Tennis and the U.S. NGB - it’s all about the money!

USA Padel CEO Scott Colebourne’s article “USA Padel: A New Name for a Sport That's Been Building Quietly for 30 Years” explains it all. At the same time, USA Padel became our newest advertiser. Welcome, Scott!

HERE IS WHAT I FOUND OUT SO FAR

Ashley Owens, CourtReserve’s “Chief Evangelist,” wrote: The CourtReserve Catalyst Tour is part of our 10-Year Celebration — a hands-on user conference for current CourtReserve admins who want to sharpen their skills, streamline operations, and connect with other racquet club professionals. Expect two packed days of product training, live demonstrations, best practices, and peer networking — all in a fun and collaborative setting.”

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS EVENT?

This event is ideal for anyone using CourtReserve to manage their club’s operations:
Front Desk Staff, Facility Managers, Instructors, Directors of Racquet Sports, and Club Owners. Whether you're new or a seasoned power user, you’ll leave with practical takeaways and proven workflows. Day One of Catalyst is a working session built for club operators — small and focused by design,  so the conversation stays real. This is what owners actually talk about behind closed doors: what's working right now, real numbers, real playbooks, and hard-won lessons from clubs that have already tested them. Not a panel. Not a pitch. Just practitioner-led, behind-the-curtain conversation with fellow operators sitting in your seat — the kind of tactical, field-tested insight you'd normally have to pay a consultant for. You'll walk out with three tactics worth more than the cost of getting here. Day Two is a full schedule of practical best practices inside the software.

Day 1 – Sunday, August 16th, 2026 - TBD Rally Pickleball Club in Carlsbad

👋 1:00 PM – Arrival & Community Networking
🎤 1:30 PM – Welcome & Kickoff
💬 1:30 – 5:00 PM – Tactical Session: Real-World Challenges & Solutions
🏓 5:00 – 7:00 PM – Optional Pickleball Play & Social Time
Evening: Dinner on your own

Day 1 – Monday, August 17th, 2026 - Sheraton La Jolla, 3299 Holiday Court 
La Jolla, CA 92037

☕ 8:00 – 8:30 AM – Morning Arrival, Networking & Light Breakfast
💰 8:30 – 9:30 AM – Financials & Payments: Proven Best Practices
⏸️ 9:30 – 9:45 AM – Break
📆 9:45 – 10:45 AM – Events & Programming: Driving Engagement & Revenue
📣 10:45 – 11:30 AM – Communication Tools: Retention, Growth & Automation
⏸️ 11:30 – 11:45 AM – Break
📊 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM – The Top 7 Reports: Insights You Can Act On
🥗 12:30 – 1:15 PM – Lunch & Relationship Building
🔌 1:00 – 2:00 PM – Integration Overviews: Expanding Your Tech Stack
⏸️ 2:00 – 2:15 PM – Break
🎨 2:15 – 3:00 PM – Branding & User Experience: Standing Out & Grow
📈 3:00 – 3:45 PM – Scaling with CourtReserve: Systems That Grow With You
🧠 3:45 – 4:30 PM – General Best Practices: The Ultimate Playbook
🗣️ 4:30 – 5:00 PM – Open Q&A: Connect with the CourtReserve Team & Partners

Want to join the Catalyst Tour event in San Diego?
The special 10-year Celebration Price is only $99

Includes
Both Days of In-person training and networking
Tactical Session and pickleball networking
Light breakfast and catered lunch

Mantis™ - Fabulous New Tennis Balls Put to the Test by Recreational and Former Professional Tennis Players

Racket Business Co-Publisher/Owner Tim Farthing, himself a Co-Owner of UK-based Mantis Sport, was nice enough to send me a few cans of the new All-Court balls. I was able to arrange a play-test of the balls with two groups in Southern California. Robert Mazzuchelli, Co-Founder, Chairman & CMO of SportsEdTV, did the same on the other side of the continent, in Florida.

Southern California

We had two different groups play with Mantis balls for a number of sets.

Saturday morning group of mostly senior recreational tennis players with NTRP ratings from 3.0 to 3.5. The test was done on a hard court during a daylight morning with a temperature of about 65°F. Four sets of no-ad tennis were played.

