QUESTION

Do you think we're going too far in holding the USTA's national and section executives' and coordinators' feet to the fire?

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COMMENTS​

• Don’t stop!

• The USTA is great at spending money, but terrible at promoting the game. Keep up the pressure!

• i was at Nationals this year and the staff was NOT welcoming at all— this was staff probably from all sections…. USTA fees keep rising and the customer service has gotten worse! Thank you for bringing awareness to it!

• The USTA holds back tennis. Keep up the good work. Tennis participation grew yet tennis facility owners are still converting tennis courts to pickleball. Most facility owners I talk to have minimal monetization on pickleball. The equation is backwards!

• The teaching organizations should be holding the USTA accountable. They are part of the problem. Because they are not doing their jobs, they are becoming more irrelevant everyday.

• Won’t be grassroots tennis if pickle ball keeps stealing public tennis courts so it won’t matter. How many courts were lost on the outgoing Presidents watch ? HBO Real Sports Tennis Pickle Ball segment it was exposed the manifesto used convert public courts and every USTA Community liaison should have a copy of that manifesto to combat pickle ball invasion

• Keeping the pressure on may help the new board realize they need to grow tennis and not just talk about it.

• This is a national issue not exclusive to So Cal.

• I have heard so many complaints about SCTA league coordinators (including SD coordinator). The amount of rescheduling of matches has gotten out of hand. Teams with 12+ players suddenly can't field a team on required date so are allowed to reschedule so they can field their "best" team is just one problem. That creates problems for clubs that are sponsoring teams as suddenly they need to open courts on non-scheduled dates and it also is a big headache for captains--I know one captain that won't captain anymore because of this issue. Tournaments are a whole another can of worms in SCTA, but I'll save those comments for later.

• I have no problem with them making a salary if it is justified. The problem in the PNW is the usta does nothing for the clubs and players. There is very little value for what we pay in dues. My best investment ever was becoming a life member 50 years ago for $200. The usta has done a terrible job getting juniors involved to keep the game a live. They better watch out when pickle ball goes into high schools as a sport, tennis will die.

• The survey options' language could be worded more neutrally instead of clearly indicating a preference.

• It seems each year the USTA becomes more and more like a big-government alphabet agency. More powerful yet farther away from the people it's supposed to serve. A huge budget but always needing more. Promises to fix and improve but excuses in the end. Hey, USTA, scrutiny is part of the deal. Embrace it. Let it help make you and the game better.

• It's unfortunate that the USTA mismanages the financial aspects of the organization.

• Hi Rich. I think you are "right on" in digging into the accountability issues of the USTA. From the NTRP, to top-heavy higher-up salaries, to blotched "initiatives" (e.g., junior programs, all-inclusiveness (including gender equity (remember Rene Richards?)), COVID-19 response), to an expensive National Tennis Center (btw, I would love to see their daily court usage percentages (with & without the USTA League national events they host)), finally circling back to their support of a biased political agenda. Keep up the good work.

• National-level pay is way too high, yes. Tone it down a little, though, man. I like reading your stuff online, I really do, but sometimes you come off as a complete asshole.

• Gene Scott in his magazine criticized the USTA constantly. He however offered options and different ways that they could operate their business. Today I am reading that So Cal USTA staff should received customer service training. That is a great idea that Bob Hochstater can implement.

• The USTA is an unorganized organization.

• The good old boys almost destroyed Tennis with their failed programs, technology and waste for the past 40 years. These same men pontificate about how successful the sport is in 2022 as they pat each other on the back. Covid saved tennis. Not the USTA or it’s fraternity of geriatric, overpaid, executives and consultants. It’s time to let these guys go. They should look for men and women with refreshing ideas who will grow the game and retain players. It’s about finding people who love the game more than lining their pockets.

• I don't know of anyone else who is being a watchdog of the USTA. Most of us just trust their being good stewards of membership dues and revenues. I guess it is not much different from the International Olympic Committee scandal of a few years back. Who is governing the governing authorities.

• If your comments are based on investigative evidence, than please continue. Thanks!

