industry is published 10 times per
with local retailers Game-Set-Match Month, there are a lot of people pushing year: monthly, January through August with combined
issues in September/October and November/
and Rocky Mountain Tennis Center to advocate for tennis. December, by Tennis Channel, Inc., 60 East 42nd St.,
to provide vouchers for tennis equip- But the response from our industry Suite 740, New York NY 10165. Periodical postage
paid in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing offices
ment for many avid players and league to those in need in Colorado touched (USPS #004-354). April 2022, Volume 50, Number 4
participants who lost what they need to a particular nerve and reminded me of © 2022 by Tennis Channel, Inc. All rights reserved.
play this sport. what all this is about. As Arthur Ashe
Racquet Sports Industry, RSI and logo are trademarks
of Tennis Channel, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone
For many, getting back on the court to said: “From what we get, we can make a advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation
play tennis, participating in leagues and living; what we give, however, makes a and editorial: 646-381-8735. Yearly subscriptions
$25 in the U.S., $40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send
clinics, has been a way to deal with the life.” address changes to Racquet Sports Industry, 60 East
stress of the challenging situation they 42nd St., Suite 740, New York NY 10165. Racquet
Sports Industry is the official magazine of the USRSA,
find themselves in. Being able to swing a Peter Francesconi TIA and ASBA.
racquet with friends and teammates has Editor Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
been a way to bring back some normalcy Peter@TennisIndustryMag.com Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
to their lives.
at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions.
In our industry, this is what we

do—and this is what our sport does for

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IndustryNews
IndustryNews Information to help you run your business
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Unit sales of tennis balls did decline
Year-End Participation, Equipment slightly, partly due to supply chain is-

sues and more pressure on leisure time
as many people returned to pre-pan-
Sales Continue Upward Trajectory demic commuting and working prac-
tices. However, thanks to a slight rise
in average sale price, the dollar value of
tennis balls climbed slightly.
Sales of tennis strings also rebounded
strongly, finishing a third up in terms of
value compared to 2020 and 26 percent
up over 2019. That took total unit sales
to levels not seen since 2016, and, even
more promisingly, 2021 enjoyed the
highest dollar sales since 2010.
SFIA and SMS data also have found
that America is a more active country,
as inactivity levels in the U.S. in 2021 de-
clined by 0.7 percent compared to 2020,
marking a second consecutive annual
rise in activity levels.
While the numbers are encouraging,
more than 72 million Americans still
remain inactive.
APP NYC Pickleball Open to Be
T
At USTA National Tennis Center
The Association of Pickleball Profes-
he news is good for tennis “Certain ‘pandemic-friendly’ activi- sionals Tour has a three-year agreement
participation and equip- ties remained strong in 2021,” including to stage the APP New York City Open at
ment sales, according to tennis, says SFIA President and CEO the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis
the latest research by the Tom Cove. “Pickleball has grown in Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Sports & Fitness Indus- popularity for the past five years and did This year’s event will be May 25-29
try Association and Sports Marketing not miss a beat during the pandemic. and include a prize purse of $125,000, the
Surveys. Pickleball’s growth trajectory gives ev- largest of any pickleball tournament this
In the Physical Activity Council’s an- ery indication it will be a significant part year and largest in APP Tour history. It will
nual participation study of 120 different of the American sport landscape for the be the first time the USTA BJK National
sports and activities, total participation foreseeable future.” Tennis Center, home of the US Open, will
in tennis increased 4.5 percent in 2021, The 2021 good news continued in host a pickleball tournament.
to about 22.62 million participants ages the equipment market. In total, $122 “For us to be able to stage an event
6 and up. Significantly, the two-year gain million dollars’ worth of tennis racquets like this in the mecca of American tennis
in tennis participation is 27.9 percent. were bought at wholesale in 2021, the means so much as we continue to grow
The PAC study also indicates that highest recorded figure ever and a 46 our sport,” says APP Tour founder Ken
pickleball continues to surge, with total percent rise compared to 2020. That Herrmann. The New York City Open is the
participation for 2021 up 14.8 percent amount reflects both a rise in average third of six National Championship Series
SHUTTERSTOCK
to 4.82 million players, and a two-year price per racquet and an increase in the events on the APP Tour calendar.
increase of 39.3 percent. total number of racquets purchased. In “The USTA National Tennis Center is
Cardio Tennis also grew in 2021, up fact, unit sales were the highest since pleased to partner with the APP,” adds NTC
4.2 percent to 2.61 million participants. 2010, reports Sports Marketing Surveys. Chief Operating Officer Daniel Zausner.
www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2022 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7

IndustryNews
TEACHING PROS
Lynne Rolley USRSA Announces

New MRTs, CSs, PRA
Takes Over As
Master Racquet Technicians
Marcus Au, Singapore
Chair of PTR
Jevin Barraza, San Antonio, Texas
Noah Borden, Ruston, La.
Brian Chia, Singapore
Charles Oliver Freymann, San Antonio, Texas
Lynne Rolley was unanimously Mark Kuczynski, Philadelphia
elected to serve as chair of the PTR. David Jaen Lorenzo, Melbourne, Australia
The California native, currently the Certified Stringers
director of tennis at Meadow Swim Bryan John Baumann, Minneapolis
and Tennis Club in Orinda, will serve Nicholas Lindner, Cincinnati
a three-year term. Professional Racquet Advisor
Rolley, who has more than 50 years Brody Preston Taylor, West Harrison, Ind.
of teaching and coaching expertise
at every level, served as the director Life Time Opens Its First
of Women’s Tennis for the USTA. In • Secretary: John Borden, Pickleball-Only Destination
2020, she received the International Washington, DC Life Time has opened its first-ever
Tennis Hall of Fame Educational • Treasurer: Tito Perez, Long Island, N.Y. pickleball-only destination at Life Time
Merit Award. A certified member of • At-Large: Ron Manilla, Bloomington North in Minnesota in Feb-
both PTR and USPTA, Rolley was in- Charlottesville, Va., and Martin Van ruary. Following a multi-million-dollar
ducted into the Northern California Daalen, Miami Beach renovation, the location opened five
Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008. • Immediate Past Chair, Karl Hale, international competitive-level pickleball
Joining Rolley on the PTR Board are: Toronto courts and a dedicated viewing area.
• Vice-Chair: Delaine Mast, • President & CEO, Dan Santorum, Katie Easter will lead Bloomington
Lancaster, Pa. Hilton Head Island, S.C. North's pickleball programming.
"Life Time has committed to becoming
not just the largest pickleball provider
here and across our clubs but more im-
World’s #1 selling
PICKLEBALL
portantly, the premier pickleball des-
pickleball machines tination," says President and COO Jeff
TUTOR
Zwiefel.
New Ultra models! Life Time started expanding its pickle-
BY SPORTS TUTOR ball programming last summer and now
offers the sport at more than 120 of its
athletic resorts. It expects to have 400
dedicated courts nationwide within the
next two years.
Tennis-Themed Romantic
Drama to Start Filming
Challengers is a tennis-themed movie
scheduled to start shooting this spring, pro-
duced by Amy Pascal, Luca Guadagnin (who
Preset Shots & Programmed Drills is also the filmmaker) and Zendaya. The ro-
$1,699
mantic drama was picked up by MGM and will
star Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist.
PICKLEBALL TUTOR
PLUS ULTRA PICKLEBALL TUTOR SPIN ULTRA MGM says the film centers on “Tashi, a
Right & Left Side Spin
C O U RT E S Y P T R , S H U T T E R S T O C K
Topspin tennis player turned coach, [who] has taken

& Underspin
her husband, Art, and transformed him from
SPORTS a mediocre player into a world-famous grand
Optional
Multi-Function TUTOR slam champion. To jolt him out of his recent
losing streak, she makes him play a ‘Chal-
remote! The Sports Machine Company lenger’ event ... where he finds himself stand-
sportstutorinc.com ing across the net from the once-promising,
(800)448-8867 now burned-out Patrick, his former best
friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.”

IndustryNews
Short (Will Smith), Best Supporting Actress

(Aunjanue Ellis), Film Editing, Screenplay,
Nov. 5-13 in Indian Wells, Calif.
Sets and Music. The winners will be announced Serena Williams will receive the Fashion
March 27. Icon Breakthrough Award from the Fash-
ion Institute of Technology at FIT’s gala
The Tennis On Campus National Cham- April 13 in New York. FIT says the award is
pionship returns this year for the first “for her boundary-breaking achievements
time since 2019. After a hiatus due to the both on and off the court, from invest-
pandemic, the biggest tournament in ing in companies that embrace diversity
collegiate club tennis gets back in action to launching her own clothing line, S
at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, by Serena, and a collection with Signet
Fla., April 7-9. Jewelers, Serena Williams Jewelry available
exclusively at Zales, that helps empower
In a two-year agreement, Nyberg, Fletch- The second annual USA Pickleball young women.”
er & White Promotional Products is the National Indoor Championships will be
USPTA’s “preferred provider of awards and June 7-11 at the Finley Center, part of
promotional products.” Visit nfwpromos. the Hoover Met Complex in Hoover, Ala.
com for more information. Nearly 1,000 players are expected, playing
in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in
King Richard, the movie about the early skill/age brackets. Gold medalists from
tennis life of Venus and Serena Williams, each division will receive a pre-registration
received six Academy Award nominations: spot for the 2022 USA Pickleball National
Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Actor Championships, scheduled to be played

IndustryNews
Davis Cup Sets Dates also need to remain flexible to the needs has announced a distribution deal with
For Group Stage, Finals of nations, players, fans and the game Fromuth that includes the brand’s platform
The group stage of the Davis Cup Finals as a whole.” tennis paddles, pickleball paddles, bags and
will be Sept. 14-18, hosted across four The multi-city format of the group accessories, making skullU products avail-
cities, with each staging one group of stage was increased from three host cit- able to shops throughout the U.S.
four teams. The Davis Cup Finals, which ies to four in 2022, with 16 teams split “We saw an opportunity to launch a
feature the quarterfinals onwards, will into four groups of four nations. The top company that offers high quality paddles at
be held in one yet-to-be-announced two teams from each group advance to an affordable price,” says Juan Arraya, who
venue Nov. 23-27. the knock-out stage of the Davis Cup founded the company with Patricio Misi-
“We are committed to maintaining Finals. trano. Both are leading paddle and pickleball
the traditional elements and atmo- champions.
sphere that make the Davis Cup so SkullU Inks Distribution In addition to the Fromuth deal, skullU
unique,” says ITF President David Hag- Deal With Fromuth has over 30 wholesale accounts and also
gerty. “At the same time, we’re aware we SkullU, a paddle brand founded in 2021, sells paddles to players via skullupaddles.
com. The growing product line includes three
platform tennis paddles—the Blue, Silver and
LOVE LOVE
Bronze—and a pickleball paddle that comes
in eight colors.
Tourna Launches New 850-ES

Club members and students will LOVE facing Stringing Machine
off against the phenom. You will LOVE
offering the added advantage.
follow lobste
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te play more. win more. ®
For more information, please call 888.380.9460 or visit www.lobstersports.com
...“PUNISH YOUR OPPONENTS, NOT YOUR BODY”®
Tourna recently launched the new 850-

ES stringing machine, with its patented
(and exclusive to Tourna) “down-press”
clamps. “With our unique and innovative
clamping system, racquet technicians
simply press down, and the clamp locks,”
says Unique Sports President Kevin
Niksich.
The 850-ES also features a “glide to
activate” linear tensioner, which is a
nearly automated way to start tensioning
C O U RT E S Y T O U R N A / U N I Q U E S P O RT S, G A M M A
• Fully-adhered cushioned a string, no pushing of a button neces-

surface designed specifically
for tennis & pickleball sary. Other notable features designed for
• Pickleball tested & approved
speed and efficiency include rear tilted
for bounce & playability towers to maximize work space, electric
• 18% force reduction height adjustment, CNC crafted preci-
sion space-saving clamps, and an auto-
• Fast install, smooth consistent
finish, a true ball bounce & electric brake.
NO “dead spots” “No detail has been left out,” Niksich
says. “Whether you’re just beginning
WWW.PRO-CUSHION.COM your career or are a seasoned racquet
610-721-6619 technician, the Tourna 850-ES will make
203-410-4533 your work faster, more efficient, and
more accurate.” For more information,

Industry
IndustryNews
visit uniquesports.com or contact 800- EQUIPMENT

554-3707 or sales@uniquesports.com.
Bollettieri Invests In,

Gamma Signs
Partners with Bounx Pball Pros,
Releases New
BounxSport announced a collaboration
agreement and subsequent investment by
Nick Bollettieri and longtime tennis academy
management expert Steve Shulla, “to bring
smarter coaching experiences through tech-
Paddles
nology to clubs across the globe,” says the
company. News from Gamma pickleball includes
Bounx, a sports technology platform, signing 2021 National Pickleball
integrates a coach app, a player app and a Champions Lindsey and Riley New-
cloud-based club management system that man. The siblings recently released
manages player bookings, check-in and their signature paddles—the Havoc
coach feedback that is powered by a com- and 206, respectively—ideal for players
plete financial transaction engine. with two-handed backhands who also
“After piloting with sports clubs across want explosive power on the forehand,
the globe for the past two years, we are now says Gamma.
ready for a full-market release with a truly Gamma also is releasing its new 405
unique, gamified club management platform pickleball paddle, the first long-han-
that great coaches will naturally understand dled paddle in the Poly Sensa Core line.
how to use and clubs can trust to run their Gamma says it is designed to provide No. 1 Senior Pro Singles player.
business effortlessly,” says BounxSport found- power on shots. Playing with the 405 is For more on Gamma products, visit
er and CEO Julian R. Ellison. Visit bounx.com. Team Gamma member Paul Olin, the gammasports.com.

