Stuhlmann Takes It On the Road with TennisONE

If that list of tennis royalty isn’t mind-blowing enough, discussing the similarities between tennis and boxing with Sugar Ray Leonard should just about do it.

“It’s really because Andrew Krasny is phenomenal at what he does. He keeps things fun and upbeat. He is good at getting people to really open up and talk about what’s on their minds and having open and honest conversations, which has been really great to be a part of. To be able to ask the pros different questions has been so great. All the pros have been so nice and so approachable.”

Now that professional tennis is slowly coming back to life, “TennisONE” is full board into the World Team Tennis (WTT) season – post-match interviews, live coverage and more. That means Stuhlmann is on the road. She is taking in the sites where WTT is playing this season –  The Greenbriar in Sulphur Springs, W. Vir. with her new program – Rachel’s Racket. 

The program, which airs daily at 10:30 a.m. CDT, gives viewers a glimpse into life around The Greenbriar, as well as the Sulphur Springs area, which Stuhlmann said is a gorgeous area of the country. 

“It’s so fun and exciting. I’ve dreamed about having a show like this my whole life. Just having a show where it’s a behind-the-scenes look at what the players are doing when they aren’t playing. So now, I get to show people that. It doesn’t feel like a job. It is so fun, being able to look at what goes on at these tournaments behind the scenes.”

Her work recently gave her another opportunity of a lifetime – playing with a pro.

At a charity event in Lexington, Ky., which Stuhlmann was covering for TennisONE, a player was suddenly unable to play. The tournament director approached her and asked if she could step in. Stuhlmann initially said no, but realized it was for charity and relented. She was excited at the prospect of playing again – until she realized she needed equipment! She also did not know with whom she was playing. It turned out there was a mix up in the schedule and it was a doubles exhibition with none other than Genie Bouchard – with doubles legend Renee Stubbs on the sidelines to boot!

“I hadn’t played tennis since September. I went to a sports store and grabbed a pair of Nike Court shoes and a tennis skirt really quickly and just wore a t-shirt I was wearing that day. All the girls were so nice and welcoming. I actually wasn’t hitting too bad, either! Renee Stubbs was giving us advice and it was so fun.”

She has also had the opportunity to travel the world. She was able to cover the Sofia Open in Bulgaria. She considers the trip one of the best of her career. Though the trip was of the greatest, she still thinks one of the best tournaments in the game is right here at home at the U.S Open. 

“I realize just about every day how lucky I am to be doing what I am doing,” she said. “I have had the opportunity to go places and see things I probably never would have the chance to if not for my job. I am just so fortunate.” 

You can download the TennisONE App at the Google Store or on any iOS or Android. You can catch Stuhlmann on Instagram and Twitter at @rstuhlmann.