Top-notch New Book for Rackets Professionals

Greg Moran’s new 230-page, self-published book, written with Peter Francesconi, the editor of “Racquet Sports Industry” magazine, imparts the expertise Moran acquired during his 45-year career as a teaching pro, Director of Tennis, and later as owner of the Four Seasons Racquet Club in Wilton, Connecticut. He also led national training programs and traveled to Africa to conduct development workshops for players and coaches.

In the introduction, Moran shows why his eclectic background and diverse skills are essential when he writes, “I refer to us as ‘pros’ or ‘professionals,’ never ‘coaches.’ Coaching is part of what we do. A professional is what we are—like doctors, lawyers, and accountants.”

The many other vital parts of what tennis, pickleball, and other rackets sports pros do evolve during their careers—from their 20s into their 70s or even 80s. “This [book] is written for young pros just starting their career as well as seasoned professionals who have neglected to think about their future.”

Your Financial Timeline (Chapter 2) delineates decade-by-decade guidelines, such as to become an investor and get life insurance in your 30s, and to plan for retirement and create or refine your estate plan in your 50s.

Take an Honest Look at Yourself (Chapter 5) lists 10 key elements of professionalism—such as appearance, reliability, communication skills, and emotional control—and asks you to give yourself a rating of excellent, average, or need to improve. Crucially, Moran advises the reader to have a friend or colleague give you their thoughts. You may not like what they have to say, but you’ll likely benefit from it.

Get Certified, Be Active (Chapter 9) stresses the importance of passing tests given by the RSPA (formerly the USPTA), PTR, and the new USTA Coaching initiative to get certified (for tennis only and only for tennis providers in the U.S.). Moran admits that for 40 years, he didn’t practice what he preached about staying active in the USPTA and PTR. “I attended no workshops, zero annual symposiums, and took advantage of absolutely none of the member benefits. It is perhaps the biggest regret of my career.”

Angry Customers (Chapter 17) features Moran’s exceptionally high emotional IQ and people skills. “We’re in a service industry and learning to effectively deal with angry customers is a skill you must master,” Moran writes. But how? He advises these five steps: acknowledge their complaint, apologize and accept responsibility, find a solution, go the extra mile, and don’t hold grudges.

Parents—A Different Type of Customer Service (Chapter 19) will resonate with every teaching pro, coach, and club manager. As a former full-time teaching pro who now gives occasional lessons, I found this highly instructive chapter abounding with judicious recommendations about how to handle difficult parents. As a bonus, several anecdotes are hilarious.

When It Doesn’t Work Out (Chapter 25) focuses on firing an employee, which Moran says, “as a leader, is one of the most difficult things you’ll have to do.” Every tennis director or club owner would do well to follow Moran’s astute six-step blueprint to make the process as smooth as possible and then learn from what went wrong and how to avoid or minimize future problems with talented but flawed employees.

Every chapter will make you smarter, and several in particular appealed to and enlightened me. They include Find a Mentor (Chapter 7), Getting Players to Come to Your Court (Chapter 11), Deepening the Relationship (Chapter 13), Stress and Burnout (Chapter 15), and To Lead Is to Inspire (Chapter 21).

Whatever your current level of professional skill and career satisfaction, you can improve both by studying “Beyond Hours & Dollars: A Career Guide for Rackets Professionals” and applying its precepts.

Greg says his book is a giving back project. Anyone in the United States that wants one can contact him via the website (beyondhoursanddollars.com), and he’ll send them a copy for free.

Paul Fein — April 23, 2026