

How to Positively Impact Your Local Adult Tennis Team
For many adult tennis players, league tennis is the perfect mix of competition, exercise and fun. You get to play the sport you love, compete with friends and represent your club—all while balancing work, family, kids and everything else life brings. You may not have hours to spend on the court, but a little intentional preparation can help your team feel more confident and connected on match day. Teams often play better when players know their teammates and doubles partners


Hot Takes from our Pickleball Pros
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. And with so many new players come new perspectives. There is nothing wrong with opinions that differ from our own. Hearing and learning from people who think differently is what helps us grow. Maybe while reading this blog you'll pick up a new idea or think differently about pickleball. The goal of these hot takes is not to be different. The goal is to make you think. Without further ado, here are some hot takes


Tennis Singles Strategy Playbook
Singles can feel overwhelming when you are thinking about winning an entire match. But according to Eric Maclin, Racquets Professional at Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport, LA, there is a simpler way to approach it: break the match into four quarters. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, Eric has worked with all levels and has helped develop a wide range of players, including current WTA No. 46 Caty McNally and former ATP No. 39 J.J. Wolf. Eric’s four-quar


How to Choose the Right Pickleball Paddle
By: Matt Kirkham, Director of Pickleball at John Newcombe Country Club Whether you're buying your very first paddle or you've been playing pickleball for years, choosing the right paddle is one of the most important equipment decisions you'll make. The paddle you play with can influence everything from spin and power to control, comfort and even how much stress is placed on your joints. Before you start shopping, think about your playing style. Do you rely on effortless power


You Won the Toss—Should You Serve or Return?
You walk onto the court, spin the racquet and luck is on your side; you have won the toss. Now comes the first strategic decision of the match: Do you serve first or choose to receive? While many players automatically choose to serve, the answer is not always that simple. Your decision should depend on your strengths, confidence, playing style and even how you are feeling that day. Most players choose to serve to set the tone of the match, apply early pressure, have control f


5 Tennis Hot Takes From Our Tennis Professionals
In today's climate of media, politics, sports and more, hot takes have become synonymous with trying to be different. Does pineapple belong on pizza? Are The Beatles overrated? Is Jordan or LeBron the greatest? In isolation, these debates seem trivial, but hot takes can encourage us to think dynamically and evaluate why things are the way they are. Our goal with these hot takes is not to be different. Our goal is to explore tennis in a new way. Perhaps, through careful examin


The Unwritten Rules of Tennis
Tennis has plenty of official rules but ask any experienced player, and they will tell you there is another set of rules that never appear in a rulebook. These unwritten rules help keep matches fair, enjoyable and respectful, whether you are playing in a tournament, a league match or a friendly Saturday morning doubles game. Here are a few of the unwritten rules that every player should know. The Warm-Up Is Not Practice The pre-match warm-up is meant to help both players find


How to Make the Most Out of Your Private Lesson
Whether you’re stepping onto the tennis court, pickleball court, or padel court, private lessons are one of the best ways to improve your game. They offer personalized attention, tailored instruction, and the opportunity to focus on the parts of your game that matter most to you. But like anything else, you tend to get out what you put in. A little preparation and communication can go a long way toward making each lesson more productive, enjoyable, and rewarding. Start With a


Inside The Ritz-Carlton Bacara's Stunning Coastal Transformation
September of last year marked the 25th anniversary of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, and the seaside resort celebrated in signature luxury style with a sweeping multi-million-dollar renovation spanning the lobby, guest rooms, restaurants, pool experience, and public spaces. Meyer Davis led the design vision for the transformation, bringing the signature sophistication the acclaimed architecture and interior design firm is known for through collaborations with luxury


National Tennis Month Lives On in Windward Lake
For years, the United States Tennis Association has recognized May as National Tennis Month, 31 days devoted to celebrating the sport, its health benefits, and the vibrant communities it builds across the country. At Racket Social Club at Windward Lake, however, that spirit didn’t end with May. It began early and continues to shape a new chapter for one of Alpharetta’s most storied racquet facilities. Formerly The Club at Windward Lake, the multi-sport property was acquired b






















