By Howard Hurtado, ITA Assistant Director of Pickleball
As pickleball continues to grow in metro Atlanta, many facilities are adding designated pickleball courts and/or adding pickleball lines to their tennis courts. This sport is attracting young and old and is building a fun and competitive community.
Coming up on a year of being in business, ITA continues to thrive as the largest public racquet sport complex in Atlanta — featuring four covered tennis courts, four outdoor tennis courts, 19 outdoor pickleball courts, and the first four public padel courts in Georgia. Tennis in Atlanta has always been a staple, and now we’re starting to see a boom in pickleball and padel.
Players wanting to compete in a team environment can find a compatible group at ITA due to the vast options of leagues we host. Some of the most notable and successful of those being our ALTA pickleball teams. This summer, we hosted five ALTA teams, three of which made it to the playoffs and competed for the title of City Champion!
Why are our teams so successful? COACHING!
Coaching is always helpful for players looking to start a new sport and for players seeking growth. Here at ITA, we are fortunate to have high-quality coaches. Joining me on the ITA coaching staff are Bobby Cozzillio and Rachel Noh. All the coaches offer clinics and private lessons for players ranging from beginners to advanced levels. We strive to be a building block for players’ goals, whether they are aiming to improve for open play or are tournament players looking to reach their highest potential.
Here are two, key tips that have contributed to my personal success on the pickleball court:
- Drill, Drill, Drill: Often, players have fun playing matches and forget to step back and work on fundamentals. Focusing on drills will improve your game and help you feel more confident during key moments.
- Believe: It is crucial for players to trust their progress, maintain a positive mindset on the court, and confidently go for the correct shot, even if it is the most challenging one.
Building a social rapport in the community is of huge importance to our facility. ITA offers pickleball open plays throughout the week, allowing players to meet and compete against others of similar skill level. We also have special holiday events here at ITA, putting on Round Robins of anywhere from 25 to 50 players on days like the 4th of July. Our most recent “National Pickleball Day” Round Robin boasted close to 30 players coming out to celebrate the fastest growing sport in America. Keep an eye out for more open plays and special holiday events!
The future is bright for pickleball in the Atlanta area, and ITA is one of the best facilities in the area to give dinking a try!