Wednesday evening group of mostly senior recreational tennis players with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 4.0. The test was done on a hard court during an evening under the lights with a temperature of about 80°F. Two full sets of tennis were played.

Interestingly, both groups had almost identical observations during this non-scientific test: “After the can was opened, we noticed the balls felt thick and almost luxurious. The bounce was great, and the ball felt right when hitting it at various speeds. We played tennis in a round robin format lasting 2 hours. The overall response from all players was great. The balls didn't fluff up and lose a lot of felt during play. After 2 hours, they looked worn but still had great bounce. We’re giving it 5 stars because it felt and played like a premium ball.”

Florida

Robert Mazzuchelli is an ex-professional player and lifelong athlete.  His session was with another ex-ATP pro and former U.S. #1 40-year-old player. Robert says, “Our sessions are intense and much like our old pro practices.” The morning was hot, about 85 degrees, and the sun was blazing.

“Upon opening my can of Mantis tennis balls, my first observation was how cleanly the seams were finished.  There was no unevenness to the ball.  The felt was thick and dense, making the ball feel solid when hit, but not too heavy. After an intense one and a half hour practice session, the balls maintained a consistent bounce. The felt fluffed a bit, but not enough so that you couldn’t generate power.  I liked the ball and would recommend it as a good option.”

Overall observation: Great ball, excellent feel, durable.

Check out the Mantis™ website: https://mantissport.com/

If you've been around the court as long as I have, you’ve seen the same scene play out a thousand times. A player pulls out of a morning match at 9:00 PM the night before. A prime court sits empty during peak hours. A club clinic runs at 50% capacity because of a communication gap. For decades, our industry has looked at these minor inefficiencies and accepted them as "just part of the game."

Well, we’re here to say it’s time to rewrite the rules.

Welcome to the future of racquet sports. We aren’t building a passive directory or another clunky calendar tool. We are a technology company on a mission to completely disrupt the status quo. This month, I’m incredibly proud to share that we have officially filed a provisional patent for our LIVE BEACON functionality, featuring Match S.O.S. and Clinic Filler.

Combined with our new technology partnership with the brilliant team at Queen City AI, we are building a live, synchronized ecosystem designed to get millions more people playing. Our philosophy is simple, and it's going to be stamped on everything we do from this moment forward: Game On. Always.

We have started looking for local Ambassador partners, teaching pros with clout and a following. Interested in making a nice side income? Email Rich.

Next month, we’ll show you how this tech is going to change your business this year...

Congratulations to a friend of Racket Business, Steve Riggs of Irvine, California. His 15th Annual OCCTA Tennis Seminar was, again, a huge success with 189 attendees.

Speakers included Isaac McBroom, Allan Iverson, Dave Hagler, Ken DeHart, Johnny Lee, Amanda Fink Moore, Dean Hollingworth, Matt Simons, Greg Prudhomme, and Randy Houston.

The PTR is looking for a Membership Sales & Growth Manager to join our team!

We are seeking a driven, relationship-focused professional who is passionate about growing the racquet sports industry and helping coaches succeed. This role will play a key part in expanding membership, strengthening engagement, and promoting the many benefits, education opportunities, and career pathways available through PTR, PPR, PCR, and PPTR.

If you thrive on building relationships, creating opportunities, and making a positive impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us as we continue to elevate the global racquet sports community through innovative education, career development, and industry leadership.

Apply today or share with someone who would be a great fit!

Good luck!

When I saw the message on Facebook, my first reaction was, no way! But then I read the AP article: Pope Leo plays tennis religiously as part of an Augustinian devotion to sports and spirituality. Nice! Keeps him fit. If they ask me, I’d come over and organize a Vatican League for them.
How about some team names? Send them to me, and I’ll post them in August.

What an event packed with great speakers and timely topics. I liked Dr. Domagoj Lausic’s lecture on “Motivation and Goal Setting for Matches and Practices” a lot.
Isaac McBroom, PTR’s Education Manager, ended the session saying, “Thank you, everyone, for being here. We really appreciate your commitment to bettering and developing your coaching skills because your students are the ones that benefit from it.”

I would rephrase this: “We really appreciate your commitment to bettering and developing your coaching skills. The entire industry benefits from it because you put players ready to participate and compete into the racquet sports ecosystem. We do need them!”

