Padel is booming worldwide, but does that mean it’s right for every club? And how does it really compare to pickleball and tennis from a business and operations standpoint?In this episode of Unscripted, we sit down with Ben Nichols, Founder & CEO of Padel 22, a global PR and marketing agency dedicated to the growth of padel and racquet sports. Joining us from the UK, Ben shares a grounded, global perspective on padel’s rise, how its U.S. growth differs from Europe, and what club owners should actually consider before adding another racquet sport to their facility.This conversation covers:✅ Padel vs pickleball vs tennis: key differences for clubs and players✅ The true cost of building padel courts and common operator misconceptions✅ Why padel is currently positioned as a premium sport in the US✅ How pickleball, padel, and tennis can coexist within multi-sport clubs✅ The crossover between squash, tennis, pickleball, and padel players✅ Why racquet sports are booming in the post-pandemic era✅ Ben’s career journey from Wimbledon’s press office to global padel marketing✅ Why Charleston, South Carolina is emerging as a growing hub for racquet sportsWhether you’re a club owner, investor, operator, or coach, this episode offers a realistic look at the future of racquet sports — and why understanding your audience, costs, and market positioning matters more than chasing trends.👇 Subscribe for more conversations on pickleball, padel, tennis, club operations, and the business of racquet sports.Learn more about Padel 22 here: https://www.padel22.com/

In this episode of Unscripted, we sit down with RacquetX’s Marketing Director, Luca Giberti, and Director of Brand Strategy and Design, Mary Budwick, to go behind the scenes of RacquetX and talk about how the festival has grown into a must-attend event for players, brands, coaches, club operators, and sports technology partners.From rapid growth in sponsors and attendance to expanded on-court experiences and industry education, this conversation highlights why RacquetX is gaining momentum across the racquet and paddle sports ecosystem.Hosted in Fort Lauderdale, RacquetX brings together pickleball, tennis, padel, table tennis, badminton, squash, platform tennis, and more — all under one roof.In this video, you’ll learn:✅ How RacquetX has expanded in sponsors, booths, and overall attendance✅ What first-time attendees can expect (on-court demos, gear testing, coaching, networking, and education sessions)✅ Why industry adoption across pickleball, tennis, and padel continues to grow✅ How technology platforms and brands show up within the racquet sports ecosystem✅ What goes into building and executing a large-scale, multi-sport festival✅ Why events like RacquetX matter for club operators, brands, and racquet sports professionalsWhether you’re a club owner, program director, coach, brand partner, or racquet sports professional, this episode offers insight into where the industry is headed — and why in-person events still matter.Subscribe for more conversations on club growth, racquet sports programming, pickleball, tennis, padel, and sports technology.Learn more about RacquetX here: https://theracquetx.com/

What makes racquet clubs unforgettable? It’s memorable, high-impact experiences that build community and drive engagement.In this in-depth conversation, Ashley from CourtReserve sits down with Chris Bouza, CEO & Founder of Pickleball Pros, to break down how clubs are using professional pickleball players, clinics, exhibitions, and custom events to create standout experiences that engage members and differentiate their clubs in competitive markets.In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How bringing pro pickleball players into clubs creates unforgettable player experiences

✅ Why access to touring PPA & MLP pros is a unique opportunity in pickleball’s current growth phase✅ How clubs can stand out in crowded markets with custom pickleball events, exhibitions, round robins, and multi-day clinics

✅ How pro clinics support member engagement, retention, and long-term club value

✅ How recap emails, drills, and follow-up education help players improve long after the clinic ends

✅ How clubs can design custom events based on their market, skill levels, and member demographics

Chris also shares his personal journey into pickleball, the mission behind Pickleball Pros, and why growing the professional game is essential to getting more players off the couch and onto the court.Whether you’re a pickleball club owner, racquet sports operator, general manager, or program director, this episode offers real-world insights into event strategy, club marketing, and experience-driven growth.

