USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - April 2023

WELCOME TO THE

JOHN R. EMBREE, USPTA CEO

Over the final quarter of 2022, there was a flurry of activity on the endorsement front. Coming out of our World Conference in New Orleans, a host of companies expressed a desire to serve as an endorsee. They see the value of being affiliated with the USPTA and understand that our members can help grow their business.

Up until the end of 2022, we had fifteen entities who were a part of our endorsee family. I am proud to say that we have added seven (7) new categories to our portfolio (with one on an expanded basis) as of February 15 of 2023, bringing the total number of endorsees to twenty-two (22). Here is a run down of who they are and what they will do to support our professionals:

FAMILY

1. DUNLOP

Dunlop is now the Official Tennis Ball of the USPTA for the next five years. Known for its quality and durability, Dunlop is not only the Official Ball of the ATP Tour, but you probably noticed that it was the ball used at the Australian Open this past January in addition to being the official ball of the recently played Miami Open. Dunlop is the only brand with two

wholly owned tennis ball manufacturing facilities giving them more R&D expertise and manufacturing experience than other brands. Because of the competitive pricing advantage that Dunlop has in the market, our members would be crazy not to purchase Dunlop for their shops and teaching carts.

2. TENNIS WAREHOUSE

Taking the positive reviews that we have seen with the Tennis Warehouse endorsement on the footwear and apparel side, TW proposed that we offer a similar formula in tennis racquets, equipment and pickleball. Why not give our members a choice of racquets rather than being exclusive with one company? Toward that end, we have struck an expanded

partnership with TW to be the Official Equipment Supplier of the USPTA, giving members the option to select from three (3) different racquet companies: Babolat, Prince, and Tecnifibre. Pros who happen to be on the advisory staffs of these brands will continue to work with their respective companies as in the past. USPTA pros can purchase the racquet they wish to use at a 20% discount from TW. This, of course, includes string, bags, 10 & Under racquets, pickleball paddles and other accessories. Having worked with Tennis Warehouse and their team over this past year, they have exceeded our expectations from a customer service standpoint, and I have appreciated their willingness to go “over and above” to aid the USPTA.

his/her shoelaces through the device, it will track how many steps, or how far the player runs during a practice session, match or workout. But what is really neat is that players can compare their training to others in their local program or even see how they do against some of the best athletes in the world. One can chart their individual progress through the app that can be downloaded to a phone. Players can also challenge their friends and the app keeps score. What a fun and interactive way to get your aspiring players to take their training seriously.

5. SES LIGHTING

Different from Sports Interiors, SES Lighting has a proven track record of providing High Output LED Lighting, Heavy-Duty Poles and Control Systems for outdoor facilities. SES provides IES Certified Lighting Designs and has won BoardRoom Magazine’s Excellence in Achievement Award for the last 7 consecutive years. If you need outdoor lighting, give them a call.

6. LEORÊVER

3. PUTTERMAN ATHLETICS/ SPORTS INTERIORS

If you are not in a northern market where indoor play is essential, you may not know the names of Putterman Athletics or Sports Interiors. But, if you are, you know that these two companies dominate the market in their particular product categories: Putterman with their court dividers, indoor court backdrop curtains and netting, while Sports Interiors has the best reflective liner system and LED indoor lighting system available. As the Official Indoor Court Fabrics and Lighting System Suppliers of the USPTA, they truly are the experts in their field.

4. LACECLIPS

This is cool! LaceClips is the new Official Footwear Wearable Technology Device of the USPTA. Once a player weaves

Jonathan Oe is a top designer and pattern maker for professional athletes and college sports teams. LEORÊVER has won Men’s Health Magazine’s Compression Tights of the Year title for the past three years. Handmade in America, LEORÊVER is now turning its attention to tennis and golf and is eager to find USPTA professionals who want to be an ambassador for the brand. I have a pair of tights and love ‘em!

7. RACQUETDESK AND COURTRESERVE

We are fortunate to have two software service providers who are willing to share our endorsement. These USPTA endorsees were willing to “play nice in the same sandbox,” so our members would be able to benefit from the software provider that best suits their needs when it comes to their facility management, reservations, lessons, billings, etc. We are excited to work with the RacquetDesk and CourtReserve teams in 2023 and beyond.

