The aloha spirit continues to shine through the Racquet Sports Professionals Association following an unforgettable World Racquet Conference in Hawaii. We exceeded all expectations for attendance—and 20 percent of you were first-time conference goers! A heartfelt thank you to our national board, executive committee, awards committee, executive directors and national staff. Your teamwork and incredible spirit made this conference a standout experience for every member who joined us in Hawaii. Each session— on-court and off—was insightful, professional and eye-opening, offering fresh perspectives not only on the racquet sports industry, but also on the broader wellness space. Congratulations to all our award winners, who
have done so much, given so much, and dedicated their lives to our industry and profession. We are so proud of all of the nominees and attendees who embrace our industry as their own, who live it and are passionate about it. Highlights of the World Racquets Conference 2025 are available through our virtual conference package, which is available on our website.
Brian Dillman | RSPA CEO
sion, our careers and the next generation of racquet sports leaders.
We had some powerful conversations about our industry and the challenges we face in the decades ahead. Our industry remains unregulated and underrepresented, and many professionals struggle to translate their skills into broader career opportunities. This is a challenge we must tackle together. By raising the profile of our profession, investing in high-level professional development and actively recruiting new members into our association, we can shape a stronger, more recognized future for racquet sports professionals. We truly believe this is the most exciting time in racquet sports in the past 20 years, thanks to the explosive growth across all the disciplines we represent. But it’s up to us to keep advocating for our profes-
The
We operate in an unregulated industry where certification isn’t required, so it’s up to us to consistently demonstrate what it means to be a certified professional, especially when half of our industry lacks formal credentials. One of the most important things we can continue to champion is ongoing professional development. In regulated industries, continuing education is mandatory. Last year alone, our members logged a record-high 68,000+ hours of continuing education. That’s a powerful distinction and a compelling argument for the value of professional certification. As the Racquet Sports Professionals Association, we must keep promoting the idea of racquet sports as a viable, respected career path. Experience and education matter. And that’s what sets an RSPA Certified Professional apart.
As a certified professional, you are a brand. Your brand represents you, your facility and our industry. To gain greater recognition and representation in our industry, we should work together to improve (or rebrand) ourselves to represent the future of the industry and to ensure that we are current, relevant, consistent and growing our visibility to gain the credibility our industry deserves.
The spirit and energy that came through during the conference were matched by a powerful tool for personal growth: the creation of a Rebrand You Personal Action Plan, still available on the RSPA app. This plan is more than a resource; it’s an invitation to rebrand
yourself. It’s a chance to reflect on where you are today in your career, clarify what matters most to you moving forward and build a team and strategy to support your next chapter. Whether you’re refining your professional identity or charting a new path, this personal action plan helps you align your purpose with your career aspirations and take ownership of your evolution as a racquet sports professional.
We heard messages during the conference that touched on growth, innovation, teamwork, analysis and deep thinking about all aspects of our industry. We have categorized all of our professional development into three major categories,
or tracks: coaching, operations and leadership. Throughout the conference, each of our different courses fell into one of these three categories. Future divisional conventions, webinars and other specialty courses will offer these tracks for you to choose what you would like to explore and learn more about. We recognize that not all professionals share the same goals. That’s why we believe this categorization will help you identify the professional development opportunities best suited to enhancing your skills, growing your business and advancing your career.
We announced at the World Racquet Conference that September is officially the new year for racquet sports. And just like many people do when the new year rolls around, it’s a time for reflection, review and future planning. Take this opportunity to determine what your path and your place in the racquet sports industry will be. Our resources at the RSPA are here for you and we are committed to walking alongside you in
your journey.
As you reflect on who you are, what your brand is today, and what you want your brand to become in the future, remember: your success is our success, and our success is the industry’s success. When one of us wins, we all win. That’s why being a member of the RSPA means we’re all in this together, and we win as one.
I am so proud of the work we have done over the last 98 years, and I am incredibly optimistic for the work to be done because when I look our members in the eye and hear their passion for this industry, it fills me with hope. Let’s share this hope, let’s get to work and let’s win as one.