• Yes, give it a rest Rich, focus on the positive for awhile

• Tone it down a bit ... maybe go with the "more bees with honey" approach. And Javier is just too over the top, so much so that nobody can hear him (and you) over the noise. The leadership does not need a break ... it is how, not what.

• You are so bias it’s ridiculous. I think you should dial back what you’re doing a bit but the snarky comment of people with 6-7 figure earnings is just immature. Try a fair survey and more people would probably answer you.

• I have no problem when someone holds others feet to the fire if they have accurate information and they offer solutions. Does the industry no good to just point fingers.

• The larger the organization the more capacity for corruption and bureaucracy

• Keep it ALL up. Thank you.

• If we do not fight for the sport who will? they won't they just use it for themselves

• Standing shoulder to shoulder with you. Brian Osterberg. RedClay USA

• Salaries, benefits and training centers take most of the money

• All organizations, and especially non profits need a watch dog group to help them make sure that they are doing the right things for their membership!!!

• I couldn't decide which to answer so checked 2 boxes. There are some very good coordinators around the country. However there are way too many abuses around the country.

• Pressure makes diamonds. Keep it up.

• To me their incompetence isn't the problem. Albeit not helping for sure. The real problem is the legion of career climbers who they have trained to utilize a system of player development that doesn't work. What's worse is any one who doesn't coach kids with their misinterpreted versions of "game based" and "player centered" are cast out from the profession. A system based off "learn it on the fly" with a colored ball will not work to develop players.

• Not even close to enough pressure. Because the policies are being set by USTA officials it is important to also identify them by name as well. They need to be held to account.

• USTA has a woke mindset and is a political association that just happens to be involved in tennis. It needs to be overhauled from top to bottom. Particularly the executive team. Plan on seeing this organization continue to underperform at the grassroots level. They are missing a huge opportunity to gain significant participation in the Red, Orange & Green space. They are totally clueless on how to develop a decent junior player. . They do a VERY GOOD JOB with the US Open!!

• I believe that the organization has lost its way

• Those who are in charge need to be held accountable for their results. That's their legal and moral responsibility. It's also good business.

• As long as you stick to facts there is every reason to keep a governing body accountable.

• Maximizing income and staff costs does not benefit competitive players - not professionals and not amateurs. Professional umpires and linespersons are afraid to penalize out-of- control pros and local USTA amateur leagues have cut back on the roving officials who used to control aggressive, even illegal play at Sectionals and Nationals.

• Zero protection from PickleBall iencroachment. They are hoping for another dues revenue stream. Dreaming they can make another $400,000,000 off US OPEN PickleBall!

• Well beyond any plans or desires of the USLTA Founders!

• Partner with Pickleball and Padel

• Why? Had it changed anything? Why not focus your energies on the things you chose usta for? Understand that things are the way they are because no one has figured out a better way yet. Be the change! Don’t complain about it!!!

• With the passing of Gene Scott, the responsibility of practicing journalism ethics in our industry fell to Jeff Williams. Williams has avoided that like the plague, making sure "RSI" and "Tennis" NEVER called out any wrongdoing on the part of the USTA, PTR, USTA, TIA, ATP Tour, WTA Tour, etc. Our industry's "watchdog" in this area has instead chosen to be a lapdog, lining his pockets for decades, making sure to let advertisers know he's all about pay for play. Williams is directly responsible for the damage done to our sport by Kamperman, Heckler, Lubbers, Embree, USTA Player Development heads, etc. They knew they would never be exposed and could do as they wish, courtesy of Jeff Williams. While many people individually damaged our industry beyond repair, the aggregate damage has been caused by Williams enabling them. If Tennis Club Business doesn't continue to do what it's doing, NONE of the fraud and incompetence in our industry will get exposed. Keep up the good work.

• An organization of over paid employees at every level who have “volunteers” do most of the work. More interested in growing USTA as opposed to tennis. When’s the pickle ball cert coming?

• Having played tournament tennis (USTA) for 58 years, I think USTA has gone to hell in a hand basket. With grandchildren playing in the 10’s and 12’s, I scratch my head at every tournament. No flexibility in scheduling, rules are different every time. League tennis started out as a good idea, but totally destroyed tournament tennis.