EXPANDED PARTNERSHIPS

Finally, and while not endorsees per se, we have struck up two additional partnerships with the WTCA (Women’s Tennis Coaches Association) and the three most viable PTM programs that exist- Hope College, Methodist University and Ferris State University. It is paramount that we increase the number of female coaches in our industry and the WTCA can help us recruit more women into our Association. We will be collaborating on educational events throughout the year.

As for the PTM’s, they look to us to help them enhance their certification process for their students. Because we desperately need a pipeline of up-andcoming professionals to join our Association, the PTM’s could serve as an important vehicle for delivering qualified instructors. They too can help us get more women into our profession along with more diverse coaches.

With the announcements of these new endorsements, we started off 2023 with a bang! We welcome these companies to the USPTA family. The fact that they understand the value that our members can bring to their businesses is heartening. But, it works both ways. It is incumbent on all of us to do whatever we can to support all of our new and current endorsees. I thank them for their commitment to the members of our Association.*

OPPORTUNITY SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT

I’ve recently had the opportunity to be part of a search for a new “Director of Racquet Sports”, which is the new holy grail for our industry. We are seeing more and more clubs, whether it be private or commercial clubs, calling for a Director of Racquet Sports and not a Director of Tennis. With the evolution of our industry, we are all having to evolve and become part of a bigger ecosystem. With the development of the four P’s (pickleball, padel, platform, and pop), we are seeing more of a push from club owners and general managers for their future Directors to be well-versed in all aspects of racquet sports.

The process for filling these positions has been transformed and has become much more thorough over the years. We have seen the rise of recruiting firms that have helped facilitate these searches: McMahon Careers, Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace, GSI Executive Search, etc. I have had the opportunity to work with all three of these firms and I can tell you firsthand they all do a tremendous job. The preparation and the attention to detail is outstanding from all groups.

Until you have had the experience of going through the process of interviewing for a director position, it is difficult to know what to expect. I am in my 26th year as a racquet professional and I have had the opportunity to be in a fair share of these searches. I am going to give you

brief description of what to expect and the process you will encounter.

Resume and Application

The first step is finding the job and understanding your career path. You can view job listings by using the USPTA website or by going on the website of any of the recruiting firms. These sites will give you a great perspective on the career options as well as valuable information about the clubs looking to hire. Once you recognize the position that you are looking for, it is very important to have an updated and accurate resume. I believe that you should always keep your resume up to date since you never know when an opportunity might present itself. Always be ready! Application submission is the next step. This varies from club to club and firm to firm. All will ask you to submit a resume and cover letter. This is the step that gets you in the door. It is very important to be professional and precise when submitting these documents. This is your first chance to make an impression on the recruiter as well as the club.

Questionnaires and Personality Tests

So, you have made it past the first stage, now you will receive a questionnaire about your abilities, track record, business practices, teaching philosophies,

etc. This is the chance for you to really shine and let them know who you are as a racquet sports professional. The most important thing is to be honest and not to try and tell them what you think they want to hear. I have seen this happen before to professionals and it does not work out well for them or the club. The job must be a fit for you as well as the club. Depending on the firm, you may also receive a personality test. This is just another way for them to get to know how you might fit into the club’s culture and if you have some of the traits that they seek.

Interviews

At this point, you are in the hunt for this position. You have jumped through all the hoops! The club and recruiter like who you are and the information you have provided them. Many recruiters and clubs will have two interviews. Typically, you will have a virtual interview and then an onsite interview. The onsite interview will be the final step. The interview is the most important part of the process. You will want to prepare yourself beforehand for some of the questions you may receive. Make sure that you can discuss your current job and why you have made the choices you have made. How do you handle difficult members? What will be your plan for the first 90 days on the job? These are just a few of the questions that you could be asked. Be engaging and precise. Understand who you are and what you can bring to the program and the club. This is your best chance to win the job! You will be nervous, which is to be expected, but make sure you read the room and answer each question to the best of your ability. Some onsite interviews will have an on-court component, depending on the club and the position you are interviewing for. Be ready to go with your drills and have a lesson plan. No freelancing.