TENNIS COURTS PICKLEBALL COURTS
Brian Dillman RSPA CEO
Thanks, but not Farewell
Happy Holidays, everyone! I enjoy this time of year, but in the back of my mind, I am coming to grips with the fact that my RSPA Presidency has come to an end. I will still be in the board meetings and contributing to our future decisions as the past president and helping the new board as they lead us forward for the next two years.
For 2026-2027, we have a very strong and experienced group of Master and Elite Professionals led by Mark Faber as the incoming president. Mark is a dedicated and resourceful leader who was very involved with all my decisions over the past two years, so I have no doubt that he will transition into the role very smoothly.
As I look back on the last 24 months, I am very proud of all the great changes we were able to initiate, as we grew from a strong tennis community of dedicated and well-educated tennis professionals, to a large rebranded racquet sports association with multi-sports education, certifi-
cation and career opportunities.
I believe our success over the last two years is greatly due to three things:
First, a knowledgeable board of directors committed to growing and expanding our name, reputation and the constant recognition that our members always come first when making bold moves.
Second, an incredible, hard-working office staff who took our rebranding and all the long hours it took to achieve and expand our membership offering to five different sports.
Third, Brian Dillman, who is heading into his third year as CEO, infused new ideas, new management style and work ethic into everything he tackled. Under Brian’s direction, and the Board’s push to change and expand, the staff, members, sponsors and consumers were all a part of the new internationally recognized RSPA.
Our out-of-the-box decision to have our 2025 WRC in Kona, Hawaii, presented many operational challenges which Brian and the staff managed amazingly well. The Hawaii Division had campaigned heavily to stage the WRC in their home. Kona and the conference did not disappoint with a strong array of high profile presenters as well as gorgeous scenery, great weather and many mahalos!
I am sure our WRC 2026 in Dallas will have a different vibe, but our members and the Texas division will make sure we stage another memorable week. We may see more boots and cowboy hats instead of leis, but the camaraderie will be strong, and the networking sessions will still be well attended and lively.
Our RSPA membership and certification departments are humming with energy as we offer more coach developer workshops
Trish Faulkner | RSPA President
and certifications in our new racquet sports, as well as the opportunity our members now have to enjoy five different sports with just one RSPA membership.
The newly revamped and redesigned website is much easier to navigate. The area we hope all members will go to is the new career center. Whether looking to hire or be hired, the RSPA should now be the one stop shop for all your career decisions. We have also expanded our insurance offerings, which particularly are helpful for those members whose job package does not include full health and retirement benefits.
In the last part of this year, our marketing department, with Tim Buwick, is now making strong headway with many corporate sponsors. It is imperative that all members promote and support our endorsees and sponsors in every way possible. All our endorsees bring different benefits to our association. Some are in the form of heavy discounts and some are vetted companies we are confident in using in our day-to-day business activities.
We have formed the new Business Development Committee to help provide leads for Tim and the staff to pursue. We all come in contact with many different
consumers and some of them own or manage companies who might benefit from being associated with the RSPA.
What many of us do not understand are the reports we receive each week noting those members who have paid their dues and not completed their education requirements, and those who have completed their education and not paid their dues! Remember, there are payment plans and plenty of great educational sessions online and on Tennis Resources. We want you to join us as we expand our sports and our career opportunities. The RSPA continues to grow and gain strength in the racquet sports industry. Why not work with the best?
Enjoy your holidays, which are usually very busy for all of us with
work and family. Thanks again to Brian Dillman and our dedicated staff. I could not have achieved all we did in 2025 without the full sup-
port of you all and my fellow board members. Thanks, but not farewell!!