IndustryNews
junior sponsor for many years. ITF World Tennis Tour

People Offers 1,000 Events in 2022
Watch Chris Franco is the new Racquet Sports
Professional at Olympia Fields Country
The International Tennis Federation is set
to provide over 1,000 events over the course
Club in Olympia Fields, Ill. of next year with its ITF World Tennis Tour.
Mike Barrell, founder and owner of The 2022 first-quarter calendar offered 204
evolve9, will be the executive direc- Joni Jackman will take over the role of tournaments, evenly split between men’s
tor of tennis for Sportime Clubs New general manager at East Chop Tennis Club and women’s events, and representing a 50
York, home of the John McEnroe Tennis on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., and Annie percent increase in number of events over Q1
Academies. Isaacson is the new general manager at 2021 and 7 percent above Q1 2019.
“The ITF World Tennis Tour typically pro-
Pretty Brook Tennis Club in Princeton, N.J.
vides over 1,000 tournaments globally each
Gamma Stringing Machine Technician BeyondTheBaselines.com was the execu-
year, and we are on track to deliver over and
Ewan Malenfant recently completed tive search agent for both clubs.
above this volume in 2022,” says Jackie Nes-
the USRSA Master Racquet Technician
bitt, senior executive director for ITF Tours
certification. He’s been with the Gamma Longtime USPTA New England member and Player Pathway.
Sports team since 2020. and former New England Board President
Jacques Faulise passed away recently after Europe's Playtomic Acquires
Marilyn Kosten, founder of apparel a battle with cancer. Management Platform Kourts
brand Little Miss Tennis in 1973, passed Playtomic, Europe’s largest online
away Feb. 11. Her “pinafore” dress, worn The Women’s Sports Foundation has ap- booking and management software for
by Tracy Austin in her 1979 win at the US pointed 30-year industry veteran Danette racquet sports, has acquired its American
Open, is on display at the International Leighton as its new CEO. She most recently counterpart, tennis court reservation and
Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I. Little was the chief marketing officer of the Pac- club management platform Kourts Inc.,
Miss Tennis also was the Wimbledon 12 Conference. for an undisclosed sum. Kourts was co-
founded by Walid Fattah.
C O U RT E S Y H A R -T R U

IndustryNews
Har-Tru Adds HyQ System NJTL chapters last year, adding 35 new Universal Tennis Offers Free
to Charleston Open Courts chapters servicing 26,238 youth partici- App to Find Matches and More
pants. This brings the total number of NJTLs Universal Tennis has launched a free app
to more than 285 chapters in 42 states and designed to make it easier to find hitting
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. partners and matches, organize casual
“The growth of these NJTL chapters indi- play with friends, register for events and
cate the importance of providing physical leagues, access stats, follow players, re-
fitness, education and leadership opportuni- sults, and more. The app is initially avail-
ties for the next generation," says Founda- able in the U.S. on iOS and will expand to
tion President Kathleen Wu. "We are grateful Android and across the globe in the com-
to the sponsors and donors.” ing months. Visit universaltennis.com. •
This year, Har-Tru became a premier-

level sponsor of the Credit One Charles-
ton (S.C.) Open, which will be played
April 2-10. As part of the five-year deal,
the HyQ sub-surface irrigation system
was installed beneath center court
at the newly renovated stadium, and
14 other Har-Tru tennis courts were
converted to the HyQ system at the LTP
Daniel Island site.
“The new stadium in Charleston is a
world-class venue, and our HyQ courts
will give players and LTP Daniel Island
the ultimate clay-court experience,”
says Har-Tru President Pat Hanssen.
The event, which will be the first major
tournament played at the new Credit
One Stadium, will feature more than
100 top players.
HyQ monitors and controls clay-
court watering through a digital
touchpad or mobile device. The HyQ
system eliminates manual adjustments
to water fill valves and replaces them
with precise digital settings that auto-
matically adjust the rate and flow of the
water. The system is self-regulating,
fills the court quickly, and adjusts wa-
ter levels within one-tenth of an inch.
USTA Foundation Raises $10M

in Campaign to Fund NJTLs
The USTA Foundation raised more than
$10 million in 2021, the first year of the
Foundation’s three-year, $20 million Rally
for the Future campaign. With about $6
million of those funds already distributed
to support National Tennis & Learning
chapters, additional funds will continue
to be utilized for ongoing programming
including NJTL chapters, grants and
scholarships. The USTA Foundation fund-
ed more than $441,000 in scholarships
for 47 student leaders in 2021.
The Foundation (ustafoundation.com)
also experienced a 14 percent growth in

Racquet Tech
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Stringing the Unknown

Use these tips and techniques
when you have a frame to string, but
no guidance on the pattern.
By Bob Patterson
Executive Director, USRSA
L

ately, we’ve received But we get even more inquiries
several inquiries about about modern frames that either do
stringing old wood tennis not appear in the USRSA Stringer’s
racquets. Some were to be Digest, or simply can’t be located.
displayed on the wall or in The Stringer’s Digest is the most
a trophy case. Others were going to be comprehensive guide to stringing
used for a nostalgia event. You can see patterns in the world, but each year
details on stringing these relics in last one or two frames inevitably escape
month’s Ask the Experts (February us. Most of the time, these unlisted
2022). frames are Special Make-Up (SMU),
SHUTTERSTOCK

meaning they are made exclusively USRSA members can check out When you start the crosses, you
for a chain store. SMU frames often “Stringing the Unknown Frames” in will always want to start at the top for
use the same mold (and string pat- the USRSA Racquet Professional Study safe measure. If the mains end at the
tern) as a previous model from that Guide found at RacquetTech.com.) throat, then you will need to employ
company, so stringing instructions If the unidentified racquet is strung, the two-piece method. Of course, you
are usually available, but they’re just you should jot down or take photos of should fill up the remaining holes,
under another name. While it can be the pattern, skips and tie-offs be- but remember that many frames have
frustrating trying to identify what the fore you cut out the old strings. But shared holes, so pay attention to spac-
previous model was, if you use your examine the racquet to make sure it ing here as well. If the strings are too
experience and a bit of detective work, was strung correctly; otherwise, you close together or too far apart, there is
you can usually figure it out. will be repeating your predecessor’s a good chance you have done some-
There are also some odd frames that mistakes. Does the pattern spacing thing wrong.
simply just are abnormal and don’t look uniform? Are the tie-offs in a Remember, not all patterns are in
fit into the regular stringing nomen- reasonable location? If so, chances are the printed USRSA Stringer’s Digest;
clature. Some of these feature unique the pattern is correct. we purge some of the less popular
patterns—for example diagonal or If the pattern doesn’t look right models and older frames for space
double-strung—but old wood frames or you get the frame unstrung, then with each printing. But all patterns are
are also included. USRSA members loosely “pre-string” the mains. As you available online. USRSA members can
can access the detailed instructions begin, pull the string taut with your also always call for support (760-536-
to these odd racquets on the USRSA hand before tensioning with your 1177, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.to 7 p.m.
website under Reference: “Special machine. If the spacing is irregular, try Central Time), and we’ll do our best to
Stringing Instructions” at http://www. skipping a hole and see if it looks more help. •
racquettech.com/members/digest/ uniform. It is trial and error until you
specials/index.php figure it all out, but if you aren’t ten- Have an idea, topic or article for Rac-
(For a complete tutorial on this, sioning, then no harm is done. quet Tech? Email bob@racquettech.com.

National Tennis Month
for this May.” (The USTA Delivery
Council is comprised of five commit-
tees: Adaptive, Advocacy, CTA, NJTL
and Public Parks.)
This year, with a longer lead time
for NTM, the USTA has been able to
assemble a wealth of marketing mate-
rials for tennis providers to use to pro-
mote tennis—all free and available at
USTA.com/NationalTennisMonth.
“The chairs of Delivery Council and
other committees rallied their mem-
bers to contribute ideas and strategies
for grassroots tennis organizations
to use to grow tennis,” adds Lappin.
“Dozens of ideas were turned over
to the USTA marketing staff. They
assembled an excellent manual and,
working with volunteers, developed a
lot of other professional promotional
materials. This is a great example of
how the USTA is supposed to oper-
ate: capable volunteers contribute;
ADVOCACY & AWARENESS USTA staff creates assets; the delivery
Platform for Growth system benefits.”

The idea is for National Tennis
Month to grow organically, meaning
National Tennis Month in May is a that programming and events are left
up to whatever CTAs, parks, NJTLs,
perfect way to promote this sport— facilities, schools, teaching pros and
other organizations decide would be
and your business, too. best for their own communities.
There are no “mandated” national
By Judy Leand programs. In fact, tennis provid-
L
ers don’t need to “create” anything
new or special for National Tennis
ooking for a way to promote existing players to play more and buy Month, but can simply tie in existing
this sport and your busi- more. programs and events, using logos and
ness? Tie into “National Importantly, the focus here is on other materials at USTA.com/Na-
Tennis Month” for the the local level. The idea is for local tionalTennisMonth. Or, just spread
month of May. tennis providers to use NTM as a the word in their own community that
National Tennis Month “provides natural platform to grow the game in May is National Tennis Month!
us all with the perfect opportunity to their communities. Working in NTM’s Importantly, NTM also is an indus-
raise awareness around our favor is the fact that tennis try-wide effort, as members of Tennis
great sport and promote it participation has grown Industry United, including the USPTA,
as healthy, fun, safe and ac- throughout both 2020 PTR, Tennis Channel, ATA and ITA,
cessible to people of all ages and 2021, as people realize have all expressed support and plan to
and abilities,” says USTA tennis is a perfect sport in reach out to their constituents.
Chairman of the Board and these pandemic times. “The month of May is a perfect time
President Michael Mc- “The idea to resurrect for local tennis providers to promote
Nulty. NTM originated a year programs and playing opportunities
NTM gives every tennis ago in the USTA Delivery in their own communities,” says TIA
provider, including teaching pros/ Council and quickly gained support President Jeff Williams.
SHUTTERSTOCK
coaches, facilities, park & recs, CTAs, throughout the USTA volunteers “By promoting May as National
NJTLs, retailers and more, an annual and staff,” says Greg Lappin, a tennis Tennis Month,” adds McNulty, “we
platform to bring new players into lo- industry veteran and the chair of the recognize the important role this
cal programs, inspire lapsed players to Delivery Council. “Now, National sport plays in the lives of Americans of
re-engage with the sport, and energize Tennis Month is back in grand style all ages and abilities.” •

The Bench
THE MENTAL GAME

You can also use the “1-2-Reset” tac-
In the Moment tic from Florida pro Styrling Strother.

Both can help make sure players stay
These strategies can help your players focused on the present and not be
thinking too far ahead.
stay focused on the present, rather than 1-2 Reset puts a player’s focus on the
task of counting. The player says “1”
dwelling on the past—or the future. after the first hit, then “2” and “Reset”
after the second hit, so he or she is
only thinking two shots at a time, then
By Coach Pete Scales, Ph.D., USPTA resetting and cleaning the slate. 1-2
I
Reset releases players from judging
every stroke or its outcome (see the
would love to say that I’m are supposed to help our players learn video at transformpracticecourt.
consistently focused on the from a mistake without dwelling on com/1-2-reset/).
“right now,” and that I play it. Have a plan for how they want the
“in the present.” But the fact match to go, but know in the present Teach players to breathe more by us-
is, I’m not. What can I do so moment when to shift plans. ing “belly breaths.” Get your players
that I’m not hanging onto some- Coaches and teaching pros can to start practicing belly breathing with
thing that happened earlier in the remind players that there are some more intention beyond just recovery
match, or that I’m not worrying physical things most of them can do breathing—in through the nose for
about what might happen as the right away. While these may seem 3 to 5 seconds, then out through the
match goes on? almost too simple, they are highly mouth (pursed lips, like whistling, is
effective. There are also some seem- best) for 6 to 10 seconds.
A: This is a great question, with many ingly more complex mental-emotion- Have them combine the intake
answers, only a few of which we’ll be al strategies, which are easier to do breath with this: Smell the ball! If
able to cover here. There’s a tension than your players might think. For players can feel calm as they do this,
SHUTTERSTOCK
among the past, present and future instance: it teaches the brain to smile and calm
in the 80 percent of a match when down when they smell it again. Or
players aren’t trying to hit the ball, Have players do the old reliable they can focus on feeling the ball, re-
and even during much of the match “Bounce-Hit” from Tim Gallwey’s ally seeing the writing and fuzz on it,
when they’re playing a point. Coaches classic book, The Inner Game of Tennis. or for a pickleball, feeling how hard it

