05/27/2026
It all began on a tennis court in Bombay, India.
There, six-year-old Dipesh Rao, under the tutelage of his father, swung his first tennis racquet. A young Dipesh learned the fundamentals. He learned to serve. He learned to volley. And, most importantly, he learned a love for the game.
That love, along with hard work and talent, started earning him wins as he began competing and training throughout his teen years. His dedication paid off, and he received a full tennis scholarship to the University of Toledo. While there, Dipesh met his future wife, Julie. They began to build a “love-love” life and family together which includes their son, Jai, and daughters, Priya and Mira.
From Toledo, Dipesh chased his professional tennis dreams to Florida. He focused on developing his game while also working at the Chris Evert Tennis Academy. Dipesh’s professional career took him across the United States, as well as to international venues in India and Egypt. In 2009, Dipesh won the USTA 5.0 Nationals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. And in 2011, he won the USTA 5.5 Nationals in Las Vegas.
In 2005, Dipesh and his family made the move to North Carolina, where he became the Junior Tennis Director and Head Pickleball Pro at Lake Jeanette Swim and Tennis Club. He worked there for 18 years before accepting the role of Director of Racquet Sports at Green Valley Swim and Tennis Club in 2024.
Under his leadership, Green Valley has experienced tremendous growth and facilities improvements. He’s enriched the tennis experience; while also promoting pickleball, overseeing the installation of two new and four hybrid pickleball courts. Dipesh is keen on providing a positive member experience, offering varied programming and learning opportunities. Speaking of learning, Dipesh loves to study and is continuing in his education as a sports professional. He’s earned his CRSE (Certified Racquet Sports Executive) and MTPS, (Master Tennis Performance Specialist). It’s no wonder that Dipesh was awarded the USPTA (U.S. Pro Tennis Association) 2019 North Carolina Professional of the Year.
Dipesh’s early love for the game has now come full circle. He’s passionate about tennis and pickleball and wants to share that passion with others. He sees racquet sports as a vehicle for healthier and happier lives. Studies have shown that tennis and pickleball can extend a life by an additional ten years.
Dipesh summed it up best, “It’s definitely been a rewarding job for me. I help to make people’s lives better. I just feel lucky.”
Interested in learning how to play Pickleball? Dipesh will be teaching Pickleball 101, an introduction to the game on Friday, May 29th at 4:00 PM as part of our Hirsch Wellness Thrivers Cup. Limited spaces available, so sign up now! (https://www.hirschwellnessnetwork.org/)