CERTIFICATION CALENDAR PREVIEW
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER 2025
Rebrand You
2025
Award Winners
Pam Austin George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award (Southern California)
Rita Dotson RSPA Star Award (Florida)
Keith Puryear Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year (Mid-Atlantic)
Logan West
Laurie Martin High School Coach of the Year (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. Dave Porter Tim Heckler Hall of Fame Award (Intermountain)
Bunny Bruning
Alex Gordon Raquet Sports Professional of the Year (Missouri Valley)
Simon Paek RSPA Master Professional (Southern California)
Dr. Greg Prudhomme Large Facility Manager of the Year (Southern California)
Kyle LaCroix George Bacso Tennis Coach Developer of the Year (Florida)
Brock Orlowski 2024 Top Education Credit Earner (Midwest)
Michael-Ray Pallares Bob Ryland Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award (Florida)
Hawaii
Alvin Varnado RSPA Industry Excellence Award (Southern)
Jason Grigg George Bacso Pickleball Coach Developer of the Year (Mid-Atlantic)
Nick Bradish RSPA Young Professionals Award (Texas)
Laumaur Lindsay, RSPA Marketing Specialist
Dr. Dave Porter’s numerous accolades go far beyond his involvement in college tennis. As a coach, educator and visionary in his career, Dr. Porter has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence, with a commitment to shaping athletes and leaders of tomorrow. That’s why the RSPA is proud to celebrate Dr. Porter as the recipient of this year’s Tim Heckler Hall of Fame Award.
His journey from a young athlete born in Iowa to a Hall of Fame coach is a testament to his achievements. Porter’s career began at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he played bas ketball and tennis, all while studying for his bachelor’s. After serving a mission in New England, he returned to complete his studies, earning himself a Master’s in Physiology and a Doctorate in Curricu lum & Instruction from the University of Hawaii.
Over a 38-year career, Dr. Porter has transformed the university’s tennis program into a powerful contender. He is the first coach in NCAA history to lead both men’s and women’s teams to a national championship in back-to-back consecutive years between 2002 and 2003. It was under his leadership that the BYU-Hawaii Seasiders went to claim nine national titles, which include two NAIA championships and seven NCAA Division II crowns. His accolades also include being the five-time recipient of the National Coach of the Year Award and receiving the Educational Merit Award. He’s constantly in conversation as the college coach with the most wins in collegiate tennis history, earning over 1400 career wins. Porter was named ITA National Coach of the Year six times and collected 30 regional and conference coaching honors.
Porter’s incredible impact wasn’t limited to the court—he chaired the Exercise & Sports Science Departments at BYU-Hawaii, where he was able to
DR. DAVE PORTER
shape academic programs, mentoring students in health and exercise. He was also involved in developing the “TimeEx” fitness program, providing users with the necessary info to work on muscular and cardio-vascular strength, along with endurance, without the need for workout equipment. His holistic approach to coaching spoke deeply of his character, discipline and service to the tennis
also led into his position as national president from 2003 to 2005. As a member of the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA), Porter’s incredible contribution to tennis has gained him numerous awards, including the George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award, 2x College Coach of the Year, Professional of the Year and his induction into our Hall of Fame.
legacy isn’t represented purely through his wins, but in the lives he’s changed. Porter has set the standard for what itchampions through passion
TIM HECKLER HALL OF FAME
PAM AUSTIN GEORGE BACSO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Laumaur Lindsay, RSPA Marketing Specialist
In the world of racquet sports, there are few families that carry a legacy quite like the Austins. And at the heart of it all, you’ll find the eldest of the bunch, Pamela Austin—a player, mentor and leader whose influence has helped shape the foundation of tennis. Her career has carved a path for many professionals, demonstrating how leadership can be rooted in grace and love for the game.
Growing up in Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., Pam trained at the Jack Kramer Club, alongside her siblings: Tracy, Jeff, Doug and John—all of whom went on to become incredible professional players. Her career started at the college level when she attended UCLA and made a name for herself, winning the Pacific-8 Conference doubles championship. This was just the beginning of her journey to excellence. She quickly transitioned to the professional stage, where her highlight accomplishments include winning the U.S. Hard Court Doubles Championship with Tam O’Shaughnessy in 1970. That following year, she earned the National Amateurs Doubles title alongside Margie Cooper, as well as reaching the second round of the French and U.S. Open. One of the most notable moments in her career was in 1974, when Pam joined her brother, Jeff Austin, on the Denver Racquets team. They went on to win the World Team Tennis championship, solidifying the powerhouse dynamic of the Austin family. She also played mixed doubles with Oscar Wegner and competed in major tournaments, including Wimbledon and the French Open. Pam’s impact extends far beyond her time on the court, as she continues to shape the sport and inspire generations. After retirement, she stepped into the coaching and administration space. For over a decade, Pam served as the Director of Tennis at the Riviera Club and
was acknowledged as the “Riviera’s First Lady.” She was a leading figure, loved by all and known for her ability to connect with people through the game of tennis. Her dedication to being a guide for future tennis professionals was evident as she organized countless college events for the community. Pam also obtained a leadership role with the USTA, helping with the Fed Cup, Davis Cup and Olympic tennis programs. These unwavering efforts earned her the Southern California Pro of the Year award in 2001.
