A New Way to Play

Paving the Way Forward WAR RACQUET WAR

By Joey Hanf

50 Adult tennis players across the nation have long known what “play opportunities” were at their hands. Traditionally, one can play in lessons, clinics, interclub leagues, USTA leagues as well as sanctioned or unsanctioned tournaments. Each has their own benefits, and downsides. But within the framework of these play options, there were a number of gaps that left players wanting more.

This is where Racquet War would like to introduce themselves. Founded by Oakley Foy in 2009, Racquet War is a new kind of tournament experience for players of all levels. Aimed at providing a better experience for competitive and social adult players, Foy has tackled many of the problems with traditional tournaments. His events are growing exponentially each year.

“I was pretty active in tennis and couldn’t ever find tournaments to play in, and the ones I did were run so poorly, so disorganized, playing the same people that I play all the time,” said Foy. “I decided that I could run a tournament better than that, and I would run it like tennis players like it run, not some tennis pro at a club who was only doing it because they had to.”

First, when most adult players experience a tournament, there are a number of roadblocks. Registration can be challenging; not only do you have to understand your own level of play, but you have to ensure that other players in the tournament are of a similar level. Racquet War modifies the traditional rating model by actually testing players out before the tournament begins.

“The waterfall was developed for multiple reasons,” said Foy. “Players can’t complain about people being underrated, overrated or whatever. Anyone can play with anyone, the ratings don’t matter. So if I am a 4.0 and my best friend is a 3.0, I can play with them. All draws always make.

Oakley Foy (center) founded Racquet Wars in 2009, and now hosts dozens of tournaments each year singles and doubles.

Racquet War players have the option to add on a tennis clinic in addition to their tournament matches, a popular option to fine tune their game.