A New Tennis Experience!

Q&A

Q1. Emma, how did you first learn about Tennispot and their simulator technology?

A1. I rediscovered tennis in 2016 after dabbling in the sport back in high school, this time with no formal training but a deep desire to improve. As a new stay-at-home mom, tennis quickly became more than just exercise—it gave me a sense of community, purpose, and a challenge I felt I could truly grow into. As my personality tends to do, I became laser focused on getting better. One day, while scrolling TikTok, I came across a video of a tennis facility in Hong Kong using tennis simulators. It stopped me in my tracks. I immediately knew this was something I wanted to bring to the United States. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, my mind went straight to the opportunity: tennis players everywhere struggle with access—to courts, hitting partners, coaches, even time. I was no different. The simulator felt like the missing link, a way to remove the biggest barriers that cause so many players to stall or quit altogether. From that moment on, I knew Tennispot wasn’t just innovative — it was inevitable.

Q2. What was it about the Tennispot concept that made you decide to invest in this business model?

A2. What drew me to the Tennispot concept was a mix of intuition, experience, and conviction. As both an entrepreneur and an active tennis player, I could clearly see the growing demand for smarter, more accessible training solutions. Tennispot stood out because it wasn’t just innovative—it was useful. It was the only product of its kind that I genuinely wanted to use myself, and that mattered. I made the decision as a consumer first, asking, would this actually make me a better player? Would I come back to it again and again? The answer was yes. On top of that, being backed by Golfzon gave me immense confidence. Golfzon has a proven track record of delivering world-class sports technology at scale, and I knew that same level of precision, reliability, and long-term vision was built into Tennispot. For me, investing in Tennispot wasn’t a leap—it was a natural alignment of demand, trust in the technology, and a product I believed could truly change how people train and stay connected to the game.

Q3. From a financial perspective, what capital considerations should a prospective owner take into account when starting their own Tennispot-based facility?

A3. From a financial perspective, any prospective owner has to start by understanding what will truly bring people through the door—and keep them coming back. Every successful business needs a clear differentiator, and in my view, the tennis simulators are that anchor. Without them, it’s extremely difficult to separate yourself from a traditional tennis facility. They aren’t just equipment; they’re the experience. When I invested, we were first to market, which meant the capital considerations looked more like a leap of faith. I knew we had a strong product and a concept that delivered real value to players, both recreational and competitive. That said, no investment is without risk. There was absolutely a leap of faith involved. But between my experience as a tennis player and my background as an entrepreneur, I had enough perspective to evaluate the risk realistically. I understood the demand, I believed in the technology, and I trusted that the long-term benefits—consistent usage, repeat customers, and scalable programming—would outweigh the initial investment. For me, it came down to this: the risk was real, but the upside was undeniable.

Q4. Once the business is up and running, how long should new owners expect it to take before becoming profitable?

A4.Profitability timelines can vary widely, and that’s because the success of a Tennispot based facility isn’t dictated by the technology alone, it’s driven by the people running it. Staffing, leadership, and the business acumen of the owner play a critical role, especially in the early stages. Every market is different, and there is always a learning period where you’re truly getting to know your community, your customers, and what they value most. For us, that meant a stretch of challenging months, which we fully expected. What mattered was how we responded. By listening closely to our members, adjusting our programming, and staffing intentionally, we were able to shorten that period of discomfort. The simulators are a powerful tool, but they don’t run the business—the vision does. Owners who are willing to pivot, to admit when something isn’t working, and to make bold adjustments without fear are the ones who find their footing faster. When your mission is clear, your team is aligned, and your goal is truly to make tennis more accessible, the path to profitability becomes much more efficient. In my experience, owners who lead with f lexibility, passion for the sport, and a strong sense of purpose will find that the learning curve is real—but the payoff comes sooner than expected.

Q5. Let’s talk about those early days after you opened My Tennis Wall — what were some of the initial challenges you faced?

A5.The early days after opening My Tennis Wall were defined by discovery. One of our biggest initial challenges was simply understanding what our community wanted. We were navigating everything in real time—what types of memberships made sense, how to price them, and how to clearly articulate our value within the local tennis ecosystem. At the time, we didn’t yet realize just how large the population was that simply wanted a place to hit a tennis ball—no pressure, no barriers, just access to the game. The first six to nine months were a period of constant adjustment. We were refining offerings week by week, learning through trial and error, and listening closely to our customers. At the same time, we were finding our voice from a marketing perspective—learning how to speak to tennis players in a way that resonated, and understanding what they needed to see and hear to feel confident trying something new. Like most first-to-market startups, much of that phase felt like moving through the dark, guided by instinct and feedback, until things began to click. We always believed in the simulators and their value to tennis as a whole; the challenge was learning how to present them in a way that felt familiar, welcoming, and aligned with how people already understood the sport. Once that connection was made, everything began to shift.