In 2016, Pam was greeted with a heartwarming celebration for her retirement. It was more than a farewell; it was an earnest tribute to a woman who devoted her whole life to the sport. She was honored with a star on Riviera’s Walk of Fame, reflecting the relationships she built, the players she mentored and the community she nurtured. The event united an impressive collective of friends, family, colleagues and tennis icons who were thrilled to commemorate Pam’s professional achievements and meaningful contributions. Winning the
George Basco Lifetime Achievement Award should come as no surprise. Pam didn’t just play the game. She helped shape it. Although she stepped away from the daily routine of tennis, her legacy will continue to influence the sport.
GEORGE BACSO LIFETIME
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BALEX GORDON PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Laumaur Lindsay, RSPA Marketing Specialist
efore the bright lights of Wimbledon and the roar of Grand Slam crowds, Bunny Bruning’s tennis story started on the courts of San Diego. Born and raised in Calif., she began her professional career at the age of 17. Her journey spanned nearly a decade on the WTA Tour, where she left a lasting impression through her talent and tenacity.
Bruning took part in all four Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the second round in singles at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. She also competed in doubles, where she made it to the second round at the French Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon. This was a true display of her versatility, teamwork and overall competitive spirit. One of Bruning’s most prominent achievements came in 1976 when she was runner-up at the Wimbledon Plate—an event that offered early-round players a second chance to compete. Bruning also reached the WTA doubles finals twice in her career: Rome in 1977 and Pittsburgh in 1979.
After retiring from the tour, Brun ing didn’t step away from tennis. In stead, she moved to Iowa, leaned into a coaching role and became a leading figure in the local tennis scene. From 1982 to 2024, she served as the Tennis Director at the Wakon da Club in Des Moines, mentor ing several players—from casual beginners to aspiring profession als. She played a pivotal role in the Central Iowa Tennis Alliance, focused on initiatives to grow the sport at the grassroots level.
“As a teaching pro, Bunny has selflessly given time, finances and encouragement so everyone she encoun tered found some success with tennis,” said USTA Tennis Service Represen
BUNNY BRUNING
tative John Terpkosh. Her coaching philosophy focused on fundamentals, sportsmanship and joy. Bruning believed that the game of tennis should be fun, accessible and inclusive; a belief that spoke true to her work as an advocate for LGBTQ+ players. She often claimed that tennis was more than a game. It was a
Division for 15+ years. Her heart and knowledge led her to become the RSPA Vice President, where she dedicated her time to the association’s future. Wherever she goes, Bruning involves herself in the community, volunteering her time with plenty of local causes to help others. We’re proud to present her with
SIMON PAEK NEW MASTER PROFESSIONAL
Simon Paek’s name is synonymous with leadership in tennis education. With over 34 years of teaching experience, Paek has contributed to the sport at every level, from junior development to interna tional coaching certification. Paek has become a cornerstone of the Southern Calif. tennis community, known not only for his technical expertise, but also for his commitment to mentoring and in clusivity. He sees the sport as a singular bridge between cultures and generations, connecting a sense of purpose to every lesson.
After graduating from UC Irvine, Paek quickly immersed himself in the world of racquet sports, becoming an RSPA Elite professional, division tester and USRSA-certified stringer. Today, he serves as the director of tennis at Mission Viejo Country Club, where he leads programs for players of all ages and skill levels, with the same energy and care that he shows others. His extensive leadership roles in the tennis community are evident, between his time serving as president of the RSPA California Divi sion and sitting on the National Execu tive Committee.
Paek’s influence has earned him monumental recognition, such as California Division Professional of the Year (2003), as well as the George Bacso Coach Developer of the Year Award (2022) and the Alex Gordon Professional of the Year Award (2023). The associ ation has honored him for continuing to create incredible changes here and internationally, acknowledging his work alongside Don Henson to bring certifica tion to dozens of Korean coaches. These efforts welcome and strengthen inter national ties—expanding professional opportunities across the board. His initiatives reflect the beliefs of what the
RSPA represents: inclusivity and global accessibility.
