POP Tennis means additional revenue for clubs, resorts and teaching pros. POP Players spend money on court rental time, lessons, socials, clinics, annual POP programs, leagues and tourneys. Those players also spend money within the facility buying paddles, grips, tennis balls, sneakers, clothes or food/drink at the clubs bar and restaurant.
POP Tennis is an amazing sport in its own right that is loved by beginners as well as advanced die-hard lifelong players of all ages. POP can be played indoor or outdoor, all year-round, on all surfaces (Hard court, grass/turf, clay/Har-Tru, modular tile and hard sand on the beach). Even makeshift courts can easily, quickly & inexpensively be set up anywhere on the grounds of a club or resort with portable nets and temporary lines. That overall flexibility and court setup simplicity creates many more location opportunities for POP to be played by anyone, anytime and anyplace.
From a business standpoint, what does that all mean? It means additional revenue for clubs, resorts and teaching pros. POP Players spend money on court rental time, lessons, socials, clinics, annual POP programs, leagues and tourneys. Those players also spend money within the facility buying paddles, grips, tennis balls, sneakers, clothes or food/drink at the clubs bar and restaurant.
Clubs/resorts are also perfect locations to host large POP tourneys to attract new business. Destination tourneys are big business now. With more than 1.7 million POP players and recent partnerships with ESG (European Sports Group) on an 11-country POP licensing deal and with Tennis Australia, now is the perfect time to add POP courts and onboard or expand programming.
Clubs/resorts need to offer options to keep members and visitors of all ages and ability/talent levels happy. Many locations have done this recently by adding pickleball in facilities that were once only tennis. The rise of complementary paddle/racquet sports like POP, Pickleball, Padel and Platform Tennis (aka The Four P’s) recently has led to the evolution of the Director of Tennis role into the Director of Racquet Sports title, creating a more open-minded environment for POP Tennis.
POP is the closest complementary sport to regular tennis. Its just an easier version and more people can play it athletically. You’re still using a tennis ball (green dot for adults, orange for kids). Smaller court, solid paddle, underhand serve, slower ball and tennis rules/scoring.
We all love tennis and it will always be No. 1, but not everyone can physically play it. Some can’t due to lack of mobility, limited athleticism, age or injuries. Tennis is also hard for children, so POP is a great feeder for kids into tennis. It helps give kids or any beginner confidence since the solid paddle and slower ball makes it easier to make square contact much more frequently. Its also a keeper sport for those who may soon stop playing tennis for the reasons I mentioned above.
It keeps members in the club, spending money, socializing with friends and coming back. POP is just a great, fun, fast sport for anyone and an incredible workout whether you’re playing singles or doubles or part of social leagues/tourneys, parties and group clinics. A lot of great and exciting volley-to-volley exchanges as well as satisfying baseline hitting. It creates a different exciting dynamic since you’re closer to your opponent as compared to tennis.
Mitch Kutner, President
International POP Tennis Association
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.