👉 Learn more or book a pro appearance: Pickleball Pros https://pickleballpros.com/

👉 Discover how clubs manage clinics, events, and memberships with

CourtReserve https://courtreserve.com/

Email- [email protected]: @thepickleballpros

In this episode of Unscripted, Ashley sits down with Joni Hannah, Executive Director of RSPA Mid-Atlantic, to discuss what’s ahead for racquet sports professionals in 2026 and beyond.Joni shares how the USPTA’s transition to the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) reflects the evolution of today’s multi-sport landscape, including tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, and padel. The conversation also explores how RSPA Mid-Atlantic is building momentum leading into the organization’s 100-year anniversary in 2027.From upcoming conferences and certifications to the value of in-person networking, career longevity, and expanding opportunities for women in coaching, this conversation covers it all.Topics covered in this episode:✅ RSPA Mid-Atlantic Annual Conference in Vienna, Virginia✅ Tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, and padel certifications through RSPA✅ Coaching education and professional development for racquet sports professionals✅ Why in-person conferences and networking matter for career growth✅ The evolution of racquet sports beyond tennis, including pickleball and padel✅ How equipment technology is impacting performance and coaching✅ Encouraging more women in tennis and racquet sports coaching✅ Career paths in racquet sports beyond traditional on-court coaching rolesWhether you’re a tennis pro, pickleball coach, club director, or racquet sports professional, this episode offers valuable insight into where the industry is heading and how you can stay ahead.Upcoming events:RSPA Mid-Atlantic Conference – February 27–28, Vienna, VASubscribe for more conversations with industry leaders shaping the future of racquet sports.Visit the RSPA website here: https://rspa.net/mid-atlantic-division-conference/Learn about upcoming industry events here: https://courtreserve.com/events/

What does the future of racket sports really look like for coaches, club operators, and industry leaders?In this episode of CourtReserve Unscripted, we’re joined by Shaun Boyce, CEO of the American Racket Sports Association (ARA), Co-Founder of GoTennis, and Host of the GoTennis Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on how tennis, pickleball, and multi-sport careers are evolving — and what clubs and professionals need to do to keep up.Shaun shares the story behind the transformation of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association (GPTA) into the American Racket Sports Association (ARA) — a nationwide professional networking organization built to support tennis coaches, pickleball professionals, club managers, and racquet sports leaders across the country.In this episode, we cover:

• Why tennis and pickleball coaching is no longer a side gig, but rather a real, high-earning career path
• How coaches transition into club management, leadership, marketing, and technology roles
• The growing demand for multi-sport certifications and cross-discipline experience
• What professional networking actually looks like in modern racquet sports
• Why many clubs still struggle with outdated processes — and what’s changing
• The role of CourtReserve and other modern club management software in improving operations and creating frictionless player experiences
• What 2026 and beyond looks like for tennis clubs, pickleball facilities, and coaching careers

Whether you’re running a club, building a coaching career, or evaluating technology to modernize your operation, this episode offers practical insight into where the racket sports industry is headed — and how to prepare for what’s next.Learn about the ARA here: https://americanracketsportsassociati...Listen to the GoTennis podcast: https://letsgotennis.com/gotennis-pod...

In this episode of CourtReserve Unscripted, Ashley Owens talks with Jack Davis, former University of Washington NCAA tennis player and Portfolio Operations Manager at (CourtReserve investment partner) Mainsail Partners (https://mainsailpartners.com/team-member/jack-davis/), about the real path from junior tennis to college competition — and what today’s tennis and pickleball boom means for clubs, coaches, and players.Jack shares what it really takes to become a college tennis player: early development, multi-sport training, the recruiting process, navigating junior tournaments, and the mental side of competing at a high level.The conversation also tackles some of the biggest questions in today’s racquet-sports world:✅ Will tennis or pickleball be more popular in 5 years?✅ Should juniors specialize early — or play multiple sports?✅ How does pickleball help (or irritate!) lifelong tennis players?✅ Why red ball, adult beginner programs, and community-focused clubs matter more than ever.Ashley and Jack also chat about coaching, club culture, player development, and how platforms like CourtReserve help. Learn how racquet clubs thrive as the industry transforms.Topics Covered:✅ Life as a University of Washington NCAA tennis player✅ Singles vs doubles development and team environment✅ Considering pro tennis vs. college tennis✅ Pickleball growth and how it intersects with tennis✅ How CourtReserve supports clubs, coaches & players✅ The future of multi-sport racquet clubsWatch now and join the conversation!www.courtreserve.com

In this episode, Ashley chats with Jonathan Fralick, VP of Racquet Sports at Invited — one of the largest owners and operators of private clubs in the U.S.— to talk about all things pickleball, tennis, and the fast-evolving landscape of racquet sports.

Jonathan shares how Invited grew from 7 pickleball courts to 400+ in four years through building and converting courts, why pickleball now takes up most of his day-to-day focus, and what he enjoys about mentoring racquet sports directors.
He also encourages young pros to learn the business side of racquet sports. From understanding participation and revenue to managing court sheets, payroll, and the pro shop, Jonathan explains why those skills matter if you want to lead a program long-term.

