LAKE NONA, FL, Sept. 17, 2024 —The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), inc. the leading trade organization for tennis professionals since 1927, has rebranded to the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA). This change positions the RSPA to elevate and support a broad spectrum of careers across the entire racquet sports industry.
As the RSPA, the organization continues to expand its teaching certification program to train professionals in numerous racquet sports including tennis, pickleball, padel, squash and platform tennis. In addition to certification programs, the RSPA will offer a full spectrum of career advancement support for all racquet sports professionals, both on and off the court.
“The change from USPTA to RSPA is about staying on the cutting edge of our industry and leading change by providing the highest level of value possible to our members,” said RSPA CEO Brian Dillman. “Our racquet sports are dynamic—constantly growing and adapting—and as our industry moves forward, we are doing the same. The decision to rebrand and realign our values was fueled by our members. We listened closely to feedback, and the consensus was clear: we needed to expand our support to all racquet sports, both on and off the court.”
RSPA members now have access to certifications in five different racquet sports under one unified association. All USPTA memberships are now considered RSPA memberships, and members certified in any racquet sport can get certified in another by attending one of the RSPA’s nationally available workshops. Teaching professionals who want to get certified by the RSPA for the first time can join the association through any of our available racquet sports—tennis, pickleball, padel, platform and squash. The organization is also rolling out future-focused, personalized training programs that blend on-court expertise with off-court skills like business management and leadership, personal development and more.
“We’re elevating the prestige of a racquet sports career with advanced personal and professional development. We know that racquet sports are made up of many different people who contribute to a community to enjoy, teach, watch, support and advance the sports we love,” said Dillman. “There is a wide world of opportunities for anyone who is passionate to help grow the racquet sports industry, and the RSPA, like a true ally, empowers our professionals by helping them reach their full potential—both on and off the court.”
About the RSPA
The Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA), formerly the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), is the leading trade organization for racquet sports professionals. Since 1927, the RSPA has grown to support the diverse needs of the racquet sports industry, including tennis, pickleball, padel, squash and platform tennis. With over 14,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions across the country, the RSPA offers career advancement support, certification and development opportunities, from coaching to club management, executive development to sales and marketing and beyond. Our mission is to champion the passion for racquet sports by developing professionals who lead with integrity, innovate in coaching and inspire a diverse and inclusive racquet sports community. Learn more at RSPA.net.
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Media Contact:
Collin Brazan
USPTA, Director of Marketing
collin.brazan@uspta.org
407-634-3061
Aislinn Leonard
USPTA, Public Relations Coordinator
Aislinn.leonard@uspta.org
407-634-3071