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and deflating their belly on the exhale.
They need to be really conscious of
these physical sensations. Challenge
them to do sets of five of these several
times a day. Breathing properly is
critical to not just physical recovery,
but also to keeping the mind clear and
the body relaxed. It will help them see
the court and the action better, make
physical adjustments more quickly,
and stay calm longer or get calm more
quickly. Many people dismiss this as
too simple. But it’s an amazing re-
source if you take the time to develop
the skill.
Include more in your lessons on play-

ers becoming more aware of their bal-
is, feeling the holes. Whatever sense helps, of course. But I like smelling ance, grace in movement, patience
works best for each player. And as they the ball because it gets your breathing and clarity of mind. Just noticing
do this, have them remind themselves working for you, too, and better pro- these intentionally will help players
how lucky they are to be playing and motes feeling grateful, and is a huge improve all of them. Most matches are
let the smell of the ball or feel of it trig- part of getting or reclaiming physical, decided on errors, not winners. And
ger that feeling of gratitude. emotional and mental focus. errors are of two kinds: shot selection
This simple attention to something Teach your players to feel the in- and shot execution. Shot execution
physical can really help reset the mind hale, making their belly rise, not their errors are almost always the result of
and body. Fiddling with the strings chest. They need to feel the air leaving poor balance and footwork, and both
Riley Newman Lindsey Newman Monica Paolicelli Paul Olin

with the 206 with the Havoc with the 505 with the 405
SHUTTERSTOCK
gammasports.com

kinds are a result of impatience and The patterns were clear to this player, how they can Respond positively to
lack of clarity about the game plan or which made it easier for us to come what has happened, Relax, Refocus,
the situation plan. up with some substitute routines for and get Ready before each serve and
So, if players are getting more aware them to try out—which ended up help- each return. Maybe how they do each
and mindful, and practicing more to ing this player get better at managing of those needs to be refreshed a bit.
increase their balance, and their grace emotions and staying focused. Have your players try these things,
(gliding footwork, instead of herky- and they’re more likely to play with
jerky stop and start), and being calmly Have players write down or record freedom, gratitude and focus.
patient for the opening to appear, and their pre-serve and pre-return rou-
clear in their game plan and backup tines. This is their “between-points Peter C. Scales, Ph.D., USPTA, is an
plans—all of that keeps them focused routine.” But thinking of them also internationally known developmental
on process, and statistically should as pre-serve and pre-return routines psychologist specializing in positive
improve their chances of winning. nails the purpose better for some youth development, USPTA tennis
people, since every point begins with a teaching pro, high school tennis coach,
Have players keep track (by writing serve and a return. and mental strength consultant to col-
down or making notes) of when they Help your players figure out what lege tennis teams. His new book, The
lose focus, when they know they’re they can do to sharpen and rehearse Compete-Learn-Honor Playbook,
distracted—and what’s going on in those routines so they become habits will be published by Coaches Choice
the match. Do they get distracted be- instead of once-in-a-while things. later this year. For more on the mental
fore a point, in the point, right after the Maybe they need a new routine. Effec- game, check out Coach Pete’s podcasts
point? Only when it’s a big point? They tive routines should stay in place way on USTA’s Compete Like a Champion,
can stop keeping track once they see longer than strings do! EssentialTennis.com, WeArePickleball.
the patterns. One high-level college But even good routines sometimes com, Way of Champions.com, Parentin-
player did this with me for a week’s need to change in order to keep their gAces.com, and TennisFiles.com.
worth of practices, recording quick power to focus and motivate us, espe-
TikTok-length bursts of almost real- cially as our competition gets tougher. Have questions for Coach Pete? Email
time impressions into their phone. Challenge your players to figure out him at info@tennisindustrymag.com.
THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO PLAY.
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HalfPage-InsideTennis.indd 1 11/17/19 2:19 PM

RACQUET/
PADDLE
2022 SPORTS
BEACH TENNIS
outside the United States—it could
Sunny Outlook?
take some time.
Which is not to say there aren’t
forces lobbying for a wider acceptance
of the sport and for more growth. For
The relatively new sport of beach tennis one, the USTA is trying to kick-start
beach tennis, and it has experienced
is looking to capitalize on sandy venues some success.
“Beach tennis is extremely popular
around the country. in Italy, Brazil and Spain,” says Jeff
Waters, the USTA’s managing direc-
By Mary Helen Sprecher tor of Section Support and Services.
“There are pockets of activity here in
the U.S.—for instance, California and
It took beach volleyball a solid 80 states, that gave it the extra push it Florida have beach tennis, and so does
years to make it into the Olympics—if, needed to propel it into the limelight. New York. It’s also really popular in
indeed, it did originate in Hawaii in How long it will take beach tennis Puerto Rico.”
1916, as some sources claim. It was the to achieve that same level of popular- Beach tennis is played with a paddle
sport’s additional popularity in Santa ity? Considering the obstacles of this (similar to the equipment used for
Monica, Calif., where it was seen by newer sport—it began in Italy in the padel, though there are differences
tourists and brought back to other 1970s, and most of its fanbase is still in the technical specifications) and
a low-compression Stage 2 orange
ball. The scoring is nearly identical
to tennis, but like all sports that have
been moved to sand, the playing area
is smaller, and the rules have been
adapted. There is singles play, but it’s
mainly played as doubles.
Beach Tennis & Beach Volleyball

In much the way that beach volleyball
courts are springing up across the
U.S.—even in landlocked states like
Nebraska and Arizona—Waters hopes
parks, clubs and colleges that offer
such programs will see that it is easy
to implement beach tennis as well. At
present, there are few beach tennis
courts at these venues; most are found
on natural beaches.
The court dimensions for beach
tennis and beach volleyball are very
similar. For beach tennis, the ITF
defines the court as 16 meters (52 feet)
long, and for doubles, 8 meters (26
feet) wide—the same size as a beach
volleyball singles court under rules by
the Federation Internationale de Vol-
leyball. The level of play may change
some dimensions; at the NCAA level,
SHUTTERSTOCK
beach tennis doubles play requires a

space of 18 x 9 meters (59 x 29.52 feet).
But the main difference between
the two sports is the height of the net.

Getting players into the game is not done in one pathway. Some athletes move over from
traditional tennis, but others simply see the game being played and are lured in.
Beach tennis requires a net height of on the beach and you’re seeing it, a lot The U.S. has yet to emerge as a force
1.7 meters (approximately 5.5 feet). of times, you want to try it.” in beach tennis, although the sport has
Beach volleyball nets are higher: 2.43 The sport’s highest showcase com- the edgy, popular vibe that appeals to
meters ( just under 8 feet) for men petitive circuit is the ITF Beach Ten- younger players. And that could be a
and 2.24 meters (about 7.5 feet) for nis World Tour, which includes more key to its growth.
women. Many of the beach volleyball than 300 tournaments in 37 countries. Currently, the U.S. has one male
facilities in parks, clubs and colleges Waters notes that beach tennis is player in the top 100 (Mark Bonfigli, at
have permanent net posts that, at least working its way toward the interna- No. 94) and three women in the top 50
currently, do not allow nets to be low- tional multi-sport stage. The sport (Carolina Hannes at No. 41, and Nadia
ered—although they can be removed. was featured in the 2019 ANOC World Johnston and Nicole Melch, who
“We’re working on some pilot pro- Beach Games in Qatar, and there is a share the No. 50 spot). There are also
grams with different net heights to see Pan American Beach Tennis Champi- multiple players from Puerto Rico.
how they impact play,” notes Waters. onships. The next goal of organizers: Growing the sport in the U.S. will
Getting players into the game is not the Summer Olympics. have to start at the grassroots level,
done in one pathway, he adds. Some “I think down the road, with the believes Waters:
athletes move over from traditional popularity of beach tennis on the “In those pockets where it is suc-
tennis, but others simply see the game international level, there is a good po- cessful—Florida, California and New
being played and are lured in. tential for that to take place,” says Wa- York—there is always at least one
“A lot of the growth relies on local ters. “Just because the U.S. is lagging person who is a driver and who is pull-
programming. People aren’t just going behind the rest of the world a little bit ing things together and making things
to dive into tournaments. But if you’re doesn’t mean it won’t happen.” happen.”
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RACQUET/
2022
PADDLE
2022 SPORTS
Champions
of Pickleball
We honor the people, organizations and companies that are
helping to keep pickleball at the top of its game.
Pickleball
Tournament of
the Year
Minto US Open
Pickleball
Championships
Known as “the biggest and best
pickleball party in the world” (which,
coincidentally, is held in the self-
appointed “pickleball capital of the
world”), the Minto US Open Pickleball
Championships Powered by Mar-
garitaville held at Naples Community
Park in Naples, Fla., has been deliver-
ing the ultimate party experience for This year’s event will be April 23-30 course,” says Graham. “We designed
five straight years. and is on track to host 2,800 players the US Open to be party first and play
And people are undoubtedly re- across multiple skill and age divisions second. We had that formula and
sponding to it. (including parapickleball), again with six years later, we keep telling each
In 2021, the US Open Pickleball coverage on CBS Sports Network, other to stay on course. We are getting
Championships had an enrollment of including the live pro finals. thrown more curve balls than ever,
more than 2,100 athletes and a total of So what’s in the secret sauce cooked but we just keep with the plan. We can
25,000-plus spectators who came from up by founders Terri Graham and only control what is within our land-
around the world. It also brought in a Chris Evon? scape and everything else falls into
record $9.4 million for the community. “I would say our recipe is to stay on place.” —Mary Helen Sprecher

Pickleball
Municipal Facility
of the Year
Pictona at
Holly Hill
Located in the Daytona area, Pictona at
Holly Hill is one of the largest dedicated
pickleball facilities in Florida. The $6.3
million venue opened in July 2020 and
boasts 24 LED lighted courts, including
eight that are covered, a center pavilion,
restaurant, clubhouse and game room.
Pictona also provides a wide variety
of programming for youth and adults,
competitive tournaments, and plenty of
social events.
This year, the facility will double in size.
Pictona 2 broke ground last October and
is slated for completion this October.
It will add 24 courts, a championship
stadium that seats up to 1,500 and can
convert to a stage for performances, and
a training center. The stadium and four
additional courts will be covered. Pickleball Industry Service Award
Shonda Davidson
The expansion will further enhance
C O U RT E SY M I N T O U S O P E N, P I CT O N A AT H O L LY H I L L , S H U T T E R S T O C K
Pictona as a major pickleball tournament

site and training center. The Pictona Open
(formerly the Fall Vintage Tournament)
will be the premier competition and with With pickleball’s soaring popular-
up to 49 courts, the complex will seek to ity has come a booming tournament
accommodate up to 1,500 players. Plans scene where technology is now indis-
also call for hosting smaller tournaments pensable. Shonda Davidson’s creation
monthly for 300 to 1,000 players. of the Pickleball Desk platform allows
Holly Hill City Manager Joe Forte is for the easy coordination of hundreds
thrilled: “Pictona is putting Holly Hill on of people, including officials and
the map nationally among pickleball volunteers.
enthusiasts. We have people calling the Davidson, a software engineer, also
Holly Hill Chamber asking for information competes in pickleball tournaments
about homes in the area because they at the pro level. She designed Pickle-
want to relocate near Pictona.” balldesk.com after consulting with
—Judy Leand many certified referees and tourna-
ment directors to provide solutions to
all of the challenges presented at large
tournaments. In fact, USA Pickleball “I don’t usually make such claims,
uses Pickleball Desk as its official but Pickleball Desk has absolutely
referee and volunteer management revolutionized referee and volunteer
platform. management,” says Mark Peifer, USA
The Pickleball Desk app launched in Pickleball director of officiating.
2019 and its acceptance spread quickly. —Judy Leand

RACQUET/
PADDLE
2022 SPORTS
Pickleball Advocates of the Year Pickleball Manufacturer

Bob and Diane Unetich of the Year
The husband-wife team of Bob and
Franklin Sports
Diane Unetich is devoted to pickleball.
Both are certified referees, and in addi- Family-owned since 1946, Stoughton,
tion to speaking at pickleball referees’ Mass.-based Franklin Sports has built
clinics, they have served as referees on a global reputation as a maker of team
the APP Tour for the best players in sports gear, offering a catalogue of more
the game. than 10,000 products across 10 sports. In
“Bob and Diane have both spent 2017, the company went all-in on pickle-
countless hours not just refereeing ball, starting with the release of the X-40
for pickleball, but also promoting this ball, which was soon recognized as the
sport,” says Chuck Vietmeier, direc- Official Ball of USA Pickleball. By following
tor of product marketing for Gamma its strategy of investing in popular emerg-
Sports. ing sports, it has taken Franklin just four
Interestingly, it was Diane who got years to become a pickleball equipment
Bob involved in being a pickleball leader. Today, the company’s pickleball
official when she took him to a referee He is also the founder and manag- line includes paddles, paddle bags, balls,
clinic about five years ago. Since then, ing director of The Pickleball School, gloves, net sets, apparel and accessories.
Bob has become a USA Pickleball cer- which focuses on teaching people “We spent two years in R&D sam-
tified referee and co-referee training to play, and advises on how to build pling, testing, trying all different types
coordinator in the North Mid-Atlantic community-friendly pickleball courts of formulations for the ball,” says Adam
Region, a USAP ambassador-at-large that minimize the sound level at Franklin, president and third-generation
and Pickleball Magazine’s rules guru. nearby residences. —Judy Leand leader of the company. “After two years
we launched the X-40, now the premier
ball in the sport.” The X-40, along with
other models, is sold in more than 30,000
COURTESY BOB AND DIANE UNETICH, MIKE FRITSCH, FRANKLIN SPORTS

retail stores, helping to make Franklin the
Pickleball Ambassador of the Year

market share leader in pickleball balls.
Paddles soon followed. The company
Mike Fritsch began at the entry level but quickly

moved to the high-end, partnering with
Ben Johns, one of the world’s top-ranked
players. By offering paddles for all ability
Mike Fritsch, USA Pickleball’s Great tournament side of the sport. levels and by keeping prices between $10
Lakes Regional director/president, “In the Great Lakes Region, the role and $100, Franklin gained a position as a
also is chairman and CEO of Fort of ambassador is changing as the sport key player in the industry.
Wayne (Ind.) Pickleball Inc., which grows, and organizing the huge influx This year, the company
he helped to expand to more than of new players is becoming more im- will introduce a new line
670 members, and then formed the portant,” he explains. —Judy Leand around Johns that will fea-
group into a non-profit. In his role at ture paddles, apparel and
USAP, Fritsch has focused on creating footwear. The brand has
a larger structure for tournaments, also formed partnerships
which helped lead to the launch of the with pro pickleball players
organization’s Diamond Series. With Lea Jansen, Christine
the sport’s growth, he’s now involved McGrath and Rob Nun-
in the process of expanding the Great nery. “We are growing at a
Lakes Region from nine districts to 15. rapid pace and don’t fore-
Looking ahead, Fritsch and his see that ending anytime
fellow pickleball ambassadors expect soon,” says Franklin.
to be devoting more attention to the —Judy Leand

