Tennis

The future of racquet sports is bright, and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) is leading the charge. The organization recently changed its name to the Racquet Sports Professional Association (RSPA) to reflect the growing popularity of racquet sports beyond tennis.The RSPA now certifies teaching pros in five sports: tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and platform tennis. This move is a recognition of the shifting business landscape, as clubs are adding new racquet sports facilities to meet the growing demand.According to RSPA CEO Brian Dillman, "The market was demanding this change. Clubs are adding new racquet sports facilities, and we want to take advantage of that."The participatory numbers are too clear to ignore. There are 20 million tennis players in the US, but there are 55 million racquet-sports players. This opens up a bigger potential marketplace for instructors.Dillman believes that pickleball is a ground-floor game that can get racquets and balls into more people's hands. This can lead to increased interest in sports where more training is needed, such as tennis, padel, and platform tennis.As more players move between racquet sports, the RSPA hopes to give instructors more sports to teach. This will allow them to round themselves out and learn from other sports.Pickleball pros, with less technique to teach, will focus on event organizing and match tactics. Padel and squash are seen as big areas for growth among pros, as they require more lessons to improve or compete.Tennis remains the heart of the teaching pro business and the racquet sports industry. However, the RSPA's new branding reflects the growing popularity of other racquet sports."Tennis is our core," Dillman says, "and you can't remove your core." But now, there are more paths to a teaching career in racquet sports.

Escape the summer heat and humidity to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where the Owl's Nest Resort offers a refreshing retreat with pleasant summer conditions. The resort boasts an award-winning playground of racquet sports, championship golf, fine dining, and outdoor adventures.At the heart of the resort is a world-class racquet-sports center, the only one in the country to feature tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis in one location. The 25 courts buzz with activity, hosting clinics, lessons, and tournaments. The eight red-clay tennis courts, sourced from Vermont quarries, provide a "feathery" playing surface that is less demanding on the body.The pickleball facility, with 13 courts, has been rated No. 2 in the world by Tennis Resorts Online. The tennis and pickleball programs run from May through October, while platform tennis on four heated courts takes over from October through April.Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the 18-hole course redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, offering breathtaking views and classic Nicklaus doglegs. The resort also owns another 18-hole course that will unveil a fresh design later this year.For relaxation, Owl's Nest offers an Olympic-size pool, a 25-person Jacuzzi, and yoga classes by the lake. Panorama Six82, the resort's restaurant, is hailed as the No. 2 restaurant in the White Mountains. Three more restaurants are set to open this year, including Hooks for seafood, Slice pizzeria, and Butch's New York-style deli.Accommodation options include family-friendly homes with one to four bedrooms and hotel rooms, half of which are oversized lakeside units with balconies.