Bill Simons
In the balkanized world of tennis that adores its acronyms (USTA, ITF, ITA, ATP, WTA, PTR, AELTC, LTA, FFT, AO, RPO) the USPTA is no more.
The group, which was founded in 1927 and is the world’s largest tennis teaching pro organization, is now called the RSPA – that’s the Racquet Sports Professional Association.
Of course, name changes are common. Twitter is now X, Bombay is Mumbai, Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike, and, check this out, Czechoslovakia, which became the Czech Republic, is now Czechia.
Caryn Johnson is now Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Dylan was once Robert Zimmerman.
In tennis, the United States Lawn Tennis Association became the United States Tennis Association. The US Open’s center court changed its name from the USTA Stadium to Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Federation Cup became the Fed Cup and is now the Billie Jean King Cup.
So, after decades of invaluable branding, why would the venerable, well-known USPTA change its name?
To find out, we spoke with the new head of the USPTA (oops, make that the RSPA), Brian Dillman, who’s been the group’s CEO since January.
Bright and articulate, the industry veteran, who’s already drawing upbeat reviews, played tennis for Illinois, became a teaching pro, spent 14 years at Wilson, was a considerable USTA volunteer and scored success in global marketing in Canada, Britain and Germany.
Brian explained to Inside Tennis that changing the group’s name wasn’t exactly an impulse buy. He recalled that exploratory conversations began over two years ago. “Consumer demand was leaning more toward multiple sports and not just a single sport, and careers and facilities were changing…Years ago, we began certifying pros for other sports like platform tennis, pickleball, padel and now squash.
“For over two years the association conducted a process of discovery and research. We asked our members what they were going through. We analyzed where we were and we asked ourselves where we wanted to go.
“All along, the board and the executive committee were very positive, and there was a sense that this is where the industry is, this is where professionals need to go and this is what they’re asking for.”
Not surprisingly, some have grumbled. Change isn’t easy. But, Dillman says, “So far, about 90% of our members have been positive. They’re seeing that facilities and consumer demands are changing, and, while tennis is on a big upswing, so are other racket sports.”
The group began certifying platform tennis pros in 2017, and, while padel is still in its infancy, it is growing. And, of course, pickleball is a cultural and athletic phenom that, from leafy clubs and mall parking lots to feel-good TV ads, is a surging dynamo.
Dillman noted, “Pickleball is fast, social and community-driven. Plus, it created advocacy groups of 20 or 30 people to demand that cities build pickleball courts. Tennis players haven’t created groups to advocate for tennis.
“The only reason for change is that something’s not working or there’s a new opportunity,” observed the RSPA CEO. Courts weren’t filled with tennis players, so people began to change programming. Dillman is quick to concede that pickleball has its issues and “still hasn’t figured out the TV aspect.” But it’s easy to learn, and it’s taught tennis pros a range of new programming ideas, including one-day tourneys, where you get lots of matches in six hours.
Still, Dillman is bullish on tennis. “It’s in great shape – the interest is fantastic. Our No. 1 mission is to bring more people into the industry because the demand is so high.”
If Dillman could change the sport, he’d put more emphasis on quick-start tennis and the use of progression balls, whether green, red or orange.
He’d also like to see tennis have less emphasis on ratings and more of a focus on the simple joy of the sport, social play and making it fun, with casual events and “drop-in play on Tuesday nights with friends.”
He emphasizes the importance of all pros being certified and feels tennis needs to upgrade its marketing game so it more boldly promotes its health benefits, how it advances longevity, the life lessons it teaches and that “It’s the amazing sport we all grew up on.”
With unvarnished enthusiasm, he celebrates the value of becoming a teaching pro. “You have the opportunity to have a big impact on people, to work in sports that are really healthy, that help extend your life and are incredibly rewarding. It’s a wonderful professional path that has opportunities to progress and learn about multiple sports and multiple career paths. You impact lots of people and see the benefit of your work. If you show you care for people, your lesson book will be full for as long as you want.”
In a welcome time of tennis renewal, Dillman noted that participation and lessons are up. And he’s proven to be a continually upbeat observer.
Goodness, even when we completely botched the initials of his newly-named group, he graciously let us off the hook.
So we say the RSPA is OK.
