Palm Desert is distinguished as a top-tier tennis destination worldwide, particularly within California. While the city is widely regarded for its higher-level tennis, one man is working diligently to ensure that local youth talent has just as many opportunities to succeed. A native of the area, Rhenn Ramirez has been working behind the scenes for years, preparing aspiring players for the next steps in their athletic journeys. 

USTA Southern California is proud to celebrate Ramirez’ efforts, who is the newest recipient of our Tournament Director of the Month honors. 

Rhenn’s passion for tennis ignited during childhood, inspired by his parents’ love for the sport. “I was always around the world of tennis, thanks to my mom Debbie,” Rhenn shared. “My earliest tennis memory is watching my parents enjoy the game together. I loved that they shared this sport.”

While it was his parents that got him into tennis, it was his brother that pushed him in the sport further than he would ever imagine. At just the age of 18, Rhenn’s brother was in a tragic car accident and sadly passed away. Rhenn, only 14 years old at the time, found a light in his life when he needed it most in both his family and in tennis. 

“Tennis and family were the pillars that kept me going during that time,” he reflected. “My brother’s passing fueled my determination to pursue and enjoy life. I wanted to learn what this sport would take and after I had a few clinics, I realized I might like an individual based sport more than a team based sport. All the other team based sports that I was playing at the time went non-existent as I fell in love with tennis.” 

Over two decades, Ramirez has navigated various roles within the Palm Desert tennis community. His journey began at 16 when he secured a position at Tamarisk Country Club, mentored by Lisa Schrieber, a friend of his mother. Rhenn’s gratitude towards Schrieber is profound: “I owe much of who I am today to Lisa. She taught me how to excel as a tennis professional.”

Simultaneously, Rhenn worked as a stringer at the BNP Paribas Open and spearheaded an events crew for the tournament. During the pandemic, his passion for stringing led him to establish RRSM (Ramirez Racquet Sports Management), offering pick-up and delivery stringing services. He has also served as a Tennis Professional at Mission Hills Country Club and Woodhaven Country Club & Silver Sands Racquet Club, currently holding that position at Indian Ridge Country Club. Balancing these roles throughout his career while directing tournaments, Ramirez’ life is action packed with tennis, to which he has no complaints. For more than half of his life, he has been a pivotal figure in the tennis community, orchestrating events and shaping memorable experiences for players and families alike.

Despite his demanding schedule, Ramirez remains dedicated to fostering the next generation of tennis players. “I love hosting tournaments in the desert, as there were few when I was a junior player,” he expressed. “I host these events with lots of thought towards the player experience that I wish I got when I traveled to play events.” Making it his mission to carry on his families’ legacy while helping craft the next generation of players, Rhenn has been a champion of the game for players in the desert. Coming to work each day is a haven for Ramirez, who has found joys in the simplicities of his job. 

“The most rewarding part of my job is having great activities, seeing families enjoying the game and simply having a good time with everyone no matter their age,” he said. “I look forward to every morning and how I can make tennis better for everyone.  I love my job so much because everyday I get to teach people about this amazing sport. This position was never about the money for me. I just wanted to show my passion for the game I love through my work.” 

With all of the rewards that come with his position, Ramirez has learned valuable lessons along the way, many of which pertaining to how a director can properly manage relationships between themselves, players, parents and coaches. 

“I have learned that tennis is a sport where the individual can succeed. I love that tennis can be an individualized sport and have witnessed how parents and coaches must do their best to let their players enjoy every experience,” Rhenn added. “The most challenging aspect of what I do is not only making sure that my players are happy, but also their parents.  I always think of how a parent would most enjoy their experience and how I can ensure that as a tournament director.” 

Advising those interested in becoming a tournament director, Rhenn encourages individuals to love the sport, but most of all to be passionate about their work. 

“The advice I would give to an upcoming tournament director is to love what you do because the work is not easy,” expressed Rhenn. “If you have the patience and a plan, it will be successful for not only you, but also for what you’re trying to create. It takes time to create something special.”

Rhenn’s commitment extends beyond tournaments. He actively engages with the local community, organizing programs for players of all ages. Kicking off the month of April, Ramirez managed a week-long junior program for players of the ages between four and twelve, hosting over 40 children per day. Not only did he run this program, but upon the conclusion each day, he followed up with a second program for players of the ages between 13 and 18. The next opportunity to work directly with Rhenn comes this summer, as Ramirez is hosting a summer camp throughout the months of June, July and August. 

Working strenuous hours, Rhenn understands the need for the development of youth tennis in the area and his care is shown through his efforts. As he is constantly working to grow the sport in his hometown, his sights are always set on the future, brimming with plans to further enrich the tennis community under the Ramirez’ family name. With boundless enthusiasm and unwavering dedication, Rhenn Ramirez continues to inspire and uplift all those who share his passion for tennis.