My Local Tennis Pro - Trey Waltke

Quick Overview

Former professional tennis player Trey Waltke, who reached a career-high ranking of 41, discussed his junior career in St. Louis, turning pro at 19, the distinct lack of player support systems in the 1970s compared to today, and his current role as the GM of the Malibu Racket Club, which he secured after meeting Larry Ellison.

Key Points: Waltke reached a career-high professional tennis ranking of 41 and his deepest major run was the third round at the US Open and Wimbledon several times. In the 1970s, players were allowed to smoke during crossovers, and Waltke noted that he rarely played anyone he didn't know, having only taken one college tennis class. Waltke turned pro after his freshman year at Cal in 1974, traveling day-by-day and handling all his own logistics, unlike modern players who have extensive support teams. He recounted a match against John McEnroe where McEnroe got in his face and cursed at him during a changeover, and the ensuing lawsuit where a fan sued both players after McEnroe squirted sawdust on the fan. Waltke left professional tennis in 1983, worked for Reebok's tennis division, and later started 11 espresso bars in LA before becoming the GM of the Malibu Racket Club in 2007 after proposing the idea to Larry Ellison. The Malibu Racket Club currently has eight courts, a three-year waitlist, and a $12,000 single membership initiation fee, with plans to expand by adding three to four more courts. Waltke prefers watching Alcaraz over Sinner because Alcaraz is a "human highlight film" who brings joy, though he admitted he is a Federer fan originally and respects Djokovic's post-match statesmanship.

Context: The video features an interview between host Daniel Tosh and Trey Waltke, a former professional tennis player and current General Manager of the Malibu Racket Club. The discussion begins with lighthearted banter about past eras, including smoking on court, before delving into Waltke's history as a top junior player in St. Louis, his decision to move to LA for high school tennis, and his professional career spanning the mid-1970s to 1983.