Q6. How did you go about attracting your first customers and building awareness in the community?

A6.Building our first wave of customers was rooted in community and storytelling. I was already deeply involved in the local tennis scene, which gave me a network of players and supporters who were curious and willing to show up early. We leaned heavily into social media, using it not just to promote the facility, but to educate and spark curiosity around a completely new way to experience tennis. Being first to market worked in our favor—people were intrigued, and that curiosity translated into strong momentum right out of the gate. Our opening weekend exceeded expectations, driven by consistent marketing and the uniqueness of the concept. A key moment for us was partnering with Wilson for our launch event. Their sponsorship immediately legitimized what we were building and sent a clear message to the tennis community: this was something worth paying attention to. Wilson has continued to support us, and that early vote of confidence mattered. We also made a point to connect with local tennis organizations, inviting them into the conversation and allowing them to help amplify our story. From the beginning, our focus was simple—show up authentically, build trust, and invite the community to experience something new together.

Q7. Does My Tennis Wall operate primarily on a membership model, hourly rentals, or a combination of both?

Q7.We operate on a combination of memberships and hourly rentals, very intentionally. We’ve learned that tennis players don’t all have the same needs—some want consistency, structure, and community, while others are looking for flexibility and on-demand access. Offering both allows us to meet players where they are, whether they’re committing long term or just looking for a place to hit and improve on their own schedule. That balance has been key to making tennis more accessible and welcoming to a wider range of players.

Q8. Did you reach out to local tennis clubs to build relationships or attract members from existing tennis communities?

A8.Rather than directly targeting local tennis clubs, we focused on engaging the broader Houston tennis community. Social media played a major role in that outreach, allowing us to connect organically with players, coaches, and enthusiasts who were already active and curious about new ways to train. Our local tennis association also highlighted our business early on, which helped build awareness and credibility within the community. In addition, we made a point to support local tournaments and leagues, not as a way to pull members away from existing clubs, but to contribute to the ecosystem as a whole. Our goal from the beginning was to complement the tennis community, support its growth, and create another access point for people to engage with the sport.

Q9. Have you partnered with or engaged local teaching pros to use the simulators for lessons or training?

A9.Engaging teaching professionals was always part of our vision, but we approached it from an internal-first mindset. While I absolutely see how partnering with outside pros could be a strong opportunity for other locations, our priority was to support the tennis professionals on our own staff. We intentionally gave them access to the simulators for lessons and training so they could grow their programs and benefit financially. For us, it was about investing in the people who were building the culture day to day and empowering them with tools that elevated their coaching. That approach strengthened our team, created alignment around our mission, and ensured the technology was being used in a way that directly supported both player development and our staff.

Q10. What marketing channels did you find most effective in promoting My Tennis Wall — and were there any surprises in what worked best?

A10.Social media has been our most effective marketing channel, especially in the early stages, as it allowed us to tell our story, showcase the experience, and meet tennis players where they already spend their time. Just as impactful, if not more so, have been our Google reviews. Because our satisfaction rate is high, those reviews have become a powerful form of social proof. People want to know what the experience feels like before they walk through the door, and hearing it directly from other players builds immediate trust. As the business has matured, our reputation for top-notch service has been consistently reinforced through those reviews and satisfaction ratings. At this stage, our marketing isn’t just about visibility—it’s about validation, and our customers have become our strongest advocates.

Q11. Tell us more about the Tennispot technology itself — what makes it stand out from other sports simulation systems?

A11.What truly sets Tennispot apart isn’t just the technology itself—it’s the ecosystem you can build around it. I’ll be honest: I didn’t spend endless time comparing every simulator on the market, because for me, the decision was never just about specs. Technology will always evolve, and competition will always exist. What mattered was whether the product was committed to staying ahead of the game. Tennispot is. I work closely with the team, and one of their greatest strengths is their willingness to listen, iterate, and improve. They care deeply about the end user and about continuing to raise the bar. That said, the technology itself is exceptional. The simulators deliver a level of performance and realism that consistently exceeds expectations—and that’s not just my opinion. Many players and industry professionals who have explored other options still find Tennispot to stand out above the rest. Ultimately, though, the real differentiator is how the technology is used. It’s the programming, the coaching, the community, and the vision built around it that create lasting impact. Tennispot gives you the foundation—but the magic happens in what you build on top of it.

