# My Local Tennis Pro - Trey Waltke Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dts0HLrV7Dw Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/dts0HLrV7Dw Generated: 2026-03-03T14:03:39.892+00:00 --- ## 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. ## Detailed Analysis Trey Waltke shared that in the 1970s, smoking during crossovers was permitted, contrasting sharply with the current era where players have full entourages; Waltke turned pro at 19 in 1974, managing his own travel, and noted that his highest ranking was 41, attributing the gap between him and top players like Lendl to consistency and size, as he is 5'10". He detailed memorable on-court incidents, including being verbally abused by John McEnroe and subsequently being named in a lawsuit over the incident, and mentioned playing doubles with Billie Jean King, whom he respected for her toughness despite finding it difficult to play alongside her. Waltke stopped playing in 1983, engaged in various ventures including starting 11 espresso bars, and eventually became the GM of the Malibu Racket Club after meeting Larry Ellison, who owns the property. The club is expensive, with a $12,000 initiation fee, and has a three-year waitlist, though they are attempting to expand. Waltke expressed strong opinions on current players, favoring Alcaraz for his joyfulness over Sinner, and ranked the Grand Slams in order of preference: French, US Open, Wimbledon (which he is saving for his honeymoon), and Australian Open. ### Early Life and Professional Start - Waltke grew up in St. Louis where tennis was nationally strong in the 60s; he moved to LA for his senior year of high school at 17, practicing with the UCLA team while living alone near Wilshire Boulevard; he turned pro in 1974 at age 19 after his freshman year at Cal, which he did not enjoy. ### Pro Tour Realities (1970s/80s) - Players had no trainers, coaches, or support; Waltke grossed about $98,000 in his best year (1980/82) compared to an estimated $1.5 million today for a similar ranking; he played against legends like McEnroe, Connors, and Lendl, noting that nobody hugged after matches in those days. ### Malibu Racket Club Acquisition - Waltke secured his GM role after hitting with Larry Ellison, suggesting they tour the rundown Malibu Rack Club, which Ellison subsequently bought; Waltke offered to run it, and the deal was finalized quickly, leading to renovations reflecting Ellison's modern Japanese aesthetic. ### Current Club Status and Tennis Opinions - The club has eight courts, a three-year waitlist, and high fees; Waltke opposes converting courts to pickleball; he prefers early-round tennis viewing and is fine with best-of-five sets only from the quarterfinals onward. ### Sponsor Segments - The show featured advertisements for IQ Bar (offering 20% off via text 'tosh' to 64000) and FitBod (offering 25% off or a 7-day free trial at fitbod.me/tsh).