Ian Rapport Joins U.S. Blind Tennis Association Board of Directors

The U.S. Blind Tennis Association has appointed racket sports industry leader and Racket Sports Weekly founder Ian Rapport to its Board of Directors as the organization continues expanding efforts to grow blind and low vision tennis across the United States.

Rapport joins the USBTA board with more than a decade of experience in public relations and marketing, leading award-winning campaigns for global brands including Old Spice, Cup Noodles, Nokia, and Hasbro. He is also the founder of Golden Slam Marketing, a PR and marketing agency focused on racquet sports, and the creator of Racket Sports Weekly, a leading podcast and news platform covering the racquet sports industry.

“Accessibility is an essential part of building an inclusive tennis community,” said Rapport. “It has always been important to me that the sport continues to evolve so more people have the opportunity to play it. Joining the USBTA gives me the chance to help expand opportunities for blind and low vision athletes while supporting the continued growth of the sport.”

The USBTA works to promote and develop tennis opportunities for athletes who are blind or have low vision. Through tournaments, clinics, and grassroots programming, USBTA aims to expand access to the sport with a competitive infrastructure for players.

“Ian joins a changing board at U.S. Blind Tennis, as we take the next crucial steps in building partnerships and funding key growth projects for the organization,” said Murray Elbourn, President of the U.S Blind Tennis Association. “His experience and knowledge across tennis will ensure a positive outcome for our board to achieve strong results.”

The next USBTA tournament and clinic will take place in Los Angeles on April 25, bringing together blind and low vision tennis players from across the country for competition, community, and continued development of the sport.

Editor’s note: Ian Rapport is founder and editor-in-chief of Racket Sports Weekly