Racket Sports Tech for February 2025

Table of Contents

• Ashley’s Tech Blog

• Zenniz News

• HEAD Racquet Sports - Gravity Launch

• iPlayMe2

• Wilson Launches Clash v3

• Match Time / Tennis Warehouse: 5 Racquets

• OCOC: Ball Machines – A Positive Robot Takeover

5 Proven Retention Strategies for Racquet Clubs

Growing a successful racquet club isn’t just about attracting new members—it’s about keeping them engaged and coming back. Member retention is one of the biggest challenges for club owners, but with the right strategies, you can build lasting relationships and create an environment where members don’t want to leave.

Here are five proven retention strategies that can help your club foster long-term loyalty and success.

1. Proactive & Personalized Communication

Keeping your members engaged starts with communication that feels relevant and timely. Instead of generic emails or sporadic updates, consider automated messaging tools that tailor outreach based on a member’s activity level, preferences, and milestones.

Effective strategies include:

• Text & Email Campaigns – Send automated messages to remind members about expiring memberships, upcoming programs, or special promotions.

• Post-Event Follow-Ups – After a tournament or clinic, follow up with personalized messages inviting members to similar events.

• Automated Google Reviews – Prompt satisfied members to leave online reviews, boosting your club’s reputation and visibility.

When communication is thoughtful and well-timed, members feel valued and connected to your club.

2. Seamless Onboarding & Engagement Journeys

A strong first impression sets the tone for long-term retention. A structured onboarding process ensures new members feel welcomed, informed, and encouraged to participate right away.

Key onboarding strategies:

• Welcome Sequences – Automated emails guiding new members through club features, class schedules, and key contacts.

• Intro Clinics & Socials – Invite new members to exclusive beginner-friendly events to help them integrate into the community.

• Personalized Check-Ins – A quick text or email after the first month can make a huge difference in retention.

By proactively engaging members early on, you increase the likelihood they’ll stay active and involved.

3. Targeted Re-Engagement for Inactive Members

Noticing a drop-off in participation? Having a strategy to bring back inactive members is essential. Instead of waiting for members to leave, reach out with incentives and personalized offers.

Ways to re-engage inactive members:

• Loyalty Perks & Exclusive Discounts – Offer a discount on lessons, leagues, or pro shop items for returning members.

• Personalized “We Miss You” Campaigns – Automated emails and texts reminding members of upcoming events or special promotions.

• Exit Surveys & Retention Insights – Collect feedback from lapsing members to identify trends and improve your retention efforts.

Small, thoughtful nudges can make a big difference in rekindling a member’s interest.

4. Smart Data-Driven Decision Making

Successful retention strategies aren’t just guesswork—they’re based on tracking the right data points. By syncing your club’s membership, court bookings, and attendance data, you can identify patterns and make smarter business decisions.

Metrics to watch:

• Membership renewal rates – Track how many members renew and when drop-offs typically occur.

• Program participation trends – See which leagues, clinics, and events are most popular.

• Court utilization – Identify peak and off-peak hours to optimize scheduling and pricing.

With the right analytics tools, you can anticipate member needs and proactively address retention risks.

5. Frictionless Membership Renewal & Access Control

One of the biggest reasons members churn? They forget to renew or find the process inconvenient. By automating renewals and ensuring seamless access to facilities, you remove obstacles that might lead members to leave.

Ways to streamline renewals & access:

• Auto-Renewal Options – Offer hassle-free membership renewals with automatic billing.

• Smart Access Control – Implement keyless entry systems that sync with member bookings, making facility access seamless.

• Reminders & Grace Periods – Send friendly reminders as renewal deadlines approach, with an easy renewal process.

The easier it is for members to stay, the more likely they will.

Retention is the Key to Long-Term Growth

Attracting new members is important, but real growth comes from keeping them engaged. By focusing on smart communication, seamless onboarding, personalized outreach, data-driven decisions, and frictionless renewals, you can build a thriving club with loyal members who stay for years.

Looking to improve your retention strategy? Start implementing these tactics today and watch your club’s community grow stronger.

👉 Learn more or start your free trial at CourtReserve.com.

Zenniz Numbers from 2024

Players hit over 85,6 million shots on Zenniz courts in 2024, with a total of 4676 days of Smart Tennis in just one year. On average, each court was active for 39 full days, with the busiest day—December 5th—having 587,604 shots tracked across all Zenniz courts.

Interesting launch video where Sasha Zverev and Andrey Rublev are searching for Gravity in space…

Easier Open-Play & Match Scheduling, with a revamped version of iPlayMe2

Just in time for 2025: iPlayMe2 releases version 3, its latest innovation featuring an incredibly intuitive dashboard, empowering you to quickly get games, accept invitations, enter scores, view your rankings, and easily register for upcoming club events – all through a simple tap, swipe and a click.

Download the new version 3.0 from iPlayMe2, via the App Stores, and make 2025 your best playing year yet. 

Be a hero at your club in 2025! Share with them this short video intro to iPlayMe2 or our brochure for clubs and facilities, their head pros, and even team captains.

Top News from the World of Sports Tech & Biz

Wilson has launched Clash v3, their most innovative racket yet, designed to give players the ultimate edge. Combining cutting-edge SI3D™ technology with a sleek, bold design, the Clash v3 delivers unmatched power, control, and comfort. 

Here’s what makes the Clash v3 a game-changer: 

• Hit Stabilizer™: Superior frame stability for precision on every shot—even off-center hits. 

• Sustainable innovation: Eco-friendly Agiplast components redefine performance with purpose. 

• Iconic design: Graphite Black with striking infrared accents, built to perform and impress. 

Available in four models—100, 100 Pro, 100L, and 108—the Clash v3 starts at $229 and launches alongside a new Clash bag collection. 

The Clash v3 is now available at wilson.com or local retailers.  

5 Racquets That Will Dominate 2025

We are kicking off 2025 with cutting-edge technology, unmatched precision, and sleek new racquet designs to elevate your performance on the court. Whether you're a power player, a control specialist, or looking for that perfect balance, our biggest brands have brought you options to take your game to the next level.

Coaching Tips, Tennis Training / By Kalindi Dinoffer, Oncourt Offcourt

Thousands of players are proponents of ball machines and love practicing with them. Others don’t bother. First, let’s cover the reasons for the large fan club. Ball machines offer more balls per hour by far. Here are the statistics. 

An average player hits about 150 balls per hour in regular play. But, on a ball machine, that same player will hit more than three times that amount, a whopping 650 balls per hour. This is part of the reason that thousands of ball machines are purchased each year.