What’s your job title and where do you work?
My name is Zenda Griebenow and I am the Owner and Operator of Zen Tennis in Cumming, GA.
What’s your story, and how’d you get here?
Originally from South Africa, I began teaching tennis right out of college in the United States. I had a year of practical training left on my visa, so decided to work a year here before I returned home to South Africa. Master Professional Pat Whitworth kindly hired me and taught me everything about being a teaching professional. He was passionate, kind, patient and instilled within me a love of teaching and serving others. Needless to say I stayed in America to follow my passion. I worked at various clubs around Atlanta until I formed my own company ZenTennis in 2008. I have been privileged to work with some amazing professionals and serve my students these past 25 years. I have a passion for learning and this is what drew me to the UF Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Course.
What are 3 of your favorite things about the course?
1. Meeting so many professionals and having the opportunity to interact, learn and be mentored by them.
2. The information and tools I gained within each module.
3. Being introduced to touchtennis and Rashid Ahmed. His enthusiasm is so contagious.
What surprised you the most as you worked through the course?
I was surprised by how little I knew, even though I have taken a ton of continuing education. I found my moms favorite quote very apt for this course – “You don’t’ know what you don’t know until its pointed out to you.”
Have you been able to apply anything you’ve been learning so far?
Absolutely, I have already applied a ton of the concepts and principles from each module. Now that I am done, I will be working hard to restructure my brand, marketing strategies, member experiences, etc.
How would you describe the Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Course to someone who doesn’t know what it is?
The Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Course is a course which gives you an in-depth understanding of what it is to be a Director of Racquet Sports as well as giving you tangible tools which you can implement immediately.
What is one thing we can’t guess about you from your resume/LinkedIn profile?
I love to travel and go on adventures. I love meeting and getting to know people from other cultures and seeing how they view the world around them.
My faith in God is the foundation of who I am and everything I do. It is because of the grace and presence of God that I have been able to achieve all I have in my career and life.
What’s one racquet sports or leadership related book you recommend?
On Instagram: @touchtennis, @ufdors
Books: Compete Like a Champion and How Leaders Lead by Dr. Jim Loehr
What do you see as the future of the racquet sports industry, and what needs to change in order for it to get there?
I see diversity, engagement, excitement, innovation and greater participation. The biggest issues we have to overcome is a narrow view of the different racquets sports. When we help our students and members see the value in each racquet sport vs an us against them mentality, our programs will grow and the number of mew members engaged will be staggering.
Interested in our Director of Racquet Sports Certificate?
You, too, can develop the business and leadership competencies required to successfully manage a tennis and racquets operation. Visit our website for more information.
