About
Meet Bert-Founder
Bert, the founder and owner of "Tennis & Fitness Sports," which later evolved into "Tennis String Theory," has been a cornerstone of the tennis community for decades. His journey in tennis began as a teenager, competing passionately in tournaments despite facing significant challenges due to the prejudice of his time. These barriers extended beyond the court, as finding someone to string his rackets proved difficult because of his ethnicity.
Determined to overcome this hurdle, Bert taught himself the art of stringing tennis rackets. His skill quickly gained recognition, and soon, he was stringing rackets for friends and colleagues. His reputation grew, and before long, he found himself stringing numerous rackets daily while also teaching tennis.
In 1969, Bert opened his first tennis shop off Seminary Road, near "The Broiler." Later, he relocated to a smaller store in Bailey's Crossroads, where he continued to serve the community until 2019. Throughout these years, he transitioned from competing to fully dedicating himself to his business and family.
Bert has always been an active and cherished member of his community. Many of his customers remain loyal, returning to "Tennis String Theory" for racket restringing and other services. Even at 85 years old, Bert remains a passionate presence in the world of tennis. Although retired, he continues to play the sport he loves and maintains an active role in the business he built from the ground up.
His story is one of perseverance, dedication, and a lifelong love for tennis, leaving a legacy that inspires all who know him.
Meet Ivy
Ivy Smith's journey is truly inspiring. Her dedication to tennis from a young age which started at age 5, coupled with her diverse interests and entrepreneurial experience among other experiences under her hat, has shaped her into a remarkable individual. It's heartwarming to see how she's extended her passion for tennis beyond just playing, by helping others appreciate the sport. She has versatile sports coach specializing in basketball, cheerleading, boxing, and tennis. Her passion extends beyond coaching, as she also dedicates her time to teaching tennis to special needs children, fostering inclusivity and skill development. With a commitment to teamwork, discipline, and community engagement, Ivy strives to inspire athletes of all abilities. She has been stringing over 10 years and strings at tournaments.
Her decision to take over her father's tennis shop, despite a thriving career in acting and stunt driving, demonstrates her commitment to family and her willingness to embrace new challenges. The moment when she decided to step up and announce her ownership, driven by her father's emotional reaction, speaks volumes about her character and determination. Her journey in this endeavor has been challenging, as she has faced significant backlash for being a woman who owns and operates a tennis facility. Despite her expertise, there are those who dismiss her knowledge, often seeking advice from men instead. However, her extensive experience inundoubtedly as well as others has equipped her with a depth of understanding and insight that surpasses that of many, proving that true expertise transcends gender.
Expanding her business to open a second shop in Ashburn further showcases Ivy's success and ambition. Her ability to balance her various interests, from tennis to cars, cooking, and spending time with loved ones, reflects a well-rounded approach to life.
Surviving a stroke in 2010 when she was only 30 yrs old was undoubtedly a pivotal moment for Ivy. It's inspiring to see how she turned that experience into a catalyst for self-discovery and found her true calling in helping players find the perfect tennis equipment. Ivy's resilience and positive outlook on life serve as a reminder to cherish every moment and pursue one's passions wholeheartedly.
Meat Sean
Sean's journey in a career in Information Technology to becoming an integral part of Ivy's tennis business is fascinating. His adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges highlight his determination and drive. It's impressive how quickly he became an expert in customer service, showcasing his dedication and work ethic.
His interest in tennis, sparked by his partnership with Ivy, demonstrates a willingness to explore new passions and collaborate effectively. Sean's enjoyment of stringing and his knack for retaining information due to his eidetic memory undoubtedly contribute to the success of the business.
Despite his busy schedule and diverse interests, Sean's commitment to spending time with family and seeking out new adventures underscores his balanced approach to life. His ability to find joy in both the simplicity of family time and the excitement of new experiences speaks volumes about his character.
Together, Ivy and Sean form a dynamic team, combining their unique skills and passions to create a thriving business while cherishing life's simple pleasures. Their partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and the importance of pursuing one's passions with dedication and enthusiasm.