Laumaur Lindsay, RSPA Marketing Specialist
empowered, Simon Paek continues to leave a lasting impression on the sport
Rediscovers Her Essence and Identity Sabalenka Rediscovers Her Essence and Identity Sabalenka
Steve Flink, International Tennis Hall of Fame
PHOTO
CREDIT: Fred Mullane, CameraWorksUSA
Although the 2025 United States Open will be recollected by a wide range of erudite observers for the excellence and artistry of one Carlos Alcaraz in stylishly collecting a sixth Grand Slam title, fans will remem-
that is difficult to combat, and to rise once more to a lofty occasion and meet the moment forthrightly after a series of setbacks that might have permanently wounded lesser individuals.
Think about what this 27-year-old
title for the first time. That surely was her low point of the season. Sabalenka was so frustrated and embittered by her setback that she made some flagrantly unsporting remarks afterwards, both on court at the presentation ceremony and later in her
Sabalenka should have lauded Gauff much more for handling the abysmal conditions much better than she did, but that was not the case. Losing a second straight final at a Grand Slam event in a match she felt should have gone her way clouded her judgement. Quite clearly, Sabalenka
At Wimbledon, she seemed likely to make amends for her debacle on the red clay of Roland Garros, but once more Sabalenka lost an agonizing appointment. The surging American Amanda Anisimova toppled Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the penultimate round. In all three of those majors, Sabalenka had been the favorite, but thrice she had suffered hard knocks
And so the U.S. Open was her last chance to salvage one of the sports’s four showcase events. Historical precedent did not point to a triumph for the top seed. Not since 2014– when Serena Williams took her third title in a row on the hard courts at Arthur Ashe Stadium—had a woman captured the U.S. Open crown in consecutive years. For that matter, the last man to defend a title in New York was remarkably Roger Federer in 2008 when the Swiss claimed a fifth straight title.
In any event, Sabalenka moved into the semifinals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center without losing a set this year. In the semifinals, she collided with the industrious and enterprising American Jennifer Pegula. They had met in the 2024 final on the same court, with Sabalenka prevailing in two tight sets.
This time around, Pegula gave Sabalenka a much sterner test. From 2-4 down, she secured 16 of 20 points and four games in a row to win the open ing set. The evening audience in Ashe Stadium was eupeptic, anticipating a victory for the popular Pegula, sensing that Sabalenka might be vulnerable. But Sabalenka displayed considerable poise under pressure, finding her range off the ground, locating her serve more accu rately, imposing herself honorably across the board.
The third set of that semifinal was one of the best in the entire tournament. Sabalenka secured an early break, but Pegula pushed her to the limit thereafter. The popular 31-year-old had two break points with Sabalenka serving at 3-2 and another when down 4-3, but held on. She saved two match points in the final game. The crowd was cheering Pegula on unabashedly down the stretch. But Sabalenka’s poise under pressure was strikingly evident. She came through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Now one match away from a second U.S. Open title, Sabalenka took on Anisimova. The American had enjoyed a stupendous fortnight. In the quarter finals, she avenged a jarring 6–0, 6-0 defeat in the Wimbledon final against Iga Swiatek with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over the No. 2 seed. Then she ousted two-time former champion Naomi Osaka in one of the finest matches of the tournament 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) 6-3.
With their Wimbledon semifinal fresh in the minds of both participants, Sabalenka and Anisimova walked on court for their U.S. Open final with the highest of aspirations. Down a break at 2-3 in the opening set, Sabalenka, controlling the climate of the match, dynamically took seven of eight games.
At 5-4 in the second set, Sabalenka served for the match and reached 30-30, but timidly netted an overhead before getting broken.
And yet, she refused to surrender her authority. The second set was settled in a tie-break, and in that sequence Sabalenka shined, prevailing seven points to three, closing out the contest 6-3, 7-6 (3) for her fourth major title. As
endured prior to the U.S. Open at the premier tournaments.