Private/Commercial USPTA Pickleball Member Adaptive Pickleball
Facility of the Year of the Year Champion of the Year
Chicken N Pickle Angelo Rossetti Jamie Bunch
North Kansas City, Mo.-based Chicken Well before Angelo Rossetti set a
Elliott
N Pickle is a unique, indoor/outdoor Guinness World Record for the longest
entertainment complex featuring a casual pickleball rally—16,046 strokes in six Who better at overcoming obstacles
restaurant and sports bar along with pick- hours, 11 minutes, on Oct. 10 of last and bringing the magic to a scene
leball courts, table tennis and a variety year, with his twin Ettore across the than a former stunt double with a
of lawn games. The flagship venue was net—he was very familiar with records. wide-ranging resume? In addition to
hatched in 2017 by founder and chair- The brothers previously set world her appearance in RoboCop and other
man Dave Johnson and his food partner, records in 2008 for a tennis rally and movies, cancer survivor Jamie Bunch
Bill Crooks (chief experience officer), an again in 2015 for tennis volleys. Elliott, who suffered a spinal cord
acclaimed restaurateur who collaborated Angelo has been a longtime tennis injury three years ago, also lived life as
on the Chicken N Pickle concept. pro, coach and director, who currently a one-time Olympic hopeful in track
Chicken N Pickle’s wild success as a is the director of racquet sports at the and field, as a retired flight attendant,
destination for families, adults and corpo- Tennis & Fitness Center of Rocky Hill, and as a medical assistant.
rate outings led to five more store open- Conn. He saw the opportunities that Today, despite specific challenges,
ings over the next few years in Wichita pickleball presented to not just facili- her focus on physical activity and
and Overland Park, Kan.; San Antonio and ties and teaching pros, but to the health service to others continues. Given her
Grand Prairie, Texas; and Oklahoma City. and well-being of its participants, and array of interests, it is no wonder she
Three more locations—St. Charles, Mo.; he jumped into the sport. Now, he’s also is now all-in on and off the pickleball
Grapevine, Texas; and Glendale, Ariz.— the USPTA New England Head Pick- court. She plays local tournaments,
are slated to open later this year. leball Coach Developer, tasked with is an IPTPA Certified instructor, and
Chicken N Pickle’s mission is to provide educating, training and testing pros. regularly shares through social media
an atmosphere that fosters fun, friend- “Pickleball is easier to learn, and you videos of her own play as well as oth-
COURTESYCHICKEN N PICKLE, ANGELO ROSSETTI, JAMIE BUNCH ELLIOTT
ship and community. Each complex hosts can get someone playing right away, ers. With all that immersion building
pickleball clinics, league play, profes- and feeling accomplished in one les- the greater pickleball community, she
sional and amateur pickleball tourna- son,” Rossetti says. “The sport is still so also serves with distinction as a USA
ments, and social events. Charity is also new and exciting.” —Peter Francesconi Pickleball Ambassador. —Kent Oswald
important, and the chain’s "Our Hearts
Are Local" program focuses on creating
philanthropic partnerships to strengthen
the neighborhoods and communities in
which the business operates. Dozens of
charitable events are held annually and
proceeds are donated back to the com-
munities that Chicken N Pickle serves.
Chicken N Pickle’s motto, “Good Food,
Good Friends, Great Fun,” certainly says it
all. —Judy Leand
Chicken N Pickle in San Antonio,

Texas, is one of six locations for this
unique entertaiment/restaurant
complex. Three new venues are
set to open later this year.

RACQUET/
PADDLE
2022 SPORTS
Pickleball Executive Pickleball Retailer

of the Year of the Year
Lauren Stratman Michael Lynne’s
Tennis Shop
Although Lauren Stratman has only
PPR Teaching Pro been playing pickleball since 2018
(she entered her first tournament in Founded by the husband-wife
of the Year 2019), she turned pro in 2020 and is team of Michael and Mimzy Lynne in
Jarrett Chirico already putting her stamp on the game.

She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., but her
full-time job with Electrum Pickleball,
1990, Michael Lynne’s is the largest
independent tennis shop in the upper
Midwest area and has added pickleball
plus a busy schedule playing on both in a huge way. The 5,500-square-foot
A world-class player and early adopter the APP and PPA tours, puts her on store, located in St. Louis Park, Minn.,
of clay-court pickleball, Jarrett Chirico the road for the majority of the year. boasts an expansive selection of tennis
believes that the sport is the foundation Stratman also teaches pickleball part- and pickleball products and draws
to grow all racquet sports. He is currently time at her house, as well as at multiple customers from all around the region.
the director of racquets at Royal Oaks Chicken N Pickle clinics throughout The store’s pickleball wall is more
Country Club in Dallas, and he has an the year at various locations. (Chicken than 42 feet long. The gear selection
extensive background both as a director N Pickle is RSI’s 2022 winner for Pri- includes paddles, balls, accessories,
and former pro tennis player. vate/Commercial Facility of the Year.) bags and footwear from a number of
Chirico, a top pickleball player in his “Lauren is one of the hardest work- major brands. Customers can also take
own right, has directed many top-tier ten- ing individuals in pickleball,” says Dan advantage of a paddle demo program.
nis and paddle programs in the Northeast Santorum, CEO of the Professional Outside the store, Michael Lynne’s
as well as the largest pickleball program Pickleball Registry. “She wears many places great importance on grassroots
in the country, which retains more than hats as a top executive at Electrum involvement and co-sponsors a num-
1,000 players weekly. Additionally, he Pickleball. In her spare time, she ber of tournaments.
has directed several successful pickleball is a world-ranked pickleball player “Mike and Mimzy have become
tournaments, including the largest clay- competing in several professional the ‘go to’ retailer in the Midwest for
court pickleball tournament in the world. tournaments annually, and she works pickleball to complement their already
He holds certifications from the USPTA, overtime repping Electrum at the amazing tennis selection,” says the
PTR, PPR, PPTR and the PPTA, as well as same time.” —Judy Leand USTA’s Mickey Maule. —Judy Leand
being a national pickleball (PPR) clinician
and vice chairman.
C O U RT E S T Y P P R , L AU R E N S T R AT M A N, M I C H A E L LY N N E
“Jarrett Chirico has been one of the
leaders of introducing pickleball to tennis
facilities,” says Dan Santorum, CEO of
the Professional Pickleball Registry. “He
has spoken glowingly about pickleball at
numerous conferences including CMAA,
he created the popular PPR ratings clinics
that recently debuted, and he’s a tremen-
dous advocate to the exciting and new
‘Era of Racquets.’” —Judy Leand

Pickleball Wheelchair Champion of the Year Youth Pickleball Provider
Rick Marion of the Year
Some measure a champion solely by
Jason Jamison
the titles that person has claimed. Rick
Marion, Colorado’s first wheelchair Already a familiar name in tennis,
pickleballer, surely fits this defini- Jason Jamison of Phoenix is now making
tion. His medals at the 2021 Minto his mark in pickleball. He is an industry
US Open Pickleball Championships consultant with more than 25 years of
include Parapickle Doubles and Hy- experience with tennis, pickleball and
brid Doubles Golds, as well as a Men’s recreation programs, and currently serves
Singles Bronze. as executive director of the consultancy
Others focus on the verb form: “to Covering the Court, LLC. His many other
champion” is defined as lifting others roles in the sport include being an advi-
up—and here, too, Marion serves as sory staff member for Head/Penn Tennis
a model. He found the game in 2010, and Pickleball, a national advisor for USA
10 years after a career-ending work Pickleball, and a national trainer for the
injury, and almost from the moment Professional Pickleball Registry. Addition-
he hit the first ball, he’s shared with ally, Jamison is a nationally certified Youth
others his devotion to the game. He Sports Administrator with the Alliance of
preaches its support for physical Youth Sports. His mission in all of this is
fitness and social engagement with around the net post and into the court, to help steer pickleball growth initiatives
everyone, particularly for those like as he does in a YouTube video match for youth, collegiate and adult/senior
him who are ready to spin through highlight from the 2021 Champion- populations.
the court on a chair, or spin the ball ships. —Kent Oswald “As a dynamic and exciting sport, pick-
leball provides tremendous opportunities
to work with schools and recreational
facilities and to develop growth initia-
tives for youth, adults and seniors,” says
Grassroots Pickleball Champion of the Year

Jamison. His advice for those teaching
pickleball is to be patient and stay posi-
Dennis Poppe tive: “Pickleball is meant to be easy and

C O U RT E S T Y R I C K M A R I O N, D E N N I S P O P P E , JA S O N JA M I S O N
fun to learn, so the easier you can make it,

the more fun it will be.” —Judy Leand
Even though Dennis Poppe started eager to help newbies in the sport.
playing pickleball just four years ago, On a personal level, pickleball has
this Issaquah, Wash., resident has transformed Poppe’s life.
wasted no time in spreading the joy of “I’ve developed personal goals, lost
the game and serving the needs of the weight and gained hundreds of new
senior pickleball community. He is a friends. It’s more than a game—it’s like
board member and marketing direc- a family reunion,” he says. “I want to
tor of US Senior Pickleball and is also pay it forward.” —Judy Leand
involved in getting pickleball—a game
that originated more than 50 years ago
on Bainbridge Island—named as the
official sport of the state of Washing-
ton. Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign
the legislation this spring.
Poppe also helps USAP with fund-
raisers, works with the Seattle Metro
Pickleball Association, and is always

RACQUET/
PADDLE
2022 SPORTS
PICKLEBALL AND TENNIS
A New Courtship
Tennis Hall-of-Famer Gigi Fernandez
talks about how she enjoys, and learns
from, both tennis and pickleball.
By Judy Leand
recounts that she has since “played
five tournaments with five partners
and five different paddles, and have
won medals in all.”
For Fernandez—and for most
pickleball newcomers with any type of
tennis-playing background—it’s fairly
easy to make the switch from tennis
to pickleball, and a growing number
of players are enjoying both sports.
“Frankly, it was a pretty seamless
transition,” she says. “After playing
pickleball, when I first play tennis I
have to make a mental adjustment,
but after hitting a few balls, everything
is fine.”
Physical Benefits
Many tennis players—and other
racquet sports enthusiasts—take up
pickleball because it’s easier on the
body and requires less running than
Widely recognized as one of the So, what’s with her fascination with tennis. Fernandez has also found that
best doubles players of all time, Gigi pickleball? playing pickleball can improve move-
Fernandez is a tennis Hall-of-Famer ment in tennis.
and the winner of 17 Grand Slam Crossing Over “The first step in pickleball is im-
doubles titles, as well as two Olympic Although tennis may be Fernandez’s portant because you have to go to the
gold medals. first love, she makes no secret of ball, unlike in tennis where you can
Since retiring from the pro tour in harboring another, newer passion: wait for the ball, and you need quick
1997, she has developed a wide base pickleball. hands. Pickleball improves hand-eye
of teaching and coaching activities, “Sarah Ansboury introduced me coordination and makes you quicker
including the founding of Gigi Fer- to pickleball in January 2021, and I at the net,” she explains.
nandez Tennis (gigifernandeztennis. got instantly hooked. Three months Pickleball can also help boost fit-
com) in 2011, which specializes in later, in April, she entered us into the ness. “I love pickleball because I’m
coaching adult players on how to US Open Pickleball Championships always looking for different workouts
excel in doubles. More than 10,000 in the [doubles] Pro Senior Division,” and exercise. I burn more calories
students have learned “The Gigi Fernandez relates. playing pickleball than anything else;
Method” online since it launched Although the pair put up a good in fact, I lost 30 pounds after I started
in 2017, and Fernandez also offers a fight, they lost in the event. But the playing! Because it’s a whiffle ball, you
variety of clinics, camps and travel experience stoked Fernandez’s new- have to swing really hard so you burn
experiences throughout the country. found competitive pickleball fires. She a lot of calories. It’s a good workout, a

are no angles in pickleball—it’s pretty
much a straight-on game. In pickle-
I love pickleball because I’m ball, all lobs are yours in your half of
the court, unlike in tennis doubles
always looking for different where there’s a more set strategy for
workouts and exercise. I court coverage.”
burn more calories playing She adds that in tennis, the serve
pickleball than anything else; dominates whereas in pickleball,
in fact, I lost 30 pounds after I it’s the return that really dictates
started playing! play. However, keeping the ball low
is equally important in both sports.
“With pickleball, it’s important to
work on drop shots and finish shots
competitive outlet, and good motiva- and to use finesse. It’s not a matter of
tion to stay fit,” Fernandez says. “The hitting hard.”
matches aren’t as long [as a typical
tennis match], but you play for a long Making the Most of Both
time.” The first thing that coaches and
For example, she points out that teachers can do to help players suc-
during a tournament, it’s not unusual ceed in tennis and pickleball is to “Tennis has now started to embrace
to play numerous matches (up to 15 understand that it’s OK to play both, pickleball, but there’s still some com-
per day), beginning in the morning says Fernandez. petition as pickleball courts continue
and extending into the early evening. “There are still a lot of tennis to take over some tennis courts,”
coaches who haven’t played pickle- she observes. “The more people that
Winning Strategies ball, and there’s an impression that transition from tennis to pickleball,
In tennis, as in pickleball, getting to pickleball is for old people,” she says. the more accepted pickleball will be-
the net and using the split step are im- “In fact, pickleball pros hit the ball come—it’s like a stamp of approval.”
portant. However, “In pickleball you extremely hard.” This is especially true when it
can isolate a player to take advantage From an industry perspective, comes to pro tennis players, particu-
of a weakness, whereas in tennis you Fernandez feels that tennis and larly in light of their numerous and
have to play the team and it’s impor- pickleball retailers and manufactur- enthusiastic social media followers.
tant to determine who covers what ers have to cross-promote and share For instance, Fernandez mentions
shots,” Fernandez explains. “There both sports. that former pro tennis player Mardy
Fish recently named pickleball as his
new favorite game.
Looking ahead, Fernandez plans to
PHOTOS COURTESY GIGI FERNANDEZ, SHUTTERSTOCK
ramp up her involvement in pick-

leball and would like to develop a
teaching platform similar to The Gigi
Method for tennis.
“I have the tennis reputation, and
now that I have five pickleball med-
als in five tournaments, I’m getting
closer. I’ll start with pickleball camps
for players who want to transition
from tennis,” she reports.
But in the meantime, she exhorts
all of the naysayers and doubters out
there to go and play.
“Pickleball players are very invit-
ing,” she says. “There are drop-in
pickleball games all over the country
and there are pickleball ambassadors
eager to get people involved.”