Make sure you have questions ready for the end of the interview. You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. It must be a fit for

a

Rich Slivocka, USPTA President

you as well as them! Sometimes you can get a vibe from a member or a GM that this might not be the place for you. That is okay, but better to realize that now instead of six months after you have taken the job.

Conclusion

If you really want to take charge of your career in the racquet sports business, the USPTA has partnered with the University of Florida to provide certified tennis professionals the opportunity to earn a USPTA Director of Racquet Sports Certification. The education curriculum focuses on developing the business and leadership competencies required to successfully manage a tennis and racquet sports operation. I strongly encourage anyone who is looking to grow in our

industry to take a chance and complete the program!

I am currently in my fifth month as the new Director of Racquet Sports at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ. The opportunity to become the Director of Racquets at such a great club was a fantastic opportunity for me and my family and I am very lucky. However, I had a goal to be in this situation. It is important to lay out your career path and set goals for your future.

I get so many questions from racquets professionals about how they can move up in the industry. What skills do I need to be successful as a racquet professional? The greatest advice that I can give to anyone who asks me that question is to be well diversified. I’ve had many professionals that have gone on to be Head Professionals and Directors and the advice is the same:

Be diverse and be passionate about what you do and who you are!

Djokovic Soaring Through History While Largely Misunderstood by the Masses

When Novak Djokovic collected his tenth Australian Open title and 22nd major at the end of January in Melbourne, he raised his stature once more on the historical ladder of our sport. Now the immensely ambitious Serbian is tied with Rafael Nadal for the most Grand Slam championships ever secured by a man in singles, and by virtue of his triumph “Down Under,” Djokovic moved back to his old residence on top at No. 1 in the world. He turns 36 on May 22, but somehow seems considerably younger as he pursues his highest ambitions and largest dreams.

And yet, this estimable individual remains one of the most misunderstood men in the world of tennis. In many ways, he has been maligned by followers of the game who have witnessed his greatness without fully recognizing his wide range of attributes. He has come upon us in a golden era, following in the footsteps of the enormously popular Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Swiss Maestro and the Spanish Gladiator are celebrated sports luminaries, deeply appreciated by fans for their many commendable characteristics, beloved in every corner of the globe.

Djokovic has been widely admired as well, but the view here is that he has too often been under appreciated and largely taken for granted. Federer’s supreme elegance as a player, sophistication as a human being and comfort in the public arena were enduring virtues. Nadal’s high integrity, the muscularity of his game and his whirlwind topspin have long endeared him to fans. These towering champions were always perceived by the public as regal figures and admired for all the right reasons.

But, in the case of Djokovic, he has not received the same universal reverence as his counterparts. Some tennis fans have seen him as an intruder or, essentially, a gate crasher. In the minds of many sports followers, his flaws have been magnified and his strengths minimized. He has been irrationally made into a villain by observers who have seldom cut him any slack.

Frequently misconstrued by the masses, Djokovic is actually an outstanding sportsman, although he would concede that there are times during stressful matches when he unreasonably releases rage at his entourage. He apologized to them after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final, saying, “I know you guys are tolerating sometimes the worst side of my character on and off the court, and I appreciate the patience, the love, and the support that you guys are giving me. I have to repeat it over and over again— this trophy is yours as much as it’s mine, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Djokovic is as tough on himself as he is on those in his immediate circle, but the fact remains that he wins with considerable grace and loses with much more class than most of his colleagues. Seldom is that competitive equanimity mentioned by my colleagues in the media.

Forever stored in my memory bank is the loss he suffered against Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 French Open final. Djokovic had not yet won at Roland Garros, although he would eventually garner that title in 2016 and 2021. The defeat against his Swiss adversary was heartbreaking, but Djokovic greeted Wawrinka with genuine warmth when they shook hands afterwards, squeezing his opponent’s face, extending his heartfelt congratulations to the victor conversationally for longer than usual. Before the presentation ceremony commenced, he approached Wawrinka again to laud him before talking effusively about Wawrinka in his runner-up speech. That was exemplary conduct.

