Q&A: Scott Howes, USTA Missouri Valley manager, adult play

My earliest memory of tennis is going to the public park with my mom and dad when I was less than 10 years old and literally—I don’t know how many people have done this—hitting rocks from the gravel parking lot with my dad’s extra tennis racquet into the woods. Which I’m sure he wasn’t very appreciative of.

From there, it was just playing tennis with my brothers throughout the years recreationally. I have an older brother and a twin brother, and to be honest, we’re all just a bunch of hacks and play for fun. My sister, who played in college, could have beaten all three of us individually on any given day. She had more talent than we had.

It’s been in the family for as long as I can remember. I’ve played in tournaments and played in a league with my coworkers. I’ve coached my two daughters and some of their friends, putting that bug of tennis in their brain. And now it’s providing Red Ball Tennis opportunities for people, whether I’m out on the court helping them or setting up opportunities for them.

You recently attended the 2025 US Open to help with the American Express Fan Experience for nine days. What was that like?

Our area was specifically designated to Red Ball Tennis—getting racquets in the hands of people and getting them hitting tennis balls. Thousands came through, and tens of thousands of Red Ball Tennis equipment packs will be mailed out to people. For a lot of these people this might have been the first time they ever picked up a racquet, which is great as that’s the whole reason we were there.

It’s the opportunity to not only go to the US Open to watch tennis, but to come and play some tennis. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to be involved at such an amazing event. We all know the US Open is one of the top sporting events in the country, if not the world.

For those who haven’t tried Red Ball Tennis, why should they give it a shot?

A big tennis court with a regular yellow ball is intimidating to people who don’t have that background or previous skill of playing tennis. With Red Ball Tennis—the shorter racquet, lower-compression ball and shorter court—you can play the sport within minutes and have a great time.

It makes it possible for you to rally back and forth with somebody no matter your skill level or age. It simplifies the game, levels out the playing field and provides an opportunity for a quick, easy and fearless opportunity on the court.

What do you enjoy most about the sport of tennis? What keeps you coming back?

After 24 years of working for the USTA, I feel like it’s given me a lot. At this point, I need to make sure I’m giving something back to the sport. I enjoy the possibility that tomorrow or the next day, I’m able to give somebody that opportunity to play the sport of tennis no matter where they fall in their tennis journey.

As we say, it’s the sport of a lifetime. In my heart, it’s my job to develop and promote the sport of tennis. And make it the sport of a lifetime for as many people as I can.

Scott Howes’ Favorites

• Food: Chinese food

• Shot in Tennis: Serve

• Sports Team: Chicago Cubs

• Hobbies: Walking my dog every day; lawn work

• Athletes: Bobby Witt Jr.; Tony Gwynn

• Snack: Chocolate chip cookies with nuts

• Board Game: Rummikub

• Sport besides Tennis: To play, basketball. To watch, football.

• Vacation Spot: Hawaii

• Pizza Topping: Pineapple

• Fast Fact: I’ve broken 13 bones and broke my collarbone four times.