Other than that, well done, Isaac!

Look for conference recordings at https://ptracademy.org/

Found this on SGI Europe: 106 million tennis players, 35 million padel converts, 24 million pickleball players in the US alone. What the 2026 data tells brands and investors. Read the full report here.

Why do Wimbledon players have to wear all white? What happens to the matches if it rains? Why are Wimbledon tennis balls kept in the fridge? Here is everything you need to know.

SGI Europe: Tennis has always been fashion. The sport’s most watched tournament now has its most pointed collab yet. Read it here.

This came across my desk on July 1st, and I found it quite interesting. While I can’t vouch for Play Replay, it needs to be pointed out that the USTA invested in that company and its Electronic Line Calling (ELC) technology. Hence, it’s likely that the company is here to stay. The offer may be a good way for some of our readers to supplement their income.

The job “Tennis Tech Installer” was posted on the ITA website for the NYC Metro area. Meanwhile, I found it also advertised on playreplay.io for Chicagoland.

Re: INTENNSE

• Emory Sports Medicine Returns as Official Healthcare Provider for INTENNSE

• INTENNSE Launches 2026 Season Tonight with 10 Teams, New Arena, and Growing National Presence

• INTENNSE Week 1: Outriders 156 vs. Fortune 158

• INTENNSE to Host First-Ever College Coaches Cup

• INTENNSE Announces Week 5 Start Times as 2026 Season Enters Second Half

Re: RacquetX

Robyn Duda is sending out a new email every other Tuesday, titled The Briefing (Business Intelligence for the Racquet Sports Industry). She calls it “Same friendly inbox. A bit sharper lens.”

Where the Club Goes Next

The participation boom handed operators a full house. What most haven't figured out yet is what to do with it. This report is about that part - the business decisions that separate clubs compounding quietly from the ones that just got lucky on timing.

Built from the room. Operators running thousands of courts, trading numbers they'd never put in a press release. Read it before your competition does.

RacquetX City Series Calendar

July 28 New York Area
August 18 San Diego
October 6 Chicago

See all details here: https://theracquetx.com/racquetx-city-series/

Belonging Is the Business Model

Trend 02 of the 2026 RacquetX Trend Series. The clubs winning on retention have stopped acting like operators and started acting like hosts.

The finding underneath this week's report is worth sitting with: most members who leave a club don't leave over price. They leave because they never felt like they belonged.

Sign up for Robyn Duda’s Briefing here: https://theracquetx.com/contact/
RacquetX 2027 website: https://theracquetx.com/

Re: Doping + Match Fixing

Daily Playbook
Global Crime Syndicates Exploit Sports Match-Fixing To Launder Millions

CourtReserve Catalyst Tour - San Diego Stop
‘Horrified’: NC tennis pro faced child sex allegations years before recent arrest

ESPN
Former Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova suspended: What we know

ITF Name Change

Tim Farthing wrote an interesting article about the name change from ITF to World Tennis this month. (Read it here). I was able to speak with some high-level insiders, and some agreed with the name change; some did not. Among the dissenting voices, the main issues were:

• They have too much money and spend it on unnecessary issues.

• They have too much time on their hands and nothing else to do.

• It doesn’t help them to become relevant. They don’t own the Slams. They don’t own the pro tours. World Tennis Number is still insignificant and not trustworthy.

• Who cares?

My take: Let’s see what CEO Ross Hutchins has up his sleeve and give it time to make an impact.

New USTA CEO Is the Wrong Choice

When you look at Craig Tiley’s interviews (Craig Tiley reveals how he will improve tennis in USA after becoming new USTA CEO), you notice that the majority of his statements are all about the US Open and how he’ll make it bigger and better. (And they are paying him a $2-3 million salary for that?)

The second part of the article is headlined, “Craig Tiley hopes 27 million Americans will play tennis regularly by 2035.” And it goes immediately into talking some more about the US Open. Nice. Only toward the end, he states something the USTA Communications department probably fed him word by word: “On the participation side, there are now over 27 million people regularly playing tennis in the United States, which is splendid. It is an ambitious goal, but the aim is to reach 35 million by 2035; we have a path to achieve it if we all work together, putting politics aside and focusing on getting people to pick up a racket and play.”

