Hello dear readers, friends, and racket sports enthusiasts.

Let’s just take a moment to focus on one (mighty) element of the Racket Business monthly newsletter, Rich Neher’s ‘Publishers Notes’. 

To be fair to Rich his notes should be renamed ‘Rich Neher’s Rackets Sports Encyclopedia’ as the diligence, knowledge and research that goes into them is quite phenomenal. This month you get a front-row seat to the biggest shake-up in American tennis leadership in years: USTA CEO Lew Sherr's unexpected exit and move to the New York Mets.

Rich pulls no punches in examining the possible reasons behind this dramatic shift—from internal USTA conflicts and financial missteps to lawsuits, unrealistic tennis growth projections, and the rising tide of pickleball.

Elsewhere in his feature, you’ll also explore:

USTA’s $800M Gamble: A critical look at the massive and controversial Arthur Ashe Stadium renovation plan, and the staggering opportunity costs.

Sherr's Departure Deep Dive: Theories and speculation around the CEO’s exit—including press missteps, player development overspending, and tension with USTA's legal leadership.

The Growing Burden of SAM Insurance: Why sexual abuse liability insurance is becoming a major—and expensive—issue for tennis pros, especially in California.

Pickleball vs. Tennis: How the USTA may be quietly shifting focus, and why some believe it's hurting the sport of tennis at its grassroots.

Noteworthy Industry News: From webinars about monetizing court tech to bold critiques of media and the USTA’s clout, you’ll get a wide-angle view of the racquet sports landscape.

Upcoming Events and Innovations: Insightful webinars on Gen Z engagement, club management tools, and fun new partnerships shaping the sport’s future.

Whether you're a teaching pro, club manager, tennis entrepreneur, or just passionate about the sport, Rich’s work combines sharp commentary, breaking news, and practical insights that challenge the status quo and inspire action.

Expect candor, controversy, and clear-eyed questions that cut through the spin—Racket Business is not your typical industry fluff piece.

And that’s a preview of just one of the 10 in-depth features we’re delivering for free to all you rackets sports industry folk, so settle down with a glass of something cold and enjoy the June issue of Racket Business.

If you're reading this for the first time but not yet a subscriber, join us today—it's completely free, and it ensures you never miss exclusive content like From Inside the Lines.

Scroll down to explore all the articles in this issue or visit RacketBusiness.com to dive straight in.

Rich & Tim

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From inside the lines…

The Relentless Grind: What It Really Takes to Be a Tennis Coach Today

At Racket Business, we spend a lot of time talking with racket sports coaches—and just as much time absorbing the content they create. One of our team has even walked that path, having spent years on court as a coach. So we like to think we have a solid grasp of what the role really entails. That’s why this month’s ‘From Inside the Lines’ column serves as both a tribute to the coaching profession and a call to action—for clubs, employers, and players alike—to better recognise the demands of a job that’s far more taxing, and far more essential, than it often gets credit for…

In the world of racquet sports, few roles are as under-appreciated and misunderstood as that of the coach. Behind the baseline smiles and encouraging shouts is a demanding, high-pressure profession that asks for more than just knowledge of strokes and strategies—it demands endurance, entrepreneurship, and emotional resilience.

The reality? Most racket sports coaches today are self-employed contractors, not salaried employees. According to a 2023 report by the Tennis Industry Association, over 68% of U.S. teaching pros operate independently, managing their own scheduling, billing, insurance, and liability coverage. Add to that the unpredictability of weather, court availability, and client turnover, and it’s clear this isn’t just coaching—it’s running a full-time business.

Now consider the workload: A busy coach might see 50 to 100 different clients each week, ranging from first-time juniors to competitive adults. Each lesson is unique, and every session has to feel like the most important one—because for the student, it is. There are no off days or do-overs. Coaches are expected to deliver high energy, personalized instruction hour after hour, often logging 8–12 hours a day on their feet in the sun, wind, or cold.

And let’s not forget the emotional labor: Coaches are often motivators, mentors, and in some cases, quasi-therapists. That takes a toll.

Burnout is real. A USTA survey in 2022 found that 46% of coaches under age 40 consider leaving the profession due to financial instability and lack of institutional support.

It’s time the industry stops taking this workforce for granted. Racket sports don’t grow without passionate, dedicated coaches—but passion alone won’t pay their rent.

If the USTA (and their padel and pickleball equivalents), clubs, and municipalities want to retain top coaching talent, the support needs to match the sweat. Anything less is unsustainable.