RACQUET
SPORTS
2022 DIRECTOR
CERTIFICATION
Providing
Direction
For decades, this industry has had no
pathway to prepare professionals
for the role of ‘director’—but with a
unified effort, that is finally changing.
By Kim Bastable
It’s estimated that, in the U.S., more Now, certified pros at the Elite level
than 1,000 directors of tennis/direc- in USPTA and Professional level in
tors of racquet sports are the product PTR are both able to study at UF to
of the 1970s tennis boom—and many earn the title of “Certified Director
of them are transitioning into retire- of Racquet Sports.” The program is
ment. Who will fill their shoes? offered to admitted master’s students,
This industry has functioned for but also to pros who want to just take
years with no official, accredited the course as continuing education to
training program to prepare profes- get the new certification.
sionals for the role of director. Search
committees and club managers end Racquets Certification Gap
up guessing if a professional is ready “For 30 years, I’ve had discussions
to be a leader or not. And often, they with peers that a certification was
are wrong: Data from analytics firm needed because the racquets industry
Gallup says just one out of 10 people is the only professional association
are actually ready to lead. that has lacked a certification to dif-
Fortunately, several visionary ferentiate instructors from those who
racquets industry leaders saw this could manage and lead a program,
challenge years ago and took action department or club,” says Len Simard. and John Embree (USPTA CEO).
to prepare the industry for this job- After eight years of off-and-on Collins says he got involved be-
opening reality. The USTA led the way, discussions, Simard says plans began cause, “Our industry is in desperate
through Scott Schultz, formerly of to formalize in 2018. Schultz secured need of highly trained professionals
USTA-U and, recently, Craig Morris, USTA funding, a writer was identified, to oversee racquet sports operations.
chief executive of Community Ten- and a committee created. Simard’s Quality leaders are in demand.”
nis. Len Simard, an industry search committee included veterans of the Freer pointed out another issue:
executive and leading club director, industry: Billy Freer (ClubCorp), “For many years, I thought that
was a key initiator. USPTA was first on Gordon Collins (Bay Clubs in Califor- because the tennis industry lacked an
board, followed recently by PTR. Last nia), Kathy Woods (USTA), Jean Mills upper-level education, we have not
year, the University of Florida began (Polo Club in Florida), Larry Haug- attracted the right kind of talented
formally educating directors of rac- ness (Springfield, Mo., parks), Harry individuals into tennis.”
quet sports within its Sport Manage- Gilbert (Waccabuc C.C. in New York), Stephen Tharrett, who sadly passed
ment program. Chuck Gill (Club at Ibis in Florida) away unexpectedly in 2021, wrote a

Following two years of development from some of the brightest minds, including
several USPTA master pros, this curriculum is now perfect for tennis professionals who
want to transition into leadership positions.
The author, Kim Bastable (inset,

left), worked with industry
experts the last two years to
develop the Director of Racquet
Sports curriculum at UF.
Florida’s School of Business, I could

not be prouder of this valuable part-
nership and fantastic educational
opportunity with UF,” says PTR Presi-
dent and CEO Dan Santorum. “This
is a tremendous way to create better
leaders, which will help grow busi-
nesses and grow the game.”
Creating an Industry Standard

The content created by the commit-
tee includes 10 modules of detailed
information about the business of
running a club or program, covering
facilities, operations, complimentary
racquet sports, technology, human
capital management, culture building,
marketing, budgeting and consumer
experience. It’s a master’s in the busi-
ness specific to the racquets industry.
Dr. Michael Sagas, director of
online and distance education in the
Department of Sport Management,
saw a vision for adding Director of
Racquet Sports to the UF online
Sport Management master’s degree
program, and I was asked to teach the
courses.
I began teaching a course in the
psychology of leadership at UF just
before UF was pursued to deliver this
curriculum. After earning a business
degree and NCAA All-American status
leadership curriculum for the health want to transition into leadership playing for the Gators in the 1980s,
and fitness industry, so he was familiar positions,” says Embree. “And we are I was certified with USPTA in 1990
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y U N I V. O F F L O R I D A
with the process and was hired to thrilled that the University of Florida, (later adding PTR certification), and
manage the project’s content. He which has such a strong reputation spent 20-plus years coaching and
created an outline and articles, which among institutions of higher learning, leading programs. I worked in racquet
were edited and massaged with in- has included it in their program.” clubs, country clubs, parks, D1 college
sights and direction from the commit- Florida was recently named as the coaching, high schools and league
tee’s 250-plus years of racquet sports top online educator of undergradu- leadership, eventually also earning a
industry experience. ate degrees by U.S. News and World master’s in education specializing in
“Following two years of develop- Report, and the Sport Management Positive Coaching and Athletic Lead-
ment from some of the brightest master’s program, where the Director ership from University of Missouri.
minds, including several USPTA of Racquet Sports program resides, is In the last two years, I’ve devel-
master pros, this curriculum is now also ranked No. 1. oped the Director of Racquet Sports
perfect for tennis professionals who "As a graduate of the University of curriculum content to both enrich

RACQUET
SPORTS
2022 DIRECTOR
it and make it more interesting to as part of an industry-wide education and one as a continuing education,
the online learner. I added industry program that is so critical in progress- non-credit certificate course, designed
expert interviews and project-based, ing the sport forward,” says Morris. for professionals on the job. Masters
“real world” assignments. But my “This first-of-its-kind program will students must apply and be admitted
best move may have been recruiting serve as a model for other institutions. to the university. Their degree will
35-year industry expert Doug Cash, a This program will make the industry include 12 courses covering busi-
former Tennis Corporation of Ameri- better.” ness, leadership, law and coaching,
ca COO, to serve as adjunct profes- With Morris’ leadership and prom- including two courses specific to the
sor. His insights and knowledge are ise of USTA’s future support, along racquets leadership.
unique and thorough. with USPTA and PTR providing their “Certificate” students can take the
“We finally have an educational respected certification labels, the ten- Director of Racquet Sports course
program that will develop the leaders nis leadership industry, as a whole, has without being admitted to UF. For the
for the future that will make the in- partnered to make this the industry certificate course, the prerequisites
dustry grow and prosper,” Cash says. standard. It’s very exciting to see this include three years of industry experi-
“I wish we had it 30 years ago when I happening in our industry! ence and a current USPTA Elite-level
was just starting out.” or PTR Professional-level certifica-
“The USTA is proud of being Degree and Certificate Programs tion. Students can be admitted to the
instrumental in the development of UF delivers the Director of Racquet course at any time. (The course fee is
the University of Florida Director of Sports curriculum in two online $2,395.)
Racquet Sports program and we are forms—one as a part of its Sport Man- Most students have been completing
excited to be continuing our support agement master’s degree program, the course in six to eight months, by

The certification pushed me to write, analyze, think, debate and, most importantly,
learn invaluable information that I will use during my professional career.
dedicating three to four hours a week. Jean King National Tennis Cen- advancement in tennis,” Freer says.
“The certification pushed me to ter. “The course was not only very “Currently I’m mentoring a USPTA
write, analyze, think, debate and, complete, but also provided real-life professional who is motivated to
most importantly, learn invaluable scenarios and exercises that are quite upgrade his certification in order to
information that I will use during my helpful.” qualify for admission into the Univer-
professional career,” says Julian Wor- Although in place less than a year, sity of Florida program,” notes Woods.
telboer, USPTA, PTR and the certifica- the new curriculum is clearly solving “This is the pathway we envisioned
tion course’s first graduate. an industry challenge. The appren- during the curriculum development!
Graduate Eric Engelsgjerd, USPTA, ticeship model of training directors Undoubtedly, the industry at large—
PTR, notes: “Through the focused and has been surpassed by this accred- from owners to consumers—will also
relevant curriculum and ample op- ited level of leadership education. benefit from even better-directed
portunities to test our understanding It’s providing both confidence and facilities and clubs.”
of the director position in real-world competence to leaders, which should
projects and assignments, I grew as translate into a considerable boost in Kim Bastable, M.Ed., USPTA, PTR,
a person and as a professional. I am the professionalism of our industry. is the Director of Professional Tennis
grateful for the opportunity to chal- “This type of degree provides the Management at the University of
lenge myself and to further dedicate CMAA and managers something to Florida. For more information on UF’s
myself to my craft.” look to directly in hiring, it gives the in- programs, which deliver the Director
“The certificate far exceeded my ex- dustry an opportunity to attract better of Racquet Sports certification,
pectations,” adds Joao Pinho, USPTA, talented individuals, and it gives indi- visit www.UF-DORS.com or email
PTR and head pro at the USTA Billie viduals an opportunity for clear career kimbastable@ufl.edu.
Starting at $590 USD (Includes mainland USA shipping + 3 year warranty)
April 2022 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35

www.tennisindustrymag.com
Tennis Community
TENNIS AND LIFE
Rallying Back Wendy Anderson

is the marketing &
After tragic fires in Colorado, the tennis communications
manager at USTA
community and the USTA pulled Intermountain.
together to help serve those affected.
By Wendy Anderson
A
bby Scott ran home to
her Louisville, Colo.,
house to fix some soup
for a sick friend the
afternoon of Dec. 30,
2021. Thirty minutes later, her entire
neighborhood was engulfed in flames
from what would soon become the
most destructive fire in Colorado his-
tory in terms of property loss.
Nearly 1,100 residences in Boulder
County were destroyed that day as the
Marshall Fire raged across drought-
parched grasses, propelled by 100
m.p.h. winds.
“Boulder County has had a lot of
grass fires lately, so when we first
heard about this one, it was no big
deal,” said Abby’s husband, Rob Scott,
the executive director of the USTA
Intermountain Section, who was in
Denver for meetings the morning the
blaze started.
Friends alerted Abby to a neigh-
borhood evacuation order and she
grabbed the Scotts’ goldendoodle, USTA League participants impacted organizations are about—people, and
Tica, their passports and her skis. by the fires, including Rob and Abby.” caring for people! While we realize
Abby considers herself one of the Partnering with USTA National and this is just a small token, we know get-
lucky ones. Two residents lost their USTA Intermountain, the Colorado of- ting people back on the court can be
lives that day and many others were fice organized funds for Marshall Fire invaluable.”
not able to rescue beloved pets. Entire victims and teamed with local tennis “After we received word of the
neighborhoods were reduced to ash. retailers Game-Set-Match Inc. (GSM) homes lost by some of our tennis fam-
The Scotts’ home of 30 years was and Rocky Mountain Tennis Center ily, Rocky Mountain Tennis Center
burned to the ground. (RMTC) to issue vouchers to be used immediately provided shoes and
“We were all heartbroken by the at either facility for tennis equipment, equipment to get players back on the
fires in Boulder and the resulting clothes, accessories and shoes. courts,” said Duke Paluch, execu-
COURTESY ROB SCOTT
devastation, so many people losing “We know our sport has so many tive director of RMTC. The fire came
virtually—if not literally—everything inherent benefits—including the within a half-mile of Paluch’s own
as houses were destroyed,” said Fritz emotional and physical ‘release’ ten- home and he feels extremely fortu-
Garger, executive director of the USTA nis can provide, and an opportunity nate it was spared.
Colorado District. “We wanted to do to connect with family and friends on “We know how much tennis, espe-
something for all those impacted and a court,” Garger added. “This collabo- cially the social aspects of the game,
identified nearly 30 avid players and ration is an example of what all our means to players. It was great to see

a distraction,” he added. “As a Denver
retailer, people here have supported
We know our sport has so many inherent benefits—including us as we’ve grown by shopping locally.
the emotional and physical ‘release’ tennis can provide, and an Now we have the opportunity to sup-
opportunity to connect with family and friends on a court. port them. It’s very rewarding.”
Bruce Bennett got emotional as he
USTA Intermountain Executive Director Rob Scott (photo left) surveys what is left of his home of 30 reminisced about the days shortly
years. Avid player Windy Cook (clockwise from below) checks out new racquets with Boulder Game- following the fire.
Set-Match Inc. store manager David Henderson; many Marshall Fire victims have been redeeming
vouchers for new tennis equipment at local retailers Game-Set-Match and Rocky Mountain Tennis “I was playing in a pick-up match
Center; USTA Intermountain and Colorado leaders were on hand to greet Marshall Fire victims at an and two female players I’ve never
open house at the Boulder location of Game-Set-Match on Feb. 4. met showed up to ask me what they
could help me with. ‘Food, clothing,
anything you need,’” he said, choking
back tears. “I would have never in a
million years expected such kindness
from complete strangers.”
“The USTA and everyone have been
so kind and generous,” said Janet An-
drews, an avid player and resident of
Spanish Hills west of Louisville. Janet,
78, and her husband, Jim, 80, lived
next door to their daughter, whose
house was also destroyed.
“At our ages, rebuilding would be
tough,” Janet explained. “But Susan
[the Andrews’ daughter and also a
former player] and her family hope to
rebuild, even though it will take three
or four years.”
Susan’s family lived in the Hotel
Boulderado with their 15-year-old
daughter for three weeks after the
fires, Janet added. “You’d think that
would be a luxury at any other time,”
she laughed. “Let’s just say that the
start of 2022 was not overly kind to
our family.”
Janet doesn’t play competitive ten-
the USTA and Game-Set-Match assist has really helped keep us going.” nis anymore but is looking forward to
those affected as well,” Paluch said. Rob Scott agreed. “During the pan- getting back to her regularly scheduled
C O U RT E SY W E N DY A N D E R S O N, KU RT D E S AU T E L S
Louisville, Colo., resident and avid demic, I found tennis incredibly ther- block times and the court camaraderie
USTA League player Windy Cook apeutic to help me deal with stress,” with her friends at Millennium Har-
wasn’t at home when the fire broke he said. “Now, with this unimaginable vest House.
out. With only a few minutes to spare, tragedy upon us, tennis and skiing are “The best gift I was ever given was
her husband ran into their house to our go-to therapies to help my wife learning to play tennis with my mom
grab his wife’s most prized posses- and me cope.” when I was 8,” she concluded. “Tennis
sion—her tennis racquet. Cook says “People have been very gracious and will always be part of our lives. Now we
she’s been grateful for that ever since. so appreciative of the help,” said Adam just have to settle into our new lives.
“When I play tennis, I can let go of Burbary, owner of Game-Set-Match Just knowing people are thinking of
some anxiety and clear my head,” she Inc. “The tennis community here re- us and sending good thoughts our way
said. “I have a cousin in California who ally sticks together.” helps tremendously!” •
also plays. As soon as she heard we had Burbary has personally met many
lost our home, her tennis club collect- victims who have come in to redeem Many of the victims, including the Scotts,
ed a big box of tennis supplies and sent their vouchers at the multiple loca- have GoFundMe accounts set up to help
them to us. The outpouring of love and tions of GSM in greater Denver. “They them rebuild. You can search for indi-
support from the tennis community are excited to have something fun as vidual recipients at gofundme.com.

