Hello dear readers, friends, and racket sports enthusiasts.

Finally the racket sports peak season is now just around the corner after what, for some, has felt like a very long winter! This month also sees conference season get into full swing and Rich had a great time at the PTR Conferences in Saddlebrook then he’s hot footing it to the exciting second instalment of RacquetX in Miami.

Our excellent contributors certainly haven’t taken their feet off the gas with fascinating in-depth articles this issue looking at important topics like what needs to be done to recruit more women into the racket sports industry, a feast of insider’s tips on best practise in court maintenance plus an honest delve into those ever controversial pathways asking if they are the right way to develop players as young as 9 years old.

All that plus your usual favourites including the latest tech developments and of course Rich’s ever popular publisher’s notes.

From now on, in every issue of Racket Business, we’ll include an exclusive opinion piece called ‘From inside the lines’ which won’t be published elsewhere, so to read it you’ll have to be a subscriber (for free of course). If you’re reading this and haven’t subscribed yet then do so here.

For all the other content in this issue, simply click or tap the articles below to read them in full on RacketBusiness.com

Rich & Tim

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From inside the lines…

The Future is Here, and It’s Artificial…

Yes, friends and fellow racket sports professionals, as much as some traditionalists may want to resist it (though, let’s be honest, there aren’t many of you), artificial intelligence is here to stay. You can either embrace it or risk falling behind.

Let’s be clear: while a few tech giants will certainly profit from AI adoption, this technological revolution isn’t just about making money. It’s about progress. Just as previous industrial revolutions reshaped the way we work and live, AI is here because humanity thrives on learning, evolving, and improving. That’s what we do best.

What Does AI Mean for the Racket Sports Industry?

For those working in tennis, pickleball, and padel—or for anyone managing racket sports businesses—AI presents a game-changing opportunity. It allows for greater efficiency, reduces costs, and automates tasks that previously required significant time, effort, or expense.

We’ve reached a tipping point where AI can benefit nearly every profession, and for racket sports to stay ahead, we need as many advocates as possible to embrace this shift.

Practical AI Applications for Racket Sports Professionals

For Coaches

Try this simple experiment:

1. Create a free ChatGPT account.

2. Copy and paste your next lesson plan into ChatGPT with the prompt: “Improve this 1-hour tennis lesson plan.”

3. If you’re satisfied, go further: Ask, “Now write three more 1-hour lesson plans that build on the first one.”

It may not be perfect, but just imagine the potential as the AI learns from your expertise, refines its responses, and helps you develop even more effective lesson plans.

For Club Managers

Want to enhance your club’s operations? Try this:

1. Sign up for ‘ChatGPT for Teams.’

2. Upload past documents and reports related to your membership retention programs.

3. Ask the AI for recommendations: “How can we improve member retention based on this data?”

Taking the First Step

We’re only scratching the surface of what AI can do for racket sports, but one thing is certain—if you take that first step and embrace the possibilities, you won’t be disappointed. AI isn’t here to replace your expertise; it’s here to enhance it. So why not see what it can do for you?