Life at a Racquet Club

I want to spend this week discussing everything I've gained from working at a tennis club. Each week, my work presents new learning opportunities, challenges, and rewards. As I prepare to embark on a new journey, let me reflect on past and present voyages.

Professional Background

My college intern stints were focused primarily on STEM. I learned to work with Unreal Engine as a video game developer and picked up a bit of video editing. I aided a chemistry professor in researching, designing, and 3D printing objects for the research team's testing. I worked at a solar power company where I had to self-teach Claris FileMaker to work on their database.

None of this prepared me for a job in customer service and education. I work not only as a tennis pro, but also as a desk person at the club. My resident assistant (RA) experience provided communication skills, but that was in a position of authority amongst my peers. Very different from working with clients at the club or answering questions over the phone.

As a student, I liked having a big picture goal. Knowing the end result helped me learn the parts in the middle. This was always my preferred approach for math and computer science, but it didn't work quite as well for my art classes...

Life Lessons and Desk Work

I was overwhelmed during the first month at the desk. I didn't know anybody, so I had to ask for their name and membership status each time. This, combined with me not yet knowing prices, slowed down the line and added to the pressure. The person who worked the desk before me was a wonderful lady who was loved by most of our customers. That didn't help me in the transition. For months after I took over, I'd receive comments about how much they missed her and how you couldn't replace someone like her. They were right, of course, but it didn't help hearing that all the time since I was the person trying to replace her.

Fast-forward to the present, and I know most of our regulars by name and have prices memorized better than my cell number. I'm able to get their transaction rang-up - and sometimes finished - before they make it to the counter. Small details like knowing their name, asking how they're doing, and offering advice on tennis or pickleball equipment go a long way in pleasing customers. And I don't get compared to my former coworker as often anymore, so that must mean I'm doing something right.

My willingness to take initiative and ability to adapt are the greatest advancements I've gained from the desk experience. Our small club doesn't have much managerial oversight, and the owner works right alongside everyone else. Because of this, it's important - and possible - to take initiative often. I didn't understand this part when I began working at the desk on top of teaching. I'd have lots of downtime and usually wait for someone to tell me what to do. From watching those around me work, I realized the only way to keep everything running smoothly was to pitch in without being prompted.

This past week, I did everything from catching and releasing a mouse to scheduling drop-off donations for used tennis balls and shoes with local schools and charity organizations. Normal activities include stringing racquets, regripping customers' equipment, and picking up lost balls behind tarps, but you have to be ready to handle anything thrown at you.

Tennis is for Everyone

Most people are not going to be as enthusiastic about tennis as the person teaching it. And that's okay! It took me some getting used to, yes, but it makes sense. Tennis is much more than a sport for me; it's my profession, passion, and past. I've learned that teaching tennis isn't my only responsibility as a coach. It is equally important to understand what my student wants out of the sport. The beauty of tennis lies not only in how long you can play it for, but also in the different levels of the sport. Not everyone is trying to play in college or earn a varsity spot on their high school team; some people just want their serve a little more consistent.

All of this plays a pivotal role in the number one goal of teaching a sport: having fun. If I am pushing you to complete a drill designed for college players while you're still learning a backhand, odds are you won't enjoy it. While that scenario seems unlikely if you're getting a lesson from someone even slightly competent, the opposite is fairly common. Tennis is a sport often learned in groups, especially for younger children. When you mix skill levels with different ages it can become messy quickly. If a child isn't getting stimulated by the challenge, they're likely to become disinterested and not enjoy the sport as much, but if you raise the level, other kids might not be able to keep up and get discouraged.

Thankfully, tennis is an easy sport to tailor instruction to suit varying skill levels. Once again, though, this is my job as the instructor. If I slack off and fail to fluctuate intensity when needed, I risk harming the relationships children have with the sport. All of this is to say that teaching is a lot harder than I expected it to be, but also more rewarding when done correctly.

Final Thoughts

One last thing that I didn't mention earlier is how much I appreciate and am willing to provide help for those seeking it. Giving unsolicited advice is a slippery slope and one that I avoid when possible, but I have no issue with discussing tennis string, regripping tendencies, and similar topics when asked. I enjoy it! I work at a tennis club because I know tennis. Don't be afraid to ask questions regarding someone's area of expertise, chances are they want to help as much as you want the help.

I bought a new pair of hiking and water shoes a few days ago. Instead of trying to research and make a semi-informed opinion myself, I asked one of the associates for help. He was able to point me in the exact direction I was looking for and helped me choose a pair of shoes I wouldn't have been able to select myself. Before working in customer service, I would have shied away from such an approach. But now that I understand that people tend to work in fields they're passionate about/knowledgable in, I have no issue asking for assistance.