Tennis | Inside The Lines

INSIGHTS FROM THE FIELD

Real-world perspective on strategy, growth, competitive pressure, and leadership under constraint. No theory. No recycled frameworks. Just lessons from the work — and what actually holds up when decisions carry real consequences.

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Padel Industry

ARA 2025 Compensation Report — The first independent salary benchmark for racquet sports professionals, built on verified IRS 990 public filings.

The Racquet Sports Industry Finally Has Real Compensation Data

For as long as I can remember, racquet sports professionals have negotiated compensation based on what the last person made, what the club thought was fair, or what a GM heard at a conference. That just changed. The American Racket Sports Association published the first independent compensation benchmark for racquet sports professionals — built entirely on verified IRS 990 filings. Not surveys. Not estimates. Sworn public disclosures from nonprofit clubs that are legally requ

May 202 min read

Three racquet sport paddles and a pickleball resting on a court surface — a tennis racquet, a padel racket, and a pickleball paddle representing the three fastest-growing racquet sports in the U.S.

The U.S. Racquet Sports Market Looks Different When You See the Global Data

The 2026 global racquet sports participation data is out. Here's what it actually means for tennis, padel, and pickleball operators, investors, and brands navigating the U.S. market right now.

Apr 277 min read

Racquet sports business owner working alone on laptop weighing a difficult decision

What 81,000 People Told Anthropic — And What It Means If You Run a Racquet Sports Business

Anthropic interviewed over 80,000 people across 159 countries about what they want from AI — and what they fear. HR leaders are citing it. Educators are citing it. Nobody in racquet sports has touched it. Here's what it means for the decisions you're making right now.

Apr 104 min read

RacquetX 2026 Fort Lauderdale March 13-15

RacquetX 2026 Is One Week Out. Here's What I'll Be Looking For.

The racquet sports industry is showing up in Fort Lauderdale with momentum. The harder question is whether it's showing up with structure.

Mar 53 min read

Defending Position and Purpose When Competitive Pressure Hits

Competitive threats rarely arrive out of nowhere. More often, they come from places you know well. That was the reality the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) faced in mid-2025 with the launch of USTA Coaching—a new initiative from the sport’s most powerful governing body, backed by significant resources and national visibility. For decades, the relationship between the USTA and the RSPA had been complementary.

Feb 43 min read