My take: 90% of Craig Tiley’s statements are about the US Open. Did he promise the Board to increase sales to $1B in 10 years? It’s all about money for them. Money to pay bloated salaries, benefits, and perks. And the other 10%? Someone should tell him that the participation numbers are all bogus and the 2035 goal is the biggest joke. And ask him this question: While we already lost 10,000+ tennis courts to pickleball, where do you see the courts come from to accommodate 35 million tennis players?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Instead of spending $800m for the US Open, they should give 800 College tennis programs $1m each. Much wiser use of almost a billion dollars!

US Open Shift to more Premium Sales. Wait. What?

The Financial Times article is headlined “US Open venue overhaul drives shift to more premium sales. As players demand ever bigger prize pots, Grand Slam organisers are investing in infrastructure to maximise revenues”

The writer goes on about the

• fans’ appetite for premium experiences.

• increasing courtside seats from 3,000 to 5,000

• slicing out the “whole middle belly of Arthur Ashe stadium.”

• 3,500 seats will be removed from the upper tier where ticket prices are lower.

• adding nine courtside clubs with bars and dining areas, and two dedicated luxury suite levels.

My take: They have it all upside down. Talking about “insatiable appetite for fans’ premium experience” shows me they’ve gotten their fact an priorities backwards. It’s not the fans with insatiable appetites, it’s Wall Street bankers and their expense accounts. Their “premium experience” is writing off taking clients to suites and paying for $40 glasses of champagne or $25 for “Honey Deuces” with literally no vodka you can actually taste. And it’s all done on the backs of fans who can’t afford $600 grounds passes. Or on the backs of parents who have to pay full price for a 2-year-old. (Australian Open: kids below 15 years are free!)

USTA Coaching - they’re coming for you!

They are still giving away free memberships to USTA Coaching. Also, it was leaked from the camp of Todd Carlson, Sr. Director, Tennis Venue Services: Partnerships + Facility Strategy, that the USTA’s goal is to take over all concessions for tennis programs in the Los Angeles area.

My take: Can you see it, folks? They are coming for your jobs. It starts in Los Angeles and mushrooms from there. There is no end to the revenue hunger of USTA executives. Look at the Southern California section. I noticed 20 years ago that they genuinely think their section should be the only entity making money in tennis. I can back this up any day of the week. Their strained relationship with “unapproved” tennis clubs and pros is legendary.

It is my opinion that clubs and pros need to band together and organize to fight those rogue USTA sections. Email me if you’re interested in how to do this.

Serena Williams comeback?

Oh boy, who wants to open that can of worms? While I admire her career and accomplishments, I do think she should give it a rest. We just learned that, according to Sportico, “Serena Williams is indeed the highest-earning female athlete of all time, with an estimated $500 million in career earnings. This total consists of $94.6 million in career prize money—nearly double the amount of any other female player—and upwards of $400 million in off-court endorsements since turning pro.” It is my opinion that she should stay in retirement and support tennis in other ways. (Let me know what you think. Email)

Pickleball Noise Relief Telethon

I registered for this Facebook event streamed by the grassroots Pickleball Noise Relief group. I left the “Telethon” after 15 minutes of non-stop “can you hear me?” and a slew of audio problems to the extent that I couldn’t hear callers at all.
Too bad.

The Tennis Scam That Keeps 99% of Players Broke

TennisTV’s INSIDE THE RALLY talks about “Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Aryna Sabalenka are fighting the Grand Slams over prize money distribution — and they're the lucky ones. For the player ranked 150th in the world grinding through Challenger Tour events, the ATP 250s, and the qualifying draws of Masters 1000 tournaments, professional tennis is a financial trap that the sport refuses to talk about.”

Do you agree? Click on the video, and you’ll be the judge.

The Rabbit Hole: A Courtroom Fight Over Tennis Court Seats

CourtWatch writes, “The adult children of a legendary tennis leader are serving the United States Tennis Association in a legal battle over their seats for the U.S. Open. William “Bill” Hester III  and his sister, Katie, sued the USTA for breach of contract this year in a federal lawsuit that has been transferred from Mississippi to the Southern District of New York.”

Read the entire unbelievable story and see if you agree with me: Given the USTA’s history of not manning up when being sued and trying to make it as expensive as possible for plaintiffs, I’m not surprised! When your entire existence is all about maximizing profits to pay salaries, this is indeed no surprise.