After Djokovic secured his third U.S. Open title in 2018 by upending Juan Martin del Potro in the final, he noticed that the 2009 champion was distraught while sitting courtside with his head in his hands, trying to digest the defeat. Djokovic generously walked over and consoled del Potro in a character defining moment.

Not only is Djokovic a sportsman, but also an ineffably pure ball striker and consummate professional who leaves no stone unturned in his attention to detail and commitment to winning the sport’s premier prizes. As Djokovic soon approaches the end of a sterling career, the larger world view of this extraordinary champion will sweepingly change while the misconceptions surrounding him fade into obscurity. He deserves much wider public recognition and affection across the board— as a prodigious player, bold leader and continuously evolving human being. Ultimately, Novak Djokovic will be seen as a transcendent tennis figure with virtues that greatly outnumber his imperfections.

Steve Flink, International Tennis Hall of Famer

Photo Courtesy:Fred Mullane

METRICS FOR EVERY MOVE

Looking for that thing that will take your performance on the court to the next level? Meet LaceClips.

LaceClips is a brand new performance tracker unlike any other on the market. Founded by former D1 athlete, Jonathan Nussbaum, LaceClips tracks every movement you make on the court to provide you with the metric-driven data of your performance.

Used in combination with the LaceClips app, users can measure: pivots on rotational axis, jumps & jump height, steps, effort over time, calories burned and more. With the specific metrics of these movements tracked within the app, users have the ability to improve their game in multiple ways.

Compare Against Yourself

The app allows users to compare their metrics to previous sessions, with a percentage of improvement or deterioration across metrics from play to play. Like an Oura Ring for your footwork, track effort over time from practice to practice to measure when you’ve been putting in the work and when you need to give a little more.

By tracking pivots, jumps and jump height, you can measure how many times you respond with a forehand versus a backhand and challenge yourself to work on adjusting your responses and improving any weaknesses you have on the court.

Compare Against Friends

With LaceClips, you can compare your metrics to those of a friend or teammate to see who is training harder.

Create a friendly competition to accomplish the most high jumps or calories burned during a session, track who puts in the most practices during a week, or monitor each other’s improvement over time to encourage you both to get better.

“I wish I had LaceClips as a kid playing tennis. My friends and I competed each day and this product would have made it so much more fun to push each other and

performance from workout to workout and helping me take my game to the next level,” Genie Bouchard shared.

The LaceClips device features patented lace-locking technology, attaching to shoelaces to keep them secure during play. Plus, with its placement on the foot, LaceClips more accurately tracks performance metrics over other fitness trackers. Users have the ability to compare their performance stats to those of the pros. See how your efforts on the court measure up against the best in the game and how far you need to push yourself to get to their level.

With new developments to the tracking software being added regularly, users also have the ability to watch uniquely curated workout videos from professional athletes mentioned above and based on the stats and data, replicate the same routines at home.

The training opportunities with LaceClips are endless. The device is perfect for coaches and trainers looking for a way to differentiate themselves or give their athletes an advantage over other players. LaceClips can be used to create more engagement and fun competition based around data. “When you’re able to compare specific stats, including the effort over time, of all players in your clinics or lessons, you can reward those working the hardest and encourage others to step up their game,” LaceClips CEO, Jonathan Nussbaum said.

grow together in our game,” Professional Tennis Player, Mackie McDonald shared. Compare Against Pros

LaceClips is used by tennis pros Genie Bouchard, Diego Schwartzman, Fabio Fognini, Mackie McDonald, and Marcel Granollers, as well as NFL All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, NFL Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones and WNBA power forward Monique Billings, among others.

