The Racket Pets Story
Racket Pets started the way a lot of good ideas do — with a mom on a mission and a racket bag full of dampeners and overgrips.
I'm Maria Wiebers: mom of four, self-professed tennis fanatic, and the founder of Racket Pets. Over the years, I bought more dampeners and overgrips than I can count, and I noticed something simple but powerful — players love using them to personalize their rackets. There were plenty of designs on the market, but no one had connected the dots. So in 2018, I created something new: the first dampener and overgrip tape matching set designed to work together, turning an ordinary racket into an adorable Racket Pet.
What Are They For?
Racket Pet dampeners have a distinctive look in the animal's facial expressions to evoke a sense of joy and enthusiasm, while the matching overgrip is patterned after the body of the animal. By turning a tennis racket into a Racket Pet, the ultimate goal is to add another component of FUN to the tennis game and get more kids onto the courts.
Growing the Game
What began as one mom's idea has grown far beyond what I ever imagined. Today, Racket Pets is a certified woman- and minority-owned small business found in over 100 retailers nationwide. Our Racket Pets have been incorporated into USTA regional kids tournaments and shown up courtside at professional events like the Cincinnati Open, Citi Open, and Little Mo.
As the brand grew, so did my goal of keeping the fun — and the function — alive on the court. In 2023, I launched the Ball Tote, a ball bag designed for busy instructors who juggle multiple types of balls during lessons. It features several large pockets for a pro's essentials, and comes in four color variations that match USTA Net Generation ball colors — red, orange, green, and classic black — so instructors can stay organized and move quickly from one lesson to the next.
Tennis has given me so much, and teaching it is one of my favorite ways to give back. I'm a certified Level 1 instructor with the RSPA, and I still teach lessons on the side — another way to share my love for the greatest lifetime sport there is.
At the end of the day, Racket Pets is rooted in one simple idea: tennis should be fun. And I'm still dreaming up new ways to make time on the court a little brighter — because sometimes, getting someone to fall in love with tennis starts with giving them a reason to smile when they pick up their racket.
Your feedback is always welcome and if there is an animal you would like to see as a Racket Pet, we welcome your input.
Maria Wiebers