In a recent twist of events, the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) has made a monumental decision to rebrand itself as the Racquet Sports Professional Association (RSPA). This change comes as a response to the growing trend of racquet-sport facilities popping up across the country, offering a variety of court options for tennis, pickleball, padel, and platform tennis enthusiasts.
Gone are the days of tennis standing alone as the sole focus of these facilities. The RSPA aims to embrace the diverse range of racquet sports available, recognizing that each sport brings its own unique energy and appeal. The barriers between these sports are being broken down, paving the way for a more inclusive community of racquet sports professionals.
The question on everyone’s mind now is whether “tennis pros” will eventually be referred to as “racquet sports pros” instead. According to CEO Brian Dillman, the USPTA-turned-RSPA believes this shift is not only inevitable but essential in the current landscape.
“The market was demanding this change,” Dillman explains from his office at RSPA headquarters in Lake Nona, Fla. The association now offers certification in five different sports, including tennis, pickleball, padel, squash, and platform tennis. This expansion of certification options reflects the changing interests and demands of racquet sports enthusiasts.
The journey towards this rebranding has been a gradual one, with the USPTA first certifying platform tennis pros in 2017, followed by pickleball pros in 2020. The decision to encompass a wider range of sports under the RSPA umbrella is a strategic move to adapt to the evolving racquet sports landscape.
As the RSPA sets out on this new path, it signals a shift in the way we view and approach racquet sports. The future looks bright for aspiring teaching pros who now have the opportunity to become certified in multiple sports, embracing a more diverse and inclusive professional community. The era of “tennis pros” may indeed be giving way to the era of “racquet sports pros,” marking a new chapter in the world of racquet sports.