Featured Topics:
✅ Building vs. converting courts: how Invited reached 400 pickleball courts
✅ Why pickleball became a major focus for private clubs
✅ Pickleball players vs. tennis players: lessons, spend, and social behavior
✅ What’s next: private club strategy as pickleball growth levels out
✅ The evolution of pickleball play style — and his concern about it becoming more “baseline-driven”
✅ Tennis outlook + concerns about college tennis changes impacting junior pathways
✅ Career advice for young pros: business acumen, forecasting, and leadership
Learn more about Invited here: https://www.invitedclubs.com/

In this episode of Unscripted, Ashley sits down with Club Pickleball USA and Club Mastermind Founder Devan Egan to break down what’s actually happening in the pickleball club business.They dig into the uncomfortable truth behind recent club closures, the revenue mistakes new operators keep repeating, and the models that help thriving facilities scale sustainably. If you’re opening a pickleball facility, expanding locations, or trying to stabilize margins, this conversation is for you.This conversation is especially relevant if you’re planning a new pickleball facility, running an existing club, or evaluating how to scale without relying on assumptions.What you’ll learn:✅ The current state of pickleball growth (players, money, and market shifts)✅ Why so many new pickleball clubs fail—and what successful clubs do differently✅ The surprising range of pickleball player types and why “one-size-fits-all programming” doesn’t work✅ Annual vs. monthly memberships: why annual pricing often wins for long-term revenue stability✅ How top operators build break-even models around court utilization, not memberships✅ What attendees really learn at Club Mastermind (and why clubs keep coming back!)✅ How CourtReserve helps racquet sports facilities scale with automation, reservations, and paymentsLearn more about Club Mastermind: https://www.clubpickleballmastermind.com/joinLet CourtReserve help you with all your racquet sports club needs: https://courtreserve.com

In this episode, we sit down with Whitney Wofford, Senior Director of External Engagement at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), for an inside look at the upcoming ITA Coaches Convention in Tempe, Arizona.

Whitney walks through what college coaches and programs can expect at this year’s event — from on-court training to education sessions, networking opportunities, and how the ITA supports college tennis year-round. We also touch on how CourtReserve fits into the college tennis space — helping campuses manage public play, faculty rentals, and simplified court scheduling.In this conversation, we cover:✅ What the ITA is and who it serves: 3,000+ college tennis coaches across D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO✅ Event details: December 5–7 in Tempe, hosted at Arizona State University.✅ Convention schedule highlights: on-court coaching sessions, classroom education, vendor showcase, and evening events✅ How the ITA governs college tennis, including rankings, rules, and tournament oversight✅ Who typically attends the convention: a mix of newcomer coaches and seasoned leaders across divisions✅ Community-building events: prize money tournament, happy hour, pickleball, pints & pizza, and more✅ How college programs use CourtReserve to manage faculty clubs, community access, and public court reservations✅ Examples of schools using CourtReserve, including ‪@dukeuniversity‬ Faculty Club, @universityofutah , @idahostateu and @universityofwyomingWhether you’re a college coach, athletic department leader, facility director, or connected to the college tennis space, this episode gives a clear, practical overview of what the ITA Coaches Convention offers and how it brings the tennis community together each year.Learn more about this event here: https://wearecollegetennis.com/ita-co... See other events CourtReserve is attending: https://courtreserve.com/events/

The business of pickleball is booming — and so is the need for better club management.In this episode, CourtReserve’s Ashley Owens sits down with Josh from the International Association of Pickleball & Padel Facilities to talk about how the game has evolved from neighborhood courts to global facilities — and what’s next for the industry.They dive deep into: How pickleball transformed CourtReserve and inspired the creation of Old Coast Pickleball in St. Augustine, FL. Why IAPPF added Padel to its mission and what that means for the future of racquet sports.The real challenges facing modern club owners — people, management, culture, and creating community.The importance of employee development, hospitality, and customer retention tools like Patch.How the industry is expanding internationally — from the U.S. to Vietnam, Europe, and beyond.Whether you’re a pickleball facility owner, club director, or just a passionate player who loves the sport’s story about growth - this conversation is packed with insights, laughs, and practical advice on how to build a successful racquet sports business.Visit CourtReserve.com today to help with all your racquet sports club needs. Learn more about IPPF here https://iappf.org/