Q12. How has your experience been working with the Tennispot team as a system owner and operator?

A12.My experience working with the TennisBot team as both a system owner and operator has been extremely positive. From an operational standpoint, the system itself has been incredibly reliable. In the year and a half since opening, we’ve had very few issues with the software, which speaks to how robust and well-built the platform is. Any updates or improvements are handled thoughtfully and scheduled outside of business hours, so they don’t disrupt daily operations or the customer experience. That level of consideration matters when you’re running a facility. Beyond the technology, the team has been responsive and easy to work with, which gives me confidence not just in the product, but in the partnership. As an operator, knowing the system is stable and supported allows me to focus on what really matters—serving our members and growing the business.

Q13. In your experience, is Tennispot best suited for recreational play, lessons and coaching, competition, or even fitness training?

A13.MIn my experience, Tennispot is suited for all of it—recreational play, lessons, coaching, competition, and fitness training. The real determining factor isn’t the system itself, but the people using it. Everything comes back to staffing, creativity, and belief in the platform. When your team understands tennis and truly buys into the system, the possibilities expand dramatically. You can choose to operate in a very one-dimensional way—treating it like a simple tennis wall where players come in, hit, and leave. But we’ve found that when you look at the simulators through a different lens, they unlock training opportunities that simply haven’t existed before. For My Tennis Wall, the biggest shift came when we stopped focusing on what the system couldn’t do and started exploring everything it could do. That mindset changed our programming, our coaching, and ultimately our business. It’s easy to nitpick technology, but when you approach Tennispot with curiosity and creativity, it becomes a true game changer.

Q14. Who would you say is your average customer — families, competitive players, casual tennis fans, or a mix of all types?

A14.Our customer base is truly a mix, though it’s very much shaped by the layout and feel of the facility. At My Tennis Wall, the space naturally lends itself to families, casual tennis fans, and people who are new to the sport—or simply don’t have easy access to courts or consistent playing opportunities. As a result, our average customer today tends to fall in the beginner-to-intermediate range. That said, the technology itself is not limiting. As we expand and create larger facilities with more space dedicated to simulator play, I fully expect higher-level and competitive players to engage more deeply as well. What we’ve learned is that Tennispot can serve everyone—the audience it attracts most strongly at any given location depends on how the space is designed and how the experience is curated.

Q15. Have you been able to build a loyal customer base since opening? Do you see a “Tennispot community” forming around My Tennis Wall?

A15.Absolutely. One of the things we’re most proud of at MyTennisWall is the loyal community that has formed since opening. What we do best is give tennis players— especially those who don’t already have a built-in network—a true sense of belonging. We offer something that’s surprisingly rare in tennis: guaranteed opportunities to play, along with structured groups and levels that support players at every stage of their journey. Tennis is inherently a social sport, and whether someone stays in the game often comes down to whether they feel connected. At MyTennisWall, community isn’t a byproduct of the business—it’s the foundation. Watching that community grow, support one another, and show up consistently has been one of the most rewarding parts of building this company.

Q16. How important is it for a Tennispot business owner to understand and stay connected to the larger tennis community?

A16.Staying connected to the larger tennis community is essential for any business owner. In many ways, it’s the difference between simply operating a facility and truly becoming part of the sport’s ecosystem. One of the reasons MyTennisWall has found its place in the tennis community is because I come to this as a recreational player myself. Most tennis players are recreational, and I understand firsthand what they’re looking for—access, encouragement, and real opportunities to improve without intimidation. That perspective shapes everything we do. We stay active in the community through events, partnerships, and supporting local schools, because giving back isn’t just the right thing to do—it builds trust and creates lasting relationships. Tennis thrives on connection, and when you invest in the community, the community invests back in you. That mutual support becomes a powerful network, and it’s one of the most important foundations for long-term success.

Q17. Beyond the simulators, what other amenities does My Tennis Wall offer? For instance, is there a pro shop, or do you provide food and beverage options?

A17.Beyond the simulators, MyTennisWall offers a full-service pro shop designed to support players at every level. We provide professional stringing, racquet matching and customization, as well as racquet fittings to ensure players are using equipment that truly f its their game. While we don’t currently offer full food and beverage service, we do provide vending options for customer convenience. Our focus has been on delivering high-quality tennis-specific amenities that enhance the overall player experience and support improvement both on and off the court.

