Preserving What’s Great About Gladiator Tennis

In the latest trailer, you’ll hear “Strength and Honor!” echoing across the Colosseum. That spirit of resilience is what Gladiator Tennis is all about. We’re committed to protecting what you love: the flexibility, affordability, focus on community, and “right” level of competition. All of these will stay, and with new tools and insights, we’ll make it even easier to play, connect, and grow as a tennis player.

A common question I’ve heard since our announcement three weeks ago is, “Are you going to raise prices to cover the cost of the new app?” The answer is no. The seasons will stay affordable, meaning you’ll continue to enjoy 5-7 matches for less than a round of golf. To cover costs and grow, our plan is to expand the league – doubling the number of players in Chicago and St. Louis and launching in three new markets next year. More players mean a stronger community and greater diversity in match play. But to make this growth possible, we need an engaging digital and physical tennis experience – one that’s easy and fun for everyone, especially new players.

New Feature Spotlight: The Honor Score

Speaking of Strength and Honor, this spring we’ll be introducing the Honor Score – where sportsmanship meets skill! Tennis is a sport of respect, and now, in addition to reporting match scores, players will rate each other’s sportsmanship.  Each player’s aggregate Honor Score will appear on their profile, showing their commitment to both competition and respect on the court.

Honor isn’t just something we’re born with – it’s a skill that can be honed over time. A few years ago, I had a season in Gladiator that taught me this firsthand. I was paired with a player I’d always found challenging to play with – overly emotional, taking phone calls mid-match, and generally an unpleasant presence on the court. I actually dreaded our matchups.

Then, one season, I showed up to play him and noticed he was different. He was gracious, calm, focused – a totally transformed person. At the end of the match, he pulled out a small cooler and said, “Want to have a beer?” Now, I’m not suggesting people drink on public courts, but it was pretty empty, and I figured, why not? As we chatted, I asked him what had brought about this change.

“Well,” he said, “a few people complained about me to Steve. When he called, I felt really embarrassed – I didn’t realize what a jerk I’d been. My job is super stressful, and I was bringing that baggage to the court. I needed a reality check.”

Turns out, he was a great guy – humble, funny, and someone I genuinely enjoyed talking (and playing!) with. It hit me then that sometimes, all it takes is a little honest feedback to shift our behavior for the better. And that’s what I hope the Honor Score can do for our league. By shining a light on sportsmanship, it gives us all a chance to grow, myself included. Even if I lose a match, if I can uphold a perfect Honor Score, I’ll know I’m growing as a player and as a person. If you have thoughts on this feature, we’d love to hear them – we’re in the design phase now!

Our promise is to honor the past while making this league bigger and better than ever. With your passion and support, we’re building an experience that will make us all stronger, more connected, and ready to compete at the next level.

Strength and Honor, Gladiators!

- J Schwan, CEO, Gladiator Tennis