ABOUT LITE TENNIS

Same racquet. Same strokes. We just changed the ball.

Founded in 2022 by Buff Farrow and Leo Esteopare, Lite Tennis was created to make tennis accessible to all. By changing the ball and adapting it to a pickleball court (and yes, you can absolutely play on tennis courts too), Lite Tennis has created a solution for beginners of all ages and experienced tennis players, who may not be able to play full court tennis anymore.

OUR MISSION

Lite Tennis exists to make tennis accessible to everyone. By bringing the game to the pickleball court, we're opening play to every age and ability — rediscovering a sport built for leisure, laughter, and real connection.

HOW LITE TENNIS HAPPENED

It started with a simple observation, and a little heartbreak. Across America, pickleball courts were multiplying: in parks, in neighborhoods, in gyms and senior centers. Often, they were replacing tennis courts. For two lifelong tennis players, watching tennis courts disappear was heartbreaking.

But then came the question that changed everything: what if all those small courts weren't a threat to tennis — what if they were the biggest opportunity tennis has had in decades?

The problem was the ball. A regular tennis ball hit with a real swing flies well beyond the dimensions of a pickleball court. The adaptive balls made for kids' tennis came close, but none of them were built for what we wanted: a ball an adult could hit with a full, natural tennis stroke and keep inside a pickleball court. So, we tested every foam ball on the market. Then we went further. We worked tirelessly with a veteran ball engineer to add weight and develop a rubberized outer coating found on no other ball in the world to ensure the ball bounces higher and lasts longer. The Lite Tennis coating gives the ball truer flight, real spin off tennis strings, impressive durability, and a bright, vivid color to improve visibility.

The result is a game that feels like real tennis — because it is real tennis. Long, flowing groundstrokes. Serves, volleys, rallies, strategy. Just played on a court you can find in nearly every neighborhood in America, in half the space and at a pace that welcomes everybody. Perfect for beginners of any age, experienced tennis players who want to be able to play socially with friends, and seniors who still love tennis and want to continue playing.

We call it Lite Tennis. And we think it's how tennis grows from here.

OUR TEAM

Buff Farrow of Lite Tennis smiling

CO-FOUNDER

BUFF FARROW

Buff Farrow is a Wichita native and Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductee. His tennis career began at Wichita Southeast High School, where he won two state titles and was ranked the No. 2 junior player in the country, before taking him to UCLA, where he was a three-time All-American and won the 1986 United States Amateur Tennis Championship. He represented the United States on the Davis Cup team from 1988 to 1990, reached 215in the world as a professional, and helped the Wichita Advantage win the 1993 World Team Tennis title. A member of the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame, Farrowhas chaired severalnational USTA committees and in Wichita's tennis community.

Leo Estopare standing for a photo

CO-FOUNDER

LEO ESTOPARE

LeoEstopare grew up in St. Louis, where he was a nationally ranked junior player and won several USLTA doubles championships in the mid-60’s, as well as, three consecutive MSHSAA singles titles. He went on to become a standout collegiate player at Odessa College and West Texas State, advancing through tournaments and bringing home numerous trophy’s for both schools. Estopare's career in the sport spans more than 35 years in club tennis management, teaching, and coaching, driven by a passionate interest in innovation and the promotion of the game. He continues today, being helpful among local juniors traveling the national circuit.Leolives in Wichita, Kansas and enjoys being active within the national tennis industry and growing participation.

Tennis professional Craig Johnson smiling

Partner

Craig Johnson

Craig Johnson founded Grip n Rip Junior Tennis at the Newport Beach Tennis Club in 2006. With an impressive career as both a player and coach, he was an All-American at Pepperdine University and competed on the ATP Tour. He achieved a career high singles ranking of 318 in the world and a doubles ranking of 281. Following his professional career, Craig coached for World Team Tennis before settling back into Southern California to open Grip n Rip Junior Tennis.

Craig became a partner in Lite Tennis since the sport itself has offered him so many opportunities. Lite Tennis with its broad appeal to all ages and skill levels can now grant so many others those same opportunities. Most sports have an easier version of the sport (golf with forward tees and baseball with teeball) - with the creation of the Lite Tennis ball, tennis now has one. Everyone regardless of age and skill level, can now experience success and enjoyment at a much quicker rate.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

  • Every age, every ability.

    Whether you're 8 or 80, picking
    up a racquet for the first time or the ten-thousandth, Lite Tennis meets you
    where you are. Any strung racquet works, and the court is already in your
    neighborhood.

  • Healthy for a lifetime.

    Tennis is one of the healthiest activities on earth, and Lite Tennis delivers a full
    tennis workout in half the space — a game you can keep playing for life.

  • Fun above all.

    Lite Tennis was built for leisure, laughter, and real connection. Bring your family.
    Bring your friends. The point is playing together.

AN OFFICIAL GAME

Lite Tennis is governed by the United States Lite Tennis Association (USLTA), which maintains the official rules and approves equipment for play. The game follows USTA Rules of Tennis with a handful of small-court variations — so if you know tennis, you already know Lite Tennis.

HOW TO PLAY