From USTA Atlanta to INTENNSE: Amy O’Connell on Building Tennis Community | Spin The Racket Ep. 24

In this episode of Spin The Racket, Gerard and Luis are joined by Amy O’Connell, Executive Director of USTA Atlanta—and head coach of Team Outriders in the INTENNSE pro team tennis league.They break down how USTA Atlanta actually works (leagues, grants, beginner pathways, and what your fees really fund), why Atlanta is such a unique tennis city, and how USTA compares to ALTA for rec players deciding where to compete. Amy also shares what’s next for tennis in Atlanta—plus how INTENNSE is helping fill the “pro tennis” gap and bring a faster, fan-first product to the city.They cover the difference between USTA National vs the Southern Section vs USTA Georgia vs USTA Atlanta, what rec players get wrong about fees and ratings, where court funding and grants really go, and the best entry points for beginners (including Tennis Apprentice and the StillFire League). We also get into red ball tennis, pickleball’s role in the tennis ecosystem, why padel is coming, and what fans should expect from INTENNSE Season 2 with the Outriders.If you’re new to Atlanta tennis—or you’ve been grinding leagues forever—this one’s for you.Follow Spin The Racket for more rec + pro tennis convos, ATL tennis culture, and weekly storylines.