Father-son Schultz tandem has served Lincoln tennis community since 1988

For close to 40 years, tennis players have come through the doors of Racquet Corner in Lincoln, Neb., as kids, only to return years later as parents. Since 1988, Ron Schultz (70) and his father, Bob Schultz (96), have served tennis players in the Lincoln community and beyond.

“I’m proud of treating customers with the highest respect and helping them improve their game,” Bob said.

“It’s a blessing to work with him,” Ron added. “I can see him each day, and he helps me with many things.”

When they first opened up shop in 1988, there was only one other tennis shop in town. Initially business was slow, and they got the word out by passing out flyers. Bob used his past experience as a pharmaceutical sales rep to deal with the sales side of business, while he leaned on Ron for technical aspects.

Together, they created a fixture that has stood the test of time, a rarity in the days of internet shopping and big-box stores.

“I like helping people and making them happy with whatever they want, whether it’s a grip or string or a new racquet,” Ron said.

“They taught me how to string, and I learned about the different frames and types of strings,” said Joe Heydt, who worked there for seven years and routinely strings racquets at the US Open in New York City. “It was amazing. Their philosophy of customer service really aligned with my personality. I just had to treat everyone honestly.”

Heydt worked at Racquet Corner stringing racquets in 1992 while he was in college. After getting married and moving to Omaha, he wanted to open up his own shop. With Bob and Ron’s permission, he opened up the second Racquet Corner location in Omaha in 2003. It was under their tutelage that Heydt decided to take his life’s course in a different direction.