In this episode of Racquets Biz, host Dominique Lemperle sits down with Martina Kochli, a former D1 tennis athlete turned top 15-ranked pickleball pro and now director of national partnerships and sponsorships for Dill Dinkers, one of the fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise groups in the United States.

Martina shares a comprehensive inside look at the business behind modern pickleball, including:

• What life is really like for today’s professional pickleball players — and why most still coach, teach, or run businesses to make it sustainable
  
  
• The economic model behind profitable indoor facility development, including conservative lease strategy and court utilization benchmarks
  
  
• Why Dill Dinkers plans strategic placement of 20–30 minute–spaced franchise facilities in Tampa and Lakeland
  
  
• The rise of coaching travel businesses (70+ Pickleball Getaways trips) and instructional tech like Pickleball 360
  
  
• How equipment technology is changing the speed and strategy of the game
  
  
• The industry shift from Director of Tennis to Director of Racquets in major clubs nationwide
  
  
• Martina’s approach to balancing career expansion, multi-sport facility visioning, family, and continued involvement on court

If you're in racquet sports management, facility development, or coaching and you want to stay ahead of where the sport is going—not where it’s been—subscribe to Racquets Biz now. New episodes drop monthly with insights from top operators and innovators shaping the industry.

Today’s guest is Mark McMahon, Founder and President of McMahon Careers. With more than 40 years in racquet sports—as a world-class competitor, tennis pro, director, USTA executive, and now industry-leading search consultant—Mark breaks down what’s truly driving the explosive growth of padel and pickleball, the essentials of community-building, and the business fundamentals every modern racquet sports director must master.

Mark shares the evolution of his career from Melbourne to Boca Raton, his role in launching USTA’s national consulting initiative, and the story behind his highly respected Certified Racquet Sports Executive (CRSE) program. He also speaks directly to facility owners, directors, and first-time operators about avoiding burnout, hiring with clarity, and building sustainable club cultures.

A must-listen for anyone shaping the future of racquet sports.

Key Takeaways

• Why community matters more than the sport itself
  
  
• The truth about whether padel is a fad or the “next golf”
  
  
• What new facility owners misunderstand about business planning and budgeting
  
  
• Why mindset—not just skill set—defines great racquet leaders
  
  
• How to compete with other leisure activities by creating “the third place”
  
  
• The biggest misconceptions GMs have when hiring directors
  
  
• What CRSE grads gain: strategic planning, budgeting, HR, leadership, and more
  
  

Memorable Quote

“The court sizes never change. It’s what happens in and around the courts that really makes the difference.” — Mark McMahon

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Patrick Chucri joins host Dominique Lemperle to unpack the rapid growth of pickleball in Dubai and across the Middle East. Patrick, former pro tennis player and founder of Pickler, shares how he transitioned from media investment to launching the region’s first dedicated pickleball club.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why he pivoted from touch tennis to pickleball after only two weeks
• How he built a thriving club in Dubai despite paddle’s dominance
• What drives 2,200+ app users and 110 daily walk-ins at Pickler
• Why community, coaching, and tech are essential to club success
• Expansion plans across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond
• What investors need to consider before entering the sport
• The future of pickleball – Olympic visibility, university scholarships, and facility innovation

Follow Patrick on LinkedIn to explore collaboration or investment opportunities.

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