The Future of Racquet Sports in Florida: A Conversation with Whitney Kraft

Racquet sports in Florida are evolving, and few people have a better perspective on the industry's growth than Whitney Kraft, Managing Director of Racquet Sports Management. From tennis to padel to pickleball, the landscape is shifting toward a multi-sport future.

Above: Whitney Kraft at the 2025 Miami Open.

Kraft’s career has spanned decades, with experience at Florida Atlantic University, the USTA, and various racquet sports facilities. He has also been instrumental in repurposing existing tennis courts to include new sports. "I took a tennis court and turned it into a multi-sport space with padel, pickleball, and basketball," he says. "Now, we’re seeing a shift where multi-sport facilities are the future."

Racquet Sports Management has been rebranded to reflect this growing demand for variety. "We realized we needed to evolve," Kraft explains. "People don’t just want tennis anymore. They want options. And if you look at the way clubs are being built now, it’s all about variety."

The Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) recently announced a new partnership with Racquet Sports Management, offering RSPA-certified professionals an unprecedented opportunity to travel the world while teaching racquet sports. Through this collaboration, members gain exclusive access to deeply discounted resort stays at premier all-inclusive destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, and the South Pacific, including Fiji, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and the Maldives.

"Instructors typically teach a couple hours a day, five-of-seven days, and have free all-inclusive stay for two adults or two adults plus two children at family resorts," Kraft explains. "All you pay is airfare and a booking fee ranging from $500 - $1,200 for beachfront resorts that typically charge $3,000 - $6,000 per week." Kraft says. "It’s a great way for instructors to travel and teach while enjoying an amazing destination."

Above: Club Med, Punta Cana—one of the hotels that Racquet Sports Management partners with. Photo credit: Tennis Resorts Online.

Many facilities in Florida are embracing this shift toward a multi-sport model. "There are a lot of them, and people don’t even know they exist," Kraft notes. "Places like 10by20 in Fort Lauderdale, Ultra—there’s a ton of them now. Clubs are realizing that offering multiple sports attracts more players and keeps them engaged."

This growth has also fueled demand for qualified instructors. "There’s a tremendous shortage of racquet sports instructors in this country," Kraft says. "To address this, we’ve partnered with organizations to introduce an apprentice membership for 13 to 17-year-olds."

The goal is to bring young talent into coaching roles early. "They learn how to teach while still in high school, and that means more summer jobs and more trained professionals down the line. The industry needs fresh talent, and this is how we’re going to find it."

Above: Padel court at the Brook Bound Inn in Vermont. Photo credit: Brook Bound Inn.

Beyond Florida, Racquet Sports Management is also expanding internationally, placing instructors in clubs and resorts worldwide. "We have so many facilities with tennis and pickleball, and soon, more padel courts," Kraft says. "These resorts didn’t have a real system to bring in racquet pros—until now."

The future of racquet sports, according to Kraft, lies in multi-sport facilities that create a strong community and social environment. "The best model is the campus strategy," he explains. "A place where you can play multiple racquet sports, train, socialize, and have great amenities. That’s what people are looking for."

Kraft has even implemented this model at his own Brook Bound Inn in Vermont. "I turned a tennis court into a multi-sport hub with padel, pickleball, and basketball," he says. "The idea is to create spaces that bring people together, not just for competition but for the experience."

With racquet sports continuing to grow, Kraft sees an exciting future ahead. "These sports are booming, and we’re making sure there are more ways than ever for people to get involved. Whether it’s through multi-sport clubs, teaching vacations, or new coaching opportunities, the game is just getting started."

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Written by Florida Tennis Associate Editor Osvaldo Godoy.