Sean's journey has taken an unexpected turn with the news of his liver disease and the impending need for a transplant. It's heart-wrenching to hear about his health challenge, but it's inspiring to see his resilience and determination to continue working at the shop while awaiting the transplant.
His dedication to his work, even in the face of such a significant health obstacle, speaks volumes about his character and strength. Sean's passion for tennis and his enjoyment of stringing rackets remain steadfast, serving as sources of solace and distraction during this challenging time.
His love for spending time with family and his anticipation of new adventures are undoubtedly driving forces that keep him motivated and optimistic despite the uncertainty of his health journey.
For those who wish to support Sean during this difficult time, the opportunity to donate to his transplant journey through his GoFundMe link is a meaningful way to offer assistance and solidarity.
Sean's story reminds us of the importance of resilience, community support, and cherishing each moment, even in the face of adversity. We send him our thoughts and well wishes for a successful transplant and a speedy recovery.
Meet Manny - Manager
Driven by a strong work ethic and natural leadership skills, Manny is known for his commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire those around him. Whether leading a team project or assisting a customer, he brings a positive attitude and a solution-focused mindset to every challenge.
Outside of work, he stays active by playing volleyball and tennis—two sports that reflect his love for teamwork, strategy, and perseverance. But what truly sets him apart is his genuine passion for helping people. He finds great satisfaction in delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences for customers.
Manny continues to grow as a leader by combining his athletic discipline, strong interpersonal skills, and a deep-seated dedication to making a difference in every role he takes on.
Meet Tracee'
Tracee's musical talent and prowess with stringed instruments, coupled with her athletic abilities in soccer and badminton, showcase her diverse range of skills and interests. It's impressive to see her excel as one of the youngest and fastest stringers on the East Coast, demonstrating both her natural talent and her dedication to mastering her craft.
Her willingness to learn and improve, coupled with her openness to feedback and new ideas, reflects a mature and growth-oriented mindset. Tracee's ability to overcome shyness and provide excellent customer service highlights her adaptability and commitment to personal development.
Like Sean and Ivy, Tracee finds stringing rackets therapeutic, underscoring the meditative and calming aspects of the task. Her passion for trying new cuisines and learning new things speaks to her adventurous spirit and curiosity about the world around her.
Tracee's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-improvement, and embracing new experiences. Her dedication to her craft and her willingness to step out of her comfort zone serve as inspiration for others pursuing their passions and seeking personal growth.
Meet Daniel
Daniel lives in the Woodbridge area, and originally is from Mexico. He attended Northern Virginia Community College for computer classes and has taken Ivy’s boot camp classes for the tennis shop. He now enjoys playing tennis, as well as soccer. Daniel has been employed by the company for about two years and is moving forward steadily. As one of our newest stringers, he is starting to enjoy stringing and all the different techniques.
Daniel is always delighted to meet new people and have good conversations. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, learning new things, dancing and eating good food.
About Us
Tennis String Theory provides extensive expertise for all types of tennis players to help them find the best tennis gear to sharpen their game. We have a wide selection of clothing, shoes, racquets and bags for all your tennis and racquetball needs. In addition, our business has several convenient drop off and pick up locations for racquet stringing.
Above And Beyond
"Staff is very nice and will go above and beyond. This place is a diamond in a rough. Definitely worth going to."
- J.S.
Friendly And Helpful
"You have to go in the middle door, up the stairs, and take a left. The man working here is very friendly and helped us pick out some beginner rackets. He even added extra grip since I have big hands without charging me extra."
- Conrad E.
Great Shop
"The owner, who's always there, is a great guy! I went there to get my racket restrung and he took care of it in 2 hours and did a really good job. Small space on the second floor of a building but a great shop nevertheless."
- Caroline L.
Come see us and let us help you be the best tennis player you can be by suiting you up with the correct tennis racquet.
Our store, originally known as Tennis & Fitness Sports, opened in 1970. The original owner is a skilled tennis pro, has played established tennis icons, and is a well-known and respected member of the community. His passion for tennis was a definite draw for his customers, and his business grew entirely through word of mouth as his rapport and personalized touch brought in his large clientele. He continues his involvement in the business, which is now operated by his family.