ISSUE NO. 2

Alter Ego
©Clubhouse

Sunday, October 13th — It’s been a busy week for us. We hit the courts to test some new gear, debated which brands are actually worth the hype, and one of us even went down the rabbit hole of vintage tennis ads (no regrets). We also longed for some beautiful courtside real estate and made a few technical improvements behind the scenes. Lastly, our list is growing quickly, and we’re so grateful to our early readers for giving us a shot. Here’s to an amazing week ahead. Enjoy the read!


Cheers,

Clyde & Oliver

We were up early to catch the Shanghai final—fair warning, spoiler at the end. 👀

AESTHETICS

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@Sasakwa Lodge

Serengeti,Tanzania

COURT-SIDE PROPERTIES

On this Rancho Santa Fe -$100m estate, you’ll get 77 acres of California dreamland, complete with a private court and equestrian center (that means horses), so after a match, you can trade your racquet for the reins.


Over in Hunts Point, WA - $58m, you can enjoy a quick match on your private tennis court—rain-free at least three times a year! After, if you want to be colder and wetter, take a dip in Lake Washington.


And if Mediterranean style is more your speed, this property in Mallorca - $27m gives you panoramic views of the Bay of Palma—with a private court to sharpen your game between siestas.

THE PRO SHOP

FIT TO PLAY

Range of Motion
©Clubhouse

Maintaining your thoracic spine (the vertebrae from the base of your neck to the end of your ribs….cause we didn’t know either) health is key to staying fit and agile on the court. Thoracic exercises boost mobility, allowing for a full range of motion while reducing strain on the lower back and shoulders. This helps enhance posture, stability, and performance, while reducing risk of injury—making it a crucial part of any player’s game.


Try out this Bench T-Mobilization drill (via Champion)

(1) Kneel in front of a bench or chair.

(2) Place your elbows on the surface, clasping your hands together.

(3) Sit your hips back towards your heels, letting your chest drop toward the ground while keeping your lower back neutral.

(4) Hold for 2-3 seconds, then return to starting position.

DAMN THAT’S INTERESTING

The “Spaghetti Racquet”, invented by Werner Fischer in the 1970s, briefly rocked the tennis world with its revolutionary design. Featuring a unique double-layer stringing system, this racquet allowed players to generate ball movement more unpredictable than a squirrel crossing the road. This left top-ranked players struggling to beat significantly lower ranked players, eventually forcing the ITF to ban it in 1977 for being “contrary to the spirit of the game”.


Watch this in-depth look at the Spaghetti Racquet (via TENNIS CULT)

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AROUND THE NET

Ever wanted McEnroe to read you a bedtime story? The man’s gone from yelling at umpires to tucking you in at night.


From 2025 onward, Wimbledon’s got a new crew: electronic line judges.


Check out these cool terracotta warrior statues of champions at the Shanghai Masters.


This felty ‘90s Swatch for the guys who want a little extra texture in their life.


Nuttsy Tennis? It’s like playing tennis on a tiny, janky court straight out of a ‘70s basement—low-tech, but high (literally) on weird.


The kids wanted a playground and the wife dreamt of a vegetable garden—but you went ahead and built a tennis court instead.

CURTAIN CALL

El Matador
©Clubhouse

As the sun sets on Rafael Nadal's remarkable career, we find ourselves at a crossroads of celebration and nostalgia. Rafa's indomitable spirit on the court has been nothing short of legendary, playing every point as if it were his last, inspiring countless fans with his tenacity and passion. His sportsmanship, even in the face of defeat, exemplified grace and humility, always honoring the game and his opponents.


Nadal's legacy transcends the sport, touching lives across generations. He's shown us that true champions are made not just by their victories but by their character, their unwavering resolve, and their ability to uplift everyone around them. Rafael Nadal, you are more than a tennis player; you are a beacon of excellence and a symbol of hope. ¡Vamos Rafa! We will miss you.


Check out Rafa’s incredible career visualized by the numbers (via BBC)

THIS WEEKS POLL

Which of Nadal's qualities do you think most defines his legacy?


A. His unshakable mental toughness in critical moments
B. His unmatched clay court dominance
C. His tenacity to fight for every point like it was his last
D. His humility and respect in both victory and defeat

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Thanks for reading.

Until next time, we’ll see you out there.

@atptour

2024 Shanghai Masters

Congratulations to Jannik Sinner