Something to Think About

When mentioned that there are over 35 different racket sports, few people can think of more than 10, if that. But through the years, many racket sports have splintered off into variations of the original version or a new creative approach to using a racket and a ball popped up that for some was more user-friendly. For instance, most people don’t realize that a very similar version of Pickleball came out in the early 60’s, it was called Paddleball.  It became somewhat popular, but never really took off.  A few years later Joel Pritchard, a politician from Washington state, created the first take on Pickleball.  He was looking for a more social activity and had an old badminton court that was not being used.  So, it seems that the real motivation and popularity of this sport is having easy access as well as fulfilling the need for fun social interaction. This is probably common for many of the new racket sports that have popped up…easy to play, only a small space is needed, and it gets people together to enjoy social recreation.  Knowing this could answer many questions about how to grow the popularity of our tennis game, in fact, it may be the best road map towards that goal. After all, if so many variations of our great sport came to be, we need to remember that much of that took place because of tennis, not in spite of it.

Let’s start with the fact that tennis takes up more real estate than most other racket sports, especially for those facilities demanding multiple tennis courts. Not much can be done about what has happened in the past, but it might be wise to start looking for alternate low-cost land to either start-up or move current facilities to those locations. Because tennis has a history of locating clubs and facilities in, or near, high-income locations, that pattern will be challenged by the rising cost of operation and the value of that property. We especially see this happening with indoor courts that were first built in metropolitans when the cost of the land was much less expensive, but as those cities expanded, that land became very valuable. We need to find out if most avid and devoted tennis players will still have enough love and motivation for the game, to travel a few extra miles to reach these more remote areas that are affordable. In the meantime, when facilities do close or shut down due to developers and investors seeking a better return on their land investment, instead of fighting the inevitable, we need to find alternatives. This could be a great new division for the USTA to help with providing this process.

The other obvious issue to address is the need to increase social and recreational activities. As mentioned, the creation of alternative racket sports was largely due to finding more recreational social events that could entertain many different levels of play, as well as addressing players that have a lifestyle that has different priorities that may not include competition. It’s surprising to see that so many new tennis players and some long-time players either do not have time or desire to play competitively. Many are beyond having to play at a certain time, place, and opponent. Most league programs are beginning to see this need and have started more leagues that blend both levels of play and types of events. What they are still missing is the social aspect of racket play that can host these events. It would be helpful to have programs sponsored and paid for by the USTA that featured social events that brought people together in ALL communities. The very definition of diversity is to sponsor and promote the sport at all levels, for all reasons, and for all levels of income. Their approach to offering social tennis should have no boundaries or criteria about any differences in income, race, age, gender, or level of play, nor should there be a focus on an outcome via competition.

For this, they receive the lion’s share of the income they create.  As to the fairness of this financial relationship with tennis facilities, that is another issue that will need to be addressed someday. But it is obvious, that if there are so many players just seeking social play, the USTA needs to do more in that arena to attract and retain players.

So in order for the demand for social interactive events to be created and filled, everyone needs to play a role. They can include competition without pressure or focus on the outcome. They could be more like community parties, inviting everyone at every level, age, and gender, to take part in and share their common love for the game. These programs existed in great numbers a while back, but tournament and league play have unfortunately taken both the court time and the energy of the players away from those programs. Also, few new players need league or tournament play, they need to find others to enjoy the sport. As much as we hoped new technology would help us make that happen, it just doesn’t seem to check off all the boxes needed to bring newcomers together. Time to turn back the clock just enough to host both worlds.

It’s simple, for tennis to grow, we need to connect the people and we need help in getting that to happen through the promotion of the powers that be in tennis. But most importantly, it needs to happen for everyone…the public courts, the recreational facilities, the many businesses or corporations that are invested in clubs, and the privately owned clubs. Developing real total diversity is something to think about.

In 2010 he was awarded “Manager of the Year” for the USPTA NorCal Division and the “Manager of the Year” at the USPTA World Conference. Rod has written several books including, “Down Your Alley” in 1993, “Playing Into the Sunset” in 2013, and most recently, “250 Ways to Play Tennis.”

He also produced the “Facility Manager’s Manual” and the “Business Handbook for Tennis Pros,” which is distributed by the TIA.