Hello tennis folks! Today we’re so excited to share some exciting news – GoTennis! Podcast has been shortlisted for the Best Sports and Racket Podcast at the prestigious Sports Podcast Awards! This recognition is a huge honor for us and reinforces our mission to bring valuable tennis insights, stories, and resources to players, instructors, and enthusiasts alike.
We also strongly feel that is only the start! In 2023, we are going through a transformation and rebranding for our podcast to bring everything under the GoTennis! banner. This blog will take you through the highlights of our most recent episode, in which we break down the journey from being nomination to getting shortlisted, our goal with this rebranding, and the vision we have for the future of tennis.
How Our Podcast Journey Was Started
Without any previous plan, we started recording our podcast during the pandemic (COVID-19). Our original goal during the pandemic was to reach out and connect with local players and provide a voice to the tennis community which is why we started what was formerly the Atlanta Tennis Podcast. Eventually, GoTennis! expanded into a larger platform, which included not just the podcast, but also our nonprofit efforts, events, and resources for tennis lovers of all kinds.
It was time to unify it all under one name. The new name, GoTennis! Podcast, also frees the show up a bit to cover stuff outside of Atlanta but also pay homage to the local roots that got us here in the first place.
We take great pride in saying our content is global, focusing on tips, strategies and narratives that apply to anybody who loves to play tennis — whether that’s in Georgia, or Wyoming. This wider focus isn’t indication that we’re abandoning Atlanta.
This way, we can represent our local tennis culture at the global scale and leave a bigger imprint in the tennis world.
Why We Believe the Rebrand Matters
The new name is part of a rebrand, but it’s also about consistency across all of our platforms. As noted in the episode, the aim is to streamline how listeners engage with us. Now GoTennis! is your one stop platform from where we’ll do all the things from podcast episodes to community outreach via the GoTennis! Foundation.
After all, we want people to watch GoTennis! as the one-stop-platform where they’ll get all the racquet sports related contents — be it learning tips, local program updates. We want to give back to the community through tennis and more. This unified branding helps (more potential listeners) get to know us no matter where they come from.
Check out the full episode on our YouTube when we were nominated first….
Did you know the GoTennis! Podcast is up for the Best Tennis and Racket Podcast Award?
A Mission Rooted in Community Outreach
A central part of our mission is deep community outreach. We started the GoTennis! Foundation (a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit) to give the gift of tennis to not just schools, but also to underserved players and anyone who might benefit from this great sport.
We’re proud of our early impact. And in 2024, the Georgia Professional Tennis Association (GPTA) honored the work we’ve done elevating the tennis community with the Community Outreach Award. But we’re not stopping there.
We hope to inspire more people to get involved, whether by starting similar programs in their own states or partnering with us on projects that bring tennis to a wider audience. This is a big mission, but if you are with us, we can make an impact.
We Want to Make Tennis Accessible and Fun for Everyone
One of the things we’re most passionate about is enhancing the lives of tennis players — on and off the court. The conversation with Bobby Schindler reminded us that our job is not just teaching the perfect serve or backhand, but rather about opening up tennis to be accessible, more fun and impactful to all.
For example, we’re extending our offerings to provide resources like a free digital newsletter, which serves to keep players and instructors updated on all of the happenings in the tennis world. This is only one example of how we’re trying to make life easier for people in tennis.
We’re also soliciting what you have to say. It is your stories, experiences and battles which help shape the means of GoTennis. By sharing your experience, you’re also contributing to a community dedicated to building relationships and expanding the sport.
A Humble Ask: Reviews, Stories, and Support!
We can’t do anything without your generous support. As we mentioned during the podcast, we’re asking for your help in a few ways-
- Reviews: Whether you think we’re doing an amazing job or just working hard, we’d love your feedback. Reviews help us grow and expand our reach.
- Stories: We want to hear your tennis stories! Visit LetsGoTennis.com/my-story to share your experiences. Whether it’s a funny anecdote or a meaningful lesson, your story could inspire others and even be featured on our podcast.
- Engagement: Follow us, download episodes, and tell your friends about GoTennis! These small actions make a big difference.
We became nominated first for this prestigious award. Now we’re shortlisted! With your generous support we can win the award also. So please do the favour….
Reflecting on 2024: What We’ve Accomplished
It’s been an incredible year for us. And we’re so proud of what we’ve achieved together in the last year (2024). In brief, here are some of our achievements that have taken us to another dimension-
- Shortlisted for the Award: To be very honest - being nominated for best sports and racket podcast isn’t something we ever imagined happening in our wildest dreams, but it wouldn’t have happened without you. We’re now shortlisted, so we’re so excited.
- Community Outreach Award: This award from the GPTA is a tribute to the effort and dedication we’ve given to giving back to the tennis community.
- Successful Events: We achieved over 8M impressions in 30 days with our first ever Fall Festival! We’re booking more events, we’re working on a Summer Slam for 2025.
- Expanded Sponsorships: We did everything from sponsoring the Atlanta Pro League and organizing trips to the ATP Atlanta Open, to connecting players and building the tennis community.
These accomplishments are a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared love we all have for tennis.
Looking Ahead! Our Vision for 2025
As we enter 2025, we couldn’t be more excited about all that lies ahead. Whether it’s hosting more community events or reaching more people with our podcast, we’re fully committed to making GoTennis! the destination for Tennis players and fans.
We are also looking at creating additional opportunity for community engagement, whether that’s through the GoTennis! Foundation or new ways to make the sport inclusive and accessible.
Ending Words
Being shortlisted for the Best Sports and Racket Podcast is a reason to celebrate.. But it’s also a reminder of why we do what we do. At GoTennis! we’re not simply creating content — we’re building a community, encouraging connections, and allowing tennis to be a positive slice of people’s lives.
Thanks for joining us on this ride. Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to us, we really appreciate your support. Here’s to another year of growing, giving back and, of course, playing more tennis.