Racket Business Update Around The World - June 2024

DIRECTORS CLUB OF AMERICA RETREAT

Re: Our May post “Director’s Club of America Retreat Successful?”

As expected, Jarrett Chirico did not comment on this issue. That looks exactly like the USTA’s playbook if you ask me. We’ll keep watching that organization. As soon as we hear anything positive about them, we’ll report that, too. Here is an example: Kyle LaCroix on LinkedIn: “Like King Midas, everything you touch Jarrett Chirico, DCA turns to gold. Congratulations on another exciting event. Hope your members appreciate what a superstar they have leading their racquets program.” Nice. Sounds like praising a cult leader, but nice.

USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Re: Our reporting about USTA SoCal throwing an entire tennis community under the bus for small adult league tennis gains

As expected, no reaction from the CEO who thinks he doesn’t have to explain his actions to the tennis community or the USTA members while league players are paying his nice salary.

As expected, no reaction from the section executive who works 100 hours a week and makes $308,000 in salary according to their tax returns. Talking about outrageous when the section is in financial trouble.

As expected, no reaction from the section leadership and the entire Board for defunding their San Diego district and taking away 75% of their income. Nice going, people. That’s how you treat the biggest hotbed of tennis in SoCal? I am waiting for a third-party organization to take over San Diego, restore and increase their funding, and support San Diego tennis players with respect and passion… Hey, Mark Leschly, how about it?

Remember my motto? EMPOWER THE POWERLESS! I will not go away and I will always be on the side of the powerless.

SAUDI ARABIA

The Guardian: With a bit of Saudi topspin, tennis fans can overlook its brutal repression of women. Read article here

Forbes: Saudi Arabia To Sponsor Women’s Tennis Rankings—In Third Major Deal This Year. Read article here

ESPN: Saudi Arabia to sponsor WTA women's tennis rankings.
Read article here

Sports Business Journal: Saudis preferred bidder for ATP Masters 1000 event

TRANSGENDER WOMEN IN SPORTS

New York Post: Transgender high school runner in Oregon booed after winning girls’ state title. Read article here

CHEATING

iGAMING Brazil: Brazilian tennis referee is suspended by ITIA until 2031
Read article here

ESPN: Wimbledon girls' finalist Nikola Bartunkova suspended for doping
Read article here

ITIA: Italian tennis player Emanuele Bastia suspended
Read article here

CONGA SPORTS

Conga App
Our new app, the Conga Sports Club and Player Exchange, is doing very well in beta testing and should be ready for the market by the end of June. All I can tell you right now is that it’ll be the most significant new product introduced to the racquet sports community since the launch of Slinger Bag in 2020.

USPTA World Racquet Conference September 15-19, 2024
Happy to report that Conga Sports and Racket Business have a booth at WRC24 in Rancho Mirage, CA. I hope many readers will stop by to see what’s new with RB and also learn about the Conga Sports app.

My LinkedIn post that garnered a lot of attention
“At Conga Sports, we salute the tennis-teaching pros in the trenches, on the court daily. The ones who don't need a lot of titles and credentials behind their names. The ones that don't write books and hold speeches or take part in shiny organizations. They are just out there to make a living teaching our incredible sport to everyone interested in learning it. The ones that can inspire kids and adults alike.

We salute Aruna Bernier in Austin, Texas. A hard-working teaching pro who's out there every day getting students excited. We salute Tim Schnaible of Woodland Hills, California, who teaches hundreds of kids at his academy on top of a parking garage every week. We salute Susan Nardi of Los Angeles, an award-winning coach who works her behind off every day with little public recognition. Or how about Christina Valladares in Miami, Florida? Greg Moran in Danbury, Connecticut. Steve Riggs in Irvine, California. Armita Omidian in Toronto, Canada.

There are thousands of tennis-teaching pros in the trenches every day like the ones I mentioned. We salute them all. Keep up that incredibly good work!”

PRO TENNIS

sportskeeda: "We're going in the wrong direction" - Elena Rybakina lambasts being "forced to compete" amid hectic Madrid Open and Italian Open schedules. Read article here

Forbes: Is Women’s Tennis More Compelling Than The Men’s Game Right Now? Read article here

Tennis & Beyond: Handkerchief Please - Dominic Thiem leaving too soon
Read Christopher Clarey’s article here

TECH

Sports Business Journal: Magnus Sports Group, PlaySight partner to integrate data and video for broadcasts, player development
Read article here

Renault: Renault Group is now teaming up with WeRide, with a first demonstration in real conditions from May 26^th at the Roland-Garros 2024 tennis tournament. Read article here

BETTING

WORLD TENNIS: Winning At Wimbledon: A Comprehensive Betting Strategy Guide. Read article here

CINCINNATI OPEN

CityBeat: Cincinnati Open Announces Major Transformation of Campus Ahead of 2025 Tennis Tournament. Read article here

DARRYL CUMMINGS

The Cummings Family sent us this email:

The Darryl Cummings Friends of Tennis Fund Page

A few weeks ago we officially announced the the creation of the Darryl Cummings Friends of Tennis Fund, which will support: prospective collegiate tennis players globally, growing the game of tennis in the Hamptons Roads Community, and at Darryl’s Alma Mater, Old Dominion University. 

We, Clark and Connor Cummings are thrilled to share that we are involved in Inspiring Dreams, a luxury experiential production and consulting company who recently just helped put on the Netflix Slam with MGM in Las Vegas featuring Rafa Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz. Connor Cummings, Inspiring Dreams VIP Representative and Clark Cummings, Inspiring Dreams Partner and Business Development are excited to announce that 20% of net profits purchased through the Inspiring Dreams Website will go towards the Darryl Cummings Friends of Tennis Fund. Opportunities include The Necker Cup, The Netflix Slam, Foundation Reserve, Custom Experiences along with VIP Tickets and Travel. 

Let us know what opportunities and experiences you are interested in, and we are happy to help make it happen. 
The goal of Inspiring Dreams is to give back, and we are excited that the Inspiring Children Foundation will work closely with us to support the Darryl Cummings Friends of Tennis Fund, an organization that Darryl admired so dearly. 
The Inspiring Children Foundation and the No Quit Tennis Academy are supported by the Greatest Doubles Team of All - Time, the Bryan Brothers and Grammy nominated singer & songwriter Jewel. 95% of students in their leadership program have been offered scholarships through tennis or academics and continue to be profound leaders in the space of mental health and transformation.

The sport of tennis saved Darryl Cummings's life, he would be pleased to know that his legacy is being carried on through a fund that helps others achieve their tennis dreams. 

We appreciate your consideration and support in continuing his profound legacy, and look forward to staying in touch and connecting soon!

Best,

The Cummings Family