“As a professional athlete, the more data I can monitor about myself or my training routine, the better. LaceClips has added the invaluable ability to track pivots, jump height and effort over time on the court allowing me to monitor my

Professional Tennis Coach Jimy Szymanski uses LaceClips with his athletes, “LaceClips enhanced my lessons and clinics and created fun competition with my clients. It motivates them to play harder and see how they improve over time. Plus, I can increase my coaching fees because I can provide data driven insights to give my athletes a competitive advantage over others.”*

LaceClips retails for $149.99, but you can take advantage of a limited time special offer courtesy of the USPTA partnership with LaceClips. Get $20 off your first order with code: USPTA20.

Every play, every practice, every game is a lesson, an opportunity to be better than before.

LaceClips is a smart activity tracker that powers your performance by tracking everything from steps and miles to jumps and pivots, keeping you moving and improving wherever the game may take you.

4 Simple Keys in My Journey to Master Professional

This famous line from Charles Dickens’ classic novel “A Tale of Two Cities” is quite appropriate for my tennis career, in terms of where it seems to be now and where it was in 2004 after graduating from college. The length of time between these years is not that expansive when you think about it, but it’s not always about the miles, it’s about the terrain.

In 2022, I was recognized with a Master Professional Designation, the highest recognition bestowed upon a member of the USPTA. It’s rarefied air in the tennis industry with only 217 in the world ever holding this honor. I promise to you that it will never be lost on me what an exclusive and surreal group I have been accepted to.

It requires a significant amount of time, perhaps the most valuable resource you have. It is a career’s worth of service to the industry, communication, coaching and playing accolades and a strong desire for continuing education.

It is simple…it is not easy.

Once you absorb that last sentence, it can make attaining your Master Professional Certification a bit more approachable. Simple is uncomplicated and understandable. Easy requires little effort and motivation. It is simple…it is not easy.

Instead of getting into esoteric specifics on point accumulation and portfolio organization, I wanted to share with you 4 simple steps in my evolution to a USPTA Master Professional that anyone can start doing…right now!

1. Find Good Mentors…and Choose Strategically!

Attending the Professional Tennis Management Program at Ferris State University, I was fortunate enough to have two incredible USPTA Master Professionals as mentors. RJ Tessier and Tom Daglis were my program directors during my time there. For those that know both of these men, you understand how they have vastly different styles of leadership. But due to this wide variance, I was not restricted or dogmatically instilled into just one way of thinking. I could develop a style that suited me while picking the best practices and attributes I learned from each across the spectrum. Essentially, I became a hybrid of what I loved about each of them. The best of both worlds. There are mentors out there for you to learn from. And the best part is, they would love to help. The USPTA offers a wonderful mentor program organized by USPTA Vice President Kevin Theos. And if you still don’t know where to find one…maybe reach out to the author of this article you’re reading! Hi, nice to meet you!

2. Respect and Conquer the Basics

This may seem almost too simple but its one of the most poorly performed tasks in our industry. When you do the little things right, bigger and better things seem to happen more often. (More on this in my next step). The simple task of returning phone calls and emails within 24 hours goes a long way. We are all busy, all of us work hard on one thing or many

things, I get that. But making time to communicate with someone promptly and honestly just to let them know you received their message is vital to one's success. And if you don’t have the answer or don’t know the answer, be honest and try to find someone that does and let them know you are working on it. Not everyone needs a solution that very second, but everyone wants to be respected and acknowledged that their message got through.

If you say something, do it in the time you said. Your word is your promise. If you can’t live up to it, don’t say it. By now you are probably thinking, “what does this have to do with being a Master Professional?” This habit increases your professional standard. By doing these little things, people now start to rely, trust and count on you to do the bigger things. Dependability is associated with higher quality and a better product. Once mastered, the world can become your oyster. Remember, quantity is only something you can count, quality is something everyone can count on. This will inevitably lead to bigger things.

3. Seize the Opportunity

If you excel in the previous step, more people will start to give you opportunities. Those professionals that lead the tennis industry in different facets will begin to notice you and be willing to offer you more opportunities to speak, take on important roles, ask for input. Whatever it may be, take them! I don’t think I turned down my first 1,000 opportunities. Yes, there will come a time

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”

Kyle LaCroix, USPTA Master Professional

when you’ll have to step back and say no, but you’ll know when that is and by that time, you will already have solidified yourself. These opportunities are not only a chance to stretch your legs and showcase what you do and what you know, but many are required achievements to be added to your Master Professional portfolio. It’s great to see what you like, don’t like or didn’t expect. Different experiences make for great stories and give you a clearer path and vision for what you want to pursue, not to mention some networking opportunities and new friends.