AskTheExperts
When Do Tennis frame that can begin to break down, too. There is no magic formula to determine
Bumper guards, grommet strips and when a frame is "worn out"—it's more
Racquets Wear Out? grips all need to be maintained and
likely a player will need to change to a
new racquet as their game changes.
replaced when needed. At some point,
the bumper guard and/or grommet
Q: I’ve been told that tennis racquets strips will no longer be available, and less stiff. But I’m not sure this is some-
wear out over time, but other than this could end up being a determining thing you can count on in every
obvious frame breakage, how can you factor for when a player needs to find a instance. When I owned a retail busi-
tell when that time has come? newer racquet. ness, I would see frames that were 10
The real challenge, for both players years old or more that still tested at
A: This is a great question and one we and racquet technicians, is that there their original stiffness.
often get from players, retailers and is no magic formula to tell you that a Most touring pros replace their
racquet technicians. In addition to frame is worn out. You can’t, for exam- frames every year, and some more often.
being difficult to ascertain when a ple, replace a frame after so many hours Keep in mind they are playing more,
racquet is past its useful life, it can be of play, or after so many string jobs, or stringing more often, hitting the ball
even more difficult to try to convince some combination of the two, because much harder, and are more sensitive
a player that it’s time to part with their a racquet’s useful life really depends on to change than recreational players.
longtime companion. several factors. To name a few: hours of My advice to recreational players is to
Modern racquets are made of carbon play; number of string jobs; how the ball change to a new frame at least every
fiber, and most experts agree that is hit; the environment (temperature, three years, to be safe. Keep in mind
carbon fiber basically lasts forever. humidity, etc.); how players care for that most players’ games change over
However, those carbon fibers are all their frames. I would be willing to bet time, so they will need to re-evaluate
held together by a resin or glue. And it’s that Rafael Nadal imparts a lot more their needs. Players who are continu-
this resin or glue that will deteriorate stress on the frame with his backhand ing to improve their skills, strokes and
over time and with increased use. than I do, and his racquets will break techniques may find that the racquet
A racquet frame will flex both during down much quicker than mine. that was perfect for them a year ago no
the stringing process, and every time As a racquet wears down, the change longer is working as well for them now.
the player strikes the ball. When that is subtle, almost imperceptible. The Conversely, as a player ages and slows
happens, the carbon fibers and resin/ only real measurement that I am aware down, their racquet needs will need to
glue also flex. While the carbon fibers of is to get an RA measurement of the adapt to those changes.
essentially won’t suffer any ill effects frame’s stiffness when it is brand new. I think these are much more valid
SHUTTERSTOCK
from this flexing, the resin or glue will As the frame wears, the RA number reasons to consider a new frame, rather
begin to break down. will most likely go down, indicating the than trying to convince a player that
Obviously, there are other parts of a frame is becoming more flexible and their fame is old and “worn out.” •
We welcome your questions. Email them to bob@racquettech.com.
38 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2022

YourServe
MANAGEMENT If you can visualize important
insights monthly, quarterly or even
A Smarter Approach annually, it will help ensure that you
are making the best decisions, whether
By using tools to access data-driven for daily operations or for long-term
projects.
insights, Business Intelligence will help For example, with BI you can make
predictions on how adding more
hit your operational targets. courts, or converting tennis courts to
pickleball courts, will affect your club’s
By Jennifer Gelhaus finances and membership satisfaction.
There are BI tools online that we
I
can use right now as tennis profession-
als. The easiest option is for clubs to
n today’s world, data is a currency access data-driven insights in real-time contact companies that specialize in
that businesses protect, value, that will make an impact in our deci- BI that can take your data and visual-
trade and utilize to make some of sion-making. We can source our data ize it for you. But tennis directors and
the most important decisions in from our court reservation systems, managers can do it on a smaller scale
their day-to-day operations. Our tennis point of sale systems, membership soft- by using Microsoft Excel, for example.
businesses are no different. Whether ware, surveys, audits, etc. BI integrates A Google search also can find software
private or public, facilities and retailers all of these into one place, where we companies that provide these services.
generate valuable data every day. It is can access dashboards and reports that In both 2020 and 2021, tennis has
up to us to assign value to that data and will give us the big picture of our club’s seen big increases in participation. BI
leverage its power. past, present and future well-being. will be a key to understanding how to
Think about how you, or your staff, are To get the most out of BI, we need keep these players engaged and active
making operational decisions. Are you to have a clear understanding of our in the sport. Having insightful, useful
going by gut feelings, or are you actually club’s goals and vision. Public facilities, and easily accessible big-picture infor-
using your facility’s own historical and member-owned clubs, and corporate mation at our fingertips will be vital to
current data analysis and reasoning to clubs will undoubtedly have different the future of our industry! •
help you make those decisions? priorities. The chart below shows just
“Business intelligence” (BI) simply a few examples of how BI can help in We welcome your opinions and comments.
refers to different tools we can use to day-to-day operations. Email info@tennisindustrymag.com.
INSIGHTS DECISIONS
Facility/Court Usage Hours of operation, programming needs, court reservation policies,

discounted rates, staffing needs
Program Success/ Retention Program offerings, staffing needs, scheduling of tournaments and
events
Net Promoter Score (NPS) Program quality, member loyalty
Member spending, satisfaction and retention Members to market to, members to reward, new member onboarding
Membership demographics Programming needs, marketing strategies
Staff Performance Training needs, new hires
Point of Sale Pro shop needs, programs and events that may need marketing,
sales and discounts
Jennifer Gelhaus is a USPTA professional with over 12 years of experience coaching and running programs in Florida and the Northeast. She is
currently the tennis director at East Chop Tennis Club in Martha’s Vineyard in the summer. She teaches tennis in Tampa, Fla., during the school year.

43 long term
financial
planning
45 be the brand
ambassador
of the uspta
47 SERVE YOUR
PLAYERS INSTANTLY
WITH TEXTING
49 uspta proud
53
the state
of the union
57 certifiCation
calendar April 2022 is
Autism Awareness
58 running a better Month
doubles warm up
Diego Herrera, 4, participates in the
UCLA Adaptive Tennis Program, which partners
with ACEing Autism to teach tennis to children with autism.
ADD_April_2022.indd 41 2/24/2022 4:31:31 PM

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From the CEO USPTA
Long Term Financial Planning

John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
I have often mentioned (either on this

platform or at speaking engagements)
that one of the issues that concerns me
(that is not often mentioned as a mem-
ber benefit) is our Supplemental Savings
Program. USPTA endorsees contribute
administer the account, but it is
insignificant over the lifespan of a
career teaching pro. While it helps
most is the mass exodus that will happen a percentage of all purchases made by to have a pro shop that retails our
in the next 5-10 years when long serving USPTA professionals of their products endorsee products, it is not necessary
members decide it is time to hang it up. into their own customized plan. One can for all endorsees. You can still enroll
Who will take our places when we ride off choose from a non-qualified investment in the program and benefit from the
into the sunset? Do we have a pipeline of plan or roll your contributions into a contributions made by our partners based
talented professionals coming into our Qualified Retirement (Tax Deferred) on the dollar volume you purchase.
association who can guide our sport over option. Modeled after the Retirement Gold Should you have any questions about the
the next two decades? Are we attracting + program created by the PGA of Amer- USPTA Supplemental Savings program,
enough women to join the ranks of tennis ica, seven of our current endorsees are please feel free to reach out to Dana
teaching professionals? Are there more committed to helping our professionals Dasch at HQ, dana.dasch@uspta.org
coaches of color who can be recruited to with their retirement savings. or by phone at 407-634-3050, ext. 118.
pursue a career in our industry? Those participating brands are; Wilson She manages the Supplemental Savings
While these are all viable questions Racquet Sports, Tennis Warehouse, 10-S program for our members and coordinates
that need to be answered, there is another Tennis Supply, Har-Tru, FIIX Elbow, all the necessary administration with
matter which is not talked about enough. Stringping and NFW Promos. And I am Wells Fargo and our endorsees. We are
Do these baby boomers who have toiled pleased to announce that USPTA has a new eager to help you set up your account and
on the courts for 30 or even 40 years plus endorsee (as of March 1) with REVO Eye- walk you through the process. Over the
have enough in their bank accounts to wear. I have always thought that our pros long haul, you will be glad that you did. *
retire with confidence so that they can needed sun protection for their eyes with
support themselves in the “golden years”? cool, performance styling. Thus, REVO
Are the young professionals entering will be the eight endorsee to contribute a
our profession even thinking about what
retirement might look like? Are they
portion of the purchases made by USPTA
pros into their respective Supplemental
HAVE YOU
planning for their future?
Most everything that I read or hear
Savings account.
Bo Gard, USPTA Master Professional
THOUGHT
about either the millennials or Gen Z is
that they only are living in the moment
and a Wells Fargo Advisor, oversees the
accounts set up our members. One of my
ABOUT
%
and have no long-term plan to protect
their assets and livelihood. Do they even
biggest disappointments is that there are
not more USPTA professionals enrolled in
YOUR
el
wonder what their quality of life will be
like once they hit the retirement years if
the program. The PGA has over 7,000 par-
ticipants. USPTA should have hundreds,
RETIREMENT?
they don’t start preparing early in their
careers?
but we don’t. Our members are leaving
money on the table! The initial contribu-
IF NOT, WHY
Part of my responsibility as CEO, and
that of our national staff, is to give our
tions made by our endorsees are small but
over many years, the value will build into a
NOT?”
members the tools that they need to be significant amount. It just depends on how
more successful, make more money and much a member buys from these manufac-
have a long and successful career. One of turers.
those tools that is available to everyone There is a small annual fee to
April 2022 ADDvantage Magazine 43
ADD_April_2022.indd 43 2/24/2022 4:31:34 PM

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8 Vice President’s Message USPTA
Be the Brand Ambassador

of the USPTA
Mark Faber, USPTA Vice President
A s a USPTA National Board member

for the past two terms, I, as well
as many of my fellow board and executive
downplaying your position in the indus-
try, as I know many of you probably are
asking yourself “Why should I stay in the
association down.
In other industries, it is the norm
to work with folks that have not only
committee members, have been asked by USPTA?” I see and read the blogs. certifications, but continuing education
aspiring new industry professionals as What each of us need to continue to do requirements. Our industry should not
well as current members, is be the brand ambassador of the USPTA. be any different and it should not take
Personally, if it were not for folks like an accreditation to make it happen. For
Chuck Gill, Tom McGraw, Gary Trost, years, the USPTA provided an industry
WHY
and Trish Faulkner (to just name a few), I leading certification pathways as well as
probably would not be in the association. continuing education that was second to
SHOULD I
What they all reminded me of, was the none. Not only do we still offer this, but
good that the USPTA does in providing we offer even more and were the first to
JOIN THE
opportunities for the betterment of the in- offer true mentoring and working with
dustry. This betterment can come in forms University of Florida to offer the first
USPTA?”
of mentorship. As fellow board member Director of Racquets Sports certification.
Kevin Theos shared, being part of division So, the question that I mentioned at the
leadership or simply leading by example of beginning we hear a lot. “Why join or why
or “Why should I continue being a mem- the importance of certification. stay?” is really simple. The USPTA is and
ber of the USPTA?” This is more than a The elephant in the room has been has always been a member driven, mem-
fair question and one that I have found and continues to be where we stand with ber run association that leads and not
myself asking over the years. accreditation. Sure, it can be the elephant follows. It is an association that provides
Like many of you, I found out about the in the room, however accreditation does top notch service and beyond. We are an
USPTA and what it stood for and provid- not change what the USPTA has to offer association that truly cares and sees each
ed through people like Jim Davis, Tom the future and current industry. The member as a person with needs and not
Martin, and Bob Kruger. Then when I obvious goal of accreditation would be for just a number. We not only believe it, but
went to the PTM program at Methodist it to make a serious impact in the indus- we function in that manner as well. We
University, gentleman like Kirk Anderson try. This is something to which the Board all need to become the brand ambassador
and Hank Avants, provided more insight and Executive Committee are committed; of and for the USPTA. If we all focus on
to the value of the association. So, when however, it is not something that should the positive and not the unknown, then
I had the choice to join either PTR or the stop any of us from being that brand am- the future is so bright. Our National staff,
USPTA, the choice was clear and easy. The bassador. National Leadership, and Division Lead-
point here is that all five of the gentleman We all need to spread the word about ership are doing just this for all of you.
mentioned above were true ambassadors our education opportunities, leadership Thank you so much for all you do for the
of our association. opportunities, mentorship opportuni- association and the positive impact you
Now, I could gear this month’s article ties, our commitment to D,E and I, our make on young people’s lives that one day
towards all of you reading, however many willingness to work as with a variety might have the influence that it had on
of you are getting the RSI publication of industry partners, and most impor- my life and career. *
because you are already a member of the tantly, the family environment that the
USPTA. Now, I am not, by any means, USPTA truly provides from the top of our
ADD_April_2022.indd 45 2/24/2022 4:31:35 PM

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Marketing Tips USPTA
added more flexible monthly plans. Plus,
How to Serve we’ve started a newsletter to share the

most common questions and experienc-
Your Players es to highlight best practices among our

users, and we’re adding more training
Instantly with videos to help you get up to speed on

new features such as marketing messag-
Texting es even faster.

