Missouri Valley / Iowa

USTA Iowa Grant Helps RespectAbilities Buy Stringer

Andrea Gallagher | March 30, 2022

A group of young adults recently learned how to string their own racquets, thanks to a USTA Community Development Grant from USTA Iowa. Clinton resident Paul Kissack has been stringing racquets for over 30 years, as a former tennis player himself. He strings racquets for the Clinton boys and girls tennis teams, and anyone in the community who needs the service, since there is not a local shop with this service. Since he’s somewhat of a “stringing expert” he was approached by the USTA to purchase a stringer for RespectAbilities, young adults with developmental disabilities who play tennis.

“The grant was $1,000 so I purchased one for $900, and had enough left over for strings,” he said. “I also donated 13 sets of strings to get them started.” 

 

Kissack was able to teach the group how to string their own racquets last December in Moline. Teaching anyone how to string a racquet is not an easy thing to do, he said, but they were all very excited to do it. 

 

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “They really had an eagerness to learn, and were excited and enthusiastic about learning. They all wanted to take turns.” 

 

Kissack first got into stringing when he was playing in college and broke strings at least once a week. He’s been doing it ever since. He said he hopes to work with the athletes one more time in Moline, to make sure they get the hang of it, and answer any more questions.

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