More Than a Game: Ari Roberts on Building Confidence, Family and Community Through Tennis

For Ari Roberts, president of the Eastern section of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and founder of MatchPoint Tennis in Goshen, tennis has always been about more than winning matches. It is a way to build confidence, connect generations, and create a community where people feel they belong.

“Tennis builds family and builds a sense of belonging,” Roberts said. “One of my visions of opening here was to create a place that people can come and enjoy and have a sense of belonging and sense of family.”

Roberts began playing tennis in eighth grade, encouraged by his father. After competing for Monroe-Woodbury High School and Ithaca College, he initially planned a career in airport management. Instead, the tennis lessons he taught during college summers gradually grew into MatchPoint Tennis, which he founded in 2001.

In 2010, MatchPoint opened at the Goshen Sports Complex, where its programs now serve approximately 200 junior players weekly, alongside adults and older residents. In addition to leading MatchPoint, Roberts serves as president of USTA Eastern, overseeing tennis development across New York State, much of New Jersey, and part of Connecticut. He also serves as an assistant coach for Army West Point’s women’s tennis team, extending his commitment to developing athletes and future leaders.

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Building confidence beyond the court

Roberts believes tennis teaches lessons that extend well beyond athletic performance, particularly leadership, independence, and resilience.

Unlike many team sports, singles tennis requires players to make decisions and manage setbacks on their own. At higher levels of competition, he explained, mental toughness can become a deciding factor.

“What makes us different is the mental toughness,” he said. “If something bad happens at one point, you can overcome it and forget it and move on to the next point.”

Learning to move past a lost point and focus on the next one helps players develop resilience, an ability that can serve them well beyond the court. At Army, Roberts noted, a sports mental performance coach works with the team to strengthen this aspect of their game.

For young players, building self-confidence is equally important. Roberts hopes children leave MatchPoint feeling more confident than when they first arrived.

“Sometimes you need to be your own biggest cheerleader,” he said.

His coaching philosophy also recognizes that every student learns differently.

“A good coach changes their style to match the needs of the player,” he said. “It’s not about the coach. It’s about the player getting better.”

Supporting families and older adults

MatchPoint also recognizes that a child’s sporting experience depends on a wider support system. The organization offers educational seminars to help parents understand the sport, their children’s goals, and the different pathways to college tennis.

“It’s not just the kids out there; it’s the whole family when kids are playing,” Roberts said. “It’s a support system that helps your child get from point A to point B.”

The facility also provides opportunities for older adults to maintain their physical health and social connections. Roberts said approximately 30 to 40 adults aged 55 and older participate in pickleball groups four days a week. Tennis clinics, adult programs, and social events provide additional ways to stay active.

“Staying healthy is so important with exercise,” he said. “You need to have exercise for a clear mind and body.”

Family days bring generations together, allowing children to play alongside parents and grandparents. Roberts noted that pickleball can even bring a 15-year-old and a 75-year-old onto the court together.

For him, these shared experiences help strengthen family bonds and reduce social isolation.

Teaching the next generation to give back

Community involvement extends beyond tennis instruction. MatchPoint juniors help organize fundraisers, learning how to plan events, promote them, and manage activities. Roberts allows young participants to choose charities that have a personal connection to members of the program.

Recent efforts raised $2,200 for the Junior Tennis Foundation and approximately $1,500 to $2,000 for BluePath Service Dogs, which supports people with autism and other special needs through service dogs.

These projects give young people opportunities to contribute to causes beyond themselves while developing leadership, empathy, and responsibility.

For Roberts, giving back is an essential part of building a stronger community.

“I’m doing something that impacts other people, and that’s the greatest gift you could give back is making a difference,” he said.

A sport for everyone

Despite tennis’s reputation as an expensive sport, Roberts believes it should be accessible to everyone. He points out that many people play on public courts and that enjoying the game does not require belonging to a private club.

“Tennis doesn’t need to be that,” he said of the sport’s perceived exclusivity. “It’s a sport that’s open for everybody and has changed so many lives.”

His vision for MatchPoint is to continue creating affordable opportunities for children, families, and older adults to participate, connect, and grow.

Ultimately, Roberts measures success not only through championships or individual achievements, but through the lasting impact people have on one another.

“For me, it’s not about what I’m doing. It’s about how I’m impacting and creating a difference with other people,” he said.