Q: What has been the most popular
feature with the current StringPing
Rick Kerpsack, Founder and CEO of StringPing customers?
A: The ability to create multiple groups
D id you know that 90% of all text

messages are read within 5 minutes
of sending?
miss out on any of your important commu-
nications.
2. Immediate Alerts and Reminders
which gives pros and tennis clubs
greater flexibility for communication.
For example, you can create a “Staff”
Emails have declined • Alert your players as soon as possible group and send text messages just to
to less than a 30% open that the courts just closed, or the pool your employees. Or if you have a group
rate! workout is postponed due to weather. You that includes all your members you can
Here are some reasons why pros, clubs, provide better customer service when you then select from the “Members” group
and shops have started using StringPing text your members instead of waiting for to add individual contacts to create a
for professional texting specific to tennis. them to check their email. new group to invite only the ones you
Q. Why should I switch from using my • Send automated scheduling reminders think would be interested in a new event
personal phone number to StringPing about clinics or lessons, and updates on or activity.
texting service? tournament results and start times for
A: If you text players from your personal advancing players.
phone then you know the challenges of Q: How do I load my contacts into
group texting! StringPing for Sign Ups? Q: Why is StringPing better than any
• How do you manage replies from one A: You can ask your players to sign up other texting services?
person that are seen by all? by texting a keyword to your assigned A: StringPing is built with a tennis and
StringPing organizes replies so they are StringPing number or scanning a QR club communication focus. The training
only seen by you. Code. You can also add your contacts to videos are specific to tennis. StringPing
• How do you send messages to the StringPing by uploading a CSV or Excel also supports the pros and the industry
right groups of players? document, provided that your players with a 5% contribution to the USPTA
StringPing allows you to assign your have agreed to receive messages. After supplemental savings program for those
contacts into an unlimited number of that you can start organizing your con- who participate. Plus, pricing is compet-
groups and each contact can be put in tacts by groups. itive with any service on the market and
multiple groups. Q: What phone number do I receive the uses the same texting gateways as larger
Q: How many contacts can I load into StringPing text messages on? companies.
the StringPing database for texting? A: You can choose to have the dedicated Q: Any final messages to the pros?
A: There is NO limit to the number of StringPing phone number forwarded A: Give it a try! Text “DEMO”
contacts or groups. Go for it! to your personal cell phone, another to 888.990.6790 or email
Q: What Types of Message are Best pro’s personal phone, tennis pro shop, info@stringping.net and we will sched-
Suited for Texting? front desk, or manage text messages on a ule a video call to go through all the key
1. Regular Communication computer desktop. Whatever helps you features and plans that are available.
Many pros and clubs have completely the most! You decide. Or sign up at stringping.net and start
replaced email with texting as you can Q: How has StringPing listened to their texting! The plans start at $19.99/month
easily link to newsletters and websites plus clients since the USPTA Endorsement? for 1000 messages per month. No risk
highlight events like clinics and tourna- A: We noticed that when people spend because you can cancel at any time.
ments. Players are accustomed to opening an initial hour to set up and start using
bit.ly links which help keep the messages StringPing, they become Super Users!
shorter. Since you know your players will So, in order to better support you, we’ve
most likely open their texts, they won’t DOUBLED your monthly credits and
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ADD_April_2022.indd 48 2/24/2022 4:31:46 PM

Member Feature USPTA
asked to join USPTA’s Eastern Board.

While serving on the Board in two different
sections, I began to notice a few common
issues. The biggest were, “How do we
get more USPTA members to attend our
conferences?” and, “We always have the
same people attend.” We would buy ads,
sponsor tournaments and volunteer to give
free clinics, all to educate people about the
USPTA and grow our membership.
Here I am in 2022, serving my first term
as the USPTA Eastern President. I have
heard President’s initiatives over the years
and have learned quite a bit. What will my
initiative be? I have been thinking long and
hard about this.
I knew when I was 17, I wanted to be

in the tennis industry. I remember
receiving a call from Dudley Bell, tennis
to grow a tennis professional’s network
and raise a tennis professional’s level of
coaching, professionalism, and education.
We, as coaches, are passionate about
what we do. We love helping people achieve
their goals in our sport, being a part of each
coach at Lyndon State College in Vermont, “Never attend a conference and think other’s lives, influencing people we teach,
the summer before I began my freshman about the money you are losing not watching kids grow up and continue to play
year there. He asked me what I wanted teaching for that day but look at it as an tennis, being part of a team, allowing our
to study and if I was interested in playing investment into your career,” Dudley
tennis for the school team. I told Dudley would say.
yes, I was interested, and that I wanted to My involvement with the USPTA over
run or own a tennis club one day. Dudley the years has always been at my forefront.
quickly told me about how I could major I was certified in 1994 and in 2005, I joined
in Tennis Management at Lyndon State. the New England Board. They were my
As he was informing me of the courses I family for many years. I helped organize
would be taking, it sounded like the perfect and host conferences up until I moved
fit. He told me by the end of my college back to New Jersey in 2009. In fact, when
career, I would be ready to take the USPTA I was the Tennis Director at Sugarbush
certification test. “USPTA?” I said to Resort in Vermont and preparing to
myself. I hadn’t heard of it. relocate to NJ, numerous emails were sent
Throughout my years at Lyndon State, to me by my fellow USPTA brothers and
Dudley educated me about the USPTA sisters informing me of job opportunities
and stressed its importance to a tennis in the NJ/NYC area. The support I felt
professional. He explained how the USPTA from the USPTA was overwhelming.
provides workshops and conferences When I finally moved back to NJ, I was
%
el
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students and colleagues to influence us... charge – the people who share both a serving on USPTA boards and attending
there is just so much! passion for the sport and the association. conferences. I look forward to spending
As I relate this to the USPTA, those of us Enthusiasm is contagious. We need to look time with people I have known for years,
that are involved have the same passion for at the USPTA like a well-run cardio tennis making new connections, and looking for
the association. I have noticed, however, class. What do we tell our students when new information shared in the seminars
that the percentage of active member they may not be giving their all? I like to and applying them to my career.
involvement in the USPTA is small. say, “You get out of this clinic what you put After twenty-eight years being certified,
This led me to ask the question, “Are all into it. If you want a good workout, you’ll I can say to you with confidence, I am
USPTA members USPTA proud?” make sure you’re giving your max effort. If USPTA Proud! Let’s spread our passion
I have spoken to many coaches over the you dog it, then you won’t see the results together. *
years and heard several people say things you want”.
to me such as, “I’m certified because I The USPTA needs all of its members to
need the insurance to teach at my club” or want a good workout. All the tools a tennis
“I can’t afford to lose a day of teaching to professional needs are provided by the
attend a workshop.” USPTA. It amazes me how many coaches
Comments such as these appear to I know who do not utilize their member-
be missing not only a sense of pride and ship.
passion for the USPTA, but also a lack of The USPTA is a tremendous resume
full understanding of the full resources and builder. If you serve on a committee, join
opportunities the association provides. the board, volunteer, win an award and
This leads me to our initiative for the attend conferences, you have already made
USPTA Eastern section – to be USPTA yourself a strong candidate for whatever
Proud. job opportunity you choose to pursue.
How do we do that? As with any team, Over the years, some of my favorite
it starts with the right people leading the and proud memories have come from
For Certiﬁed Professionals
ADD_April_2022.indd 51 2/24/2022 4:31:50 PM

P
ADD_April_2022.indd 52 2/24/2022 4:31:51 PM

The State of the Union:

Pickle & Padel in US in 2022
Christine Beaudin, USPTA Padel Certified
I f I were to ask most Americans what

the fastest growing sport in the world
is, many would undoubtedly say pickleball.
investment with a quick albeit small rate
of return. In a majority of cases, players
do not need to join a club as the courts
If I were to ask the same question to peo- themselves can be easily and inexpensively
ple outside of the USA, the overwhelming built. Nor do players need to spend large
answer would be padel. The latter group sums on equipment, as the cost of the
would be correct: padel is actually the fast- equipment is minimal in the form of an
est growing sport in the world. However, investment in the small racket and whiffle
and most importantly, this is not the case ball. As a physical activity, the player
in the USA. Here, that title belongs to pick- will gain some essential exercise but the
leball. The key difference in my mind is physical effort exuded is not as intense as
that pickleball has its roots in badminton say tennis, squash or padel. The last, but
whereas padel stems directly from tennis. most important, element is that pickleball
Pickleball is commonly played as dou- is a great sport for ultimate socialization.
bles on a badminton size court and uses a This sport lends itself easily to play and
perforated, plastic ball with a tennis-style drink without having to worry about calmly creating strategy that is unique and
net. A non-volley zone (or kitchen) the physical limitations of playing while effective. In addition, padel represents
prevents volleys close to the net, and the entertaining. This could be the next great a highly intense cardio workout as the
serving team cannot volley the return of American sport equal to football, baseball, court itself is 25% of a tennis court and
serve. Scoring is unique and is derived and apple pie. The questions that I would everything within the glass and mesh is in.
from badminton and can’t be explained in raise: Is pickleball the racket sport that the What that means is the points are longer
one or two sentences. American population should crave? Is this and racket speed and foot work much
Padel is most commonly played as the healthiest choice? That is not for me quicker. You cannot take your eyes off that
doubles on an enclosed court roughly 25% to answer, but for the individual player to ball for even an instant – only a moment’s
smaller than the size of a tennis court. assess. loss of focus can be the difference between
Scoring is the same as tennis and the Padel Tennis Craze winning and losing the point.
balls used are tennis balls with a little less Around the World– Additionally, this game also has a high
pressure. The main differences are that except in the United social element! Not only is the game played
the court is surrounded by mesh and glass States in a doubles format, but the unique aspects
and the balls can be played off of them, not What causes millions upon millions of of the glass and mesh enable players to
unlike the game of squash. people to want to play padel? What causes create shots and rallies that are astound-
So, the question remains – why has the Spain to officially have more padel courts ing and unbelievably creative, which even
rest of the world embraced and begun than tennis courts? In short, padel is con- opponents can appreciate and bond over
investing heavily in the rollout of padel sidered to be the “chess” of racket sports after the match.
courts when the USA is lagging behind and as tennis is considered to be “checkers”. What’s Up, America?
is clearly focused on pickleball? This is because padel has the glass and Why is padel on the back burner relative
USA Pickleball Craze mesh components that create a whole new to pickleball? Some of the reasons are
Pickleball has taken the USA by storm dynamic on strategy. It is not just simply obvious and some not so obvious. The two
in the past couple of years. The barriers to about hitting shots with great velocity and top reasons are noted below.
market are low. The game is fairly simple topspin. The ball can easily come back in Cost. The financial barriers to entry in
for anyone to pick up (though not score play when it reaches the back glass slowing the buildout of the physical infrastructure
keep) and it requires less physical, mental, down the ball allowing the opponent to is the number one reason that it is taking
and most importantly, financial invest- strategically redirect the ball offensively. more time for padel to grow. The cost of
ment to play. In the short term, it’s an The brain is on full alert, carefully and the glass, mesh, lights, turf, and even the
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ADD_April_2022.indd 54 2/24/2022 4:31:53 PM