• Please publish 2020 and 2021 usta tax returns include player development salaries which are insane and expense accounts ! Ty

• I'm pretty sure this is my second survey.

• Keep it up

• Cut tournament prices for jr. Tennis

• They are killing the sport.

• The entire organization needs a fundamental overhaul. Too many layers of duplication is sucking the life out of the sport in the US

• They need to stay on this association and not taking over the teaching professional

• Eliminate Red Balls, Eliminate Orange balls and point system to move to the next level, Green Dot. Green Dot is slow enough for any beginner, intermediate beginner, advanced beginner to learn and sustain a rally!!!

• They are destroying the adult league program by having too many leagues. The reason pickleball isoniazid the rise is they have fun. League play has lost that fun element.

• THere is only ONE THING THAT GROWS TENNIS. WE ALL KNOW IT. A TENNIS COURT, A PRO WHO LOVES TENNIS, AND A BUCKET OF BALLS AND A COUPLE OF RACKETS. INTRO PROGRAMS.

• They're just like our big Washington DC Government --- too big, loose spending and of course overpaid

• I think the game is in transition. Within 5 years their will be a viable option to challenge for governing body for tennis. To me, this is the only way to continue growing the game at a grassroots level.

• If the USTA is the governing body for American tennis then they need to lead by example. Show the rest of the world how it should be done. They need to bring in a modern day General Patton to clean up the mess right now. Let’s do a Master Gardner weeding out job. Like everything, it all comes back to fundamentals. Without them, it’s just a rudderless ship.

• National needs salaries cut for sure. Not sure for sectionals. Want them to be able to fight harder for their section and not feel the wrath of Nationals.

• It's about many people not just one or two. Criticism has to be constructive.

• Any nonprofit organization needs to be monitored, someone will find a way to cheat and get a free ride on the backs of a good cause if no one is there to oversee the P& L.

• Keep on exposing these enteties that are not living up to the standard that they should!

• For any position you need to impose accountability and structure a system that imposes consequences when goals are not met. Tennis falls way short of this concept. People make decisions based on........i don't know what.......not the reality of the needs we have to grow the sport and make it attractive to juniors or adults entering the game. Junior tournaments and USTA leagues have become a cash cow for USTA nothing that will really grow the game. TOO bad it can be a great sport for a lifetime,

• The clear reason that you are on the right track is due to the outrageous failure in so many departments. Specifically, they are given bloated salaries to all kinds of department heads far surpassing what a great tennis pro/director can make at a facility with little to no results.

• I had a great mentor in Tom Fei from Indian Wells. He knew how to deal with the USTA. He was all about growing and promoting tennis. What really is the USTA trying to do?

• The USTA is a huge organization with many arms. As much as I find some of their actions upsetting, they also produce some good work. Sometimes throw them a bone, and highlight some of the positives. I enjoy reading your newsletters though. Thanks, Marton Balla -- Boston

• Hold the board more accountable. They provide direction and accountability for staff. Starts with them!

• lack of accountability in the usta, too many chiefs

• The USTA has been irresponsible for too long

• There is a disconnect between the national and section executives to the realities of what happens on the ground. Both offices need more experienced leaders who can relate to and navigate the challenges of growing the sport and working with diverse communities.

• The USTA is a disgrace.... It needs to be gutted, burnt to the ground, and rise up as something else, more effective, efficient, and elegant

• USTA needs to change the way they manage juniors and college players. They have the ability to create a supportive environment for the youth. It's a money making plan for juniors to chase points to get noticed. We are doing a disservice to american players. Executives are making too much money for little return back to the community.

• the people running the USTA have never and still don't care about the players or coaches involved in tennis activities, only in their own interests... the players and coaches are simply on their own and must help themselves... no one else will, certainly not the USTA.

• As a referee of junior tournament sof all levels for the past 40 years, i hope you can investigate the amount of money spent on all the various tournament software.

• Thank you for your willingness to expose the truth and take criticism.

• There needs to be accountability. The USTA needs to be drained and filled with people who care about tennis growth.