Her primary 2026 goal will surely be to win more than one Grand Slam tournament while maintaining her place at the top of the ladder as the best woman tennis player in the world. She is overdue to win Wimbledon and could prevail at Roland Garros. It won’t be easy for Sabalenka to remain the pace setter
OLearning in the Next Decade
Learning in the Next Decade
Gary Horvath, RSPA Certified Master Professional
ver the past fifty years, the USPTA/RSPA has evolved from a certification body to a trade association that provides education, certification and continuing education (ECCE) programs in multiple sports. The RSPA meets the needs of applicants and members with varied levels of education, sports backgrounds, experiences, and priorities. Recently, the RSPA strengthened the industry’s educational foundation by providing pre-certification education programs. This is a step forward in continuing to raise the educational standards for tennis professionals.
RSPA ECCE and Learning
At my first divisional conference, I learned that there is more to being a tennis professional than drills and techniques.
I discovered that learning often creates more questions than answers. In other words, it presents more opportunities to learn. Because new topics arise and others evolve, continuing education (CE) programs are essential tools for addressing changes in the industry.
Learning may occur in activities that are measured subjectively. Examples of such activities are interactions with others or learning from mistakes. Learning may also take place in activities where it is measured objectively. These activities may include conferences, online classes and webinars. Learning of all types is important, but CE programs usually include activities where learning is measured objectively.
The following sections include some of my lessons learned from the RSPA ECCE program. When reading them, think about what you have learned from ECCE activities and how you would like them to impact you in the future.
On Court Drills and Techniques
Presentations that demonstrate drills and techniques are common at most conferences.
Drills – Professionals must understand the difference between blocked and random drills. Research shows there is greater retention with random drills. Blocked drills are often best for introducing a new concept.
Most professionals have an extensive collection of drills. Anecdotal evidence suggests they use 10 to 15 drills regularly. They use variations of these drills to meet the specific needs of their students.
The Game Teaches the Game –When drilling, coaches should optimize the number of balls hit in game-like situations to increase retention.
Techniques – Techniques are constantly evolving because of changes in equipment, technology to support learning, and the fitness and skill levels of the athletes.
On Court and Teaching
activity on a court (7,200 square feet) to optimize revenue.
Chart your lessons – Professionals should chart their lessons with a quasitime-and-motion study. The intent is to measure the number of student contacts by specific learning activities. Variables that might be tracked include the type of shots, discussions, warm-ups, water breaks or random and blocked contacts.
Play – Professionals should maintain their tennis skills. They should consider playing other racquet sports. They must maintain their fitness and health, have a healthy diet and get sufficient sleep. Periodization applies to teaching tennis.
The Sun – Wear sunglasses, a hat and use sunscreen.
The Business of Tennis
Certification Levels – Career professionals should strive to become an elite professional. Learning occurs when upgrading to the highest certified level.
Evidence-based research – It was exciting to attend conferences when Vic Braden, Jim Loehr and Jack Groppel presented cutting-edge evidence-based research. Their presentations covered topics such as sports psychology, human performance, diet, sleep, hydration and periodization. In 2025, these topics are part of the core competencies.
Athlete-centric – Over the past twenty years, the sport transitioned from being a coach-centric sport to an athlete-centric sport.
Communication Skills – Professionals should periodically refresh their communication and soft skills.
Court Real Estate Management – Professionals must learn to manage
RSPA Engagement – Become engaged in the RSPA. Participate in activities, serve on committees or become an officer. Being active increases a professional’s sphere of influence and exposure to different ideas.
Experiences for your students – Fun is a priority at all times! Create positive on-court and off-court experiences. Have competitive players keep notebooks/diaries. Create meaningful on-court experiences by using technology-based products, such as Swingvision. Provide students with instructions on how to optimize their time using a ball machine.
Promotion – Tennis professionals have busy schedules, but they should appropriately promote their accomplishments. It is easy to have a strong virtual
presence on social media.
CE Matters – Let the people in your tennis community know when you participate in CE events. Tell them what you have learned. Specifically, let your boss know how you are improving your skills.
Share your Expertise with the Community - Make presentations about your profession at career fairs, write a tennis column, or have a presence on social media.