These opportunities got me so far out of my comfort zone, but inevitably always made me a better professional. In fact, on numerous instances, USPTA National Headquarters themselves reached out to me to offer opportunities that made me legitimately question their sanity. Because of seizing them, I would find myself standing on a tennis court with a dozen or so Top 100 players from the ATP/WTA Tours. Being flown across the country to sit down in a meeting and actively contribute to the future of our sport with some industry legends was priceless. I was proud to be the dumbest person in the room. Having multiple TV/Film cameras stuck in my face while delivering training courses and education modules for future generations is a real learning experience. Truth is, although I said yes, they believed in me more than I ever believed in myself at the time. I’m so thankful and eternally grateful they did.

4. Commit to Education

Education, in a formalized, institutional way, is not for everyone. But if you are a teacher, a coach, or a leader, continuing education in some form is a moral obligation you have to your students. Any coach that does say they already know it all, would also never say such a ludicrous statement for they would know better not to. For my Master

Professional Certification, it was required that I attended 80 hours of specialty courses, plus numerous world, divisional, state and regional conferences. This may increase by the time you go for your Master Professional Designation so if you are behind…get started now! But it also wasn’t just about attending, it was about participating. I’ve been lucky enough to have been a speaker at all of these events as well. How? See the previous step!

If you are interested in becoming a Master Professional, I encourage you to pursue it. It is an immense undertaking but one that will have long lasting benefits for the rest of your career not to mention the cathartic experience of being able to showcase everything you’ve accomplished in your career. The challenges, memories, lessons learned and lessons taught should be documented. Tennis is a better industry because of your contributions. Thank you for reading and good luck on your Master Professional journey.*

IT TAKES TWO! Mentors and Mentees

and I’m grateful that our personalities connected, so we could talk so freely and easily. If Valentim hadn’t been open and committed, I wouldn’t have been able to assist. He was the perfect mentee with a deep respect for our conversations and time. He frequently sent me updates on his progress from the topics we had discussed. I never asked him to, he just did. Val could be a mentor on how to be the “ideal mentee”.

sionals are on the court a lot. Make it easy! Allow texting for quick assistance. Summarize your sessions and send if your mentee isn’t able to take notes. Don’t make it seem like work or a burden and it will be easier for your mentee to participate. Be ready to share your contacts in the industry. You don’t have to be the expert in all areas, but you can lead the way in acquiring the information. Your trust and confidentiality are essential. Enjoy the process and ability to help a professional grow.

Val's Tips for Mentees

When USPTA Board member, Kevin Theos, sent an email with mentorship opportunities, I was intrigued and applied. What a perfect time to use the pandemic as a positive! I had time at home for phone calls so I was excited to “give back” to a younger professional and see if I could make a difference. I had recently left my full time position at the USTA National Campus and was working from home as a consultant for tennis facilities, professionals, and students of the game. Why not take on a pro bono project?

Valentim Gonçalves, or “Val” as he calls himself, was my mentee. A USPTA certified tennis professional with high level playing experience, an MBA, and an academy of his own with a partner–he had already created his own solid career in tennis. He was looking to me for guidance on “next steps” and where to best spend his energy.

Our relationship was different from the professional mentoring I’ve done in my work life. Those have also been rewarding but were always part of my job as a director of tennis or manager. This had a different feel; it was confidential discourse and coaching without any personal ties to the outcome for me. And it was stress free! Mostly, I listened and guided him from my past experiences and industry IQ, and when necessary, connected him to the right people in the industry – a big benefit of getting older –networking gets easier!

It takes two to make a good team,

We worked together with periodic phone calls for over a year and a half. Our formal mentorship has ended but we have unofficially extended our teamwork on an “as needed” basis. Val deserves much of the credit for our valuable time together as he was never afraid to contact me and ask questions. Without such a willing partner, I wouldn’t be writing about our success today.