Q18. Do you have a teaching professional on staff for lessons or private training sessions?

A18.Yes, we do. MyTennisWall has teaching professionals on staff who offer lessons and private training sessions, allowing players to pair the technology with expert instruction and personalized development.

Q19. Does My Tennis Wall host special events, tournaments, or social gatherings for players?

A19.Yes, we host a wide range of events designed to engage players and the broader community. These include corporate events, birthday parties, and school-based programs for tennis teams, as well as member-only events that strengthen our internal community. We also regularly bring in guest speakers and industry professionals to add educational value to the experience. For example, we host sessions with tour-level stringers where members can participate in training days or Q&A-style discussions. These events allow us to go beyond play and create opportunities for learning, connection, and deeper engagement with the sport.

Q20. Looking ahead, do you have plans for expanding My Tennis Wall or adding additional locations?

A20.Yes, we do have plans to expand MyTennisWall and add additional locations. As we continue to see strong demand and the impact our model has on the community, we’re focused on growing thoughtfully through more corporate-owned locations. As the company matures, we’re intentionally honing our operations, programming, and overall experience so that each new location can better support players and strengthen the local tennis ecosystem. Expansion for us isn’t just about scale—it’s about doing it the right way and continuing to grow the tennis community with purpose.

Q21. On a personal level, have you found owning and operating My Tennis Wall to be a rewarding experience?

A21.Yes, owning and operating MyTennisWall has been incredibly rewarding on a personal level. It came into my life at a moment when I needed something meaningful to focus on— something that gave me purpose and direction. Being able to pour myself into a vision I truly believed in, and then watching it come to life, has been deeply fulfilling. That said, the journey hasn’t been easy. Building MyTennisWall challenged me in ways I didn’t expect and pushed me to grow through uncertainty, setbacks, and hard decisions. It taught me the value of flexibility, resilience, and staying grounded in my beliefs even when the path forward wasn’t clear. Most importantly, it strengthened my conviction in what these simulators can do—not just for one facility or one community, but for the future of tennis itself. I truly believe this technology can help grow the sport, and knowing I’ve played a small part in making tennis more accessible and sustainable is the most rewarding outcome of all.

Q22. Have you received feedback or testimonials from customers about their experience with Tennispot or your facility?

A22.Yes, we’ve received an incredible amount of feedback and testimonials from our customers, and much of it comes down to clarity of belief. At MyTennisWall, we do things very differently—and we’re very transparent about why. We truly believe in what these tennis simulators make possible: easier access to improvement, easier access to exercise, and the ability to play tennis in ways that simply haven’t been available before. Everything we do is built around that belief. We know we’re not for everyone, and that’s okay. But when someone walks through our doors and gives us the opportunity to educate them—on why this is a better way to train, a better way to take a private lesson, a better way to demo racquets or improve consistently—they understand very quickly. Our staff is knowledgeable, experienced, and confident in what they’re teaching, and that expertise builds trust. There are certain truths in tennis that aren’t debatable: more quality reps lead to improvement, guaranteed access to play matters, and consistency changes everything. When players experience that firsthand, they buy in. And when they buy in, they stay. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, but more important than words are the results. Our players improve—often faster than they expected—and they keep coming back because they feel it. That, to us, is the strongest testimonial of all.

Q23. Finally, if you could offer one piece of advice to someone considering opening their own Tennispot-based business, what would it be?

A23.If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this: understand that this is a business f irst—and a tennis business second. Loving tennis matters, but success comes from making decisions with a clear business mindset. You have to know who you’re serving, understand where your largest customer base truly is, and be intentional about building for them. It’s also important to recognize that you’re not competing with traditional tennis clubs. You’re offering a fundamentally different way to train, and that difference is your strength. Lean into it. Don’t try to make your facility look or operate like every other tennis model—you want to stand out. Being first to market comes with risk, but it also comes with opportunity, and there is a price to standing out. You have to believe in it and commit fully. The simulators will naturally differentiate you, but the real game changer is the people you hire. Staffing has made an enormous difference at MyTennisWall. Bringing in team members who love tennis, believe in the product, and know how to use it creatively is what turns technology into experience. When your staff shares that belief with customers, everything changes. That combination—business clarity, confidence in being different, and the right people to deliver the vision—is what ultimately sets a successful simulator-based facility apart.