Support Local Tennis Activities
– Support high school tennis, college or local tennis programs and their booster clubs. Tennis in the parks is essential!
Earn CE Points from Other Industries – The RSPA CE program allows professionals to learn from other sports or industries. For example, attend a conference that addresses demographic or economic trends and their impact on your tennis business.
Timely Communications – Unless there are extenuating circumstances, return telephone calls, emails or other communications within 24 hours.
USTA – Benefits may accrue from working with the USTA and supporting its programs. It is also appropriate to share your thoughts about what you think is best for tennis.
Special Interactions
I was fortunate to have special interactions with industry leaders that resulted in long-term learning.
Conference Experiences – As the conference chair for a divisional conference, I selected Gladys Heldman as the keynote speaker. The dinner discussion with Gladys and her husband, before the conference, provided insights that shaped my thoughts about women’s tennis.
Vision and
Computing – I had a drop-in visit to the USPTA headquarters when it was at Saddlebrook. Tim Heckler spent two hours educating me about computers and his vision to use them to strengthen the USPTA. This discussion helped me understand the value of having leaders with a vision. Shortly after the trip, I purchased my first desktop computer.
a building in New York City. I served on the APTA national board of directors and led the formation of the USA PPTA, the teaching organization that merged with the USPTA in 2015. These experiences increased my understanding of the learning process, the value of teaching other racquet sports, and my knowledge of the tennis and platform tennis industries.
Lifetime Friends – Over the years, I learned from MANY people in the tennis industry. When I joined the USPTA, I was required to have a sponsor. Dave Romberg was my sponsor, and Jack Michalko was a tester. Since then, we have remained friends, as well as confidantes when discussing professional matters.
ECCE Programs for the Next Decade
Platform Tennis – I was hired as a tennis and platform tennis professional in my first full-time job. I had never played platform tennis, but I was a quick learner. I was certified on the courts atop the 50th floor of
In the coming years, ECCE programs will help RSPA professionals adapt to shifting population trends and evolving community needs. Changes in age distribution, cultural backgrounds and workforce dynamics will influence participation in tennis and related activities. These developments will shape a more diverse and multifaceted environment, offering new opportunities for engagement and growth across the sports.
Padel Warehouse: The Next Step in Racquet Sports Excellence
Image and Article Provided by Tennis Warehouse
For decades, Tennis Warehouse has been the go-to destination for tennis players, coaches, and racquet sports professionals seeking the very best in equipment, apparel, and expertise. Their foundation has always been, and will remain, tennis. Tennis Warehouse is as committed as ever to serving their loyal tennis community as the industry’s online leader with the largest selection of gear, trusted service, and expert support.
At the same time, with the racquet sports landscape continuing to evolve, one thing has become clear: padel is here to stay. Padel’s explosive growth in Europe and Latin America is now spreading across the United States with coaches and clubs embracing the sport at a remarkable pace. The RSPA’s introduction of padel coaching certifications underscores just how important padel has become to the future of racquet sports.
Rick Kerpsack, President of Tennis Warehouse explains. “As growth in our European tennis business began to level off, we saw our padel business accelerating. That prompted us to take a
closer look at the sport, which ultimately led to installing a padel court in our California warehouse. The court is now in constant use, as more and more people discover and quickly become hooked on the game. That’s why we are proud to introduce Padel Warehouse”.
Modeled after the success of their European sister company, Total Padel, Padel Warehouse brings players and coaches in North America the same unmatched access to premium products, a curated selection of padel racquets, shoes, balls, apparel, and accessories, and the trusted service that Tennis Warehouse has always delivered. Whether you are a coach just beginning to add padel to your offerings, or a player stepping onto the padel court for the first time, Padel Warehouse is built to be your complete resource.
What this means for RSPA members
With padel coaching becoming a bigger part of the RSPA’s vision, Padel Warehouse wants to support you every step of the way. Just as you’ve enjoyed special member discounts at Tennis Warehouse, you’ll now receive the same exclusive discounts at Padel Warehouse.
That means you can equip yourself, your players, and your programs with the latest padel gear at unbeatable value.
