NEWS

The APTA sincerely appreciates our platform tennis community, whose energy and involvement make the sport truly exciting. Here are the top 10 people and items we are most thankful for this paddle season.

1. Tournament Directors – the leaders who donate a great deal of time, raise money, and organize the chaos so that we can all have fun on or near the courts every weekend.

2. Ball + Paddle Manufacturers –the innovators who know how important holes and flocking are to our existence.

3. New Beer People – the men and women who bring fresh, interesting beer to the matches, and don’t just clean out their basement fridges.

4. Volunteers – the behind-the-scenes go-getters who live for a good deed done.

5. Court Builders – the crews around the country who build our very oddly specific industrial-looking courts.

6. Creative Captains – the leaders who love a good post-match write-up. Extra kudos to the 2-page authors, who find a theme, treat every player as if they are indispensable, and create drama from really bad shot-making.

7. Bad Leavers - the players who never know when to go home after a big event; you pretend to clean up and keep the fun going and going.

8. Grill Masters – the teammates who barely watch a match, but keep their eyes on the heat so nothing burns.

9. Fluffers – the hut cronies who consistently and repeatedly adjust the items on the food table, get rid of extra pizza boxes, organize the cookies, and move the bevvies around in the coolers.

10. Diehards – the fans, the families, the dogs, the neighbors—all the paddle people who offer free commentary, clap on every point, and add life to the tourneys!
    

The APTA wishes everyone in our platform tennis sphere a wonderful holiday season, near and far. See you on the courts!