USTA Pacific Northwest

This troubled USTA section, which was reported to me years ago as “the laughing stock” of USTA national staff, is rumored to plan a status change from nonprofit to profit. Really? Are they finally revealing their long-term plans of taking over all tennis business from clubs and teaching pros? Are they also planning to increase the already obscene executive staff salaries? We have reported about PNW shenanigans for years, and, again, I can’t say I’m surprised. If the rumors are true, it should put all tennis entities in the Pacific Northwest on notice: They’re coming for you!

WTA Finals 2026 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Weird decision. The Coachella Valley is not a Tennis Paradise anymore. It’s all Pickleball now. Would a Pickleballer give up Open Play to pay hundreds of dollars for watching a session of tennis? What do you think? Email me.

Get better, Chris Evert!

The BBC reported that “Tennis legend Chris Evert announced that her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time, requiring her to step back from her professional commentating duties at Wimbledon to undergo treatment.”
We wish her good luck and a speedy recovery.

Re: Is tennis too hard and complicated...

Rich,

Tennis is not difficult and/or complicated for our industry. If you learn the basics and fundamentals from the get-go, they’ll last a lifetime.

With our player-friendly performance ball, the bounce is a comfortable height, the speed of travel is ideal, and low-impact…checks all the boxes. You have the new tennis game for all ages, young and young-at-heart, played on a LiteTennis / Pickleball court.

I suppose my answer to your Racket Business question, whether tennis is too hard and challenging…not if you learn the simplified swing and have the ability to repeat the natural movements and maintain quality control again and again. 

Our tennis participation would grow overnight with the proper instruction and teaching that highlights a smooth motion beginning with a proper grip, backswing prep, contact, and follow-through finish. Include position and balance, and you’re good to go…the barriers are no longer inhibiting learning. The other issues would take care of themselves...

Imagine all the players our sport would attract if we invited and welcomed people to the courts and demonstrated how easy and simple the swing is to perform…we would keep them as well, in the fun experience with swing success. Keeping tennis relevant to the masses by easy ways to hit a tennis ball under control…rallies among each other, keeping the ball in play.

That’s my take on getting players interested in tennis and/or LiteTennis. 

There is no right way, but there is a wrong way! My sister’s snapshots are proof of the best way...

Thanks,
Leo

Leo Estopare
Lite Tennis, co-founder
www.litetennis.com
[email protected]
(316) 573-7467

Re: June 2026- Future of RSPA and PTR

Rich,

Good article and analysis of the state at RSPA/ PTR / USTA in your June Issue.

We need good business people who also understand the Tennis Business. 

Unfortunately, good people are coming and going:

Michael Dowse, Brian Dillman, Dan Santorum, and his short-lived successors.

All Good Men whom our Industry needs.

A partnership between the CEO's and the Boards needs to be in place for the Best Options to work. 

 Not a Dominance by either party.

I am a long-time member of all these organizations and hope they can survive this turmoil.

However, I am afraid we will see the demise or reduction in both the RSPA and the PTR as USTA Coaching gains more traction.

All have a part in strengthening our sport.

And the USTA will continue its $800 million U.S. Open Path at the expense of actually growing the game with increased salaries, continued less reliance on those players and volunteers who actually help grow the Game, and saving our disappearing tennis courts.

Keep shining your light on areas that need improvement and growth to continue.

Chuck

Chuck Sanchelli, USPTA / PTR
Inductee: Texas Tennis Hall of Fame
Director of Tennis
Fort Bend Tennis Services
Sugar Land, TX

Re: RSPA in Turmoil

Rich,

The RSPA is in a bigger mess than we can imagine.

Ultimately, it is up to the board to get the house in order.  (I think that is their responsibility. I don't think it is the responsibility of XCom).  

Do people really think RSPA can get out of this mess?

Is their organizational structure workable?  Where are they going to get money? What is the RSPA's future role in the sport going to be?  Is USTA going to use this as a chance to roll over RSPA and make a hostile takeover of PTR?  So many things are possible given the fixation so many teaching pros have with the USTA. 

I am sure there are many more relevant questions.

The Commish
Everywhere, USA
Pronouns: They/Them