Rick adds “We believe padel represents one of the most exciting opportunities in racquet sports today. Our investment in the sport reflects our commitment to meeting player demand and helping build the community both in Europe and here in the United States.” `
Padel is more than a trend, it’s the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world, and now it has a true home in North America. Padel Warehouse is excited to serve the racquet sports community with the same dedication that built Tennis Warehouse into the industry’s most trusted leader. And while they expand to meet the growing demands for both padel and pickleball, their loyalty to tennis remains stronger than ever.
RSPA members: Your discount awaits. Visit www.PadelWarehouse. com to explore the full selection and take advantage of your exclusive savings today.
NET POSTS
BALL CARTS BACKPACKS
P PADDLE GRIPS
BALL PICK-UPS
COURT LINES
BALL MACHINES
WINDSCREENS
COURT PAINT
COURT BENCHES
LED LED COURT LIGHTING
Finishing Strong, Together
With 2025 coming to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on all that the RSPA has been able to accomplish this year. I want to start by thanking my wonderful membership team, Kim and Benny. The rebranding of our organization came with continuous changes, resulting in adjustments and enhancements to our standard procedures, as well as record-high calls and emails from both existing and potential new members. This was accompanied by the implementation of various membership initiatives, all of which were taken on with great poise. With so much excitement and change that came about with the rebrand, there was never a dull moment in our department. Our membership intern, Gwen, has also been such a wonderful addition to the team, assisting across departments with anything that may be needed and quickly becoming an integral part of our overall success. I could not imagine a better group of teammates to have by my side in ensuring that our members are being taken care of at the highest standard – and the numbers speak for themselves!
This year, we achieved our highest number of active members across the US and our international membership since 2021. Our members are also showing us that professional development was one of their priorities for 2025. We have already had more members upgrade their tennis certification from Instruc-
tor to Professional and have had more members upgrade from Professional to elite compared to last year (YTD). I would also like to congratulate Simon Paek, our Southern California regional vice president and 32-year member, for achieving his Master Tennis Professional certification this year—an incredible accomplishment held only by less than 150 active members. It is estimated that more members will have onboarded as, or added, a racquet sport certification other than tennis to their dossier compared to last year, further showing the value in being a part of an organization that certifies in multiple sports, yet requires only one membership.
Our division leadership and Board— who are on the front lines interacting with all of our members, fielding questions, feedback and assisting in any way they can to help them achieve their professional goals—deserve a huge thank you as well. Our division structure ensures a more intimate membership experience, allowing our members to have an RSPA representative close to home that they can reach out to for questions about networking, certifications, conferences and ways that they can get involved at the divisional level! Congratulations are in order for the Southern and New England divisions, who won the Large and Small Division of the Year awards, respectively, at this year’s World Racquets Conference. Their work in promoting the RSPA at
Linda Gordon, RSPA Membership Manager
the local level, ensuring that there were numerous certification workshops across all racquet sports, hosting educational events, and increasing their membership are just a few of the many factors that showed our awards committee just how deserving they are.
The value of membership with the RSPA is truly enhanced by the invaluable benefits that members receive from our endorsees. It is because of these companies that have partnered with us to provide such value and opportunity to our members’ professional careers that we have people from all across the world wanting to join in on the world’s leading certifying body. And to our members, both long-time and new, thank YOU for your trust and dedication to our organization. We would not be where we are today if not for your continued support, constant feedback, and time that you take to attend webinars, certification workshops, conferences, volunteer events and local meetings. I find that you can never be too involved in this organization; there is always something going on. So, if you would like to know more about events near you, mentoring opportunities, or any other way to have more involvement with your organization, do not hesitate to reach out to us! You get out of your membership what you put in, and we are here to make sure you are getting the most out of your continued membership.
Finally, to the rest of the staff here at the headquarters, what a pleasure it is to come into the office and work with everyone across all departments. Coming off of our 2025 World Racquets Conference in Hawaii, but seen on a daily basis, it is incredible to see how essential each person in this team is to the overall success of the RSPA. It is rare that any
success
“winning
I wish you all a wonderful end to the
and hope that you take the time to reflect on all that you have
accomplished these last 12 months and to start thinking about all you hope to achieve this upcoming
and how we can help you. We’ve got lots of work to do to continue to elevate careers in racquet sports, and the team here at the RSPA is excited for all that is to come in 2026!
