Off The Screen: Issue 4

Talking to Volley's John Weinlader about paddle tennis and data

John Weinlader is just like me. He wanted to get better at paddle tennis.

John Weinlader is nothing like me. He built a company to do it.

There are John Weinladers in the world and there are Jon Greenbergs. 

Some people build tennis-ball-firing robots, some people (struggle to) write newsletter articles about them. (Sorry for the delay in newsletters. Blame Chicago sports.)

On a recent Friday afternoon, I went over to Westmoreland Country Club to talk to Weinlader about his company, Volley, which is described as a “technology company focused on bringing innovation to racquet sports.”

The core of the experience is a high-tech ball machine, but Volley wants to be more than a supplier of equipment.

The goal is to be the Peloton of racket sports.

So what does that mean?

---

Everyone in platform tennis has probably heard about the Volley ball machine, a major breakthrough in individual training for a team sport.

I’m not sure everyone understands what it can do and what the company is planning next.

John Weinlader poses with his invention, the Volley ball machine. (Jon Greenberg)