U-35 Recap

This past weekend, the NARA 2025-2026 season kicked off with the Racquet & Tennis Club hosting the Under-35 weekend. This was the ninth installment of the highly anticipated event that annually brings together a keen group of rackets enthusiasts from across North America and was the first time that the R&T was able to play host.

Members from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Montreal and even Queen’s Club gathered for a weekend of friendly competition and camaraderie. They were joined by several former R&T Summer Playing Guests and keen elder statesmen of the game (Liam Culman, R&T, age unknown). Players were asked in advance to provide an assessment of their own playing abilities – and the results were as expected from a rackets weekend – ranging from “very mediocre intermediate” to “expert”. It’s believed that this is the first time “expert” was selected from the drop-down menu, and the Pro Shop was eager to see the skills of Racket’s Second Coming.

Play began on Friday as attendees trickled in over the course of the afternoon. James Stout, former World Champion, World #1 Singles/Doubles and current Head Squash & Rackets Professional supervised casual doubles games, evaluating the diverse player contingent in an effort to create balanced teams for a “Ryder Cup” style competition to come. After several hours of friendly competition, the group wandered down to the club’s famed East Lounge / Terrace, where they were treated to some of New York’s finest passed hors d'oeuvres – several more experienced participants were surprised by the addition of mini-grilled cheeses and on-trend hot chicken skewers…welcome additions to cocktail weenies, and bacon-wrapped shrimp that remain staples of any true rackets player’s balanced diet. Following cocktails at the club, a spritely group of participants headed downtown for some “cleansing ales” at a local watering hole in Gramercy. After quickly flipping through local police blotters, it appeared that no one was taken into custody, and Saturday would proceed as planned.

Saturday kicked off bright and early with Head Professional (“Sensei”) Stout providing much-needed instruction to the group of 20+ players who hung on his every word. While James is widely known as one of the finest competitors and champions of our game, his teaching skills (and patience) are equally as impressive. The group was treated to nearly two hours of hands-on instruction from James, with a primary focus on the two most critical parts of the game – the serve and return. His clinics provided a balance of constructive feedback and biting criticism (look what I can do!) and every player on court walked away with an arsenal of invaluable insights and technical pointers. Stout’s infamous “break them down” to “build them up” approach was on full display.

Following a quick break, whereby James downed three bags of Haribo gummies, needed sugar to get through a day of coaching (and babysitting), the players reconvened and kicked off the formal competition. This year, the economically and socially diverse group of players were divided up into two teams, Ryder Cup-style, with original names of “Team 1” and “Team 2”, led by captains Spencer Yager of Philadelphia and Blake Brantley, the current fellow in Montreal, respectively. In a rapid-fire format, matches were sent off every 10 minutes to ensure everyone got ample time on court. Throughout the afternoon, Stout provided constructive criticism from the gallery – often stopping play midpoint to highlight the flaws in movement, tactics, form, and safety. Those awaiting their next match had access to the R&T’s famous playground, and the court tennis, squash doubles, and squash singles courts were packed all afternoon as players attempted to stay warm (and hydrated) for their next “real match” on the rackets court. It’s rumored that several players, eager to have risk on and avoid Stout’s ire, were spotted rolling dice at a backgammon table in the newly renovated Pell Room.

With play wrapped up by 6PM, Team 2 led Team 1, 297pts to 265pts, and it was time to begin the off-campus portion of the program. Following a much-needed Turkish bath recovery session, the group wandered over to Bill’s Supper Club and were treated to some of NYC’s finest hospitality. Bill’s has once again become a staple of a proper Rackets event in New York. Jokes were told, martinis were deleted, and fellow(s) were educated. “Blurry eyes, Full stomachs, Can’t lose”, should have been the evening’s rally cry as the players descended upon NYC’s famed West Village, eager to see what the Big Apple had to offer. Somehow everyone found their way home safe and sound, albeit in highly impaired physical and mental states.

Eager for additional action, the group returned to the Racquet & Tennis Club for the final leg of the weekend. Though play started around 10:30AM, it was not until well into the afternoon that all bodies were present and accounted for. After several closely contested games, Team 2 was able to close out Team 1: 366 points to 356 points. Given the recent sky-rocketing silver prices, no trophies were presented, but it can be said with certainty that “everyone was a winner” this weekend.

A special thank you to James Stout for all his work organizing, coaching and babysitting over the course of the weekend. Additional thanks to the Racquet & Tennis Club’s staff and NARA for their continued support of our beloved game.

Play!

John D. Beam, Jr.

The U-35 Participants enjoying a hard earned meal