larger scale court size in relationship to Houston. Why I did not hear about padel However, I do want to make this clear:
pickleball all add up. A key advantage that until 2017, when I read my first article in padel is not pickleball, and anyone who
pickleball has is that you can transform an the USPTA magazine is beyond me. I was tries both sports will agree that there is
existing tennis court into four pickleball playing and traveling for tennis through- no comparison between the two. Just as
courts quickly and cheaply with some tape out North America and the Caribbean the one does not compare tennis to ping pong
and a couple of temporary nets. You can past two decades. Of course, after reading or squash, one cannot compare padel to
even take it all down and turn it back into a this USPTA article, I was “all in” on Padel – pickleball. Yes, they are all racket sports,
tennis court if needed in short order. Padel seeing the game for the first time at a Ritz and there are some fundamental hand-eye
tennis is a meaningful commitment and no Carlton in Portugal was just the icing on coordination similarities, but that is where
temporary padel court can be built without the cake for me. the similarities end. *
material expense. The on court equipment Being an owner of a padel site in Austin,
itself also poses more expense for the play- Texas since 2020 and throwing my entire
er. The balls are the same as tennis and the self into padel and its culture, I have also
padel rackets can range from $50 up- slowly come to an understanding of an-
wards to $500 due to the highly technical other reason why the sport has been slow
engineered rackets. In addition, building a to grow in the USA. Based on my experi-
new padel facility in the United States is fi- ence, I believe padel in the United States
nancially challenging. However, the bright has been insulated to a very small group
spot here is that existing tennis facilities that has had minimum motivation, until
that may have one or two underutilized recently, to expand the padel community
tennis courts can relatively easily retrofit outside of itself. This small community
these courts into padel courts at minimal recognizes the worldwide expansion and
costs in relationship to the return on has benefited in the luxury of being a part
investment it will generate. of this global sport. It has had difficulties
Public Sector Involvement. The lack in sharing the sport with other communi-
of government financing through grants ties outside itself within the United States.
for health and wellness in the United In its past, the governing bodies of the two
States is also another element that has padel associations were also weak with
made padel grow slower relative to the few resources and poor governance that
ON
rest of the developed countries around the most importantly included lightly regu-
world. It is my opinion, that due to the lated tournaments and individual player
high costs of socialized medicine, govern- rankings. The good news is that there have
ments are incentivised to keep their pop- been a lot of changes in the past couple of
ulation healthy and active, and as a result years due to the global expansion of padel,
there are meaningful amounts of grants, and this is all good news for the United
special financing, and other benefits that States as it strengthens and improves its
non-American sports and health commu- governing bodies but there is still much
nities have access to that we could only more work to be done.
dream about in the United States to help What Does All This Mean
build out the sport. for Pickleball and Padel
Padel Has Been in the in the United States?
United States a Long It is easy to see that both sports have a
Time place in the sports and fitness arena. De-
It really surprised me when I first pending on each individual’s preference,
started playing padel in 2019, that padel as well as their ability, motivation, and
has actually been in the United States for spiritual wellbeing, Americans will do well
quite some time. The US Padel Associa- with both sports competing for attention,
tion (USPA) was founded in Chattanooga, players, and growth.
Tennessee in 1993, and USPA opened two
E ST courts in the Chattanooga area. The Amer-
RT S ican Padel Association was formed in 1995
ERS and built its first courts at a private club in
ADD_April_2022.indd 55 2/24/2022 4:31:54 PM

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ADD_April_2022.indd 56 2/25/2022 12:13:24 PM

USPTA
CERTIFICATION
CALENDAR
TEACHING
ESSENTIALS 1 (TE-1)
Teaching Essentials 1: Virtual
Workshop
Coaching Concepts: April 4 and 11,
2022, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST
Concepts to Court: April 25, 2022,
9a.m. to 1p.m. EST

Workshop
Coaching Concepts: April 6 and 13,
2022, 2p.m. to 6p.m. EST
Concepts to Court: April 27, 2022,
USPTA
2p.m. to 6p.m. EST

Workshop
Coaching Concepts: April 30 and May PICKLEBALL
7, 2022, 10a.m. to 2p.m. EST CERTIFICATION
Concepts to Court: May 21, 2022,
10a.m. to 2p.m. EST April 23, 2022 – 9950 Bridgebrook
Drive, Boca Raton, Florida
TEACHING April 23, 2022 – 3330 Springpark Way,

ESSENTIALS 3 (TE-3) Garland, Texas
Teaching Essentials 3: April 24, 2022 – 9950 Bridgebrook

ACAC Fitness & Wellness Drive, Boca Raton, Florida
Center, Midlothian, Virginia
Teaching Groups In-Person April 24, 2022 – 7703 NE 72nd Ave,
Classroom: April 4, 2022 Vancouver, Washington
On Court: April 5 and 6, 2022
April 30, 2022 – 575 Rodes Dr.,
Teaching Essentials 3: Charlottesville, Virginia
Cerritos Tennis Center,
Cerritos, California April 30, 2022 – 2875 Old Town Club
Teaching Groups In-Person Rd, Winston Salem, North Carolina
Classroom: May 21, 2022
On Court: May 22 and 23, 2022 May 7, 2022 – 1 Club Drive, Littleton,
Colorado
Teaching Essentials 3:
May 14, 2022 – 500 Atlanta Country
Paseo Racquet Center, Club Dr, Marietta, Georgia
Glendale, Arizona
Teaching Groups In-Person June 3, 2022 – 2505 Fruitvale Blvd,
Classroom: May 18, 2022 Yakima, Washington
On Court: May 19 and 20, 2022
Teaching Essentials 3:
Overland Park Racquet Club, USPTA
Overland Park, Kansas
Teaching Groups In-Person PLATFORM
Classroom: June 2, 2022 CERTIFICATION
On Court: June 3 and 4, 2022
September 17, 2022 – Weed Beach
Teaching Essentials 3: Tennis Paddle Tennis, Darien, Connecticut
Addiction Sports Club, Exton,
Pennsylvania
Teaching Groups In-Person
Classroom: June 10, 2022
On Court: June 11 and 12, 2022
ADD_April_2022.indd 57 2/25/2022 12:13:29 PM

USPTA Member Feature
Running A Better
Club Level Doubles
Warm Up
Paul Tollefson, USPTA Certified Professional
I have spent a lot of time in the club

level atmosphere, countless hours
teaching 2.5-4.0 ladies/men’s doubles
cross courts from the get-go. Empha-
size keeping the ball deep, not giving the
opposite player a free ticket to the net
clinics, years of learning from other with a short ball. When its time to volley,
pros, and years of trying to run a good get the net players up to the service line
doubles clinic week in and week out. A first, volleying it back cross court to a deep
clinic that not only gets everyone moving baseliner. Focus on volleying it deep into
with minimal down time, but also a clinic the court. Players need to learn control by
that is actually doubles specific with shots pushing a volley deep, having it come “up”
and situations that arise in almost every off the racket. Anyone can put it deep
doubles match. hitting it harder, but there is a lot of con-
Right from the warmup, I like to have my trol loss with that shot. I also like to start
players start using tactics that are doubles volleyers from the service line because it
specific. I admit, for years, I would have the gets them a wide range of volleys, low, half,
players warm up, mini tennis, back to high, body shots. Again, all match realistic.
baseline, rally straight ahead for five Once the service line volleys are done, I
minutes, one side up to net, volley will usually say to my players, “Now with
straight ahead with a baseliner etc. Did this side up, and you back, one ball is in
it get players warmed up? Yes. But is it play, but the only rule is you have to move
match realistic at all? No. How often do the ball around.” I will continue to feed
you sit back at the baseline and pound to the baseliners if the ball is missed, but
groundstrokes down the line or volley baseliners are moving the ball around to
straight ahead over and over? It doesn’t the volleyers and volleyers are trying to
happen, or at least it shouldn’t happen very push volleys deep, while also shifting like a
often. doubles team, depending on where the ball
Now, some may say that these are actual is. Baseliners are free to hit out on there
drills and not a warmup at all, and maybe shots, but the main objective right now is
that is true. But here is what I have found “consistency with intensity”. Baseliners
to be the best 15-20 minutes to start a can even lob and the best thing is that it’s
clinic. If you have one pro per court, let match realistic! The lower levels will have
the pros feed in the ball. Forget a lot of a hard time keeping the volleys deep, but
the down the line stuff, get them rallying for something like this, I will let the base-
ADD_April_2022.indd 58 2/24/2022 4:32:01 PM

liners play it on two bounces if need be. I like to tell them that I have 3 possible
Once both sides have had their time to feeds: moon ball, simple rally ball, or short
volley, I’ll bring both sides up in the same approach ball. That at least gives them a
scenario: two on two volleys. Same idea, variety of shots to “get the competitive
one ball in play & move it around. I will juices flowing” and let them finish the
also tell them, no allies. Work on going warmup with some actual point play.
through the other team. “I know you can Rotate every 10 or so points, no score
pound volleys at the opponents’ feet, keeping is needed.
but can you control the ball and if those This may seem like a lot, but I run all of
opponents were not there, would your this in about 15 minutes before the actual
volley land deep into the court?” You will clinic starts and players work the “theme
notice, even the higher-level players have of the day.” Minimal talking, lots of move-
a very hard time with this. ment, lots of doubles specific situations.
Next, I will let them all go back to the You will find that your students will be
baseline and do what we call “serve, sweating quickly and even though it’s a
return, and one more.” Just like it sounds, warmup, it will give them most every shot
one player serves to the opposite service that they will hit that day! *
box, returner returns it, server hits that
one back. If done correctly, the opposite
player should end with the ball, then they
serve, and the rhythm continues. Most
doubles points are won or lost in the first
three shots!
I like to finish the warmup with
something I simply call “around the horn”.
They can serve while doing this or the pro
can feed in. To put it simply, one up and
one back in a normal double’s situation.
The pro feeds to the far side deep player.
ADD_April_2022.indd 59 2/24/2022 4:32:04 PM

USPTA What’s The Dill?
Membership Department Update

Dillon Chustz, USPTA Director of Membership
O ne of the many perks of working at

the USPTA World Headquarters
is the opportunity to be a student for our
immediate and impactful this moment was
for Iryna. So impactful, that she quickly
began taking lessons three times a week
stop learning,” she said. “As a young female
coach, I quickly learned that I had to really
show my stuff and keep growing if I wanted
certification candidates. I get to expe- from her eventual lifelong coach and to get more students and claim my place in
rience firsthand how our new members mentor, which whom she is still extremely this business.” Quite inciteful from some-
apply what they’ve learned throughout the close. “His birthday is next week, actual- one so young, don’t you think?
certification process, giving me a deeper ly,” Iryna told me. “He was the one who What’s Iryna’s advice to young aspiring
understanding of what it takes to work as a inspired me to continue coaching after my pros? “GET CERTIFIED!” When asked
teaching professional. Being on-court with years of competitive play ended.” To no what drew her to the USPTA specifically,
them allows us to connect during their one’s surprise, Iryna very quickly be- she claims to have been skeptical in the be-
first experience with our association, while came a proficient player, and, a year later, ginning. “My job required me to be USPTA
also getting some tips on how to improve increased her training schedule to four certified, and I’m so grateful for that. The
my own game. My experience with these hours a day. A successful number of years skills I learned throughout the certifica-
candidates often runs the gamut. Some on the junior circuit helped Iryna snag tion process, along with the networking
simply have more of a natural teaching an athletic scholarship to play Division I I was able to do, has given me even more
ability, such as newly certified pro, Iryna tennis for Northwestern State University drive to be the best coach that I can be.”
Vardanian in Charlotte, NC. From the in Natchitoches, LA for two years, and then You can imagine how good it felt to hear
second she stepped on court for my lesson, two years at Coastal Carolina University this from Iryna. Judging by the lesson I
I knew I’d want a second lesson with her. in Myrtle Beach, SC. Needless to say, Iryna received from her, along with those from
Efficient. Knowledgeable. Joyful. These hit the ground running and has not slowed our other awesome candidates, the certi-
are words that I would associate with Iry- down since. fication process is doing exactly what we
na’s teaching style. Her careful demonstra- I recently asked Iryna what she consid- hoped it would. If Iryna is any indication
tion and implementation of each skill were ered her coaching philosophy to be. I like of it, the future of the USPTA is chock-full
only exacerbated by the joy with which she to know where our members lead from of excellence! *
delivered them. Once the lesson was over, I when they step on the court. “There is no
needed to know more about her. success without a healthy coach/student
A native of Ukraine, Iryna began play- relationship” she said. “Being prog-
ing tennis at the age of 8. In fact, Iryna ress-motivated only works if you maintain
recently told me the exact day that she your student’s trust and respect.” Having
remembers picking up a tennis racquet, had some coaches growing up that I did
which was September 2nd, 2005. Very not trust, ultimately affecting my game,
few of us remember the exact moment I immediately understood her point. “I
that we began playing, which tells me how would also say that coaches should never
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE

President.............................................................Richard Slivocka Editor...................................................................................... Jim Burke ADDvantage is published monthly by the
Managing Editor.......................................................Madison Faulkner United States Professional Tennis Association.
First Vice President................................................ Trish Faulkner
Layout/Design............................................................... Yaralismar Diaz The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are
Vice Presidents...................... Tracy Almeda-Singian, Mark Faber, Editorial Assistance .......................... Fred Viancos, Ellen Weatherford those of the authors and not necessarily those
Jason Gilbert, Kevin Theos of ADDvantage or the United States
Circulation..................................................................... Trevor Trudelle Professional Tennis Association.
Immediate Past President.......................................Feisal Hassan USPTA World Headquarters
11961 Performance Dr. Copyright© United States Professional Tennis
CEO...........................................................................John Embree Association, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved.
Orlando, FL 32827 Reproduction of any portion of the magazine
Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell 407-634-3050 – www.uspta.com is not permitted without written permission
from the USPTA.
ADD_April_2022.indd 60 2/24/2022 4:32:06 PM

LETSTENNIS.COM
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tennis,
for those
who tennis
live longer.
Let’s Tennis.
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April 2022 Racquet Sports Industry Magazine

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COMMUNITY ADVOCACY RACQUET SPORTS CERTIFICATION

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Edgerton High School, Edgerton, Wisconsin

Contents April 2022

43 From the CEO

Read more articles online at www.ADDvantageUSPTA.com 60 Membership Update

2 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY April 2022 www.tennisindustrymag.com

The Most Important EDITOR

The tennis community came CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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Year-End Participation, Equipment slightly, partly due to supply chain is-

APP NYC Pickleball Open to Be

www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2022 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 7

Lynne Rolley USRSA Announces

Topspin tennis player turned coach, [who] has taken

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Bollettieri Invests In,

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USTA Foundation Raises $10M

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Beach Tennis & Beach Volleyball

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www.tennisindustrymag.com April 2022 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 23

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