It most definitely takes two to make the mentorship program work. If you wish to be a mentee, make sure you open up and take advantage of the experience and contacts of your mentor, as Val did with me. And I hope those of you with experience in the industry will raise your hand to become a mentor. I truly believe the rewards will surprise you.

Val and I have not yet met each other in person, and I look forward to that day. It was so rewarding to spend time and energy with someone who was determined to carry out all that we discussed.

Currently Val is enrolled in the Director of Racquet Sports certification program at the University of Florida. Congrats Val, and cheers to our continued partnership!

Kathy's Tips for Mentors

Get to know your mentee, not just their professional life but their outside interests and family. It assists in gaining perspective of the person you are guiding. Schedule a call at least once a month.

Cell phone calls are fine. Zoom can be a barrier to connecting if tennis profes-

Organize your priorities to assist you and your mentor in getting started. You don’t have to know exactly what you hope to get out of your relationship when you begin. Send updates monthly to your mentor so they can keep up with your progress. You can also ask for additional information and give your mentor time to do some thinking before your next call. Ask that your sessions remain confidential. This will allow you to open up and can really assist in your growth! Tap into the resources sent your way. Take advantage of the industry relationships and experiences of your mentor. Don’t be afraid to initiate conversation and ask for help. Appreciate that you have this resource and lifeline when you need it.*

• Personal Growth and Goals

• Work – Life Balance Strategies

• Business Plans: 1 to 5 Year Plans

• Budgets

• Certification

• Continuing Education

• Career Shifts

• Facility Upgrades

• Programming Assistance

• Managing and Training Staff

• Working with Parents

• Teaching and Coaching Improvements

• Better Communication Strategies

Kathy Woods, Former USPTA President

Tennis Must Learn From and Work With Pickleball

Brett Hall, USPTA Elite Professional

I was fortunate to learn and compete in the tennis boom in Texas in the 1960’s and 70’s. Tennis had no competition back then and even the fitness craze didn’t start until the 80’s. Fast forward to today and we have a pickleball boom! It came out of nowhere and it does not look like it is a fad or will decrease in popularity anytime soon. The tennis industry was reluctant to jump on board at first thinking initially it wasn’t a threat to our sport. There is no question that both sports promote wellness. Exercise and socializing are key ingredients to a healthy lifestyle!

I would have never thought a year ago as a USPTA Elite Professional that I would get certified to teach beginner level pickleball. The majority of my lesson income is from tennis, but it is a nice additional income stream. Our USPTA organization sees a world where both sports need to coexist and work together for tennis clubs to survive and thrive. We must give the members what they want at our facilities, and it is obvious they want both tennis and pickleball. My fellow professionals are having great success by welcoming pickleball, either teaching it themselves, or hiring a pickleball pro to meet the demand.

A simple idea is to have your tennis professional go meet and play pickleball with the pickleball players and invite them to a free tennis clinic.

Finally, there is always opportunity in any challenge. It is vital for our tennis facilities to hire quality tennis professionals who can fill their courts with tennis lessons and programs. The tennis professional of the present and future must be certified to teach pickleball. Hopefully, we can build new pickleball courts in the future instead of converting tennis courts to pickleball. Today, it is more important than ever for all ages to improve their wellness by exercising and experiencing healthy socialization. Both sports are great for promoting this healthy lifestyle.*

So, what can tennis learn from pickleball?

1. Shorten the tennis scoring system to allow a quicker rotation of different ability levels.

2. Use the pressureless tennis balls to allow longer rallies where beginning and intermediate tennis players can have more fun.

• Beginners: Orange Ball

• Intermediates: Green Dot Ball

• Advanced: Yellow Ball

How can both sports work together to increase participation in both tennis and pickleball?

1. Invite pickleball players for free beginner tennis clinics.

2. Invite tennis players for free beginner pickleball clinics.

3. Hold beginning tenn/pick classes (combined tennis and pickleball).

4. Hold a fun tennis and pickleball social.

5. The teaching professional should be the catalyst in diffusing any animosity towards either sport.